Jaylee
Oct 29, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
We worked more on the Thankful Song. Good Progress with playing. Play with the track this week. Get tempo and transitions between chords smooth.
Sing the Thankful Song (without trying to play). Practice every day.
We worked on Classical Showdown. (if the link doesn't work, open it directly from your PM library) Jaylee will play the Primo. Michael will play the Secondo.
Listen to it several times before working on it. Slow the playback speed down in YouTube settings. Remember to play turns and trick measures several times by themselves.
Check Out the Video below.
Oct 22, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
We started with the Technique section - first 1B and then 1D. For next week, try to get through all of 1B and 1C Technique. 15 minutes per day and you'll complete the two sections.
We started on Classical Showdown. Jaylee will play the Primo. Michael will play the Secondo.
Try to get the little digital keyboard to pop up on the bottom of the screen. If you don't figure it out, I'll figure it out by our next lesson.
Remember that if you click on the note with a mouse, a keyboard will pop up and show you where the note is.
We spent a few moments on "Thankful, Grateful, Appreciate." Our goal is to play it and sing it by the week before Thanksgiving so we can be ready to record.
Oct 15, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
We started right out with Thankful and worked our way through the transition portion.
Jaylee took the SASR and scored 158. We need to review the notes and also identifying steps up and down.
We reviewed chords by playing through "Girl On Fire" by Alicia Keys, and Bruno Mars, "Count On Me"
We spent a few moments on the gospel song, "Keep On Getting Better."
Oct 1, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
Warm Ups - All notes to an 86 bpm beat
Learned "Thankful"
Challenge for Oct/Nov - Learn to play and sing this:
Learn the words to the song,
Then, learn to play the notes on the keyboard:
Everybody gets a heart
Everybody gets a soul
Everybody gets a mind
To let them know
That we can be smart
And we can be kind
And we can be living by giving and
loving all the time
So on the days when it’s feeling tough
And it seems like you don’t have enough, well... Let’s be
Thankful for our friends and family And
grateful for the air that we breathe And
appreciate everything that we have today (Hey) ... Let’s be
Generous to anyone who has less than
us It’s good to be compassionate ‘Cause ever
since the day you were born, yea
You’ve got a lot to be thankful for
Yea, we’ve got a lot to be thankful for
Everybody gets the land
And everybody gets a seed
So everybody lend a hand
To those in need
‘Cause we can be nice
And we can all share
We can keep growing together, It’s
better when everyone cares
So on the days when it’s feeling tough
And it seems like you don’t have enough, well... Let’s be
Thankful for our friends and family And
grateful for the air that we breathe And
appreciate everything that we have today (Hey) ... Let’s be
Generous to anyone who has less than
us It’s good to be compassionate ‘Cause ever
since the day you were born, yea
You’ve got a lot to be thankful for
Yea, we’ve got a lot to be thankful for
So, what are you thankful for? "I'm thankful for my family" "I'm thankful for my neighbors" "I'm thankful for my dog" "I'm thankful for the food I have to eat" "I'm thankful for my heart" "I'm thankful for my grandma and grandpa" "I'm thankful for my teacher" "I'm thankful for my house" "We're thankful for the earth"
So on the days when it’s feeling tough
And it seems like you don’t have enough, well... Let’s be
thankful for our friends and family And
grateful for the air that we breathe And
appreciate everything that we have today (Hey)... Let’s be
Generous to anyone who has less than
us, It’s good to be compassionate ‘Cause
ever since the day you were born, yea
You’ve got a lot to be thankful for. Yea,
we’ve got a lot to be thankful for
---------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2018 Seven Places Music
Written by Bradley James Skistimas (ASCAP)
June 11, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
Maverick City - You Keep On Getting Better
Learn the two parts
Learn the words
Return to Piano Marvel
For next week:
May 21st, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
Played through Lean On Me
We worked on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - introducing
Inversions - playing a chord but moving the root note to the top or the middle of the chord instead of at the bottom.
For next week:
April 23rd, 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
We worked on Piano Marvel
Played Peter Peter in Level 1C and scored 99.
