The students are mastering the fingering placement for the yellow chord and gaining confidence as they continue to have successful experiences in class as well as at home. Keep practicing and be sure to check that they are using the correct fingers for each chord (1-3-5 for the RED chord and 1-2-5 for the YELLOW chord). Even though I saw them do it correctly a few times today it will still take some time to solidify that fingering. 

There's some great written piano playing tips below in the "Purpose in the Play" section - - your partnership in their learning is key to their continued success!

On that note, I just want to mention that I have noticed your hard work and dedication to getting 5 practices in each week. It really makes a difference and your kids are really benefitting from it! Remember that we start using two hands in Yellow Arrows in January and it's important that you establish good home playing habits now so that the new skill learning doesn't get too frustrating as we go through the year.

Red-Yellow Chord Transitions

Remember when playing songs with chord transitions, it's important that the whole hand NOT lift completely off the keyboard between chords. Students must then search to find out where it should land! Instead, remind your child for the red to yellow transition, ONLY the thumb should slide using fingers 1- 2-5.

Bunny's Birdhouse

The rat tat tats in Bunny's Birdhouse helps with independent finger movement, in which one finger alone must press down to play melody. It is important that the other fingers NOT lift way, way up off the keys (fly-aways!). Try to play with each finger gently staying on its key, so that the hand is always in C position. 

Also while practicing the rat tat tats, the top note is a G which is on the 2nd line. When practicing you can sing 2nd line, middle C, 2nd line again OR 5-5-5, 1-1-1, 5-5-5-5-5. Or Sol-Sol-Sol, Do-Do-Do, Sol-Sol-Sol-Sol-Sol OR Number 5, Number 1, Number 5 Again! Sol or G should be played with finger number 5 and the middle C with finger number 1 or the thumb. The ending is a Sol-Fa-Mi-Re-Do played with descending fingers 54321.

Turtle Shells

Did you know that intervals can be played ANYWHERE on the keyboard? Any two keys right next to each other are a 2nd, skipping one key creates a 3rd and skipping two keys creates a 4th. Ask them to play for you a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th anywhere on the keyboard. They are pros at this! 

"BEEF, it’s what’s for dinner!" Our new puppet show comes from a ballet named Rodeo written by Aaron Copland. Enjoy learning more about the composer and watching some excellent choreography while listening to the 4th movement of this ballet, Hoedown. Yee Haw! 

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

Thank you!