Lesson notes. April 15, 2025
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm” – Key of C Major
• Replace full chords with single notes that represent the harmony (e.g., play a single “C” note instead of the full C chord).
• This will allow you to accompany Phoebe at full tempo with less preparation.
Creative Project:
• List of songs Phoebe knows.
• From that list, we’ll write our own arrangements, (or buy pre-written arrangements)
1. The Wheels on the Bus go round and round
2. Bah Bah Black Sheep Have you any wool...
3. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
4. Yankee Doodle
5. Mary Had a LIttle Lamb NEW to figure out by ear
6. If You're Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands
7. The eensy weensy spider
New Piece: “Imagine” – John Lennon – Key of C Major
A and A# are peculiar characteristic of this song
• Suggested solution: simplify the left hand into block chords at first, then gradually add additional notes after the basic structure is secure.
• Focus on learning the melody separately with counting to build better flow from the beginning.
• Please send me the PDF of the score when you can.
GRB recording coming soon
Piece 1: “Children at Play” (Level 6) – PASSED
New classical piece posted below
Piece 2: “Hallelujah” PASSED
Pedal now for the entire song. Add pedal while keeping the left hand light.
Continuity at the section with broken chords. Reduce pauses
“Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”
Complete with LH chords reduced to 3-7.
Claire can now sit at your left side and play the bass notes for you
Piece 3: “New Orleans”
Very good job with the chord building, both on the RH and the LH.
Let's at the same time learn a new arrangement: The same technique used for "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" playing melody on RH and chords on the LH reduced to 3 and 7, so that Claire can play the bass notes
• Replace full chords with single notes that represent the harmony (e.g., play a single “C” note instead of the full C chord).
• This will allow you to accompany Phoebe at full tempo with less preparation.
Creative Project:
• List of songs Phoebe knows.
• From that list, we’ll write our own arrangements, (or buy pre-written arrangements)
1. The Wheels on the Bus go round and round
2. Bah Bah Black Sheep Have you any wool...
3. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
4. Yankee Doodle
5. Mary Had a LIttle Lamb NEW to figure out by ear
6. If You're Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands
7. The eensy weensy spider
New Piece: “Imagine” – John Lennon – Key of C Major
A and A# are peculiar characteristic of this song
• Suggested solution: simplify the left hand into block chords at first, then gradually add additional notes after the basic structure is secure.
• Focus on learning the melody separately with counting to build better flow from the beginning.
• Please send me the PDF of the score when you can.
GRB recording coming soon
Piece 1: “Children at Play” (Level 6) – PASSED
New classical piece posted below
Piece 2: “Hallelujah” PASSED
Pedal now for the entire song. Add pedal while keeping the left hand light.
Continuity at the section with broken chords. Reduce pauses
“Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”
Complete with LH chords reduced to 3-7.
Claire can now sit at your left side and play the bass notes for you
Piece 3: “New Orleans”
Very good job with the chord building, both on the RH and the LH.
Let's at the same time learn a new arrangement: The same technique used for "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" playing melody on RH and chords on the LH reduced to 3 and 7, so that Claire can play the bass notes
