Welcome back to Let's Play Music! It's going to be a great year. I loved seeing the kids' (giddy) excitement about getting to play on the keyboards. They all did so great yesterday - I was really impressed with their eagerness, listening skills, and participation. It was a great first class!

Here at the beginning, practice only needs to take as little as 2 to 5 minutes, 5 times a week! Think of ways you can focus on making your playing on the piano time as fun as possible - smile a lot, be a little silly. This is the beginning of the practice relationship you will be building this year that will be essential to their success in Let's Play Music. The more positive interaction, the more solid this habit will become. And they will realize how special this one-on-one time is with their parent!

Put a red sticker on Middle C! If you need help locating Middle C on your keyboard, check out the video below: 

After doing your assignment for class, allow your child to fool around and experiment on your keyboard/piano if they want to. If you know how to play, you can play a song for them. Tinkering on the piano can be so fun AND so valuable. Musical connections happen during practice, yes, but they also happen during self-directed PLAY. Start getting them used to the idea that sitting at the keyboard to do the assigned practice is pleasant and brief. In my home I try to use the words "playing the piano/keyboard" instead of "practicing the piano/keyboard" because the latter can sometimes carry a negative association. 

Album Listening - Emphasize listening to the music album often: Listen, listen, listen to the tracks. If you are having any hang-ups with listening to the music, please let me know so I can help! Sometimes the new album that you purchased doesn't show up on your app and I have troubleshooting tips.

Reward system - If their entire homework page spread is completed (album listening signed off, each "Play Piano" song done 5 times, and theory page complete) they will get 2 Music Money. If it's not completely done, but they did at least something, they will get 1 Music Money. And, finally, if they practiced MORE than 5 times, they will get 3 Music Money. (Even just one extra time on one song qualifies for 3 Music Money.)

Tuition - An invoice was sent yesterday on August 15th. Payment is due in 7 days. An automated receipt will be sent to you.

Play at Home Videos - The button below is a shortcut to the Green Turtle Shells Play at Home Videos. You are not required to watch these, but they can be helpful if you want or need a demonstration of the activity described in the homework booklet.

Do is Home

Just a reminder to put one RED STICKER on Middle C (Do is Home) this week on your piano or keyboard. Each practice time should begin with THINKING OF middle C, then SINGING it, then PLAYING it! This will continue to strengthen the goal for each student to acquire relative pitch.

Kit Kat Keyboard

The first verse of this song emphasizes the black keys in groups of 2 and 3. Dividing the keyboard this way helps build 'keyboard geography' in our minds: a mental image formed from visual conclusions. As we look, study, and play at the keyboard, a mental map is formed. Use the entire hand to see, feel, and hear the black keys!

Bubble Hands

Practice with the bubble to build finger strength and good form. Finger numbers will be emphasized more next week. For now make sure their elbows are close together and their fingers are aligned with each other, spread apart and not overlapping.

Spring Bees

Click here to download some fun puppet show coloring pages or mini puppets that you can make at home. Print them out, and turn on "Spring Bees" and have your child listen while they color. 

We're so excited to have our parents participate in class with us! Click here to check out some terrific ideas to make the best of your Let's Play Music experience in the classroom and at home with your child! 

I value open and honest communication so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

Thank you!