Welcome to our guests Josh A., Lauren D., and Taylor in class today.
We did a big review for the level 2 students. You will be having your first assessment test next week.
Here's what you need to know:
1) Note naming on the Grand staff. Practice with this site note name trainer
Remember the rhyme for the treble clef, FACE, and for the bass clef, All Cows Eat Grass.
Also, remember Middle C.
2) Note and Rest Values. Quarter, Half, Whole and Eigth. Make sure you know how to draw these. Note/Rest Value Chart
3) Intervals. The distance between two notes. When counting by line and space to see what interval is between two notes make sure you include the stating note and the ending note.
4) You will be asked to play one of the songs we've learned together: Old Grey Goose, Twinkle,
On Top of Old Smokey, Pop Goes the Weasel, and Get Up.
5) Rhythm playbacks. Count 1+2+3+4+
For Laura:
You did the introduction to piano lesson in the Theory Thinker, and tried out some finger number and letter name tunes today. You also played some bongo boy and listened to us review how to read notes on the Grand staff. When you practice the sheet music I gave you, make sure to keep your fingers curved, and always keep a steady beat.
After the test next week, we'll send a certificate to you in the mail. It will say that you've completed Level 1 of MusIQ Club.
Thanks everyone. Good luck next week - I know you'll all do great.
Thursday, January 17
Wednesday, January 16
BLT Elementary School Wed. Jan. 16 2.00-3.00pm
Today we had a lot of new students join us, which was wonderful - welcome Alyssa, Billy, Terry, Emma, Jacob F., Brandon and welcome back Cameron.
We now have 2 levels of students in the class.
Level 2:
You completed lessons 11 and 12 today.
We met your new computer teacher Scott Joplin. He was a famous American composer who is known for his piano 'ragtime' music.
Mr. Joplin taught us how to play with five-finger ant tunnels. Keep your wrist up and your fingers curved. Place your thumb on middle C. Each finger has a number. Thumbs are 1, Index fingers are 2, Middle fingers are3, and so on... little fingers are 5. You can practice with your Mom or Dad, calling out finger number patterns to play on the piano. Sing and play at the piano 3-2-1. Or 2-3-4. Or 5-3-1. (etc.)
Practice using both your Right hand and Left hand with the thumb on middle C.
Also, you can practice rhythm playbacks the way we did in class (1+2+3+4+).
If you have the CMJ software at home, please practice Folktunes for the Right Hand on the computer in the Library.
Level 1:
In your first lesson, you learned the five rooms of CMJ. Library, Games room, Lesson room, Practice room and Improvisation room.
You met your first computer teacher Mr. Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven is a famous German composer in music history who is known for writing symphonies, even though he was deaf (he could not hear).
You learned about high bird notes and low whale notes with Beethoven. You learned where middle C is on the piano, and that there are 7 letters in the musical alphabet. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, back to A. Practice naming the keys on your piano, repeating the 7 letters all the way up. You your left hand for low notes and right hand for high notes.
You also got to try out some rhythm playbacks with the level 2 kids.
Thanks for a really productive and fun class everyone.
Excellent work - see you next week!
We now have 2 levels of students in the class.
Level 2:
You completed lessons 11 and 12 today.
We met your new computer teacher Scott Joplin. He was a famous American composer who is known for his piano 'ragtime' music.
Mr. Joplin taught us how to play with five-finger ant tunnels. Keep your wrist up and your fingers curved. Place your thumb on middle C. Each finger has a number. Thumbs are 1, Index fingers are 2, Middle fingers are3, and so on... little fingers are 5. You can practice with your Mom or Dad, calling out finger number patterns to play on the piano. Sing and play at the piano 3-2-1. Or 2-3-4. Or 5-3-1. (etc.)
Practice using both your Right hand and Left hand with the thumb on middle C.
Also, you can practice rhythm playbacks the way we did in class (1+2+3+4+).
If you have the CMJ software at home, please practice Folktunes for the Right Hand on the computer in the Library.
Level 1:
In your first lesson, you learned the five rooms of CMJ. Library, Games room, Lesson room, Practice room and Improvisation room.
You met your first computer teacher Mr. Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven is a famous German composer in music history who is known for writing symphonies, even though he was deaf (he could not hear).
You learned about high bird notes and low whale notes with Beethoven. You learned where middle C is on the piano, and that there are 7 letters in the musical alphabet. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, back to A. Practice naming the keys on your piano, repeating the 7 letters all the way up. You your left hand for low notes and right hand for high notes.
You also got to try out some rhythm playbacks with the level 2 kids.
