Beginning Piano
Syllabus
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Instructor: Nate Trier
This class is aimed at students 12 years old and above who are interested in beginning to learn how to play the piano. This also a great class for students who already play another instrument and want to learn a little piano and music theory.
We cover all the bases, including reading music and learning the names of the notes. The course also emphasizes creativity and music theory in a way that’s fun and accessible.
By the end of the course, students will be able to read music, play many traditional songs, and identify many of the intervals that form the basis of music theory. They will also be comfortable writing their own music and improvising!
Week 1
Piano posture, including hand position
How fingers are numbered for piano
Play-along activities and improvisation
A discussion of how to practice most effectively
Playing Mary Had a Mini Lamb
Week 2
Review of previous week
Short notes vs. long notes, quarter notes vs. half notes
Playing Mississippi Hot Dog
Week 3
Review of previous week
Reading music: the musical staff for the right hand
The musical alphabet & note names
Playing Big Leg Leaps
Playing Cousin Jacques
Week 4
Review
Reading music: the musical staff for the left hand
Note motions: skips, steps, and repeats
Writing your own song using the 3 types of note motion
Playing Lightly Row
Week 5
Review
Using the rest of the musical staff; including
How to identify notes using the method invented by Guido of Arezzo in the Middle Ages
Identifying A and B
Counting music: 4/4 time
Playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Week 6
Review
Musical structure: A B A
3/4 time
Counting aloud while playing
Writing your own composition
Playing Un Canadien Errant
Playing Your Newest Composition
Week 7
Dynamics: forte and piano
Identifying intervals - 2nds
Legato touch
Chromatic markings: Flat signs
Playing the Surprise Symphony
Week 8
Identifying intervals - 3rds
Crescendos and Decrescendos
Playing In the Hall of the Mountain King
Week 9
Identifying intervals - 4ths
Eighth notes
Playing An Evening Song
Week 10
Identifying intervals - 5ths
Sharp Signs
Staccato touch
Chromatic markings: Sharp signs
Playing Flemish Folk Melody
