Mario M
visit the website with the note flashcards.
https://www.richmanmusicschool.com/products/name-that-note
This website is a good place to practice recognizing the notes on the music staff.
On the piano keyboard a half step is from one key to the very closest key. A whole step is the key after the closest key. If it were walking, think of it as a half step is left foot to right foot. A whole step would be left to right and back to left
A scale is a specific pattern of half and whole steps from one note to that same note an octave up or down. When you number the notes, each note in the scale is called a SCALE DEGREE.
C=1 D=2 E=3 F=4 G=5 A=6 B=7
Chord numbers are created when you play a 3-note chord in root position (the number is on the bottom of the chord and the other two are a skip away.
each line and each space is a pitch. From "left to right" on the piano translates to from bottom to top on the music staff. The picture above shows middle C going up to the next C.
1 chord
2 chord
3 chord
4 chord
5 chord
6 chord
7 chord
1 chord
In the song chart below, each dot is a beat. There are 4 beats in each measure, represented by the chord number (which usually falls on beat 1) and the rest of the beats that follow until the chord changes.
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 -
Michael W Smith
6 - - - 4 - - - 1 - - - 5 - - - pattern over and over
Major and Minor Scales
If you play notes going up (from left to right) in the following pattern:
1st note, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step
You will be back at the same note an octave higher and you will have played a MAJOR scale. Music that is created on a Major scale sounds happy and positive.
If you play notes going up in this pattern:
1st note, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step
You will be back at the same note an octave higher and you will have played a MINOR scale. Music created on a minor scale sounds more mysterious, brooding or sad
We talked about the relationship between a scale built on the 1 (which is called a major scale), and a scale built on 6, which is called a natural minor scale. When you need to find the relative major of a minor scale, or vice versa (in other words, the minor scale with the same pitches)
Intervals
1 chord
2 chord
3 chord
4 chord
5 chord
6 chord
7 chord
1 chord
C scale. Fingering is in the video.
Recognizing pitches - practice: online note flashcards at richmanmusicschool.com.
Present: Susej
We started by working on form sitting at the piano.
Weight in the center of the piano bench
hands all the way over the keys with each finger over a different key
fingers arched - playing with fingertips
wrists slightly above the level of the surface of the white keys
middle C should be pointing at your belly button
We worked on Joy to the World (practice in one or two measure chunks, rhythm by itself, then find the pitches and practice the pitches).
We practiced matching the correct note to each key by visiting the website with the note flashcards.
https://www.richmanmusicschool.com/products/name-that-note
got on piano marvel and played through some exercises
How you sit and position your hands at the piano is very important. Check out this video to review how to position yourself at the piano. Guide to proper piano hand position.
We we played octaves on all pitches - first the white keys (letter named keys) then the black keys (sharps)
We talked about accidentals - (the black keys)
Review this video to learn about them: Sharps (♯) and Flats (♭)
We got on piano marvel and played through some exercises
Both Sariah and Susej have good natural form. How you sit and position your hands at the piano is very important. Check out this video to review how to position yourself at the piano. Guide to proper piano hand position.
Last week we talked about practicing - importance of making it a habit, so your brain will work on your practice experiences while you sleep.
We played through several Piano Marvel exercises
We went into the Library, and put the Christmas Challenge in our favorites.