I am so happy with the progress I see in class! One thing I would love them to focus on this week is doing the Alphabet Pieces Game consistently. I know it doesn’t seem like a very important activity BUT, the 3rd year students who did not do it consistently, struggle to know their keys. Here is one of our blog posts with some fun ideas and games. We will be doing races in class to help them get faster at naming the notes and I want everyone to feel successful. 

Another thing to note while practicing is making sure your kiddos are using the right fingering while playing both block and broken chords. We played broken chords in class with their LH, and it is still imperative that we play all chords with the correct fingerings! This fingering transfers to every chord structure with all 12 major and 36 minor keys!

You still have time to enter my studio Spirit Week contest if you haven't already! If your child would like to bring me a drawing or a picture of what they love about Let's Play Music they still can. I just need it by Friday. Text me when you can bring it and I'll make sure I'm home or you can put it in my mailbox. If it's a digital picture, you can send it to me via email or text and I'll print it out for my gallery wall.

If you'd like, you can check out the official LPM Instagram page to enter their weekly or grand prize contest. Pictures and links below.

The Wheel on the Bus Sing Melodic Patterns

Melodic patterns are found in every song. How many Sol-Mi-Do’s and Sol-Sol-Do’s can you hear in this version of a favorite childhood song?

I Gotta Shake

Get ready to play the rests in this silly song! Our fingers must rest from playing or holding down the note when we see a quarter rest sign. 1st say ‘sh’ or ‘rest’ while playing. Then play again hearing the rest inside while playing the silence in the song. 

How to Skip

Keep skipping with fingers 1-3-5 in the RH saying the middle anchor notes. Play the LH separate while singing 1st the chord color and 2nd the melody with this favorite song. We will put hands together soon!

Tinga Layo

Duet time with shakers! Invite your child to play the chords on the piano while you or a sibling play shoot-the-bug-bug rhythm with a shaker. Switch! Make your own shaker with rice, beans, pennies, small beads, etc. in a plastic egg, empty spice container, or baby food jar. Shake away!

Charles Gounod was born in 1818 in Paris, France. His mom was a piano teacher and his father was an artist, so he started receiving music instruction very early in his life. He attended excellent musical schools. By the time he was 21, he was receiving awards and prizes for his compositions. He also taught other musicians, most notably, Georges Bizet. Today people still recognize his songs, O Divine Redeemer, Ave Maria, and Funeral March for a Marionette (our current puppet show known as March of the Gnomes!) Can you hear the kings heavy down beat in this recording?

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

Thank you!