Gabriel Piano Studio
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LESSON PAGE.  STEINBERG

May 18 UPDATES
New classical piece.  Dance by Bartok
Updated comments on how to practice (see "
I Don't Know How to Love Him​")

TECHNIQUE AND THEORY

BASIC TECHNIQUE PRACTICE CHART

May 3
​MAY NEED A VIDEO OF ME PLAYING THROUGH THE ROUTINE

​Some days you will have time to practice all the elements on the right column. Some days you will practice some and continue the following day.
Choose one key. For example: C Major

Practice the elements on the right column.

Then practice all three diminished chords:
Starting with C
Starting with C#
Starting with D
​C Major scale
C Major arpeggio
C Major chord and all inversions
C minor chord and all inversions
C7 (C Major chord + minor 7) and all inversions
CM7 (C Major chord + Major 7) and all inversions
Cm7 (C minor chord + minor 7) and all inversions
C dim (C diminished chord) and all inversions
 in this order​After you have practiced C Major and you feel comfortable, we will add the following keys:
G Major (F#), D Major (F#+C#), A Major (F#+C#+G#), F Major (Bb)

MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS

January 10

Building Major and minor chords in root position,
Create a diagram that shows the distance between the root, third and fifth for major and minor chords.
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SCALES

November 23.  Review B Major scale
​B Major scale (it uses all the black keys, plus the notes B and E)


Practice playing all 3 black keys, or all 2 black keys at the same time, so your hand remembers the fingering better.
Fingering for the scales can be found in the book below:
COMPLETE BOOK OF SCALES
File Size: 2414 kb
File Type: pdf
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DIMINISHED CHORDS

October 26
This week work on inverting the C diminished to every possible position. Only the C diminished chord.
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Chords with 7th (four-note chords)

November 16
Updated chart of chords with 7ths
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6/29
VISUAL LEARNING OF THE C AND C# DIM CHORDS

C dim is a frowning semi-circle
C# dim is a smiling semi-circle
See pictures below.  Click on the pic to enlarge.
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NEW: "Dance" by Bela Bartok
page 121 in your book "Beginning Piano Solos"

May 18
This piece has a different sound than the traditional piano pieces.  More of an Eastern-European folk character.  I hope you like it.
bartok_dance.pdf
File Size: 406 kb
File Type: pdf
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IN PROGRESS: "Polka" by Michael I. Glinka
page 103 in your book "Beginning Piano Solos"

May 17
m3 check the LH chord notes
m9 play the RH alone to see the fluency of the notes
Play the notes of the RH with only one bass note on the LH
Balance the hands.  Lighter LH, RH leaning on the keys.

May 10
​Today let's tray working on accelerating the RH melody, then assembling the LH chords.

1- Learn the RH by itself better playing it alone.
1- Learn the LH chords as blocks
3- Put hands together but play LH as blocks to simplify thinking
4- Play it as written.

IN PROGRESS: "Morning Song" by Cornelius Gurlitt

GURLITT Morning Song
File Size: 620 kb
File Type: pdf
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May 17
Well done. Slowly but going steady.
​Remember to use "creative practice" and practice the same sections in different ways.  I suggest for line 2 to practice playing the top line and the bottom line as a way to stimulate your thinking and learn it gradually.

May 10
Trick to learn the fast chords.
1- Start with one note
2- Then play them as 6ths  (the first 6 moves are all white keys, ...easy)
3- Then figure out what is happening inside the chords and build the entire chord
4- repeat operation also w LH

NEW: IMPROVISATION in C Major

May 17

LEFT HAND:

LH plays any note except B.  Duplicate the octave and add a fifth.
Example: C - G - C
Do the same pattern for other notes, for example
A - E - A
F - C - F
E - B - E
etc.

