No Classes Today: November 4, 2024

/

I have lost my voice so there are NO classes today, Monday, November 4, 2024. Thankfully I feel fine overall - I just can't really speak. As a result, makeup classes for today will be held Monday, November 25, 2024 at your normal class time (there were no classes originally scheduled the week of Thanksgiving). I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. In the meantime, please have your student:

  1. Start their practice time with pieces that are not yet finished. Pick a section of music (usually 4-8 measures) to focus on for 6 minutes/section and work towards a greater level of accuracy (notes, rhythms, and musical markings), evenness (smooth out pauses and slow down areas that rush), and confidence (multiple repetitions of that section, like 4-6 good reps, will increase confidence). 

  2. Repeat Number 1 for at least 2 more pieces, or a different section of the first piece. Find another piece of music that needs section work, pick a 4-8 measure section to work on, and spend 6 minutes increasing accuracy, evenness, and confidence.

  3. Finish their practice time with Memorized pieces. In the last 5 minutes of your practice session, treat it like class performance time: pick a piece or two to play for an audience, record yourself, or play like you're in front of an audience and you get one shot to play your piece.

  4. Organize your practice time into the 3-2-1 Method:

    • Practice 3 six-minute sections. See above.

    • Play through 2 full pieces 2 times each. The first time through, play it with music, down tempo (slower than performance tempo), and firm fingers - all the while, seeking to increase accuracy, evenness, and confidence. The second time through, close your binder and try playing at, or close to, performance tempo (just not faster than performance tempo). 

    • Pick 1 piece to play for an audience, or record yourself playing, or pretend it's performance time and recreate the "performance atmosphere" as you play to end your practice time. 

Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope you all stay healthy!