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.