Class Description

First Steps in Learning the Piano is an introduction class to one of the world's most popular instruments. The class is divided up into four sections each week. Students will get a rhythm assignment, a chord assignment, a sight-reading assignment and a core assignment each class. Each assignment is simple and easy to understand and should only take about 15 minutes to complete each day, as daily repetition is key in reinforcing the basic concepts of the piano. The chord assignments are especially geared towards those who love to play and sing, where the sight-reading assignments are geared towards those who want to learn how to play instrumental melodies. This ensures each student will be able to focus on the part of the piano that interests him or her the most. Also each student gets to pick out the songs that they WANT to play. The music/chord charts are provided for them once they choose their song. The core assignments are short projects that show the student how music relates to their other core subjects, such as Math, English or Science. With daily repetitions, students should be able to progress toward playing a song by the end of the class!

        - Syllabus:

Week 1: Music Alphabet / the white keys on the piano / introduce whole, half and quarter notes / History: history of the piano

Week 2: Sharps and flats / clap and count whole, half and quarter notes / WWW chords / Math: rhythm as fractions

Week 3: The staff / introduce eighth notes / WBW chords / Science: science and sound

Week 4: Middle C and friends / clap and count eighth notes / BWB chords / English: Lyric report

Week 5: Treble clef spaces / introduce sixteenth notes / BBB chords / Math: rhythm as fractions 2

Week 6: Treble clef lines / clap and count 16th notes / B and Bb chords / Art: drawing a treble clef

     - Class structure:

This class is divided into 4 10 minute teaching sections: Rhythm (Learning new rhythms and note values), Chords (Learning a new chord shape), Sight reading (Learning about the staff) and Core (Learning how music relates to other core subjects, such as Math, Art, English, Science and History). Classes are structured as such: The teacher introduces and explains a topic in one of the 4 sections, then the students are asked to demonstrate their understanding of the topic before working on it throughout the week as homework. Then we move onto the next section. During the last 15 minutes of class, the teacher will ask students to show their progress in the sections from last week.

        

        - Teaching techniques used:

The class will be taught through teacher demonstration, and then the students display the concepts of the demonstration, then teacher evaluation of the student’s performance and understanding of the topic.

        

        - Teaching style:

Dave is very patient, energetic and compassionate to the challenges of learning music. He stresses the importance of balancing discipline with fun and tackling a number of small tasks instead of one large task in order to learn music quicker and with much less stress.

        

        - Interaction:

Students get to show each other their progress each week as well as work on demonstrating new skills as a group.

- Learning goals:

Student will learn the following concepts:

Introductory: Music Alphabet, Keys of the piano, flats and sharps

Rhythm: Whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes.

Chords: All 24 major and minor chords.

Sight-reading: Treble Clef line and space notes.

        

        - Homework / practice time

Students should practice the assignments a minimum of 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, as daily repetition is essential in showing progress on the instrument. 1-2 hours a week will ensure they show progress weekly.

        

        - Assessment:

Students will be told their strengths and challenges weekly. Parents can request progress reports at any time via email

        

        - Next steps:

Second Steps in Learning the Piano

Additional Information

Class size: 3-5 students

Supplies: Students will need to purchase the following items

Students need to have a 3-ring binder with plastic pockets on the inside of the front and back covers. Keyboards can be purchased online through Sweetwater.

Here is a link to a great, affordable starter keyboard:  https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSRE263--yamaha-psr-e263-61-key-portable-arranger

Prerequisites

No prerequisites necessary for this class.

Class tags:
General General Instruments Piano