Write a Song

Posted on January 17, 2013 by miriamtroxler

1. Print the staff paper.
2. Draw your clef at the beginning of the first staff.
3. Draw your time signature. Your choice of 2/4, 3/4 or  4/4 time.
4. Pick a scale you can play well. Using notes from your scale, fill a minimum of 8 measures with your notes. If you do not know a scale, pick 5 notes and use 2/4 time for your work. You may use any note value that you know how to play. Remember to put a barline at the end of each measure. Remember to put your clef at the beginning of each staff you use. Put a double barline at the end of your song.
5. Add a title.

Be ready to play it and bring it to your lesson. (25 points) Double points changing meters within the song.

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Seeing Intervals, Thirds or Fourths

Posted on January 16, 2013 by miriamtroxler

Intervals are way to discuss the distance between two notes.  If the notes are both on lines with one space in the middle or both on spaces with one line in the middle, the interval is called a third. A fourth will have one note on a line and one note on a space. If you put your pencil tip on the first note, call it one. Move to the next line or space, call it two. Move to the next line or space, call it three. Move one more line or space. Your pencil should be on another note. If so, you have just discovered a fourth. Visually, it looks one line or space bigger than a third. Try it!

Print the Third or Fourth worksheet.

Write 3rd under the thirds. Write 4th under the fourths. (2 points)
Begin with the letter B, C, D or E. Label all of the following notes with the correct letter. (3 points)
Begin with the letter G. Label all of the following notes with the correct letter. (4 points)
Start with the note that would be correct for your clef. Play the exercise. (5 points)

Yes, you can submit it more than once for extra points. Bring it to your next lesson or submit by email.

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Tempo Tuesday

Posted on January 15, 2013 by miriamtroxler

Andante

Define the musical tempo. Submit your answer by email or on paper at your next lesson. (2 points)

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High Point Week 1

Posted on January 14, 2013 by miriamtroxler

Congratulations Tessa! 72 points

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How to Practice

Posted on January 14, 2013 by miriamtroxler

How to Practice – Get Detailed

There are times that starting at the beginning of something and playing until you reach the end is a good plan. However, more often there is a better strategy.

1. Divide the piece into manageable portions.

2. Practice each section slowly 5-15 times.

3. Combine several sections and practice them together.

4. Isolate any difficult measure. Practice it alone. Then practice it with a measure on either side. Next practice it with two measures along each side. Put it back in context.

5. Play the piece in full. Listen carefully to yourself.

6. Isolate any challenging areas and practice them again.

Getting detailed is a more efficient way to practice because it allows the harder sections to become easier faster so the entire piece gets better. Playing from the beginning to the end will often make the easy sections good in a hurry, but leave the challenging sections as treacherous traps for your fingers.

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Looking for more points?

Posted on January 13, 2013 by miriamtroxler

Go to a concert during point contest and write a review. Bring the program and review to your lesson.(15 points)

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Symbol Saturday

Posted on January 12, 2013 by miriamtroxler

symbol 2

Do you know what this musical symbol is? Draw it and write your answer in your notebook and bring it to your next lesson. (1 point)

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Five Facts

Posted on January 11, 2013 by miriamtroxler

Today’s Point Contest challenge is find five facts about a composer. Submit your five facts in the comments. (5 points) Double points if you have five different facts on a composer who has already been submitted.

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Write a Song

Posted on January 10, 2013 by miriamtroxler

1. Print the staff paper.
2. Draw your clef at the beginning of the first staff.
3. Draw your time signature. For today’s project, make it 3/4 time.
4. Pick 5 notes. Using quarter notes, half notes, and dotted half notes, fill 8 measures with your notes. Remember to put a barline after every 3 counts. Remember to put your clef at the beginning of each staff you use. Put a double barline at the end of your song.
5. Add a title.

Be ready to play it and bring it to your lesson. (25 points)

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Seeing Intervals, Seconds or Thirds

Posted on January 9, 2013 by miriamtroxler

Intervals are way to discuss the distance between two notes. If the notes are on an adjacent line and space, the interval is called a second. If the notes are both on lines with one space in the middle or both on spaces with one line in the middle, the interval is called a third.

Print the Second or Third worksheet.

Write 2nd under the seconds. Write 3rd under the thirds. (2 points)
Begin with the letter A, B, C, or D. Label all of the following notes with the correct letter. (3 points)
Begin with the letter F. Label all of the following notes with the correct letter. (4 points)
Start with the note that would be correct for your clef. Play the exercise. (5 points)

Yes, you can submit it more than once for extra points. Bring it to your next lesson or submit by email.

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