Now that the Certificate of Merit music test is over, many of you may want to relax. However, this is the perfect time to solidify your progress in scales, chords, and pieces. Our goal now is to retain what we’ve learned, refine our approach, and integrate all aspects into a structured daily practice routine.

New Structures for Lessons and Practice

Scales, Chords, and Exercises

I would like to introduce the regular practice of certain scales, chords, and exercises into the daily practice routine of each student, with an accompanying chart to track progress over time.

Each student should present this work in every piano class, ideally within the first five minutes for regular presentations, with additional time as needed for new concepts, techniques, or materials introduced by the teacher.

Pieces with Phases

To maintain steady progress, we should regularly work on pieces in three different phases:

• Phase 1: Learning – Reading new notes, counting rhythms, and becoming familiar with the piece.
• Phase 2: Refining – Ensuring accuracy in articulations, dynamics, rests, fingerings, and technique. This phase also includes refining hand position and movement for proper technical development.
• Phase 3: Polishing – Preparing for performance by solidifying details, shaping interpretation, and comparing high and low points across the piece. Memorization also happens in this phase.

Instead of working through these phases sequentially on a single piece at a time, we should aim to work in all three phases simultaneously—either by practicing different pieces at different stages or by working on sections of a larger piece at different phases. This approach keeps all essential skills active and prevents earlier learning from fading over time.

In our next class, we will set goals for scales and exercises, which should be played within the first five minutes of each lesson to ensure consistent attention without taking up too much class time. Additionally, each student will:

• Begin a new piece in Phase 1 (learning).
• Select one or more Certificate of Merit pieces to bring to Phase 3 (polishing) for the recital.

It is crucial to maintain regular practice and avoid "vacation mode." Without consistent effort, progress will stall, and students may struggle to present a high-quality performance by next month. We want to avoid spending a month on an old piece without meaningful improvement.

Recital Proposal for March 2025

To support this structured practice, we will hold two recitals next month, two weeks apart. The recital will happen on Saturday, March 1st, and Saturday, March 15th. Students will have the opportunity to perform one or more of their Certificate of Merit pieces at a polished level, with recordings available for an online webpage. This format allows students to receive feedback and improve between performances.

Encouraging Technical Excellence

To further motivate students, I propose that each student also perform one or more scales and/or exercises at the recital. This will provide an opportunity to compare progress, encourage friendly competition, and reinforce high standards of technical skill, hand positioning, and fingering.

Summary

• Scales, Chords, and Exercises:
  • Regular practice with a progress-tracking chart.
  • Presented in every piano class within five minutes.
  • Additional time allocated when introducing new concepts.
• Pieces with Phases:
  • Three phases: Learning, Refining, and Polishing.
  • Work on all three phases simultaneously with different pieces or sections.
  • Prevents loss of earlier learning and keeps all skills active.
• Recital Proposal:
  • Two recitals scheduled: March 1st and March 15th.
  • Students perform polished Certificate of Merit pieces.
  • Recitals provide recordings for an online webpage.
  • Students receive feedback and improve between performances.
  • Avoiding "vacation mode" is essential to maintain progress.
• Encouraging Technical Excellence:
  • Students will perform scales and exercises at the recital.
  • Encourages friendly competition and progress tracking.
  • Reinforces technical skills, hand positioning, and fingering.