piano lesson random notes

[NOTE: If you are just joining us for the first time, you can find my previous Sixty and Me Free Piano Lessons on my Author page. You can join our lessons any time!]

13.1 Random Notes to Read and Write, p.45

It is lucky Lesson 13, and we are going to continue learning the Bass notes C, D, E, F and G this week. Sometimes our ears help us to remember melodies so that we are not practicing our reading skills as much. This week we will be playing random bass notes in the left hand in the Bass Note Writing Drill on p.45, so that your ear can’t help you remember the notes. Don’t worry, having a good ear is a great benefit, but I want you to both develop your ear and practice your note reading.

This week, PLAY p.45, 2-3 lines per day. Next week, WRITE the letters next to the notes as per the instructions, as you play Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes on p.46.

13.2 Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes, p.46

Notice that the first 2 lines (pink) are in the treble staff, and are played with your right hand. The 3rd and 4th lines are written in the bass staff and are therefore played with the left hand. Remember to always get both hands ready to play their first notes, before you start playing a piece. Try to keep your tempo steady, as you play Drink to Me:

13.3 Piano Puzzler #1, p.47-48

Let’s start the Piano Puzzler on p.47-48 together! I have created this crossword puzzle to help you review the musical terms we have learned so far, while also challenging your brain. All the answers are written at the bottom of p.48, but do try to come up with the answers yourself before searching for the term in the ANSWERS section. Let’s do the first 4 questions together:

Passion Practice!

  1. Exercise #3 in E and B. Play each exercise 3 times: 2x Forte (loudly) then 1x Piano (softly) with each hand. Use the PENTASCALES chart at the back of the book if you are not sure of the hand positions for E and B. Review Ex #3 in C, G, D and A when you can.
  2. Chord Calisthenics #1 – Play the whole page with each hand. Play these chords broken and block in random order in your 2nd week.
  3. 1st week: PLAY p.45 Bass Note Writing Drill, 2 or 3 lines at a time (see video 13.1) Start filling in the Piano Puzzler, p.46-47 (see video 13.3).
  4. 2nd week: Make a copy of p.45 if you can, for further writing practice. Then WRITE the letters next to the note heads.
  5. 2nd week: Play Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes (see video 13.2).

Curious Summer Travel Facts

If it is summer or break time in your part of the world, how can you make sure that you don’t lose your skills while traveling?Research shows that practicing your exercises and songs on a table (on a flight?) or desk (at a hotel?) is almost as effective as playing on an actual piano! Take photos of your music on your phone or tablet and read the notes as your fingers “play” them. It is also effective to set an intention to leave and then return to your piano practice. Don’t worry, even if you are away for a while, you will soon get your skills back after you start playing again.

Let’s Have a Conversation!

How will you maintain your practice while traveling? Will there be a piano on your travels? Don’t be shy, go ahead and play it! Leave us a comment below, or feel free to ask any questions about your piano playing. We love to hear from you!