Creating Technical Exercises for Repertoire Selections

Level 6

Repertoire Selection (Title and Composer)

Jasmine Flower – Chinese Folk Song Edward Han Jiang

Technical Challenge

Wrists movement when playing octave broken or blocked chords and extensions, such as m. 5, while playing hemiola. 

Exercise Description

-  F major arpeggio left hand only practice. Using arpeggio to set up a framework of how to perform the first six notes. When practice arpeggio, let children lose their wrist and relax the arm muscles. The fourth finger should move up after playing C to diminish the gap between F and A. Do not use pedal in the beginning. 

-  Melody may interfere left hand, so separate hands should be used most of the time. 

-  Getting to know the left hand’s pattern is important, since most children know the melody of this song. After hands separation practice, children need to play left hand with a softer dynamic than melody. 

Level 8

Repertoire Selection (Title and Composer)

Prelude in E flat Major – Reinhold Gliere

Technical Challenge

Portato stably demonstration with loosing arms transferring the strength into fingertips.

Exercise Description

-  Getting to know the definition of portato, which the notes should be played between staccato and legato. Using the strength of RH wrist to help fingers’ movements. 

-  The stability of this demonstration also needs a strong joint standing. Students can be given an idea of bridge to draw fingers in. Constantly reminding children of drawing fingers in is important. 

-  Maintaining arms loosing can be practiced with hanging fingers on a pencil and falling down naturally on laps. 

-  Using metronome is essential. Teacher should remind children of setting up the slower tempo on metronome when practicing. 

-  RH should be played softer than LH, so a separation of both hands can take most of the time of practice.