I saw some really great things in class today! Lots of singing, hand signs, and amazing bubble hands. Your kids are really starting to grasp how to hold their hand in C Position. It is not terribly natural for them to spread out their fingers enough to only have one finger on each key and they are working really hard to get it right. Keep up the good work at home and it will get better and better. Remember to help keep practicing positive (you GET to play the piano, not you SHOULD play), fun, and an opportunity to spend time learning together. Kids really look forward to one-on-one time with their parent and this is a wonderful excuse to give them 5 minutes of undivided attention. You can make it into a game and see who can get their hand in C position fastest with their hand starting behind their back or you can have them play you a one note song to a finger number you call out. The possibilities to up the fun are endless and I'm full of them so if you need ideas, let me know!

Please don't hesitate to reach out if practicing is a struggle and I can brainstorm ideas to help you help your child get those 5 practices on each song. Also, remember, if they just do one little thing extra on their homework (even if it's just one more "Do is Home" activity) they get THREE music money! Encourage that little bonus and they will be excited to work hard to get it done.

Your children get to play a new song for practicing this week, "Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Firetruck"! They get to play the new melodic pattern that was introduced last week - SOL-FA-MI-RE-DO. Remember that the password for the Play at Home videos linked below is on the bookmark made for their homework booklet.

Bubble Hands

Playing along with the Bubble Hand song on the CD is the perfect opportunity to encourage your child to keep the bubble hand shape while they push down other fingers to play as well as reinforce finger numbers. Once they MASTER finger numbers in order, switch up the finger numbers in the 2nd verse. A fun way to extend this activity is to "write" the finger numbers on their fingers with marker OR “write” the finger numbers on the tops of the fingers on a latex glove which they wear while they play! 

Turtle Shells

Speaking of finger numbers, your Turtle Shells discovered that intervals are played with specific finger numbers. A 2nd is played with fingers 1 & 2, a 3rd is played with 1 & 3, and a 4th is played with 1 & 4. Remember “Thumbs are ONES!” The bottom note of every interval is a middle C. It is the most important note because it has its VERY OWN line!!!

Firetruck

Hurry, Hurry we learned to play a Sol-Fa-Mi-Re-Do! For practice play the song on the CD and let them 'dance' in their seat, then get in C-position and play the ding ding ding part. On each verse alternate between singing the solfege, the finger numbers, ding dings, and even "5 notes stepping down." 

Come on an adventure with Turtle Tom and Turtle Tim as they encounter the sounds of intervals!! 

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

Thank you!