Session Date
Lesson Topic
Continued learning to read from the music book; reinforced the C triad
Lesson Outline
Zeta reviewed all the easy pieces we did last week. We made sure she knew that the brain is a computer without a delete button, therefore, playing slowly so as not to make a mistake was the topic of the day. Zeta continued to do the fingering for each piece. This is really a good exercise since one must make sure they understand going either straight up or down, and skipping notes. We emphasized the C triad since it is repeated often in the book. I like to make a box around the triads in Root position. This exposes the simplicity of theory and compresses information instead of playing note, note, note, note. We talked about the importance of memorization so as to being prepared to have a something memorized should a person have a piano in their home. We eventually reached the song "Chimes". I told her that that song was one in five pieces in the book that I recommend memorizing. We went beyond "Chimes". She completed it and then asked if we could go back and memorize it. When we were working on "Chimes" we played the pedal that allows the sound of the note to continue - the sostenudo pedal. We opened up the piano so that she could see the technology of the dampers on the keys are lifted so as to allow the vibrations to continue. Zeta learned to memorize "Chimes" by giving her a simple story to help her remember which keys to play. This is not the usual manner in which to memorize a piece of music, however, for an initial memorization piece with a minimal knowledge of theory, it is a better route. Zeta memorized it. She learned the power of five. It takes five perfect attempts to finally create muscle memory. Also, the need for focus and concentration is needed so as not to become over confident in one's success after three attempts. Zeta seemed to very pleased with her success. We also exposed Zeta to the Blues scale as a "coming attractions".
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Zeta played a little too confidently and made mistakes. Asked her to think of her brain as a computer without a delete button and encouraged her to play slowly and deliberately. She is open to suggestions. Told her that it would be a good idea to have a piece memorized so as to be prepared to play for people if they have a piano in their home. We ended up memorizing one of the five pieces of music that I find have high musical value in the book. She was patient with herself and eventually succeeded. She wanted to have the notes fingered and allowed her to do it again this week. She did not have any mistakes which proves she has a good understanding of straight up or down and skipping. Again, Zeta is a real pleasure to teach.
Session Hours
1.00
Hours Attended
1.00
Entry Status
Review Status
Student Name(s)
Subject
School