MERRY MUSIC MAKING

CONGRATS ALL !

You did a super job playing the Mall Concert Saturday!

Lots of people asked about joining our MATT program too!
Jingle Bells rang out at Shoppers World

 

This SATURDAY: ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATES are playing Carols at the Towers!

• bring your instrument, stand and music
• wear your MATT t-shirt

• ARRIVE AT THE CLASS ROOM BY 10AM SATURDAY

We play in each tower lobby between 10am and 2:45 pm. We leave at 3pm.

CLAUDIA is buying pizza for lunch- at 12 noon when we finish 2ndTower

don't forget to say THANK YOU to her!

If you wish a drink etc. please bring one for yourself

 

NEXT TUESDAY CLASS!!

THIS iS PAY DAY for SESSION 2

last class till January 4th

Bring instrument and practice charts.

Bring a small snack for each member of your class if you wish.

Activities: concert photos

video clips

music games

 

homework this week
INTERMEDIATES AND ADVANCED:
1. PREPARE ALL CONCERT CAROLS AND SONGS FROM last week's CONCERT
Advanced:
2. work on Fiddle Dance hard parts-bring you practice chart to all classes
3. Work on Girl from Ipanema

Intermediate:up to
1. Work in AFS book all lines from 142 to 145
                                                   149 and 150
                                                   153, 155, 156, 161 and 164
2. Continue working on Pomp and Circumstance

 Beginners:

1. String cycle-long bows
2. 0-1 string cycle-long bows, perfect bow grip
3. D scale (Doh a deer) listen carefully-keep left  hand finger #1 on tape for good tuning (see last week's blog for notes.
4.TWINKLE, TWINKLE

         line 1    //: D    D    A    A    /B    B    A____/

What fingers?(all - d0    d0  a0  a0   /a1  a1    0 ____/)

        line 2          G    G   F#   F# /E    E    D_____ :// repeat (FINE)

         (violin /viola   d3  d3  d2   d2 / d1   d1   d0)

                    (cello   d4  d4  d 3  d3/  d1   d1   d0)

        line 3      //: A   A   G  G    / F# F# D ____ ://PLAY TWICE                                                                                              THEN                      
      (violin /viola  a0  a0  d3 d3   / d2 d2 d1 d0) back to beginning

                 (cello  a0  a0  d4  d4  / d3 d3 d1 d0) back to beginning

 

Mississippi Hot dog- MIDDLE BOW Review Twinkle notes and D scale notes with this rhythm on each note

Looking forward to seeing you all TUESDAY!

PRACTICE WELL to PLAY WELL!!!!



the Christmas Concert Count Down!

the Christmas concert count down!

ALL the INFO YOU NEED!!

 

 Beginners: TWINKLE, TWINKLE

       line 1           //: D    D    A    A    /B    B    A____/

What fingers?(all - d0    d0  a0  a0   /a1  a1    0 ____/)

        line 2          G    G   F#   F# /E    E    D_____ :// FINE (the end)

         (violin /viola   d3  d3  d2   d2 / d1   d1   d0)

                    (cello   d4  d4  d 3  d3/  d1   d1   d0)

        line 3      //: A   A   G  G    / F# F# D ____ ://PLAY TWICE                                                                                              THEN                        
      (violin /viola  a0  a0  d3 d3   / d2 d2 d1 d0) back to beginning

                 (cello  a0  a0  d4  d4  / d3 d3 d1 d0) back to beginning

 DOH A DEER  : D SCALE

 long notes on D string: D  E  F#  G, then short notes on A string: A B C#D

                   violin /viola d0 d1 d2 d3                                             a0 a1a2 a3

                             cello d0 d1 d3 d4                                             a0 a1a3 a4

Here's the Final Program order

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT SHOPPERS WORLD

ALL STUDENTS PLAY THIS CONCERT

PRACTICE EVERYTHING YOU PLAY so YOU CAN HAVE FUN !

• wear your MATT t-shirt and pants /skirt for sitting on the floor part of the time!
• Bring a music stand if you have one
• Bring your instrument/and red binder with all music in the order below:

Dec 6 1 pm  Arrive at 12:30.

go to Winners Entrance Area first, to leave coats cases etc.

PROGRAM

 there are a couple of changes, so PLEASE make sure you change your binder to the correct order!