Thanks for a really productive and fun class everyone.
Excellent work - see you next week!
Tuesday, January 15
Westmount Elementary School Tues. Jan. 15 12.15-1.15pm
We had an exciting class again today.
Let's welcome newcomers Hannah and Sam to our group. That makes 12 of us - we grew a lot since last term!
We have 2 levels going on in the class now.
Level 1:
You learned about high bird notes and low whale notes today. Make sure to play your high bird notes with your right hand and your low whale notes with your left hand. To keep a perfect piano hand position pretend to hold an orange between your 2 hands and make your fingers perfectly round. Then place your fingertips on the keys, and keep your fingers curved.
Now you're ready to play.
When you play, keep a steady beat. All music is experienced in time - the beat is what links each moment to the next. It stays the same length, like a pulse - a heartbeat.
You learned where Middle C is, and met your computer teacher Mr. Beethoven.
Well done. See if you can name all the notes of the piano using the musical alphabet, at home: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Notice that after G, the musical alphabet starts over at A.
Level 2:
You finished your first level of MusIQ Club officially today in class. Every 12 lessons you will receive a certificate in the mail saying that you completed a level.
In your 12th lesson, you practiced left hand ant tunnels with Mr. Joplin. We did some rhythm playbacks and talked about all the things that we've learned over the course of level 1. Try practicing finger number playbacks at home on your piano. Place your thumb on middle C and play like you do in the leapfrog game. 1-2-1-2-1-2. Or 1-2-3-4-3-2-1. Or 1-2-3-2-3-4-3. Try different combinations with your right hand and then your left hand.
If you have the CMJ software at home, you can practice the Folk Tunes for the Right Hand in the computer, in the Library.
Finally, we all spent some time in the Improvisation room, and each of you recorded a song to show me. All of you did some wonderful playing today. I was especially impressed with the many songs Sophia and Ryan created together. Great sense of rhythm and melody you two.
Thanks for all your hard work today. See you next week.
Let's welcome newcomers Hannah and Sam to our group. That makes 12 of us - we grew a lot since last term!
We have 2 levels going on in the class now.
Level 1:
You learned about high bird notes and low whale notes today. Make sure to play your high bird notes with your right hand and your low whale notes with your left hand. To keep a perfect piano hand position pretend to hold an orange between your 2 hands and make your fingers perfectly round. Then place your fingertips on the keys, and keep your fingers curved.
Now you're ready to play.
When you play, keep a steady beat. All music is experienced in time - the beat is what links each moment to the next. It stays the same length, like a pulse - a heartbeat.
You learned where Middle C is, and met your computer teacher Mr. Beethoven.
Well done. See if you can name all the notes of the piano using the musical alphabet, at home: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Notice that after G, the musical alphabet starts over at A.
Level 2:
You finished your first level of MusIQ Club officially today in class. Every 12 lessons you will receive a certificate in the mail saying that you completed a level.
In your 12th lesson, you practiced left hand ant tunnels with Mr. Joplin. We did some rhythm playbacks and talked about all the things that we've learned over the course of level 1. Try practicing finger number playbacks at home on your piano. Place your thumb on middle C and play like you do in the leapfrog game. 1-2-1-2-1-2. Or 1-2-3-4-3-2-1. Or 1-2-3-2-3-4-3. Try different combinations with your right hand and then your left hand.
If you have the CMJ software at home, you can practice the Folk Tunes for the Right Hand in the computer, in the Library.
Finally, we all spent some time in the Improvisation room, and each of you recorded a song to show me. All of you did some wonderful playing today. I was especially impressed with the many songs Sophia and Ryan created together. Great sense of rhythm and melody you two.
Thanks for all your hard work today. See you next week.
Monday, January 14
Fleming Tower Elementary School Mon. Jan. 14 2.15-3.15pm
Great work today everyone.
We had Max, Vinny and Lauren join us today for their first lesson in MusIQ Club.
That means there are 2 levels in the class. Level 1 at the front of the room, and level 2 at the back.
Level 1:
You learned about high bird notes and low whale notes today. Make sure to play your high bird notes with your right hand and your low whale notes with your left hand. To keep a perfect piano hand position pretend to hold an orange between your 2 hands and make your fingers perfectly round. Then place your fingertips on the keys, and keep your fingers curved.
Now you're ready to play.
When you play, keep a steady beat. All music is experienced in time - the beat is what links each moment to the next. It stays the same length, like a pulse - a heartbeat.
You learned where Middle C is, and met your computer teacher Mr. Beethoven.
Well done. See if you can name all the notes of the piano using the musical alphabet, at home: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Notice that after G, the musical alphabet starts over at A.
