If you’ve decided to start learning the piano, or if you’re returning to playing after a break of many years we're delighted to welcome you to City Lit. We have a wide range of piano classes, so there’s sure to be a class that’s right for you here in the heart of Covent Garden.
How will I learn?
All our classes are taught in small groups
Learning in a group is great fun; you will find expert tutors, lively discussion, individual exercises and good company in all of our classes.
Piano/keyboards classes have a maximum of 15 per group and piano workshops have a maximum of 12 per group so it won’t be too crowded.
You will have access to digital or acoustic pianos at City Lit
- Piano/keyboards classes are taught in our digital piano labs with one instrument per student (with headphones provided for private playing)
- Piano workshop classes take place on Yamaha or Steinway pianos. Repertoire is specified in advance and you will play in turn in front of your class
- Online classes: use your own piano or keyboard at home and meet with your tutor and classmates via Zoom
Do I need to buy anything?
Books to buy
You will need to buy your own music books (due to copyright) so please budget for an extra £12 (approx.) per term. There are a number of specialist music shops in London where you should be able to find the books suggested for our courses:
- Chimes Music South Kensington
- Chimes Music Barbican
- Schott Music London
- South London Music
- Foyles Music Department (Charing Cross Road, second floor)
You may also borrow music from local libraries. We particularly recommend Barbican Library and Westminster Music Library for their broad ranges of sheet music and scores.
Where possible the relevant books are listed on each course outline. Please read this carefully before you book. To see the up-to-date list of piano repertore and textbooks required for each course this year click here: City Lit piano repertoire books.
Buying a piano
Many students ask us for advice on buying a piano. An acoustic piano is best and we particularly like Yamaha and Kawai pianos but there are good deals on all sorts of second hand pianos.
There are many piano showrooms around London which are worth a visit. We always recommend trying out a piano in person before buying; a piano is a huge commitment and no two will ever be exactly the same! Here are our most highly recommended dealers:
- Markson Pianos
- Jacques Samuels
- Bluthner Piano Centre
- Yamaha Music London
- Piano Warehouse
- Richard Lawson Pianos
- Steinway and Sons
- Grand Passion Pianos
- Peregrine's Pianos
Piano Auctions also offer great deals on second hand pianos.
Make sure you ask about moving fees before you buy the piano as you may need a specialist company to deliver it to your house.
A digital piano is also great for beginners up to about level 4. You can use headphones to play in private and they’re smaller and easy to store:
- Make sure the model you choose has full-size keys (not toy/mini piano keys) and that it also has a full-length keyboard (88 keys long).
- There are several local keyboard/digital piano shops with showrooms close by to City Lit college. Yamaha Music London have a showroom close to Soho Square with lots of digital pianos to view.
Piano Stools
Choosing the correct type of piano stool to go with your piano is more important than you might think! Ideally, an adjustable stool is best as you can ensure you are sitting at the correct height (forearms parallel with the floor). Here are some of our favourite piano stools to suit all budgets:
- Hidrau Model (these can be found in our recital room)
- Konig & Meyer (these can be found in our digital piano labs)
- Cadenza
- Gear4music
In April 2024, we were delighted to receive a donation of two new concert piano stools from Hidrau Model in Spain. These new additions to the City Lit Recital Room will hugely benefit our students for years to come:
Which piano class is right for me?
Classes for absolute beginners
If you are an absolute beginner, new to playing the piano and new to reading music notation, then it’s easy: just start at the very beginning with our Piano/keyboards 1A and work through each of the classes in the order listed below.
We have courses at many different times and extra piano courses for beginners will be added through the year. There is a drop-down menu on our website so check this is set to your preferred time/date for you before you enrol.
Once enrolled you must attend only the class you have chosen: for example, if you miss one of your classes you cannot drop into another instead. If you have any questions please email us and we’ll be happy to help.
Choosing the right level for returning pianists
If you have existing piano skills you don’t need to start at the very beginning: just join us at the correct level for you. Each Level corresponds (roughly) to an ABRSM grade. So for example, Piano workshop 3 classes are preparing to learn grade 3 standard repertoire.
Please check the individual course outlines for more details of the books you are requested to buy for each class as this will often give you the most clear indication of the level of a class.
If you are unsure of your current level, please email us and make an appointment to come and play to us for some advice. We also have a special Piano: return to playing class for pianists between grades 4-6 who seek to grow their confidence.
Changing classes
If you choose the wrong class you may transfer immediately to a different course; just contact our enrolments team on 020 3871 3111 or log into your City Lit account and request a transfer online. NB: Transfers may only take place in the first three weeks of a course.
If you begin to find the level is unsuitable later on in your course then don’t panic, there will still be plenty to learn but you can choose a more appropriate module the next term. That’s the idea of the short course modules, they allow flexibility because everyone learns at different speeds.
If you have any doubts at all: please contact us to arrange an advice session. Bring some music, play us a piece and we’ll help you choose.
The full sequence of piano classes at City lit
Beginners-intermediate: piano/keyboards classes
- Piano Year 1 : from complete beginners to simple hands-together pieces whilst learning to read basic music notation:
- Piano Year 2: from simple hands-together pieces to grade 1 level repertoire:
If you already have experience of playing piano and reading music but are not sure about your level, you can download our preparation pieces to help you decide which level 1 class is right for you:
- Preparation piece for 1B
- Preparation piece for 1C
- Preparation piece for 1D
- Preparation piece for 1E
- Preparation piece for 1F
- Piano Year 3: achieve fluency at a grade 1 level and then begin some grade 2 studies:
- Piano Year 4: achieve fluency at a grade 2 level and then begin some grade 3 studies:
- At this point you may like to move to Piano workshop 3 or to stay in the digital keyboard room to consolidate your grade 3+ skills further:
Advanced Piano Workshops
Classical piano workshops function like a ‘masterclass’. Everyone prepares a piece to play in front of the class. Repertoire is set by the tutor.
- Piano workshop 5: three terms per year
- Piano workshop 6: three terms per year
- Piano workshop 7: three terms per year
- Piano workshop 8: three terms per year
Once you can play at an approximate grade 5+ standard please consider: Keyboard harmony courses, or Pop piano, Jazz piano, Latin piano.
- Keyboard harmony 5 for grade 5+ classical pianists
- Keyboard harmony and performance workshop for advanced cassical pianists
Advanced classes (post grade 8 standard) are taught on a Steinway Model D. Many of our students repeat these classes to keep their skills sharp, to enjoy meeting other pianists and exploring new repertoire.
- Piano Repertoire: three modules per year
- Piano: advanced workshop: three modules per year
- Piano masterclass: Short, occasional courses hosted by a visiting expert. A superb chance to get together with other pianists and explore a specific part of the repertoire in detail. You must prepare your chosen piece in advance.
Helpful Articles
We recommend reading the following articles if you are currently studying or interested in playing the piano:
- How to transform your scales from 'boring' to 'engaging' - Pianist Magazine, by City Lit piano tutor Lewis Kesterton
- 5 Japanese techniques to help musicians overcome laziness and stay motivated - by Frances Wilson, The Cross-Eyed Pianist
- World Piano Day 2024: Why play the piano? - by Melanie Spanswick
- Why Good Piano Technique is Important - Practicing the Piano, by Penelope Roskell
- The Pianist’s Imperfection - Pianodao, by Andrew Eales
Jazz
If you are interested in learning Jazz, please read our blog post: Why learn Jazz? Embracing Transformation, Musicality & Expression
Musicianship and music theory
Why not take a complimentary course to enhance your understanding of musical skills and musical notation. Please see our Musicianship and music theory programme for some ideas