1. ADVANCED STUDENTS: Deck the Halls- carol

                     2.           ADD BEGINNERS: TWINKLE

                     3.                                         DOH A DEER

            BEGINNERS SIT DOWN ON FLOOR near parents

   4. ADVANCED STUDENTS : The First Noel-carol

                      5.                                 BEETHOVEN MINUET

                      6.                              Good King Wenceslas –carol

7.                            MAC PHERSON’S LAMENT

8. ADD  INTERMEDIATES : We wish you a Merry Christmas - carol    

       9.                             POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE     

                 10.                        Hark, the Herald Angels Sing – carol       

                     11.                            Joy to the World-carol

                     12. ADD BEGINNERS        Silent Night - carol

                     13.                                Jolly Old St. Nicholas-carol

BEGINNERS SIT DOWN

14. ADVANCED /INTERMEDIATE: Angels we have heard on high- carol

The End

THANKS TO YOU ALL

for SHARING YOUR GIFT of MUSIC with OTHERS! 

 

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS COMIN UP!

GET READY for DECEMBER 6, EVERYBODY!

 

HOW COOL IS THIS: ALL MATT STUDENTS

will join together at "Santa's Workshop" Shoppers' World Mall

ARRIVE at 12:30

we play at 1pm! done by 2pm

We will play carols, and other musical tidbits for the waiting parents and children. SEE the entire program under HOMEWORK below!

 

everybody wears their MATT t-shirt, (arriving this week)

brings their music stand/instrument

 

TOWERS CONCERTS with SANTA

We are SO sorry about the changing dates: the Towers Management has had a lot of trouble pinning down SANTA to come to their buildings-

 HE IS A BUSY GUY!



This is the final word :HONEST !!!

 

We will play with SANTA at each of the four buildings

SATURDAY December 13 afternoon!

 

HOMEWORK FOR ALL:

practice lots, so you can have fun playing:

Advanced: Minuet, Fiddle Dance, MacPherson's Lament

and ALL CAROLS

with Intermediates: Pomp and Circumstance and Carols

All together, with Beginners: 

Twinkles, Doh a Deer

AND  2 Carols

 

Beginners: 

Learn your D scale well- up and down again:

D E F#G A B C#D, then Down again:

A string: take off fingers on A one note at a time to open A

then All fingers on D and take off fingers again to open D.

TWINKLE, TWINKLE

                                //:   :// means repeat section between double bars
 

          line 1        //: D    D    A    A    /B    B    A____/

What fingers?(all:  d0    d0    a0     a0   /a1  a1    0 ____/)

              line 2         G    G   F#   F# /E    E    D_____ :// FINE (the end)

      (violin /viola   d3  d3  d2   d2 / d1   d1   d0)

                 (cello   d4  d4  d 3  d3/  d1   d1   d0)

               line 3 //:  A    A   G   G /F#  F#   E D_____ ://   DC al FINE

                                                                   (back to beginning, to FINE)

           (violin/viola) a0  a0  d3  d3   / d2  d2 d1 d0)

                    (cello  a0  a0  d4  d4   / d3  d3  d1 d0)

 

MUCH CONCERT FUN is COMING!!!!

ALL ABOARD the HOLIDAY TRAIN!!

Concerts

ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSES

Santa Days at the Towers

We just got confirmation on the dates and times four our Tower Concerts. I apologize for the changes and my date confusions, I m just too excited : )
We will be playing on the following dates and times:
December 11 (Thursday) 6:30-8:30 and 
December 12 (Friday)  6:30-8:30

This gives us one more week to practice which is great! 

                                    we will play Christmas Carols in 2 building lobbies each day.

Please wear your MATT T-shirts and colorful bottoms

bring instrument, stand and music

PRACTICE CAROLS (given out Tuesday)

ALL STUDENTS

SATURDAY DEC 6 arrive 12:30 PLAY at 1pm

concert at Shoppers World "Santa Workshop"

Please wear your MATT T-shirts and colorful bottoms

bring instrument, stand and music

PRACTICE CAROLS(Given out LAST Tuesday)

Homework

ADVANCED CLASS homework
 work only on difficult parts and MELODIES

do not start at the beginning unless these parts are there:

PRACTICE class music Fiddle Dance -ALL Pomp and Circumstance-ALL

Beethoven- ALL /MacPherson's Lament-ALL

plus we will add review music for Beginners

BEGINNERS HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

1.REVIEW-ALL POSITIONS CAREFULLY

2.string cycle

3.0-1 string cycle

4.TWINKLE line 1

5.NEW: D E F# G on the D string-fingers 1,2 3,(cello 4)

(a)place 1st finger on tape on D string-E

(b) leave 1st finger on string then add next finger:
 (c) for F# :for violin/viola 2-for cello, 2 &3  

and then (d) ADD the next finger for G for violin/viola close 3-for cello,4

Play these notes by pressing finger tip FIRMLY - with strong even bowing, this will create a clear sound.

