Sunday, September 3, 2023 by Anita Byers | practice challenge

New Piano Year - New Practice Challenges!

We have two challenges going on this year.  The first involves the use of the Tonara app.  I will keep track of those students that complete ALL weekly assignments using the Tonara app.  Students that complete weekly assignments 90-100% of the time will receive medals at our spring recital.  

The other activity is a 30 (or 40) piece challenge.  Those learning 30 pieces or more this year will receive a trophy at our spring recital.  Most lesson book pieces will qualify--technical exercises and such will not.  A piece needs to be at least 16 measures long.  The young primer students will combine short pieces and I will count a page as a piece.  

In order for the piece to be counted as learned, correct notes and rhythm should be played without pauses.  Also dynamic markings should be observed.  More details are included in the 30 Piece Challenge assignment that is shown in your Tonara account.  I will keep the list of pieces completed updated and a digital badge board will let the students see how they are doing.  

When a student feels they have their piece learned, they may send me a recording before our weekly class or I'll listen to it in person during our class time.  

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 by Anita Byers | Practice Challenge

I am challenging each of my students to learn 30 new pieces this school year.  

Here is how it works: Pieces will need to be at least 16 measures (8 for beginning students) and at a variety of levels. Students should be learning pieces of three different level varieties:

1. Challenging

2. At their level

3. Easier, fun to learn pieces

It has been a few years ago since we've done this - Cooper is much taller these days!

Each student will have a form in their notebook to keep track of learned pieces and a studio-wide poster will be on the wall for all to see the progress. In order to be added as learned, pieces must have correct notes, rhythm, articulation, dynamics and tempo.  As each piece is marked completed, I will record a video of the student playing their piece (or a student may submit a video through Tonara that was recorded at home).  At the end of the year, each student will receive a link to their videos.  Students completing the challenge will be recognized at the spring recital.

The benefits to this challenge are:  increased motivation, improved sightreading and to build confidence—the more music a student can play, the more confident and proficient they feel.  

We will begin the challenge on August 30 and end on March 31.