Piano/keyboards 1A

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This is the beginning of our piano programme, designed for absolute beginners to both piano and music-reading. This classic course is the perfect way to start your piano playing.
Choose a starting date

Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.

9 Dates Available

  • Start Date: 29 Apr 2025
    End Date: 08 Jul 2025
    Last Spaces Left
    Tue (Daytime): 12:15 - 13:45
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 11 sessions (over -11 weeks)
    Course Code: ME200A
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00
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  • Start Date: 30 Apr 2025
    End Date: 16 Jul 2025
    Wed (Daytime): 16:00 - 17:30
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 11 sessions (over -12 weeks)
    Course Code: ME230A
    Tutors:  Polly Hewett
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00
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  • Start Date: 03 May 2025
    End Date: 12 Jul 2025
    Last Spaces Left
    Sat (Daytime): 14:30 - 16:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 11 sessions (over -11 weeks)
    Course Code: ME206A
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00
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  • Start Date: 15 Sep 2025
    End Date: 24 Nov 2025
    Mon (Evening): 18:00 - 19:30
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 11 sessions (over -11 weeks)
    Course Code: ME223A
    Tutors:  Jonathan Wilson
    Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00
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Any questions? music@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 4582 0412

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.

Book your place
In stock
Only 4 left
SKU
221733
Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00

What is the course about?

This is the first step in our beginners' piano programme. It offers an introduction to the keyboard layout and basic keyboard skills music reading and your listening skills. You need access to a full-sized keyboard or piano for practice (and lessons if choosing the online option). This course continues to Piano/keyboards 1B.

What will we cover?

- keyboard geography
- posture and hand shape
- basic fingering patterns for melodies and chords in ‘C position’
- reading music from note-names A to G
- music notation: pitch on treble and bass clefs, simple time signatures and rhythmic patterns
- reading by shape, interval and pattern
- aural awareness of pitch (high/low, intervals).

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- understand the geography of the keyboard and be able to find and name specific keys
- read and play simple tunes (in C position) in bass or treble clef
- recognise and play at least two simple chords
- understand basic rhythmic symbols and realise simple rhythmic patterns.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

- This course is for absolute beginners: no previous musical experience of any kind is needed.
- If you already have experience of playing piano and/or reading music, please read our blog Choosing a piano class at City Lit to help you choose the right level.
- You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Please check carefully whether you are booking an online or an in-person course. Online runs via Zoom; in-person uses the digital piano classroom. All courses use Google Classroom to share materials and messages, including any homework tasks.
You will learn through:
- tutor explanation and demonstration
- group playing and individual demonstration tasks
To make good progress a regular practice routine is essential. We recommend a minimum of 20 minutes, 4-5 times per week.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You need access your own piano or keyboard with between 60-88 full-sized keys to practice between classes and a copy of Adult Piano Adventures, all-in-one piano course (Faber) Book 1 [external website].

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

This course leads to Piano/keyboards 1B. There are multiple iterations of this at different times throughout the week.

Lucia Sanchez de Haro See more See less
Polly Hewett See more See less
Ana Claudia Magalhaes See more See less
Jonathan Wilson See more See less
Lindsey Fillingham Tutor Website See more See less
Cheslav Singh See more See less

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.