INTERMEDIATES HOMEWORK

1.Pomp and Circumstance ALL

2. AFS Book NEW #127 

NEW continue into # 128 and 132 count 1&2&3&4& for eigth notes

NEW : Carol for Concerts: Joy to the World

Hop on the " music train" Learn your music homework well-

We're heading for  December CONCERTS!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Holiday Events COMING SOON!

Here's the list of coming events:

please mark your calendars and sign up with Claudia to attend 

T SHIRTS ORDERED BY NEXT WEEK
please be sure to order your t-shirt Tuesday when you come to class 

ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSES

Santa Days at the Towers

Wed Dec.4 and 5 6pm till 7:30

we will play Christmas Carols in 2 building lobbies each day.

Please wear your MATT T-shirts and colorful bottoms

bring instrument, stand and music

PRACTICE CAROLS(to be given out Tuesday)

ALL STUDENTS

SATURDAY DEC 6 arrive 12:30 PLAY at 1pm

concert at Shoppers World "Santa Workshop"

Please wear your MATT T-shirts and colorful bottoms

bring instrument, stand and music

PRACTICE CAROLS(to be given out Tuesday)

PRACTICE class music Fiddle Dance/Pomp and Circumstance/

Beethoven/MacPherson's Lament

plus add review music for Beginners

SIGN UP for t-shirts

All students wear MATT t-shirts for our concerts.

Please sign up your correct size with Claudia and pay $10 so you will have one before Dec 3rd

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

to be posted by Thursday

BEGINNERS 

1. TEST : MUSIC ALPHABET AND YOUR STRING NAMES:

 LEARN the MUSIC ALPHABET  : a b c d e f g, a b c d e f g, repeat

STRING NAMES

CELLO/VIOLA

                      memorize  C G D A  ie: C is lowest (thickest)  highest is A 

VIOLIN



                      memorize  G D A E  ie.  G is lowest (thickest) highest is E

             2. review-holding position, RH bow hold, first finger position

             3. review -String cycle-4  short bow strokes on each string up / back
             4. review- placement of first finger with LH contact points(happy faces)
             5. NEW: DDAABBA___- line 1 of Twinkle
              IN ALL PRACTICE, focus on careful straight bowing and good sound!

                                                      INTERMEDIATES

              1. AFS TRIOS : review 126 play with others next week
                    review 127,NEW continue till131     
              2. Continue in Book
              3. Scales of D and G- full bows, perfect tuning, good sound
              4. Pomp and Circumstance -up to Bar 25 and continue on!
                                                  CAROLS to come next week!
                                                       
                                                           ADVANCED

              1. NEW FIDDLE DANCE: through to 10-
                    LEARN ALL RYTHYMS and TUNES CAREFULLY
              2. CONCERT SONGS FOR DECEMBER: MacPherson,                           Pomp and Circumstance, Beethoven, Fiddle Dance!
                                          CAROLS to come next week!

                                   Tis the "Season to be Merry" START-UP!
                                                  



CHRISTMAS PARADE ANYONE?

MATT STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO MARCH IN

THE SHOPPERS WORLD CHRISTMAS PARADE

We will be discussing this at this week's Board Meeting

BUT

We will need to know if you'd like to join into the fun.

Sunday November 23 11 am-( more info to follow)

Sign up on Tuesday

 

We have also asked for a performance slot to play a MATT concert there

at the SANTA WORKSHOP on a Saturday morning- in December

Keep watching for updates on this!
 

CONGRATULATIONS on a great concert!

  Kalpi (violin) and Sydnie (bass):
our first MATT student to join  Rosebuds and our first Rosebud player to join MATT:-backstage at the ROSE. ROSEBUD concert -Rose Theatre, Nov 1st

 

 

ROSE ORCHESTRA "CELEBRATION"  CONCERT

Saturday Dec. 6   8PM

at our beautiful Rose Theatre

Treat your family to a lovely evening of choral and orchestral favorites

We get the best prices in town, so buy your tickets from Claudia anytime before Nov 26th. This date is on your November calendar.

 

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK
 

ADVANCED
 

FILL IN AND BRING Practice CHARTS to class:

five days a week of 30 to 40 minutes will speed your progress,

if not, you won't have as much fun~!

