top of page

PIANO LESSONS

beginner1

BEGINNING 

 

Beginning piano lessons introduce the student to four basic principles of music:

     

      Sound 

           Volume:   Loud v. Soft

           Pitch:        High Tones v. Low Tones

           Pattern Recognition: Same v. different

          Tone duration: Long v. Short

     

      Rhythms

            Pulse

           Steady beats

           Patterns - Combinations

           Tempos - speed

           Musical notation time values

      

      Musical Alphabet

           Repeated pattern on keyboard

           Applied to written notes on staves

      

      Motor skills

           Eye-hand Coordination

           Finger Dexterity

           Optimum, comfortable

             hand-wrist-arm position

​

Students are encouraged to become more aware of how music is all around us, having fun pointing out (with the teacher) examples that are in our schools, communities, and around the world.

​

It's also important to:

  • sing and match sounds with their voices

  • hear examples and play duets with their teacher

  • Play by ear and memorize simple pieces

  • have and keep track of a regular practice time 

piano_boy_portrait.jpg

INTERMEDIATE 

​

 At the intermediate level, the student should   show progressive mastery of:

​

  • Reading Treble and Bass clef together

​

  • Knowing Key and Time Signatures

​

  • Understanding dynamic and tempo notations

​

  • Has some ear training and can sight read​

​

  • Can play major scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats for two octaves, hands together

​

  • Has basic understanding of music theory, such as circle of fifths, and major, minor, diminished, augmented and 7th chord structures

​

  • Can play intermediate levels of both classical and popular song repertoire

​

  • Learning HOW to practice is vital to increasing interest and accomplishment

​

 The student at this level should become   more involved in attending music offerings   within the schools, community, and concert   levels; such as band or choir concerts,

 school or theater musicals, symphony   concerts. 

 

 Teacher-recommended YouTube   presentations are also a very good way to

 take in a more enriching involvement in all   forms of music.

​

advanced2

ADVANCED 

 

The advanced student is ready for instruction from a teacher who can offer the more intricate nuances of technique and interpretation, and can help transform the music into the performer's own expression. 

 

Most often, the teacher has also been mentored through the opportunities and rigors of public or concert performances, and has the knowledge and experience to delve into these areas of higher skills and mastery.

​

More efficient and focused practice is required and a good instructor will offer live coaching sessions during a practice session. 

​

The teacher observes where technical difficulties are problematic, offering solutions that address both physical and mental ways of working and thinking through the music which can help these passages seem effortless.

​

Thoroughly understanding the form, flow and progressions of an entire piano piece vastly increases the presentation and interpretation of the work as a beautiful, exciting and powerful musical statement, experience

and performance.

​

​

​

​

bottom of page