Oct 31, 2024

Rhythm

5-Part Lap Map: I’ll copy this for you next time

5-Part Longy rhythm:

  • Do this with tapping only beat 1 and whispering on dots

Think of which cause of error you made after you complete the above but had a mistake:

  1. Reaction: something new takes you by surprise. Cure: Eagle vision
  2. Anticipation: this can be daydreaming, or getting worried about a difficult part coming up. Cure: Eagle vision, get back into feeling your tapping, hearing your singing/whispering
  3. Looking Back: You look back to a mistake you just made and start talking to yourself about it. Cure: Tell the “bad coach” to stop, and keep moving forward

Technique

Legato & Staccato Exercise (3rds Exercise sheet)

  • spend only a couple of days going through each one

Camel’s Journey p. 29

  • Keep practicing with counting out loud
  • be aware that you tend to play the first 2 measures slowly and then m. 3-4 faster – try to even these out a bit. You can use a metronome to help

Learn p. 30

Theory

Do p. 30-35 (if not already done – I will check next time)

Do p. 36-37

Lessons

C Chord exercises p. 48

  • be sure to lean to the left or right any time your hand crosses over the midline of your body
  • keep your wrist level (not high)
  • pay attention to keeping fingers 3 and 5 curved – think firm fingertips

Scarecrow p. 49

  • Keep practicing

Learn My Pony and Row p. 50-51

  • write in counting
  • count out loud

Performance

Learn Miniature Sonatina p. 28-29

  • write in counting and count out loud
  • add dynamics

Christmas

Carol of the Bells

  • Work on adding the dynamics
  • try “ghosting” the RH in m. 9-16 as you play LH at mf 
  • when dynamics are easier, work on memorizing by following the “Sacred Four Steps” below
  1. Play the piece VERY SLOWLY with the sheet music, paying attention to all the details
  2. Play the piece up to tempo with the sheet music, paying attention to all the details
  3. Play the piece again VERY SLOWLY without the sheet music, paying attention to details
  4. Play the piece once more, up to tempo without the sheet music, paying attention to details