Took the SASR - scored up near the high score
Talked about Anchor notes - using the anchor notes middle C, G on the treble clef, and F on the bass clef to help find all the other notes.
Talked about reading the steps and skips to the left (down) or right (up).
For next week:
Work on Waymaker, Lean On Me.
Keep working in Piano Marvel if you can get the keyboard working right.
April 17th , 2024 Wednesday - Jaylee
We worked on Waymaker
4 - - - 1 - - -
5 - - - 6 - - -
We talked about a suspended 1 chord - that's when a 1 chord that should be C - E - G is played C-F-G and then you move the F down to E.
We talked about how when you play a 1 chord or a 4 chord, or a 5 chord, you can add the note just above (to the right) of the root note. It makes your chord sound better.
For next week:
Work on Waymaker and Lean On Me.
learn the singing melody for each.
March 19th , 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
All 12 notes to the beat 4 octaves. Jaylee is super smooth with this. Michael playing accompanying chords
We learned to play Hanon #1
We watched a video of Lean On Me - from the TV show Glee
For next week:
Watch the Video Again
Get tickets for We Are Nashville (click the link)
Keep working on Lean On Me song and on on Piano Marvel Method and Technique sections 1D
February 20th , 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
All 12 notes to the beat 6 octaves. Jaylee is super smooth with this. Michael playing accompanying chords
We watch an interactive lines and spaces video. Jaylee called 1st line, 2nd line, 3rd space, etc.
Played note game. Scores getting ever better.
We worked on Piano Marvel Method Section 1D
We reviewed chords. Jaylee played all the way through Bruno Mars song very well!
For next week:
Prep for recording. We will record a video next week. Sing!
Keep working on Bruno Mars song and on on Piano Marvel Method and Technique sections 1D
February 13th , 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
We worked on Piano Marvel Method Section 1D Jolly Old St Nicholas and the dotted half note.
We reviewed chords. Jaylee played through Bruno Mars song very well!
For next week: Keep working on Bruno Mars song and on on Piano Marvel Method and Technique sections 1D
Jan 30th , 2024 Tuesday - Jaylee
We worked on C scale.
We reviewed chords
We played Bruno Mars "Count On Me" with chords called out.
For next week: We worked on ear training - recognizing chords. Bruno Mars - Count on Me
from verse 1 (if you ever find yourself lost in the middle of the sea...")
1 - 1 - 3 - 3 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 4 -
1 - 1 - 3 - 3 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 4 -
2 - 2 - 3 - 3- 4 - 4 - 5 - - -
1 - 1 - 3 - 3 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 5 -
1 - 1 - 3 - 3 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 5 -
1 - 1 - 3 - 3 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 5 -
We worked on Piano Marvel: Super Easy Love Songs
For next week: Read through a few of those and pick a couple that you like.
Wednesday, Dec 6 6:00 pm Jaylee
We worked all 12 notes to the beat. (with dad playing minor chord accompaniment)
We worked on C-D-E-F-G-G-G and back to the beat
Jaylee took the SASR
for next week: take the SASR at least 2x during the week. Remember each time to:
look first for which notes are in the song. Put your finger right on the ones that have a finger number - usually it will be Right Hand C - 1 (thumb) or E-3 (middle finger) and give each of your other fingers the very next note. Then LEAVE YOUR FINGERS THERE. The finger numbers in the music will help you figure out what to play next.
USE ALL CLUES. Be a music detective from the beginning.
Use long notes to let your eyes go ahead to figure out what note is next. If you come to a note that you're supposed to hold for 2 or 4 beats, look ahead and figure out what you have to play next and get your finger ready.
We worked on Jolly Old St Nicholas with Dad playing the accompaniment.
For Next Week - Keep working Method 1C and the technique sections also.
November 2023
Tuesday, Nov 28, 6:00 pm Arnecia
We worked on all 12 notes to the beat.
We worked on playing C - D - E - F - G with both hands at the same time going up.
We read pitches off of the note flash card game at https://www.richmanmusicschool.com/products/name-that-note
We worked on Piano Marvel Method Section 1A, reviewing right hand C and left hand C.