 

NEW- "Accidentals sheet" helps with new notes
 "Girl from Ipanema" first 2 bars with correct bowings and rhythms
Continue with:
scales that go with each piece- G or D major
Fiddle Dance to 7, Beethoven to bar 34 and  Mac Pherson ALL

INTERMEDIATES

FILL IN AND BRING Practice CHARTS to class:
Practice at least 4 days- 30 min. each
1.scales of G and D major- with smooth long bows
2.All for Strings : NEW :#126 CONCERT TRIO
 LEARN WELL THE PART YOU WERE ASSIGNED A B or C
review  124 and 125

3.POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: UP TO 14

BEGINNERS
FILL IN AND BRING Practice CHARTS to class:
Practice at least 4 days each week- 15 min.

1. CHECK RH and LH POSITIONS for perfection!
2. "String Cycle": practice 4 bow strokes on each string-
relax right arm and shoulder- weight on top of string, BUT no pressing!
3."0-1 String cycle": measure carefully the first finger position
Play 4 times :0, then 1  ON EACH STRING:
eg. C string:CCCC-DDDD(first finger pressed down on tape )
THEN DO THIS ON EVERY STRING . LISTEN FOR PERFECT SOUND

have FUN WITH YOUR FIRST FINGER NOTES!

Happy practicing everyone!~ 

MOVING FORWARD: PRACTICE CHARTS HELP!

INSTRUMENT INVENTORY: from Claudia to all Beginners:

Please make sure to see Claudia before class Tuesday to give her the number of your instrument. She will find the number if you can't.

MONTHLY CALENDARS

There is a bright shiny green November Calendar available for all students and parents. It contains blog address, phone numbers and e-mail contact info for MATT and for teachers. Keep these calendars in a safe place.

Remember that you are responsible to be at all classes and lessons.

 Any absence without proper notice will be noted-for lessons may be monetary penalties

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK:

INTERMEDIATES

1.Scales of G and D

2. AFS BOOK- REVIEW # 124, 125

3. NEW: TRIO #126 -learn one of the parts perfectly A B or
4. FOR PRIZE this week-   # 125 -must be PERFECT for a PRIZE!

              

5. Pomp and Circumstance up to bar 16. NEW: Continue into next four bars.

BEGINNERS

PRACTICE CHARTS

DAILY PRACTICE  is the way to improve quickly- at least 4 practice sessions ,on 4 days - should be recorded on your chart for the teacher's review at beginning of class
What to practice:
1. Review correct Bow grip- repeat 10 times-ALL fingers curved
                 correct sitting position-on front of chair, feet flat on floor
                 correct instrument holding position:
CELLOS: the cello is gripped by the inside of the knees & tilted slightly to right
2. Review : music alphabet a b c d e f g- a b c d e f g- etc
                 : names of your strings: they are a 5th( FIVE letters) apart
3. Practice : all bow games: monkey crawl/windshield wiper/twinkle coin

"STRING CYCLE" With excellent bow grip and instrument position, raise right arm above your LOWEST string. Drop the arm weight onto the string near the frog, relax right elbow and shoulder and play four short bow strokes on each string- up to highest and back down to your lowest.

NEW: FIRST FINGER PLACEMENT- all to receive 1st finger tape marking Tues.
                                - all left hand fingers are rounded like little hammers 
                                - very short finger nails
                                - press tip of finger firmly onto string
                                - the sound is open string - "doh"   then add 1st finger- "re"

cello: thumb sits behind second finger on back of cello neck, press tip of finger firmly onto tape and play

viola and violin: curl left hand fingers, slide hand away to end of string
                          place 1st knuckle opposite the end of fingerboard
                          thumb is touching at the fleshy side of first joint
                          press finger tip firmly onto tape
TRY PLACING THE FIRST FINGER UP AND DOWN ONTO THE STRING FOR CORRECT SOUND - USE GOOD BOW STROKES DOWN AND UP

ADVANCED

         1. PLEASE RETURN ALL OF LAST YEAR'S MUSIC TO THE FRONT TABLE

 2. MacPherson's Lament: ALL (a) scale of D
              (b) Find where you have the melody(tune).Practice it till it sounds good!                   

              (c) Find bars where you have repeated 16th notes- learn them one group at a time
              (d) Find the bars that have only 8th notes /rests-practice the counting-play

3. Fletcher: FIDDLE DANCE: (a)  scale of G
                           (b) find and practice passages with extra sharps(Accidentals) 
                           (c) work on section 5 up to rehearsal # 7
                           (d) find bars with 16th notes-practice them one at a time

4.Beethoven: MINUET in G: work carefully on sections of the piece
                              sections to be played in quartets in class:
                                bars 1-4, 5-8,10-13, 14- 18, 20 - 22, 23 -26,27-30, 31-33
 

5. Elgar: POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE all-play through once this week. Correct bowing!
                                   Record your homework in your practice chart!