Level 2:
You finished your first level of MusIQ Club officially today in class. Every 12 lessons you will receive a certificate in the mail saying that you completed a level. We talked about Mr. Beethoven, Mr. Bach and Mr. Joplin. You answered lots of questions I had for you about all the things you learned in level 1.
Then we did our first lesson of level 2 (lesson 13).
You learned about the Blue Danube Waltz. Sometimes music is grouped in 3 beats, especially for dance music. We practiced some rhythm playbacks that use 3 beat groups, as well as 4 beat groups.
You learned more about five-finger ant tunnels with Mr. Joplin. Remember that thumbs are 1, index fingers are 2, middle fingers are 3... and so on - pinky fingers are 5. You're now playing with 2 hands at the same time. Practice doing finger number playbacks at home on your piano. Place your thumb on middle C and play like you do in the leapfrog game. 1-2-1-2-1-2. Or 1-2-3-4-3-2-1. Or 1-2-3-2-3-4-3. Try different combinations with your right hand and then your left hand.
Thanks for an excellent class today. See you next week.
We had Max, Vinny and Lauren join us today for their first lesson in MusIQ Club.
That means there are 2 levels in the class. Level 1 at the front of the room, and level 2 at the back.
Level 1:
You learned about high bird notes and low whale notes today. Make sure to play your high bird notes with your right hand and your low whale notes with your left hand. To keep a perfect piano hand position pretend to hold an orange between your 2 hands and make your fingers perfectly round. Then place your fingertips on the keys, and keep your fingers curved.
Now you're ready to play.
When you play, keep a steady beat. All music is experienced in time - the beat is what links each moment to the next. It stays the same length, like a pulse - a heartbeat.
You learned where Middle C is, and met your computer teacher Mr. Beethoven.
Well done. See if you can name all the notes of the piano using the musical alphabet, at home: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Notice that after G, the musical alphabet starts over at A.
Level 2:
You finished your first level of MusIQ Club officially today in class. Every 12 lessons you will receive a certificate in the mail saying that you completed a level. We talked about Mr. Beethoven, Mr. Bach and Mr. Joplin. You answered lots of questions I had for you about all the things you learned in level 1.
Then we did our first lesson of level 2 (lesson 13).
You learned about the Blue Danube Waltz. Sometimes music is grouped in 3 beats, especially for dance music. We practiced some rhythm playbacks that use 3 beat groups, as well as 4 beat groups.
You learned more about five-finger ant tunnels with Mr. Joplin. Remember that thumbs are 1, index fingers are 2, middle fingers are 3... and so on - pinky fingers are 5. You're now playing with 2 hands at the same time. Practice doing finger number playbacks at home on your piano. Place your thumb on middle C and play like you do in the leapfrog game. 1-2-1-2-1-2. Or 1-2-3-4-3-2-1. Or 1-2-3-2-3-4-3. Try different combinations with your right hand and then your left hand.
Thanks for an excellent class today. See you next week.
Friday, January 11
J. W. MacLeod Elementary School Fri. Jan. 11 2.45-3.45pm
Welcome back to MusIQ Club J. W.
It was lovely to see all of you again, and to meet Peter and Alix.
Here's what we did today, and what you can practice at home:
Level 2:
G G G A A E G G C D D E E D D C C E E F E E D E D C A G C (X2)
E D C (move R.H.P to 1 on D) E G A A G E D (move L.H.P. to 1 on C) C A
G E E E F E E D E D C A G C
Level 1
Have fun playing piano this week guys! You did a super job today.
It was lovely to see all of you again, and to meet Peter and Alix.
Here's what we did today, and what you can practice at home:
Level 2:
- Review naming notes on the Grand Staff
- Review whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes.
- Keep a good beat and a round hand position when you practice your scales and your songs.
- New song has the hand position 1 on B in the left hand, and 1 on C in the right hand. Watch out though! The hand position changes during the 'chorus' part of the song.
G G G A A E G G C D D E E D D C C E E F E E D E D C A G C (X2)
E D C (move R.H.P to 1 on D) E G A A G E D (move L.H.P. to 1 on C) C A
G E E E F E E D E D C A G C
- Review 'Get Up', and the song we learned last year, if you have the software at home.
Level 1
- Find middle C on your piano at home.
- Name the keys using the musical alphabet.
- Fingering: thumbs are 1, index fingers are 2, middle fingers 3, and so on... little fingers are 5.
- Rhythm, beat and time signatures.
- See if you can learn this song on your own: Old Grey Goose. We'll look at this together in your next lesson.