We talked about the importance of spending at least 10 minutes per day - it will cause her brain to retain and improve on the information while she sleeps, rather than paring away the info.
for next week: work on Method 1A and Technique 1A.
Tuesday, Nov 28, 6:30 pm Jaylee
We worked all 12 notes to the beat. (with dad playing minor chord accompaniment)
We worked on C-D-E-F-G-G-G and back to the beat
Jaylee took the SASR
for next week: take the SASR at least 2x during the week. Remember each time to:
look first for which notes are in the song. Put your finger right on the ones that have a finger number - usually it will be Right Hand C - 1 (thumb) or E-3 (middle finger) and give each of your other fingers the very next note. Then LEAVE YOUR FINGERS THERE. The finger numbers in the music will help you figure out what to play next.
USE ALL CLUES. Be a music detective from the beginning.
Use long notes to let your eyes go ahead to figure out what note is next. If you come to a note that you're supposed to hold for 2 or 4 beats, look ahead and figure out what you have to play next and get your finger ready.
We worked on Jolly Old St Nicholas with Dad playing the accompaniment.
For Next Week - Keep working Method 1C and the technique sections also.
Tuesday, Nov 13, 6:00 pm Arnecia
We worked on all 12 notes to the beat. Arnecia knows her notes well!
We worked on audiation (hearing the beat in your head and counting in your head while sounding out only on specific numbers)
We read rhythms
We worked on Piano Marvel Method Section 1A whole notes and half notes.
I found a 5 pin midi in/out to usb A conversion cord for Arnecia's keyboard
For 10/17 Keep working on Method 1A. Get as far as you can.
Wednesday, Nov 1, 6:30 pm Jaylee
We worked all 12 notes to the beat. (with dad playing minor chord accompaniment)
We worked on C-D-E-F-G-G-G and back to the beat
Jaylee played through several songs in 1C.
Jaylee mastered Peter Peter.
We worked on Alicia Keys "Girl On Fire". To practice it, look at the numbers below. Each number is the chord you should play. The dots are beats. Two vertical lines with a colon after it or before it means repeat that section of music when you get to the end of it.
For November - Keep working Method 1C and the technique sections also.
Wednesday, Nov 1, 6:30 pm Jaylee
We worked all 12 notes to the beat. (with dad playing minor chord accompaniment)
We worked on C-D-E-F-G-G-G and back to the beat
Jaylee played through several songs in 1C.
Jaylee mastered Peter Peter.
We worked on Alicia Keys "Girl On Fire". To practice it, look at the numbers below. Each number is the chord you should play. The dots are beats. Two vertical lines with a colon after it or before it means repeat that section of music when you get to the end of it.
For November - Keep working Method 1C and the technique sections also.
October 2023
Tuesday, Oct 24, 6:30 pm Jaylee
We worked all 12 notes to the beat. (with dad playing minor chord accompaniment)
We worked on C-D-E-F-G-G-G and back to the beat
Jaylee took the SASR again.
We talked more about how the brain works and why its important to develop coordination with both hands. We did some exercises to strengthen the middle part of her brain (the corpus callosum)
Jaylee mastered Peter Peter.
For November - Keep working Method 1C and the technique sections also.
Tuesday, Oct 3, 6:30 pm Jaylee
We worked all 12 notes to the beat. (with dad playing minor chord accompaniment)
We worked on C-D-E-F-G-G-G and back to the beat
Jaylee took the SASR - scored 133. She is gradually grasping the concept of lines and spaces representing steps up and down the keyboard.
Started on Method 1C Ice Man.
For 10/17 Keep working Method 1C and the technique sections also.
Tuesday, Oct 3, 6:00 pm Arnecia
We worked on all 12 notes to the beat. Arnecia knows her notes well!
We worked on audiation (hearing the beat in your head and counting in your head while sounding out only on specific numbers)
We read rhythms
We worked on Piano Marvel Method Section 1A whole notes and half notes.
I found a 5 pin midi in/out to usb A conversion cord for Arnecia's keyboard
For 10/17 Keep working on Method 1A. Get as far as you can.
September 2023
Wednesday, Sep 20 - present: Jaylee, Arnecia
We worked on form at the piano. (watch the video on posture under the July 20th notes below)
Jaylee worked in the Method Section and accomplished a lot.
