May 2012 Rules

Pei Lin, thank you very much for your input on this. Since the idea is new, it is so important to hear different opinions about it!

ttteh wrote: Ms Hellene,

This is a great idea to encourage parents playing and learn together with their children. I will take up the challenge and try to pass Middle Do rank.

Theory: recite the First Circle of Note Alphabet 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7 forward and backwords in no less than 20 seconds (can be MP3 file).

Pei Lin - I see there is a separate topic explaining how to do it. I think it would be better to place them together with the rules so that new on boarding member can just locate all information on May recital at one location.

OK, I will place it also here to keep at the same place.

Music sight-reading: please, read all the pieces from the following Albums:
Nursery Songs Primer
Favorite Classics Primer
These pieces should be played on 2, 4, 5 and 6 presentations only (without pictures or letters) Only 3 mistakes are allowed. Send us an email, if accomplished. We trust you!

Pei Lin -Does the student need to accomplish playing presentation 6 for all pieces in nursery songs primer and favorite classics primer in order to pass <Middle Do > rank? If the student is able to accomplish presentation 4 in May 2012, would the student pass <Middle Do> rank? Do we need to take time into consideration here i.e the amount of time to complete playing a piece?

It could be either one. I don’t want to rush parents and kids into 6th presentation since I want beginners to understand the bold visual relation between piano keys and lines and spaces thoroughly. They have to imprint picture of it in their mind forever. So, I think, if a child will be able to play just Right or Left hand on 2nd presentation, it is good enough for this level. Time is also not important for this rank. Only accuracy.

Exercises: Hannon №1, Chromatic Scale, Triads in Do Major and Do Major in a divergent motion (all exercises are placed at Our Library – Videos – Instructional section).
Pei Lin - My question would be the same as Nadia if the exercises need to be video on you tube. I would probably specify the requirement in the rules.

I think, exercises have to be also recorded. I will add that to our rules.

Children from 24 months and up:
Play by memory or with the help of the program on digital piano or
keyboard using 1 or 2 hands 1-2 pieces from the following list:
‘Hot Cross Buns’, ‘French Song’, ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Ode to Joy’, ‘A New Year Tree’ (Introductory Songs).
‘Hickory Dickory Dock’, ‘Little Dog Gone’, ‘Old Mac Donald’, ‘Lazy Mary’, ‘Pop! Goes the Weasel’, ‘Old Woman in the Shoe’ (Nursery Songs 1), Musette, Morning Mood, Largo (Favorite Classics 1), ‘Rock Group’, ‘Boogie Board Boogie’ (Boogie 1)
Pei Lin – If the student is playing with the help of the program. Do we need to take the time and amount of mistake into consideration?

I would advise ti make the amount of mistakes and time to be reasonable and the piece to have some flow.

Theory: assemble in forward and backward order the sequences of music notes from Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La and Ti.

Music Sight-Reading: read all the pieces from the following albums using Right, Left or Both hands: Nursery Songs Primer и Favorite Classics Primer on 2, 4, 5 or 6 presentation.

Allowed amount of mistakes: 5. Send us an email, if accomplished. We trust you!

Pei Lin - Does the student need to accomplish playing presentation 6 for all pieces in nursery songs primer and favorite classics primer in order to pass <Middle Do > rank? If the student is able to accomplish presentation 4 in May 2012, would the student pass <Middle Do> rank?

Yes. Presentation 6 is going to be a ‘must’ further on the road.

I think it has to be specific on what is the minimum requirement that the student needs to achieve in order to pass <Middle Do>rank. Do we need to take time into consideration here i.e the amount of time to complete playing a piece through sight reading?

No. Just accuracy.

Rachel is able to sight read new pieces of "Favourite Classic Primer" in presentation 6 with practice after playing presentation 5 for a while. However there are some pieces that she play at presentation 6 and the time score is very long even though no mistake. I think it should not be a problem for 3 year old to sight read pieces for Nursery Songs Primer and Favorite Classics Primer at presentation 4,5 and 6 with daily practice. I think it should not be a worry if a 2 year old is not able to accomplish playing presentation 2 on sight reading for all the pieces. This <Middle Do> rules would be target where the child can work up. At the moment the child can also focus on playing technique and get familiarize to the staff and presentation.

I completely agree!

This guideline is more specific compare to the 1 year curiculum. Great idea Ms Hellene!
Pei Lin - I also think it is a good idea to have the section where people can sign up. I would like to work on some of the requirement for Middle Do rank and if I am comfortable with it I would like to post the video instead of waiting till May 2012. Students are motivated to work towards the target if they had already started : )

OK. Nadia also suggested me to open the section for that. Let’s do this
Thank you again for such thoughtful and interesting post, Pei Lin! Karma to you!

lzp11 wrote: My question is for the 6-7 pieces of music that need to be memorised and played - can they all be uploaded separately to youtube or are we supposed to play all 6 in a row (in one video!).

I think, the video would be too long. Better to make it separately.

Also, what would be the maximum number of mistakes (if any) and time duration allowable?

For the performance it is better to have less mistakes with minimum time possible.

This is a great idea, I'm keen to get involved myself and hopefully I will be able to pass, although I'm not sure my 2-year old will be able to cover all the ground required

If YOU will pass, your kid is safe! I am so excited about this! It would be great venture for all of us!

Re-post here:

I just created a video with 'Note Alphabet':



How did I do it?

1. I used the 'Voice Memo' on my iPhone
2. I had sent the file to my email and saved it on my computer
3. I used my favorite program Windows Live Movie Maker explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials...ie-maker-get-started
to make a 'video'
4. To make it more fun I placed some pictures for you and added the voice

I think, it is going to be FUN project for you! Endless opportunities!

Just remember: you have to recite the Note Alphabet (circle 1) by memory as fast as you can!

Sign up area had been created! softmozart.com/forum/26-sign-up-area/868...-12-recital.html#868