Have fun playing piano this week guys! You did a super job today.
Thursday, January 10
Kingswood School Thurs. Jan. 10 11.40-12.40pm
Nice to see you again Kingswood.
We have 7 students in the class so far this term. Ben, Lauren, Laura and Josh got invitations to bring a friend for next time. I hope that you can think of someone to join in the fun.
We had a great class today. Most of you had your own computer, so you were able to get a lot of work done. We reviewed the songs Pop goes the Weasel and On top of Old Smokey.
I was impressed with how much you remembered! All of you were able to get high scores on the songs, and were eager to perform them for the class.
We practiced our newest song called Get Up.
Then, we practiced rhythm clapbacks, and talked about note values. We did a short refresher on beat, time and rhythm in Theory Thinker, and played some Grand Staff Note Placement game.
Finally, we spent some time with Bongo boy and in the CMJ improvisation room. Remember to practice your C major scales at home with the correct fingering. This will help to orient you on the keyboard. Think of the letter names as you play.
Keep up the good work!
We have 7 students in the class so far this term. Ben, Lauren, Laura and Josh got invitations to bring a friend for next time. I hope that you can think of someone to join in the fun.
We had a great class today. Most of you had your own computer, so you were able to get a lot of work done. We reviewed the songs Pop goes the Weasel and On top of Old Smokey.
I was impressed with how much you remembered! All of you were able to get high scores on the songs, and were eager to perform them for the class.
We practiced our newest song called Get Up.
Then, we practiced rhythm clapbacks, and talked about note values. We did a short refresher on beat, time and rhythm in Theory Thinker, and played some Grand Staff Note Placement game.
Finally, we spent some time with Bongo boy and in the CMJ improvisation room. Remember to practice your C major scales at home with the correct fingering. This will help to orient you on the keyboard. Think of the letter names as you play.
Keep up the good work!
Wednesday, January 9
BLT Elementary School Wed. Jan. 9 2.00-3.00pm
It was great seeing all of you again.
We had 4 students to kick off the first class of the winter term - each of you got your own computer and an invitation to bring a friend for next time.
Today we reviewed notes getting higher and higher and lower and lower.
Remember, to get higher, you have to start low. And to get lower you have to start high. We read the story "Up, up, down" by Robert Munsch together. Thanks for your help in making all the sound effects!
In the lesson room, we learned more about Scott Joplin, and met briefly with Mr. Bach.
You're getting better at reading notes and finding middle C. When you practice, try to keep a steady beat. Use your right hand for high notes, and left hand for low notes.
In the games room you did some ear training exercises, playing back rhythms and listening to tones getting higher or lower.
In the improvisation room, you applied everything that you've learned so far: double notes, holding notes, high and low, fast and slow, legato and staccato. Each of you recorded a song to show me - all of you did an excellent job.
Practice the concepts above on your keyboards at home. If you have the CMJ software, check out the library for more songs to learn. As always, I like to hear what students have been working on at the beginning of class. For example, Haylea showed me a tune her father taught her how to play on the piano, and Jacob played a bit of Mary had a little lamb.
See you next time - have a good week.
We had 4 students to kick off the first class of the winter term - each of you got your own computer and an invitation to bring a friend for next time.
Today we reviewed notes getting higher and higher and lower and lower.
Remember, to get higher, you have to start low. And to get lower you have to start high. We read the story "Up, up, down" by Robert Munsch together. Thanks for your help in making all the sound effects!
In the lesson room, we learned more about Scott Joplin, and met briefly with Mr. Bach.
You're getting better at reading notes and finding middle C. When you practice, try to keep a steady beat. Use your right hand for high notes, and left hand for low notes.
In the games room you did some ear training exercises, playing back rhythms and listening to tones getting higher or lower.
In the improvisation room, you applied everything that you've learned so far: double notes, holding notes, high and low, fast and slow, legato and staccato. Each of you recorded a song to show me - all of you did an excellent job.
Practice the concepts above on your keyboards at home. If you have the CMJ software, check out the library for more songs to learn. As always, I like to hear what students have been working on at the beginning of class. For example, Haylea showed me a tune her father taught her how to play on the piano, and Jacob played a bit of Mary had a little lamb.
See you next time - have a good week.
Hammonds Plains Elementary School Wed. Jan. 9 8.00-9.00am
Dear Parents and Students,
Please accept my apology for being 1o minutes late for this class. I hit a deep pothole on Hammonds Plains rd. and dented the rim of my tire. The car was shaking, so I had to pull over and ask for help putting on the spare. The fog was quite bad, and I realized after this unfortunate experience that I should have a cell phone, driving in such conditions. There were a couple of occasions last term where the weather got in the way of my travels too... I'm very sorry about this and I'll look into getting a cell phone as soon as I can.