RIGHT HAND
Play using the white keys.  alternate playing with the LH and the RH and use pedal to make it sound more comfortable.
​See example on the right margin

Example of chord progressions:
C - A - F - G
or
C - F - G - E - A - F - D - G

IN PROGRESS: "I Don't Know How to Love Him" by Andrew L. Webber

May 17
Repeating section:  Choose between repeating or not repeating.  If you are not, then skip box Nr. 1 and move unto box Nr. 2 directly.

Practice with the intention of developing your muscle memory, learning concepts, not just notes, and learning transitions.
This type of practice involves the following:
  1. Selecting a small section (one, two, four measures max)
  2. Try to think what is that you are playing, not just notes, but group them in concepts, such as chords, patterns, shapes, sounds, etc.
  3. While playing, be aware of where the weak spots manifest
  4. Target those spots and play just those, rather than playing the entire section.  Resist the temptation to continue beyond the work area.
  5. Practice transitions: from where you are comfortable, into the weak spot, and from the weak spot into the rest of the section
  6. Play the entire section at least three times without mistakes to feel that you have it under control now.
  7. Test how reliable the section is, by starting earlier and see if you muscle memory responds and remembers how to prepare the notes before they appear.
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Continued...
Here is the same score, in which I labeled most of the chords
I DONT KNOW HOW chords labeled
File Size: 1392 kb
File Type: pdf
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I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM easy piano
File Size: 554 kb
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Learn groups of notes that represent chords as block chords first.  Identify what chord they are.

Parallel notes, identify where those happen.

IN PROGRESS: "Send in the Clowns" by S. Sondheim

Feb-15
Very good indeed.
You are ready to now apply a touch of pedal through the song.
m19 F is not sharp
The difficult section you played it slowly but correctly.
Page 4 is getting there.

Attention to the two last lines with repeat signs at the end of the piece.
send_in_the_clowns_-_f_major_-_mn0131143.pdf
File Size: 182 kb
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Recording below of the first section of the song 

PASSED: "Little Piece" by Robert Schumann
page 112 in your book "Beginning Piano Solos"

April 11
Ready to pass.  The little hesitations here and there are just incidental.
The amount of flow you have gained on this difficult piece from one week to the next is remarkable.
SCHUMANN little piece
File Size: 48 kb
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IN PROGRESS: "Impossible Dream" from Man of LaMancha

April 26
Count 1-2-3  1-2-3  1-2-3 with your voice and you play the music.  This will keep the pulse steady.


April 11
Counting is fixed.  Now it is proportional from one section to the next.
​Nevertheless it still needs a little more time to feel that you are assimilating it.
Attention to flats that appear in the beginning of the measure, and affect the rest of the equal notes.
You always do it correctly, but not in the measure below:
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the_impossible_dream.pdf
File Size: 1041 kb
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Here it how it sounds when played slowly:

PASSED: "La Candeur" by F. Burgmuller

April 11
Pretty good.
​Attention to this passage here.  Keep 8th notes straight
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burgmuller_la_candeur.pdf
File Size: 299 kb
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OLD REVIEW: "Yesterday"

Feb-8
Good job alternating different textures in the accompaniment.
Sometimes you played bass-chord, sometimes block chords, and you can still add another one, which is playing each note of the chord one at a time, what we call an "arpeggio".

You can also extend that arpeggio into a longer stretch of notes.  So rather than just playing an F chord as F-A-C, you can keep going and play it as F-A-C-F-A.

OLD REVIEW: "I could write a book"

Feb-8
This one is in good shape.

DONE: "THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE"

shadow_of_your_smile_real_book.pdf
File Size: 106 kb
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IT HAD TO BE YOU

NEW SCORE OF "IT HAD TO BE YOU" WITH SIMPLIFIED RHYTHM
it_had_to_be_you__simplified_rhythm_.pdf
File Size: 52 kb
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IT HAD TO BE YOU marked March-9
File Size: 3007 kb
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3/9 Here above is a version of the score with markings to help you see where the 1st and 3rd beats are.
​You can then assign bass-chord or chord-chord as you need it.
real_book_it_had_to_be_you.pdf
File Size: 129 kb
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IT HAD TO BE YOU with GRB notes and changes
File Size: 142 kb
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IT HAD TO BE YOU with BASS-CHORD color coding
File Size: 1880 kb
File Type: pdf
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JAZZ FAKE BOOK

