I used to have a yoga teacher that ending every session with that phrase "Be Thankfull for your many blessings in life. It made aware of how good my life is every time she said it so, be thankful for your family, friends, your music, your health…………..your many blessings, whatever they are.
Last night:
We started out by reviewing the C scale, up and back, and finished by playing the descending C scale which, given the right rhythm, is the first phrase of Joy to the World. Try it at home. Pick out all of the notes in Joy to the World. You will only need notes in the C scale and you never go below the C string or above the high C.
We reviewed the notes in the C and G major chords (the 1,3 and 5 of the C scale). The discussion also included the closed shapes for the chords. The diagrams with the closed shapes is on the resource page, for those who are ready to move beyond the first postion chords.. If you are still working on your first position chords, stick with that and use the exercises on page 45 to practice making the change from C to G.
We practiced playing triplets in exercise 2 on page 42 with Row, Row, Row your boat (a group of 3 notes of equal length played in the time of two).
We played on-beat and off-beat chords with Three Blind Mice on page 43
We then play our first song in 6/8 time - Fais Dodo. (6, 8th notes to the measure) including how to strum in 6/8 time. We will get a chance to play this song again next week.
Next we moved on to practice Shortnin' Bread (pg 46) and I passed out a couple of variations to this song (on resource page)
For fun we sight read (very well, I must say) a couple of Thanksgiving Songs (on the resource page).
For Next Week Practice El Tortillero (slow version on resource page). Remember that the rhythm is the most challenging thing about this piece. Start by listening to the recording, then work on measures 24-26 until you know the notes and how they should sound (timing). Then work from the top. Note that this is 3/4 time. We will also play Fais Dodo in the key of F (pg 48).
I am thankful that you all chose to take my class and so I got to meet you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Last night:
We started out by reviewing the C scale, up and back, and finished by playing the descending C scale which, given the right rhythm, is the first phrase of Joy to the World. Try it at home. Pick out all of the notes in Joy to the World. You will only need notes in the C scale and you never go below the C string or above the high C.
We reviewed the notes in the C and G major chords (the 1,3 and 5 of the C scale). The discussion also included the closed shapes for the chords. The diagrams with the closed shapes is on the resource page, for those who are ready to move beyond the first postion chords.. If you are still working on your first position chords, stick with that and use the exercises on page 45 to practice making the change from C to G.
We practiced playing triplets in exercise 2 on page 42 with Row, Row, Row your boat (a group of 3 notes of equal length played in the time of two).
We played on-beat and off-beat chords with Three Blind Mice on page 43
We then play our first song in 6/8 time - Fais Dodo. (6, 8th notes to the measure) including how to strum in 6/8 time. We will get a chance to play this song again next week.
Next we moved on to practice Shortnin' Bread (pg 46) and I passed out a couple of variations to this song (on resource page)
For fun we sight read (very well, I must say) a couple of Thanksgiving Songs (on the resource page).
For Next Week Practice El Tortillero (slow version on resource page). Remember that the rhythm is the most challenging thing about this piece. Start by listening to the recording, then work on measures 24-26 until you know the notes and how they should sound (timing). Then work from the top. Note that this is 3/4 time. We will also play Fais Dodo in the key of F (pg 48).
I am thankful that you all chose to take my class and so I got to meet you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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