• We reviewed the key of D minor and learned to do the chord progressions.
  • We use the notes of a HARMONIC scale because the TI leads back to DO better than te does.
  • Here is the solfege we use for our chords (compare with the diagrams below)
    • I Chord = DO-me-SOL
    • IV Chord = DO-FA-le
    • V Chord = TI-RE-SOL (instead of te RE SOL)
    • V7 Chord = TI-FA-SOL

• ARPEGGIOS are just playing the I chord broken using both hands
• INVERSIONS are the same as they are in the key of C Major but starting one whole step farther up. 
• There are no black keys for arpeggios or inversions but they still sound minor.
• If your child hasn't passed off any scales yet, they can definitely begin with the d minor scale and songs on p. 30-33
• If you have any questions about the key of d minor, please feel free to ask!
• The kids can pass off Land of the Silver Birch by playing either Triads or Performance version.
  • In this song, we play the V chord MAJOR, rather than minor
    • To make a chord major, we move the middle note UP a half step

• The kids should break down their primary song by practicing the first line only of their song both this week and next week.
  • This will help them memorize their song if they are only doing a little bit at a time and perfecting it.
  • Your child should play slowly until they can get all the notes correct and speed up ONLY when they can play without making mistakes.
  • Each child got something that they should be able to manage with some practice, but it shouldn't be too difficult. 
  • If they would like to sing the words to their song, just let me know and I'll give them a copy with lyrics. 
  • Here is a web page I made with all the primary songs and the MP3s so you know what they sound like.
  • Your child is welcome to learn any of the other primary songs only AFTER they have learned their own song.

This week your child will do the red highlighted assignments at home! Parents don't need to initial this week, but I do need to see tally marks on the red lines for the kids to get their reward in class!

I have added additional flashcards to my Quizlet collection. You can access those on my website, or through Quizlet.com. I have also added a few sets to the "Repertoire" section of the Student Portal. Please let me know if you are using these resources and I will continue adding to it! Also let me know if you can't get them to work! (Sometimes things work fine for me as the teacher, but not so well for the students and I have no way of knowing if nobody tells me they aren't working!)

Don't forget to please help your child pass off their songs and scales to earn pins! You just need to send me a video of them playing. The scales can be played with or without the back track, but they need to be perfect at least one time with both hands.