JAZZ FAKE BOOK
File Size: 40185 kb
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EARL SELECTIONS fakebook
File Size: 168 kb
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305 Put on a Happy Face

305_put_on_a_happy_face.pdf
File Size: 113 kb
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March 1
bass-chord is fine although very slow.  
​Let's see if a different technique allows you to play it a bit faster:  Try repeated chords played short and light to give the song a bit of spark.

406 Unforgettable

screen_shot_2022-03-01_at_1.31.57_pm.png
File Size: 453 kb
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March 1
​Bass-chord and block chord technique is fine in the song.  Just play the chord sooner and repeat bass-chord in the next measure even if there is no chord indicated.

IN PROGRESS: 422 What a Wonderful World

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD October-5 version
File Size: 54 kb
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December 7
Sync is good.  Line up 8th notes in the LH with the RH and you will have the hands lined up easily.
422_what_a_wonderful_world.pdf
File Size: 301 kb
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IN PROGRESS: ​247 Some Enchanted Evening

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247_fake_some_enchanted_evening.pdf
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November 23

You are still trying to fit too much 

Continue exercising the LH diversity plan:
1 chord per measure: bass-chord
​2 chords in one measure: just play them both as chords, there is no room to elaborate much more.

Summertime.  NEW VERSION

January 19

SUMMERTIME -INTUITIVE CHORDS-
File Size: 1910 kb
File Type: pdf
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summertime.pdf
File Size: 95 kb
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145 Hello Dolly

jazzfake_hello_dolly.pdf
File Size: 110 kb
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March-15
Duplicate the root on every chord you play as a start to eventually introduce the 7th

Feb-22
Well done as bass-choir system.
Remember that 2-chords in the same mesure we play them as block chords, rather than
"bass-chord+bass-chord"

153 I Could Have Danced All Nightes

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i_could_have_danced_all_night.pdf
File Size: 113 kb
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4/13
This one is also 

measure = bass
measure = chord
​rather than bass-chord in one measure.
​Keep in mind when distributing bas and chord, especially if you play it after a song that is 
bass-chord in one measure.
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199 Jingle Bell Rock

jingle_bell_rock.pdf
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4/13
Playing the simplified version.


​SIMPLIFIED SCORE BELOW:
JINGLE BELL ROCK simplified
File Size: 54 kb
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JINGLE BELL ROCK simplified (with LH example)
File Size: 55 kb
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IN PROGRESS: ​44 Amazing Grace

44_amazing_grace.pdf
File Size: 98 kb
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November 23
Pedal:  Very good.
Alternating chords:  Very good.

59 Bill Bailey

59_bill_baley.pdf
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59_bill_baley_GABRIEL MARKINGS.pdf
File Size: 1336 kb
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2/16/21
Very good application of the chords, by playing them more frequently at every measure.

More jazzy: Play BASS on the 1st measure, CHORD on the 2nd measure, and so forth.
Click on the picture below to enlarge.
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IN PROGRESS: ​138 Greensleeves

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December 7
Good sync except on the measures with dotted quarter note.
greensleeves_em.pdf
File Size: 48 kb
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138_greensleeves.pdf
File Size: 361 kb
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IN PROGRESS: 119 Fly Me to the Moon

119_fly_me_to_the_moon.pdf
File Size: 115 kb
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May 3
Sounds very good when played with block chords.  To sound more advanced, break each chord into bass-chord, without being too concerned about the time distribution of the bass and the chord.
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WEST SIDE STORY. Choice of songs:

Somewhere

Jan-25
Very good. Other than the natural fluency from playing it more often, all notes are fine, and the song is recognizable when you play it.
SOMEWHERE. melody and chord symbols
File Size: 55 kb
File Type: pdf
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SOMEWHERE. melody and broken chord
File Size: 62 kb
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Tonight (New version in C Major)

6/8
Let's give the LH more motion by playing it as bass-chord.

bass is a quarter note, therefore you have to fit it with any matching quarter note on the RH if there is one.

