Last Post of the semester

I'm prating my piece for the recital. kinda of nervous cause i have a horrible case of stage fright (not exaggerating). but my main goal through this piano course was to be able to read music. Learning how to play with both hands is still a work a in progress as i am a slow learner. I do plan on continuing to practice how to play the piano. Hopefully i wont embarrass myself playing in front of people because i tend to play slow so i don't miss a key. But thank you for sparing your time in helping me out it really is encouraging to accomplish some of my goals so early on. =) you were really patient.

I practiced a half hour last night (7:55-8:25) and I'm going down right now to play with Ana for a half hour or so!
I forgot to record that I played for a half hour last Thursday (4/30)! I played my recital pieces for you.

ive been trying to practice the minuet and have been struggling with it a bit but been progressing with it. also i practiced on tuesday instead of thursday.

I just practiced for another half hour. I'm anxious for you to hear and get your advise. I'm wondering if I should play one and make it perfect or play two?
Thanks!

Just practiced for a half hour, and plan on coming back tonight to practice another half hour. My two recital pieces are coming together well!

I practiced tonight for an hour from 7PM-8PM. I worked on the two recital pieces and played for you many times and got some help on how to play certain parts of the songs.
Thanks!

I just wanted to let you know I will not be in class tonight, I am not getting back to Marist from my family trip until late tonight. I will make sure I practice and record it on here.

My apologies,
Cally

minute in g major

so ive managed to practice during the easter break and i found a piece that i can play for the final. I chose minute in G by bach. Hope thats ok. I've tried playing the pice however i found that i still need to improve my skills in moving my hands.

4/9/09

Hola!

Just thinking about this Thursday- a bunch of people told me they were not going to be here, and I'm just trying to figure out a condensed schedule for those people who will still be here. Can you please post a message ASAP listing what times you are available on Thursday? I can be at Marist anytime from 5-9. After you send me your availability I'll let you know what time your lesson will be. If I won't see you, have a good break!

Laura

So today I practiced for a total of 2 hours (my 1 hour for this week and my hour for spring break that I didn't do and was making up!)

Here is what I did:
1. 5-5:30 PM played piano (worked on one of the pieces I am going to do for the final, "Part of Your World")
2. 5:40-6:10 PM did some written practice by doing the class book exercises
3. 6:40-7:10 PM played piano (worked on scales and also played using one hand at a time "The Amazing Aerobics of Hanon" on pg. 78 and79)
4. 7:10-7:30 PM did some more written practice (continuing where I left off in the class book written exercises)
5. 7:30-7:40 PM talked to you about some questions I had and you printed out two Beethoven songs for me to work on.

C Major Chords

I practiced for about an hour today and am currently working on how to play chords. I seem to have a harder time playing with my right hand than with my left hand.

I practiced 1 hour tonight (6:45-7:45pm) for my practice this week. I worked on the major scales and the passing the thumb under the third finger to play the scale with one hand smoothly! I also learned what a "tetrachord" is, which I never knew before so I was interested. I practiced chords as well just to get a feel for them. Finally I played through a few songs in the class book, and my piano book I have showed you, and am trying to find a piece I can work on for the final (is it to early to be doing that?).

I didn't however do my hour of practice for last week. I was very busy when I went home. I am going to make it up though if thats ok!

3/25/09

Just a quick note reminding you that there's no class tomorrow. Let me know if you have any questions about your practicing. Enjoy your week, and I'll see you in April!

I practiced tonight for an hour (7-8PM). I asked you again about the right hand turning into the left hand notes and I'm finally understanding it! I also asked you about the Damper pedal and the other pedals, and you taught me the techniques for using the pedals.

See you after break!

I practiced 1 hr. tonight for this weeks practice. I played you a few songs, and got some more advice on the left hand and how to play more comfortably and correctly with it. I am still feeling weak in left hand but I'm getting better at it:) You also gave me some scales, which I'm excited to practice with, and explained to me how the notes can go low enough in the treble cleff that they are read as the bass cleft. Does this have a name? Thank You!

I just got to piano tonight and realized I never recorded my practice for last week! I did an hour on thursday night. I played mostly with my left hand to make that stronger. You gave good advice on the positoning of my wrists and forarms as well if I remember correctly!

Piano-Ana

hey there sorry i haven't been posting as frequently but i did practice for a full hour last thursday. Cally was able to help me out on some problems i had with the intervals. I am proud to say that i am getting closer to reaching my goal of fully reading music without the letters printed on the notes. For now i am trying to play soft and lound music.

I forgot to mention I worked on my left hand using the class book!
Thanks!

I did my full hour of practicing tonight. I helped Anna with some questions she had, played her 2 songs from my own piano book from home. Then I played on my own some songs from my book that I havn't learned yet, practiced my left hand trying to make it stronger and smoother like my right, and I played some scales! Do you have some scales I could play as a warm up when I practice?

I practiced tonight for 40 minutes. I started at 7:15 and ended at 7:55! I played for you a piece from the class book and a piano book I brought from home (Beauty and The Beast). I also asked you for help in understanding major vs. minor, and a question on hand positioning. I understand both much better now. Thank You!

I have not been doing to well at recording when I practiced! Thought I should mention for this week, so far I practiced 20 minutes on Monday night, and am planning on doing the last 40 minutes tonight. I am trying to go more than 1 night a week to practice on my own, because I know you said that is a good way to get better!

I just realized I forgot to record the rest of my practice for last week! I practiced for 45 minutes in the piano room on Thursday, February 5, 2009. You were in their while I practiced. I played for you as well, and you gave me great advice on working with the left hand.

February 4, 2009

I practiced today for 20 (7:40PM- 8:00PM) minutes. I warmed up with some scales and some songs I know by heart and skimmed through the class book and played some songs (some easy and some more difficult). I also worked on my hand positioning, but made sure I stay relaxed like you advised!

I practiced for about an hour today, and worked on melodic intervals, harmonic intervals, and chords! I played for you as well, and got good advice to stay relaxed and not tense in the hands and arms, and keep both hands in the proper position through the piece.

practice!

hey there. I've been practicing everyday for at least 10mins. i have gotten a lot better in playing with my right hand better than my left. I still feel though that I'm still not grasping onto how long I'm suppose to hold onto a beat. for instance the whole note is throwing me off a little bit.

Ana

I practiced today for an hour while you were in the classroom.

I am working on: understanding some of the vocabulary (ex. leger line), sightreading, becoming stronger at reading the bass cleft and playing with my left hand.

Questions: I heard you talking to another student about sightreading, and something about a taconic. I have not taken any specific sight reading class, but is that something that will come up when playing the piano.

Thanks!

Oh and I would prefer the 7 slot if its available and works well for you, but I can do 7:45 if you need!

Just seeing if I did it right and it's working! Let me know

Thank you for inviting me to your blog! Happy practicing and blogging! See you on Thursday at 7:00. If I hear back from both of you in time- would it be possible to move you guys to 7:45 or would that be too late for you?

Started Practice