Thursday, August 2, 2012

rights to the lights



Rights to the finger lights in action!  Her scales are sounding so so great!

the pentascales playoffs

They have begun!!!

 

I have loved seeing how my students have progressed through this awesome competition.   I have seen fingering, rhythm, and tempo all improve.  Not to mention how quickly my students can find their starter notes.    The playoffs did not start until all my students took about three weeks to learn 12 major pentascales.  They had to also write out these pentascales on staff paper.  After all the staff paper was turned in and after I heard all 12 pentascales sounding amazing, the playoffs started.  Each student progressed at their own pace.  I kept close track of everything in their  assignment folder.

The playoffs began with me timing each student.  I had flashcards with the name of the pentascale on them.  They would quickly play the pentascale listed on the flashcards.  They had to have a steady tempo and correct fingering for it to count.  At the end of their first timing I would record their score.  Generally the score was 2 minutes 35 seconds.  Each week for the following three they had to improve their score.  Currently they are improving each week and it is so exciting to see!!



Their ultimate goal is to play all 12 major pentascales in a minute or less.  They have three weeks to improve their first timing or get it in a minute or less... whichever comes first.  When they receive a minute or less they are officially a pentascales champion and receive the following;

Their name up on my pentascale champion wall,  Bach Bucks to shop in the studio store and my favorite...  they get rights to the lights!!!   This has been the best part. Take a look at how awesome this is!!!




Rights to the lights include wearing the finger lights each time they come for a lesson.  Of course they must play the pentascales while wearing them and get up and dance afterwards, if they so choose.