Below is the outline, and on the right is the video

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tonight_mel__chords_c.pdf
File Size: 53 kb
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BORN FREE

1/12
Still a work in progress when the LH is played in separate notes.  Since you can play very well the song as block chords, play it like that for fun, and as separate notes when you are working on the song to learn this technique.
born_free_easy_version_lh_example.pdf
File Size: 45 kb
File Type: pdf
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born-free.pdf
File Size: 494 kb
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born_free_easy_version3.pdf
File Size: 45 kb
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born_free_easy_version.mp3
File Size: 2221 kb
File Type: mp3
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Classical review: DANCE by James Hook.

12/1
​Sounds like you still think of the LH as individual notes rather than a chord concept played note-by-note.  No worries, we will eventually develop that ability.

Song review: ALL OF ME

all_of_me_-real_book-.pdf
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: pdf
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1/12
It needs a bit more consistent use of the lower note bass and the chord.  Sometimes you don't play the bass at all.

12/8
Melody and block chords.  Good!
Let's add a challenge:  First beat play a bass note an octave lower than the chord.  then place the chord wherever you feel it fits.

The video example plays the first half as we worked at the lesson.  the second half is a bit of a show off so you can see what a more complex arrangement would sound like.

Irving Berlin's "ALWAYS"

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1/12
Very well played with the 3/4 waltz LH accompaniment.


12/1
​No problems on this song.  Plays well, counting is intuitive, sometimes just resist being too impatient while holding long notes.
ALWAYS study chart with symbols
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: pdf
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ALWAYS study chart with LH written chords
File Size: 48 kb
File Type: pdf
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irving-berlin-always.pdf
File Size: 2233 kb
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always._audio_example.m4a
File Size: 606 kb
File Type: m4a
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THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME (transposed to F Major)

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1/19
​Practice the rhythm above.  Right now it sounds approximate but not recognizable.
See video example of the rhythm that gave us problems:
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME with lyrics
File Size: 686 kb
File Type: png
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THEY CAN'T original E-flat
File Size: 1323 kb
File Type: jpg
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THEY CAN'T TAKE melody + symbols
File Size: 47 kb
File Type: pdf
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THEY CAN'T TAKE melody + symbols + LH written out
File Size: 53 kb
File Type: pdf
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Pieces already worked on:

DUNCOMBE Sonatina p 57
​BEETHOVEN German Dance p.89
DIABELLI Bagatelle p 98
DUNCOMBE Fanfare p 55
JAMES HOOK Dance p 58
Ecossaise p ?
p96 GERMAN DANCE by L. van Beethoven
FUR ELISE
p76    MINUET by W.A. Mozart (in F Major)
p57.  Sonatina  by William Duncombe
MINUET by Lully    PASSED
MINUET IN G
CAREFREE P. 59
MINUET by Leopold Mozart
earl_steinberg_recital_program.pdf
File Size: 3585 kb
File Type: pdf
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How High the Moon
Someday My Prince Will Come
​The Shadow of Your Smile
​Michelle
​Yesterday
​Let It Be
​A Fine Romance
​I Could Write a Book
​Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Autumn Leaves
MOON RIVER
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.  Level 3
OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.  Level 3
EDELWEISS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG
TURK Arioso
MOZART minuet p 69
real-book_i_could_write_a_book.pdf
File Size: 95 kb
File Type: pdf
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real-book_how_high_the_moon.pdf
File Size: 105 kb
File Type: pdf
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LET IT BE
File Size: 4267 kb
File Type: pdf
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YESTERDAY
File Size: 100 kb
File Type: pdf
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MICHELLE blank
File Size: 91 kb
File Type: pdf
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someday_my_prince_will_come.pdf
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: pdf
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DANCE James Hook -score-
File Size: 1993 kb
File Type: pdf
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dance_with_modified_lh.pdf
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: pdf
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fanfare.pdf
File Size: 754 kb
File Type: pdf
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-real_book-_someday_my_prince_will_come.pdf.pdf
File Size: 309 kb
File Type: pdf
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real_book_105_the_days_of_wines_and_roses.pdf
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: pdf
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diabelli-bagatelle.pdf
File Size: 26 kb
File Type: pdf
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Future songs and pieces:

