Piano: healthy technique workshop
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: ME922
- Dates: 06/08/24 - 09/08/24
- Time: 18:30 - 20:30
- Taught: Tue-Wed+Fri, Evening
- Duration: 3 sessions
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Lewis Kesterton
Course Code: ME922
Duration: 3 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
What will we cover?
The course is split into three main topics:
- Alignment of the body at the piano
- Ergonomic navigation of the keyboard
- Shaping, leaps and octaves.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand the basic mechanics of the piano and how we interact with the instrument.
- Develop an awareness of the hand, and the hand, wrist and arm unit.
- Know how to sit correctly at the piano with healthy posture.
- Understand how to utilise arm weight effectively.
- Use rotational movements effectively.
- Use in and out movements.
- Use basic shaping movements to help minimise and combine rotation and in and out movements.
- Play octaves freely and without fatigue.
- Negotiate leaps around the keyboard with improved accuracy and confidence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for intermediate to advanced level pianists. The techniques touched upon during the classes are applicable to pianists of all levels and all repertoire, but the examples used in the sessions will be targeted at pianists from around grade 5 standard upwards. Whether you are relatively new to the piano or you have been playing for a long time, this course is designed to offer you a fresh perspective on piano technique - all are welcome!
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will take place on Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Friday 9th of August 2024. The classes will be held in City Lit's recital room and will be in an interactive lecture format. Students will be expected to engage and contribute to discussions and will have the opportunity to try out techniques on a concert grand piano. You are welcome to bring your own music with you to discuss technical points with the tutor throughout the sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should bring a notebook and any music presenting technical difficulties that they wish to discuss with the tutor. You should have access to a piano (acoustic or digital) for practice between classes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of piano classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our blog: Choosing a piano class at City lit which lists our full sequence of piano classes.
You may also be interested in courses from our wide range of practical musicianship and music theory offerings. For more details about musicianship and music theory please visit our blog: Musicianship and music theory at City lit which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.
Lewis Kesterton is a classical pianist, teacher and writer based in London. He studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Mark Bebbington and Katharine Lam, at Trinity Laban Conservatoire under the tutelage of Penelope Roskell, at the Royal College of Music with Mengyang Pan and City, University of London with Laura Roberts. Lewis often performs around the capital as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist, and is in high demand as a teacher. He has enjoyed recitals at prestigious venues such as St. Bride's, the Journalists' Church, Fleet Street and Charlton House. ?He is currently on the teaching faculty of Morley College and The City Literary Institute, London's two specialist adult colleges, and is also a piano tutor in the Junior department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Lewis has a particular interest in working with students overcoming injuries and has a passion for helping nurture innovative 21st-century musicians, and in 2023 was appointed as a Trustee of EPTA UK.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.