Prodigy Piano Academy Blog

Lesson Summary

3-5 min Review of Last Week’s Lesson 

Pitch Exploration – Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La on desk bells singing different patterns. Teacher student echo game 

 Keyboard Geography/Repertoire -Water Lilies by W. Gillock – measures 1,2. Learning by rote through listening and memorizing patterns. 

 Floating Arm Technique- Russian School of Piano playing – exercises 1-6 exploring different octaves. 

Theory Lesson- PPA worksheet introduction in the staff — including (treble & bass clef)

Lesson Journal 

Today we began working on Water Lilies by William Gillock. I introduced the first two measures by rote, having the student listen first before touching the keys. We practiced imitating small patterns and repeated them until they could be recalled from memory without looking. I guided Sabera keeping the wrist relaxed and fluid to capture the gentle, flowing character of the piece.

For technique, we began with Exercises 1–4 from The Russian School of Piano Playing. Sabera explored the same patterns in different octaves to develop a sense of the full keyboard. We discussed how to move the arm smoothly across registers while keeping the hand shape consistent. The focus was on producing an even tone, avoiding any tension, and singing the melodies. 

Together we completed a PPA worksheet on the staff, including treble and bass clef. I explained the difference between line notes and space notes, and we numbered them from top to bottom. This was her first exposure to staff notation, so we kept it light and exploratory!