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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!

BONUS LESSONS BEGIN- LEARN THE POLICIES TO ENSURE THIS PRIVILEGE

PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT YOUR PRIVATE LESSONS ARE A BONUS- for  Intermediate and Advanced Students. We pay for them! Please be respectful of this privilege. If you miss one without proper notice, the cost will be added onto your fees bill. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE POLICY before missing a lesson!


 
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CHECK OUT THESE GREAT BEGINNERS' POSITIONS!

 
WATCH  LATER THIS WEEK FOR MORE PHOTOS!
 
                                                    HOMEWORK
Beginners
 
1. Review correct Bow grip- repeat 10 times-ALL fingers curved
2. Review correct sitting position-on front of chair
3. Review correct instrument holding position
4. LEARN the music alphabet a b c d e f g- a b c d e f g-etc
5. LEARN the names of your strings: they are a 5th( FIVE letters) apart

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

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

 Intermediates

1.Scales of G and D
2. AFS BOOK- Work through last week 's assignment: start at #20 and continue to 123
3. NEW # 124, 125
4. FOR PRIZE this week-   # 124   with slurs-ALL bows are 2 beats long, with two notes within one bow
             -must be PERFECT for a PRIZE!
              
5. Pomp and Circumstance up to bar 16

 
Advanced

1. PLEASE RETURN ALL OF LAST YEAR'S MUSIC Tuesday

 2. MacPherson's Lament: (a) scale of D
                             (b) First violins learn bar 53 TO END
                             (c) viola, cello, second violin-learn bars 37 to 45
                             (d) bass practice opening melody for smoothness

3. Fletcher: FIDDLE DANCE: (a)  scale of G
                           (b) find and practice passages with extra sharps(Accidentals) 
                           (c) work on new section 5 up to rehearsal # 7

4.Beethoven: MINUET in G work to bar 33
 
5. Elgar: POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE all-review once or twice only this week

ON TRACK FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Thanks to the NORTHERN LIGHTS QUARTET for visiting and sharing their music with us yesterday. Experiencing live concerts of our string instruments is an important part of the MATT education.
Here are a few photos of the event.

 
 







AND thanks for being such a great audience!

 
HOW TO EARN A MATT CERTIFICATE IN JUNE:
1. attend all classes, on time
2. attend all lessons, on time
3. Bring practice chart to every class:
Beginners practice at least 4 times/week
Advanced/Intermediate 5 times/week
5. attend at least ONE Rose/Rosebud concert this year
 
 
ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATES: LESSONS THIS WEEK 
for violins and violas Wednesday and Thursday
NEXT WEEK, cellos and basses Tuesday 
 
ROSE ORCHESTRA CONCERTS pay by this Tuesday!
BE sure to sign up for live orchestra performances at the Rose Theatre Brampton. We get very low special rates-this year better than ever!
LIVE concerts are a part of your music education. First one Nov 1st
You will hear the Youth Orchestra- "The ROSEBUDS",
including our MATT student, Kalpi Patel
Pick up the info letter from Claudia- She must be paid, in cash,
by this Tuesday Oct 24
 
 
HOMEWORK

Beginners

1. Review correct Bow grip- repeat 10 times-ALL fingers curved
2. Review correct sitting position-on front of chair
3. Review correct instrument holding position
4. LEARN the music alphabet a b c d e f g- a b c d e f g-etc
5. LEARN the names of your strings: they are a 5th( FIVE letters) apart
CELLO/VIOLA lowest string is C, then up 5 to G up 5 to D, up 5 to A:
                      memorize  C G D A  ie: C is lowest (thickest)  highest is A 
VIOLIN lowest string is G, then up 5 to D, 5 more to D 5 more to A
                      memorize  G D A E  ie.  G is lowest (thickest) highest is E
 
6. NEW: "STRING CYCLE" With excellent bow grip and instrument position, raise right arm above your LOWEST string. Drop the bow weight onto the string and play four short bow strokes- Repeat on each string up to highest and back to lowest
 Intermediates

1.Scales of G and D
2. AFS BOOK- Work through last week 's assignment:114 to118
this week continue through to 120 p.34 PRIZE for playing #120 for the class!
3.Pomp and Circumstance up to bar 16
 
 
Advanced
 
1. PLEASE RETURN ALL OF LAST YEAR'S MUSIC  next Tuesday
 
2. MacPherson's Lament:  scale of D /work up to bar 40
3. Fletcher: FIDDLE DANCE: scale of G /continue to rehearsal #5 
4.Beethoven: MINUET in G work to bar 33
 
5. Elgar: POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE all-review once or twice only this week
                 
 Have a wonderful week!

Beautiful Beginnings-AND next week's CONCERT

HERE ARE EVENTS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO!
 
ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATE LESSONS start Oct 14,15, 16 (for those who are fully paid up)- arrive 10 min early - lessons will be kept on schedule- You may leave after 30 min. lesson- no theory as yet - no volunteer teacher
 
LIVE QUARTET CONCERT TUESDAY Oct 14-5:30 
for ALL MATT parents, students, and friends
Hear a 30 min. concert by The Northern Lights Quartet,
 including your MATT teachers, Andrea Currie and Marilyn McKay
Please arrive by 5:20. Quiet attendance is required throughout.
 
