 In class we started with dictation in the bass clef. Everyone recognized the major scale right away! This week at home your child will practice 5-finger patterns in 4 keys. What an amazing musician they are becoming! Next week for private lessons have your child come 5 minutes early. If you haven't already, start writing in possible elements to your child's existing composition—a bridge, a coda, an introduction. Or at LEAST talk to your child about adding some elements and I can work my magic on my end. Either way, send their old composition (with any new notes) in addition to the homework booklet so I can still check practicing and homework. P.S. I have openings in Sound Beginnings (ages 0–4) and my 1st year Let’s Play Music classes for the Fall. If you know of anyone who is interested, please send them my contact information or direct them to the studio website: http://www.infusingmusicstudios.com/group-classes.html. Homework: pp. 24–27 Students identify the introduction, bridge, coda, and repeats for our new puppet show, "The Circus".  The Circus The official name of this puppet show is Symphony No. 1, 2nd movement by Gustav Mahler. Mahler named his entire first symphony 'The Titan'. It was originally written as a symphonic poem, meaning that the music followed a "plot," in five movements instead of the traditional four. The second movement, the finale of which we use as our circus puppet show, is labeled "Set With Full Sails." Interestingly, this melody is in an Austrian folk dance form called a ländler (in 3/4 time). For those of you who like trivia, this is the dance from The Sound of Music during which Maria and Captain Von Trapp fall in love.  Check out this youth orchestra performing the music to our Circus puppet show live. These performers aren't a whole lot older than your child! When you click on the link, listen carefully for some new music not on our album. Ask your child if it makes them think of a possible new character/theme for our show!
Thank you, parents, for attending class! In our puppet show we learned about the new terms: introduction, bridge and coda (read more about them below). Now that your child has been practicing their composition for several weeks, help them experiment with their piece by incorporating some of these variations:
Be sure to send me all of the updated edits for their composition. You can either write out the music, send me a video, or do both! Reminder: Another private lesson is coming up on Lesson #11, April 6. Your lesson time is the same as Lesson #6. We will finalize all compositions. Homework: pp. 22–23 Students fill in the chart with the correct notes. Bagatelle Bridges This repertoire piece has all the elements that we've learned about in our puppet shows! It has an introduction, a CODA (special ending) and it has 2 BRIDGES. We will actually learn the theme in C Major and then we will get to show off our transposing skills to play it in F and G. G Major Scale This is the last of the major scales we will learn during our time in Let's Play Music. All of our scales have taught us finger technique and strength, but also allowed us to understand key signatures and scale compositions. Just as our Magic Keys Song will tell us, Do is G because the F# is a ti — so don't forget to play that F# on ti ! Even Disney's Aristocats know how important it is to practice their scales (and arpeggios)! Also, we have attached coloring pages for our Circus Puppet Show for fun! 
Parents attend next week and tuition is due. Showtime for next week is the New World Symphony. Please send a video of your child playing the New World Symphony. We will also enjoy playing it in class as an ensemble! We learned the A minor scale and cadence. It's fun to play because it "feels like" the G major scale and cadence but is in the A position. We also practiced drawing a bass clef (F clef). Your child is learning so much! Your child can now unband all of the Orange flashcards. Homework: pp. 18–21 Students draw brackets and repeat signs where appropriate for "Monsters". Russian Sailor Dance This song is ALWAYS a student favorite. Another great repertoire piece that reinforces ABA form, improvisations, and provides a study in legato and staccato themes. But it's the the accelerando at the end that will have your student BEGGING to practice it all the time! Are you looking forward to continuing your child's complete musicianship training with the Bridge class? Bridge is an additional year of instruction available to Let's Play Music graduates. The Bridge course will reinforce concepts and skills learned in Let's Play Music while progressing with additional instruction and skills needed for success in the student's piano and music education going forward. If you aren't considering Bridge, have you already found a private teacher for when your student graduates from Let's Play Music? It is best if you can meet in person with the teacher before the summer break to help the new teacher get to know your child's progress while its still fresh. Here is a great post on our Let's Play Music Blog with tips on how to interview and what to look for in a private teacher.
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Clara McDonaldAs a music educator of 25 years, my passion is infusing others with music! Archives
January 2023
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