Today in MusIQ Club!

Hi Everyone! It was lovely to see most of you today. Great Halloween costumes too! 

The last few weeks we have spent a lot of time working on written music and theory. Today, we did things a little differently and had a very practical lesson with the whole group playing the keyboards together.

All Levels

• We began by logging into Concertmaster, our program which helps us to hear what everyone is playing.
• We listened carefully and practised our C position playbacks with first the right hand, and then the left. You were very good at this!
• Then we practised our scales. Focussing on C Major so that everyone could play together, we concentrated on getting our thumb tucks smooth, and our sound legato. (Remember not to jerk your elbow up, or raise your shoulders as you tuck your thumb under.)
• We then worked a little on C Contrary motion, where both thumbs begin on Middle C, and then you play the C major scale at the same time, right hand going up, left hand going down. With practice, most of you should be able to play this by next week!
• Because we were in a ‘C Major kind of mood’, we then loaded some backing tracks to improvise to, and spent some time being creative. We had some great group playing, and some wonderful solo sections too! You all began and ended on C, and only used notes which were in the C major scale so that it sounded good. Great job!
• Then we went into Piano Player in Piano Suite where you practised the pieces you are working on in your level.
• To finish off, you logged into Children’s Music Journey Volumes 2 and 3 to play some of the musical games for some fun!

Home Assignments for the Week

• Keep practising the C Major scale and C Contrary Motion.
• If you are Level 2, print out this technique sheet and keep on working on F and G Major.
• If you are Level 4 and above, print out and practise these level 2 and level 3 scales everyday!
• Try improvising your own tunes at the piano. Try some in C Major (begin and end on C and try to use all white notes.) For a challenge, try improvising some tunes in G Major. Remember to begin and end on the note G, and only use the notes which are in the G Major scale. (Remember F sharp!) 

Well done Boys! Have a happy and safe Halloween, and I’ll see you next Friday!

Bye for now! Adele

Filed under: Portland Estates Elementary