MONTHLY FOCUSES for Beginner Students to Level 2B Premier 

 

September 6 - November 17 Scales and Technique Book:

  • Fingering 100% correct
  • Very curved fingers
  • Fluent, no false starts
  • Knowledge of keys
  • Work on finger exercises
  • **November 1:  add Christmas music
 Era:

Classical 1750 - 1825

(List B)

Listen to 1 piece by Mozart; 1 by Beethoven; 1 by Haydn
  • Count aloud or say “up” or “down” to indicate direction of notes
  • Memorization
  • Fingering
  • Finger shape

 
November 21 - January 19 Ensembles Assigned:

  • Discover how important listening is for ensemble work
  • Practice with metronome
  • Evaluate your role as either primo or secondo
 Era:

Baroque 1600 - 1750

(List A)

Listen to 1 piece by JS Bach; 1 by D. Scarlatti; 1 by Handel
  • Articulation
  • Count aloud
  • Fingering
  • Memorization
  • Practice HS with other hand’s weight on top
January 21 - March 2 Sight Reading and Ear Training:

  • Memorize song titles for intervals:  min 3, maj 3, perfect 5, and perfect 8
  • Work on rhythms:  sight and clap back
  • Quick studies graded out of 5 each week
 Era:

Romantic 1825 - 1885

(List C)

Listen to 1 piece by Schubert; 1 by Chopin; 1 by Paganini
  • Add pedaling skills:  damper & una corda at the end of pieces
  • Memorization
  • Count aloud
  • Fingering
  • Dynamics
March 6 - May 18 Musicianship & Artistry

  • Dynamics
  • Rhythm
  • Stylistic
  • Master a modern technique never seen before
 Era:

Modern 1900 - today

Listen to 1 piece by Dennis Alexander; 1 by Martha Mier; 1 by Linda Niamath
  • Tempo terms
  • Memorization
  • Articulation
  • Fingering
  • Count aloud
May 23 - June 12 Final recital prep    

 

  1. Before beginning to play, say opening finger numbers and starting notes aloud.
  2. Count aloud at home as well as in the lesson without prompting.Use metronome at home.
  3. Perfect fingering required.
  4. Articulation:legato, staccato, portato, slurs, phrases.
  5. Dynamic markings:colour the piece to add interest.
  6. Theory homework must be handed in on time.
  7. Highlight tempo change markings: the opening tempo, rit., accelerando, a tempo, a breath marking, fermata
  8. Let your mantra be:            THINK 10x     PLAY ONCE
  9. Discover the value of learning on the fallboard (keyboard cover)
  10. Chunk practice with brain engaged