Today, we reviewed some key concepts from last term:
For those of you who have the Piano Suite Software: Practice naming notes on the grandstaff, doing the 'Rest Values' exercise in the Theory Thinker and practicing Twinkle, Pop goes the Weasel and On Top of Old Smokey.
Before the bell, we spent some time in Children's Music Journey, improvising with the C major scale and playing some rhythm games (Princess and Bongo Boy).
Have a good week everyone. I'll do everything I can to see you next week at 8am sharp.
Drive safely.
Please accept my apology for being 1o minutes late for this class. I hit a deep pothole on Hammonds Plains rd. and dented the rim of my tire. The car was shaking, so I had to pull over and ask for help putting on the spare. The fog was quite bad, and I realized after this unfortunate experience that I should have a cell phone, driving in such conditions. There were a couple of occasions last term where the weather got in the way of my travels too... I'm very sorry about this and I'll look into getting a cell phone as soon as I can.
Today, we reviewed some key concepts from last term:
- good hand posture: curved fingers - wrists up.
- beat and rhythm: quarter notes/rests, half notes/rests, whole notes/rests and eighth notes and rests.
- note naming in the grand staff.
- C major scales: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 (right hand) 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 (left hand)
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
For those of you who have the Piano Suite Software: Practice naming notes on the grandstaff, doing the 'Rest Values' exercise in the Theory Thinker and practicing Twinkle, Pop goes the Weasel and On Top of Old Smokey.
Before the bell, we spent some time in Children's Music Journey, improvising with the C major scale and playing some rhythm games (Princess and Bongo Boy).
Have a good week everyone. I'll do everything I can to see you next week at 8am sharp.
Drive safely.
Tuesday, January 8
Westmount Elementary School Tues. Dec. 8 12.15-1.15pm
What an exciting class we had today! We were back up on the stage - this time with 9 students in the class, and about 10 minutes before the end "High school musical" arrived to put on their play!
We still got lots of work done, and I was quite happy with how much all of you seemed interested and ready to learn.
Cegera, Aiffe, Maddie, Morgan, Lydia:
You reviewed notes getting higher and higher and notes getting lower and lower.
We practiced five-finger ant tunnels. Remember to play in beat and keep a round hand position.
Sean, Ryan, Sophia and Evan:
You did great with your first lesson. Try naming all the notes on your piano using the musical alphabet. See if you can find middle C on your piano at home. Try playing high bird notes and low whale notes, and always keep a steady beat.
I had a lot of fun meeting you today! See you next week.
We still got lots of work done, and I was quite happy with how much all of you seemed interested and ready to learn.
Cegera, Aiffe, Maddie, Morgan, Lydia:
You reviewed notes getting higher and higher and notes getting lower and lower.
We practiced five-finger ant tunnels. Remember to play in beat and keep a round hand position.
Sean, Ryan, Sophia and Evan:
You did great with your first lesson. Try naming all the notes on your piano using the musical alphabet. See if you can find middle C on your piano at home. Try playing high bird notes and low whale notes, and always keep a steady beat.
I had a lot of fun meeting you today! See you next week.
Monday, January 7
Fleming Tower Elementary School Mon. Jan. 7 2.15-3.15pm
Great to see all of you again. We have one new student joining us this year Bria. Welcome Bria - it's lovely to have you.
Today we reviewed a little bit of what we covered in our last class before Christmas, as well as some basic concepts that are important for us to remember whenever we practice piano.
Can everyone try to think of one thing to tell me about their computer teacher for next week?
Most of you have Mr. Scott Joplin.
Bria, you have Mr. Beethoven!
We practiced rhythm exercises and played some games. We also improvised some new songs and saved them so that we can listen back in future lessons.
Thanks for your good work everyone.
Today we reviewed a little bit of what we covered in our last class before Christmas, as well as some basic concepts that are important for us to remember whenever we practice piano.
- finger numbers: 1-2-3-4-5 on each hand.
- notes getting higher and higher and lower and lower.
- middle C and the musical alphabet.
- keeping a round hand position and playing short sounds and long in beat.
Can everyone try to think of one thing to tell me about their computer teacher for next week?
Most of you have Mr. Scott Joplin.
Bria, you have Mr. Beethoven!
We practiced rhythm exercises and played some games. We also improvised some new songs and saved them so that we can listen back in future lessons.
Thanks for your good work everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
