What a great first lesson of the semester! Now that we have worked very hard on our RH skills it is time to take off those RH chord stickers. The stickers should easily peel off; a damp cloth will take off any residue. Remind your child that the stickers were like training wheels. We kept them on while they learned how to play each chord, and now that they know them, we can take them off! Keeping their hand anchored in C position and reminding them of how their fingers move to play the blue or yellow chord will help. Be sure to check their fingers occasionally to ensure they are using the right fingers - - we want to keep the RH skills they have built as a solid foundation as we continue learning.

NOW you can place the red stickers where the LH goes in C position. Refer to page 58 in the homework booklet if you need help with placement on your keyboard.

Here are some class and studio related items - - please read! :)

• The calendar is glued into the back of the homework booklet and you can find a digital copy on this website in 2nd Year Student Resources HERE. Take note of the weeks when we don't have class.

• This semester I will continue to provide Play at Home videos and the link can be accessed from the sticker on your child's Yellow Arrows homework booklet or from the link in each weekly email.

• Don't forget to spend time every week listening to the semester music tracks! Use the app or click here to download the tracks to your computer and/or phone.

• Below is my 2025-2026 class schedule. 3rd year classes for this group will be on Thursday or Friday. Please read the physical flyer I gave you or the info below to know when and how registration and enrollment occur. This information below is also applicable to anyone that knows someone that would like to have their child start 1st year of Let's Play Music in the fall.

Left Hand Finger Power through Bubble Hands and Turtle Shells

This semester we will focus on strengthening our left hand finger muscles! Playing Bubble Hands in numerical order on the keyboard is a great way to strengthen and reinforce finger numbers. Thumb is 1, Pointer is 2, Middle is 3, Ring-man is 4, and Pinky is 5. LH pinky is on C, the bottom red dot. After your child is confidant with the finger numbers in order, mix it up to cement this concept with the Left Hand! 

Playing Turtle Shells with the CD will ALSO help strengthen those fingers. Look closely at the music on the page and it will help you know what finger numbers to play. Hold each interval down the entire time you are singing until the next interval. 

Do You Want to Build a Red Snowman?

The Left Hand Red Chord looks the very same on the staff: stacked up nice and neat with a 3rd on the bottom and a 3rd on the top in a snowman shape. We PLAY the red chord with our left hand finger numbers 5-3-1 (finger #5 on bass C, the bottom red dot). Invite your little musician to play Old Paint with the left hand this week! They’ll be thrilled to play a song they already know, PLUS they will be strengthening their fingers! Double bonus!

Caterpillar Song

The proper hand position for this technique song is Middle C Position where both thumbs SHARE Middle C like a BUTTERFLY! This week work on coordinating both hands at once by singing finger numbers SLOWLY until they get the hang of this 5 finger pattern. Then add the lyrics.

Since both red chords are shaped like a snowman, how do we know which hand to play it with? By looking at which CLEF is on the staff.

Introducing Treble and Bass Clef! 

The TREBLE CLEF has a lot of curls, like "Girls Curly Hair, (say it in a high pitched voice because those are the high notes that we play with our right hand). The BASS CLEF looks like "Father's Strong Arm and some father's like to play bass-ball!" (say it in a deep voice because those are the low notes that we play with our left hand). 

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

Thank you!