Arnecia worked on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - working on how to practice
I gave both students the Faber Primer 1A
for next week:
Watch the videos
Ms. Gladys or Michael: Call me at 615-507-4779 and let me know if she gets PM scoring correctly
Ms. Jovonia: let me know if you get the chord. Take Arnecia through the first several pages of her book.
Tuesday, Sep 05 - present: Jaylee, Arnecia
We played black key groups up and down the keyboard.
We worked on form at the piano. (watch the video on posture under the July 20th notes below)
We played Hot Cross Buns as a group.
E - D - C - - - E - D - C - - - C C C C D D D D E - D - C - - -
We worked on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as a group project (watch the video)
Jaylee has the green part, Arnecia and Kaiden have the blue part.
We worked on reading rhythms. Use this website to practice: www.therhythmtrainer.com
We talked about reading pitches on the music staff. We watched a little of the note reading video together.
for next week:
Watch the videos
Jaylee: Take the SASR 4x during the week
All: Work on Level 1A and 1B in Method and Technique sections
Work on Hot Cross Buns and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star from the videos. We will work on it next week.
Tuesday, Aug 29 - present: Jaylee, Kaiden, Arnecia
We played black key groups up and down the keyboard.
We worked on form at the piano. (watch the video on posture under the July 20th notes below)
We played Hot Cross Buns as a group.
E - D - C - - - E - D - C - - - C C C C D D D D E - D - C - - -
We worked on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as a group project (watch the video)
Jaylee has the green part, Arnecia and Kaiden have the blue part.
We worked on reading rhythms. Use this website to practice: www.therhythmtrainer.com
We talked about reading pitches on the music staff. (We will learn more about that next week.)
for next week:
Watch the videos
Jaylee: Take the SASR 2x during the week
All: Work on Level 1A and 1B in Method and Technique sections
Work on Hot Cross Buns and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star from the videos. We will work on it next week.
Tuesday, Aug 22 - present: Jaylee, Kaiden, Arnecia
We played black key groups up and down the keyboard
We sang the DOMAINS Of MUSIC song and worked on rhythms.
We worked on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as a group project
My house is in disarray because of the build-out, but I will try to get this on here so they can practice as soon as possible
Jaylee has the secondo (second part) Arnecia and Kaiden have primero (first part).
for next week:
Watch the videos
Jaylee: Take the SASR 2x during the week
All: Work on Level 1A and 1B in Method and Technique sections
Work on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star from the video. We will work on it next week.
Tuesday, Aug 15 - present: Jaylee, Kaiden
We played black key groups up and down the keyboard
We sang the DOMAINS Of MUSIC song and worked on rhythms.
Jaylee took the SASR
Jaylee completed 1A. Progressed in Technique 1A.
Kaiden started Method 1A.
We worked on understanding the pitches
for next week:
Watch the videos
Jaylee: Take the SASR 2x during the week
Pick 1 song from the Piano Marvel Library by searching (right next to the search bar click "easy"). When you pick a song, click the heart to add it to your favorites.
July 2023
Tuesday, July 20 - present: Jaylee
We played all 12 pitches up and down the keyboard
We talked about how the black keys are named - sharps and flats (see video)
Jaylee took the SASR
We worked in Piano Marvel Technique section.
for next week:
Watch the videos
Take the SASR 2x during the week
Pick 1 song from the Piano Marvel Library by searching (right next to the search bar click "easy"). When you pick a song, click the heart to add it to your favorites.
Tuesday, July 11 - present: Jaylee
We worked on identifying notes on the keyboard
We identified notes on the music staff
We worked in Piano Marvel
April
Tuesday, April 11, - present: Morgan
C scale 2 octaves, hands together.
chords 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 in the key of C. We substituted a 1 chord with the G on the bottom for the root position 1 chord.
We worked on River Flows in You in C in Piano Marvel to see that it is mostly 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 chord progression song.
We talked about improvising over 6 - 4 - 1 - 5, just playing anything, but trying to land on a note that is in the chord at the end of a phrase.
