Yanni has started learning what I alternately call ejercicio seis and African Chopsticks. I wrote a book of 5 exercises, music basically for learning pianists when I was in Grad School. I call them Ejercicios, because I like calling things Spanish names. They are actually too hard for true beginners, but Yanni has an interest in ejercicio cuatro, so I told her she can start. I haven’t finished book two, which should have five in it as well, but I wrote a timeline to chopsticks, and thought I’d like to have the second book focus on rhythmic problems, so that is number 6. I think Yanni could learn this one before she could learn cuatro (4), which is the hardest of the group. She has also started the second Suzuki book, but is having a hard time remembering what her song sounds like.

Xay is getting more diligent in his practice, and has finally finished Clare de Lune. He is learning his next piece one hand at a time.

Yesterday, I taught Mani how to play twinkle twinkle on the xylopiano, and she can still play it today. I plan to teach it on the regular piano with proper fingerings tomorrow.