Piano Week 26: Q2 checkpoint recording

Weekly Focus

Week 26 is the Q2 checkpoint. The objective is one keeper take that clearly shows improvement in groove, ear use, and phrase clarity.

Success this week means you finish with one no-stop keeper and three concrete priorities for Q3.

Repertoire & Chord Map

Primary checkpoint tune is Misty, with My Romance as alternate. Keep the arrangement fixed so takes are comparable.

Checkpoint cadence loop:

Imaj7 | vm7 I7 | IVmaj7 | ivm7 bVII7 Imaj7 vim7 | iim7 V7 | iiim7 VI7 | iim7 V7

Daily map task: keep intro, form plan, solo length, and ending consistent across all checkpoint takes.

Supplementary Listening & Ear Training (Required)

Treat this as part of your weekly agenda, not optional background listening: it targets “Q2 checkpoint recording”.

Weekly listening pick:

• Giant Steps — John Coltrane

Why this track now: It highlights rapid key centers and major-third cycles, which matches Week 26’s goals.

Ear tasks (10–15 min, at least 3 sessions this week):

1. Listen once without the instrument and name the key center by ear (major/minor/modal). Then verify the key at piano.
2. Find one cadence or arrival point, then play: root + shell ii-V-I (or closest functional equivalent) in that key.
3. Lift a short 4–8 bar fragment by ear, play it slowly, and record ~30s so you can compare your hearing vs. the recording.

Extra challenge (optional): transpose your lifted fragment to the weekly priority ladder when possible (F → Eb → G → Bb → C).

End-of-Week Reflection

What makes your Q2 keeper stronger than your Q1 baseline, and where is the biggest remaining gap? Start Q3 with one clear harmony goal, one rhythm goal, and one ear goal.