ROSE ORCHESTRA CONCERTS
BE sure to sign up for live orchestra performances at the Rose Theatre Brampton. We get very low special rates-this year better than ever!
LIVE concerts are a part of your music education. First one Nov 1st
You will hear the Youth Orchestra- "The ROSEBUDS",
including our MATT student, Kalpi Patel
Pick up the info letter from Claudia- She must be paid, in cash, by Oct 24
 
 
Advanced HOMEWORK 
1.NEW : MacPherson's Lament
    then work up to bar 32
Continue: 2.Fletcher: FIDDLE DANCE- S
 then work up to 6 bars after
3.Beethoven: MINUET in G work to bar 3
 4.Elgar: POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE all
                
 
 
 Intermediate HOMEWORK
1.Scales of G and D
2. AFS BOOK- Work through 114 to118

 

3. Pomp and Circumstance: work through to bar16
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginner HOMEWORK 
 
1. Review correct Bow grip- repeat 10 times-ALL fingers curved
2. Review correct sitting position-on front of chair
 
3. Review correct instrument holding position
 
4. NEW- LEARN the music alphabet a b c d e f g- a b c d e f g-etc
 
5. NEW- LEARN the names of your strings:they are a 5th( FIVE letters) apart
CELLO/VIOLA lowest string is C, then up 5 to G up 5 to D, up 5 to A:
                      memorize  C G D A  ie: C is lowest (thickest)  highest is A 
 
VIOLIN lowest string is G, then up 5 to D, 5 more to D 5 more to A
                      memorize  G D A E  ie.  G is lowest (thickest) highest is E
 
6. NEW: "STRING CYCLE" With excellent bow grip and instrument position, raise right arm above your LOWEST string. Drop the bow weight onto the string and play four short bow strokes- Repeat on each string up to highest and back to lowest
 
 HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
 


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Hello everybody
someone has brought to our attention a mistake in the contact phone number for MATT. It seems we have posted the wrong number and some nice lady has been answering and redirecting for us. I already sent her an apology message : )  My contact number is  647 382 0122.  Thanks for keeping an eye out for us.

Claudia : )

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS: PLANNING NOW

INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED CLASSES
INDIVIDUAL  LESSONS:    PL.ANNING  NOW
Here are a few shots of some of our Intermediate Level Students-


SEE HOMEWORK and Other IMPORTANT INFO below!


 
 
Please sign up with Claudia for your bi-monthly private lessons on Tuesday.
These lessons are offered at no additional charge as a privilege to our students.
 
You current fees and rentals must be completely paid before a lesson time can be assigned, since we must pay the teachers in a timely manner as well.
 
IF you sign up for lessons, it is MANDATORY that you attend EVERY ONE and that YOU arrive ten minutes ahead of your lesson time. You will not be given extra time if you are late.IF there are problems with your attendance or with lateness, we may cancel this privilege. Our teachers' timing must be followed accurately by all concerned in order for us to be able to fit in every student.
 
Please report to Claudia any problems with teachers' lateness, or 30 min. lesson time.
 
NEWS ITEM:IF you wish to have a lesson EVERY week, which is a very good idea! please arrange this with your teacher at your expense. MATT does not have the funding to cover this. It will not be scheduled by MATT, and will be based on your teacher's availability.
 
MATT FREE CONCERT: PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTED CONCERT TIME
Bring a friend if you like.
Tuesday October 14 from 5:30 TO 6 PM
the northern lights quartet
try to stick around after class, or, beginners, arrive early.
Live concerts are part of your music education!
 
HOMEWORK THIS WEEK
 
ADVANCED LEVEL:   PRACTICE CHARTS will help you focus your practice and learn your music more quickly. Please fill them in & BRING THEM TO YOUR CLASSES & LESSONS
1. G scale with perfect tuning, full bows, excellent RH and LH positions- 10 min careful listening every day.
2. FIDDLE DANCE : continue carefully learning tricky parts up to10 bars after reh.# 2
practice tip: always work very slowly when learning new sections, then start to speed up little by little
3. MINUET in G: Continue through to end of repeat section 2
practice tip: watch for altered notes- added #, or b, signs they raise or lower the notes one half tone- play them in the bar several times to ensure it will be in tune. These "accidentals" 
stay till the end of the bar unless otherwise marked.
 
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL: PRACTICE CHARTS will help you focus your practice and learn your music more quickly. Please fill them in with everything you practice every day
                                     & BRING THEM TO YOUR CLASSES .
1. SCALE of G major- SLOWLY-  for perfect tuning and excellent RH and LH positions
2. AFStrings Book:  review # 103,106
                               NEW # 110 to 114! Be ready to play 114 for the class.
3. Pomp and Circumstance: continue up to, and including bar #9
practice tip: work very slowly on each difficult (or easy) bar, naming notes and adding finger numbers if needed. Repeat it 3 or 5times for good sound and tuning .


BEGINNER LEVEL: PRACTICE CHARTS will help you focus your practice and learn your music more quickly. Please fill them in with everything you practice every day- FOUR times each week
                                     & BRING THEM TO YOUR CLASSES .
1.  Bow grip:practice and repeat  10 times per day: .. Start with the bunny -no bow, then hop onto the bow.
Check for solid holding position-keep fingers around bow firmly, with bent thumb
2. Bow Games: (a) Windshield wiper : With solid correct bow grip -turn palm up to ceiling, then over - palm down to the floor Repeat  10 times
(b)monkey crawl- Hold bow with tip up every finger tip helps to crawl up to the tip of the bow and then back down to frog Repeat 3 times.
3. Instrument holding position : practice the correct movement from rest position on knee or on floor.
ALL STUDENTS sit on front of chair
CELLO: Cello should touch the inside of both knees at the knee joint and pegs should be level with your ear Tilt slightly to the right
VIOLA/ VIOLIN: Place violin on top of shoulder, above left knee. Head stays upright and turns to sit on chin rest . Release left hand. Repeat 10 times correctly each day
 
HAPPY PRACTICING!!