NUMBER? ​All in love is fair (check difficulty)
427 They can't take that away from me (in E-flat)
Transpose to G Major
105 DAYS WINE AND ROSES in F Major


DUNCOMBE. Sonatine.  page 57


PUT ASIDE TEMPORARILY: THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA (Chorus only)

12/8
Very difficult song to play, even for professionals.
​Still in the stage of set-up by playing the melody and the chords, and paying attention to the flats and sharps.  Some chords are difficult.​
real-book_the_girl_from_ipanema.pdf
File Size: 130 kb
File Type: pdf
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GIRL IPANEMA chord replacement
File Size: 187 kb
File Type: pdf
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COLE PORTER.  Choices of songs:

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320 Night and Day

Time to add a couple new songs:

1/26
Please let me know before I start searching for songs, if there are a couple songs you already find familiar that you may want to learn.

Some of the cole Porter above would be ideal since I already located them in one of the books I have, but other songs will work just fine as long as I can find the sources.

You can also instead use the Jazz Fake book below:
I LOVE PARIS
File Size: 463 kb
File Type: png
Download File

I LOVE YOU
File Size: 546 kb
File Type: png
Download File

I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
File Size: 648 kb
File Type: png
Download File

MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY
File Size: 648 kb
File Type: png
Download File

YOU'D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO
File Size: 563 kb
File Type: png
Download File

Working on Night and Day 320

Real Book NIGHT AND DAY
File Size: 116 kb
File Type: pdf
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1/5
Very well played as chord blocks.  Stay in this format.  Raising this song to a more complex format requires a much more difficult technique, so we will keep it like the for a little while.

Reviewed: TURK Arioso p 64

2/9
Attached is a video recording --->

Retired: Beethoven.  GERMAN DANCE (page 93)

2/9
Good progress.  Good staccato (short notes).
​It is still a bit slow and there is a lot of thinking involved, but with time playing it, the piece will become more fluent.

Ready to pass and move onto a new one

New piece below: "Arioso: by Turk.
german_dance_in_d.pdf
File Size: 154 kb
File Type: pdf
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PASSED: BACH/PEZOLD Minuet p 22

2/23
I will assign you a new piece in place of this one:

p89 German Dance by Beethoven


2/16
Demo recording of the piece.  --->

The Flintstones.  Arranged by Gabriel

the_flintstones_arr_gabriel_ruiz-bernal.pdf
File Size: 202 kb
File Type: pdf
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PASSED: ​BEETHOVEN German Dance p 89

Sept-28
Next week will be the last time before we pass it and assign a new piece.

Smaller practice sections to obtain more muscle memory
german_dance.pdf
File Size: 157 kb
File Type: pdf
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PASSED: DUNCOMBE Sonatine p 57

sonatina.pdf
File Size: 136 kb
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First two lines on a loop
First two lines for listening and practice

PASSED: "Arabesque" by F. Burgmuller p 104

burgmuller_arabesque.pdf
File Size: 312 kb
File Type: pdf
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COMPLETED: "Innocence" by F. Burgmuller

burgmuller_etudes._innocence.pdf
File Size: 272 kb
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COMPLETED: "Pastorale" by F. Burgmuller

May 17
This piece is passed and it is now in your repertory
burgmuller_etudes._pastorale.pdf
File Size: 339 kb
File Type: pdf
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