I started to post some snips of the River Flows in You music, but I got convicted. We'll have to continue to use my log in at the studio or find the sheet music. I'll look around on Amazon.
Hope to see you next week!
Tuesday, April 4, - present: Jailyn
C scale 2 octaves, hands together.
chords 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 in the key of C. We substituted a 1 chord with the G on the bottom for the root position 1 chord.
We worked on River Flows in You in C in Piano Marvel to see that it is mostly 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 chord progression song.
We talked about improvising over 6 - 4 - 1 - 5, just playing anything, but trying to land on a note that is in the chord at the end of a phrase.
We talked about minor and major keys. Major has a pattern of half steps and whole steps that gives the musical chord changes a happy, simple sound. Minor keys have a pattern that give the music a more mysterious, darker, more curious sound.
Try Arabia in Piano Marvel
Keep working on: There's a Leak in This Old Building: the Traditional Black Gospel style is very closely related to the blues. I'll start working on figuring out the most efficient way to teach you the style. In the meantime, if you can find some time, watch the video below.
I started to post some snips of the River Flows in You music, but I got convicted. We'll have to continue to use my log in at the studio or find the sheet music. I'll look around on Amazon.
Hope to see you next week!
March
Tuesday, March 28, - present: Jailyn, Morgan
C scale 2 octaves, hands together.
G scale 1 octave, hands together.
chords 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 in the key of C.
We worked on River Flows in You in C in Piano Marvel to see that it is mostly 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 chord progression song.
Jailyn: There's a Leak in This Old Building: the Traditional Black Gospel style is very closely related to the blues. I'll start working on figuring out the most efficient way to teach you the style. In the meantime, if you can find some time, watch the video below.
I started to post some snips of the River Flows in You music, but I got convicted. We'll have to continue to use my log in at the studio or find the sheet music. I'll look around on Amazon.
See you next week!
Tuesday, March 14, 6pm - present: Jailyn
C scale 2 octaves, hands together.
We worked on River Flows in You in C in Piano Marvel to see that it is mostly 6 - 4 - 1 - 5 chord progression song.
We worked on chords. I emailed Oceans by Hillsong to you and Morgan
There's a Leak in This Old Building: the Traditional Black Gospel style is very closely related to the blues. I'll start working on figuring out the most efficient way to teach you the style. In the meantime, if you can find some time, watch the video to the right.
For next week: Practice that pattern I showed you (which is also at the beginning of this video - although he adds a couple of notes. Mine is a little easier.)
Tuesday, March 14, 2pm - present: Morgan
We focused on chords - specifically the pattern of chords in Hillsong's Oceans.
Transposed Oceans to C (from it's original key of D) to learn it.
for next week: work on Oceans.
if you get Piano Marvel Premium, check out River Flows In You
Tuesday, March 7 - present: Jailyn, Reecy
We went through all 12 notes up and down the keyboard. We worked on expression
We worked on a C scale and the G scale. Fingering is in the video.
We talked about recognizing pitches on the music staff and played the online note flashcards at richmanmusicschool.com.
We favorited River Flows in You and talked about being ready to play it for the Piano Marvel video competition
February
Tuesday, Feb 28 - present: Jailyn
We worked on a C scale and the G scale. Fingering is in the video.
We talked about recognizing pitches on the music staff and played the online note flashcards at richmanmusicschool.com.
We favorited River Flows in You and talked about being ready to play it for the Piano Marvel video competition
Tuesday, Feb 14 - Happy Valentine's Day! present: Jailyn, Reecy
We read rhythms and then played the rhythm flash cards on C, D, E, F, G
We worked on a C scale and the G scale. Fingering is in the video.
We talked about recognizing pitches on the music staff and played the online note flashcards at richmanmusicschool.com.
We favorited River Flows in You and talked about being ready to play it for the Piano Marvel video competition (or maybe we didn't talk about it, but we should try to make that happen. It's next month. We'll record a vid and send it in.)
Monday, Feb 6 - Jailyn
We read rhythms and then played the rhythm flash cards on C, D, E, F, G
We worked on a C scale and the G scale. Fingering is in the video.
We talked about recognizing pitches on the music staff and played the online note flashcards at richmanmusicschool.com.
We favorited River Flows in You and talked about being ready to play it for the Piano Marvel video competition (or maybe we didn't talk about it, but we should try to make that happen. It's next month. We'll record a vid and send it in.)
Tues, Feb 7 - Reecy
We worked on a C scale and the G scale. Fingering is in the video.
We talked about recognizing pitches on the music staff and played the online note flashcards at richmanmusicschool.com.
We worked on "Let It Go" by James Bay. Intro - Left hand: C - F - A - G (this is 1 - 4 - 6 - 5). Right hand
January Notes
Tuesday, Jan 31 Virtual Lesson Present: Reecy, Jailyn
We discussed the grand staff (piano music score - treble clef and bass clef connected).
We talked about pneumonics to help remember the lines and spaces of both clefs (pictured).
treble clef from bottom to top: Every Good Boy Does Fine (lines) F - A - C - E (spaces)
bass clef bottom to top: Good Boys Do Fine Always (lines) All Cows Eat Grass (spaces)
remember that there is 1 line (the line for middle C), between the bass clef and treble clef that is not written. This C is written on a ledger line below the treble clef and on a ledger line above the bass clef.
We discussed steps and skips. Remember to read the steps and skips when possible
We talked about time signatures. Note durations (whole, half, quarter, eighth) derive their names based on their fractional values in Common Time (another name for 4/4 meter). Whole notes have the duration of a "whole" measure in 4/4. In 6/4 it is not the whole measure. A dotted-whole note would take up the whole measure. A whole note is always 4 beats regardless of the meter of the music.
A dot following a note means you are to add have the value of the note to its duration. A half note gets 2 beats. A dotted-half note gets 3 beats. A whole note gets 4 beats, a dotted whole note gets 6 beats.
You will not see a whole note in 3/4 meter because each measure is only 3 beats. Note durations never cross the bar (measure) line. When a note is supposed to be held longer than a measure, it will be tied to the same note in the next measure.
We discussed making the left hand stronger. There are some good suggestions in the videos.
For next week:
Watch all 4 videos - two from this week, and two from last week (below last week's notes).
Launch into Piano Marvel Technique Level 1. Ear Training helps your become an all-around better musician. There is a lot of it in the technique section
Work on Carol Of the Bells. (The link should take you right to Piano Marvel) Remember that every place where you see a B, you will need to play the black key right next to B, which is Bb (B flat).
Play the Online Note Flashcards game on Richman School's site, treble and bass clefs.
Tuesday, Jan 24 Present: Reecy, Jailyn
We discussed some basics of getting around the keyboard:
White keys are named A-G. They are identified most easily by their relationship to the 3-2 black key pattern.
the set of two black keys sits over C-D- and E, the set of three black keys sits of F-G-A and B.
We got familiar with good posture and hand position. Watch the video below for a refresher on this.
We discussed reading rhythms: i.e. the patterns regarding WHEN sounds happen
We discussed reading pitches: i.e. how high or low (on the keyboard) the sounds or combinations of sounds are
We got familiar with Piano Marvel and signed Reecy and Jailyn up with a free account.
We played through some songs from level 1A.
Reecy worked on The Closer I Get to You.
for next week:
Watch the videos below. Open Piano Marvel, look under Videos in the upper left
Watch the Tour
Watch the SASR
Watch the videos below
The Closer I Get to You
This song has three distinct sections. The first video will teach the sections of the song with each hand being demonstrated separately.
The second video will provide practice space with a beat for you to work on the sections.
The third video will be a lyric video and complete drum accompaniment that you can play along with while you perform the song.
videos 2 and 3 not yet complete.
Remember to play the Left Hand Bass row one note at a time. The number represents the note you play. 1=C, 2=D, 3=E, 4=F, 5=G, 6=A, 7=B
The number in the Right hand Row represents the chord you play. The number is the root of the chord. Play that note (the root), plus the notes at one and two skips up.
1 chord = C-E-G 2 chord = D-F-A
3 chord = E-G-B 4 chord = F-A-C
5 chord = G-B-D 6 chord = A-C-E
7 chord = B-D-F
