Piano/keyboards 1E

What is the course about?

The course continues from ‘Piano/keyboards 1D’ and continues to develop greater fluency with your playing, with music notation and also keyboard harmony. It also explores rhythmic vocabulary and dynamic contrasts. You will learn to recognise and play chords I, IV and V in major and minor keys and study at least one piece of an approximate ABRSM grade 1 standard. It continues with piano/keyboards 1F.

What will we cover?

- Extended work on rhythmical patterns
- Development of legato technique
- Development of finger staccato
- Theoretical and practical of understanding of major and minor keys in pieces and studies
- Harmonisation of simple melodies
- Aural skills: develop your keyboard harmony skills alongside playing and theoretical work
- Piano/keyboards 1 course repertoire will work towards an approximate grade 1 standard.
- Scales (over the whole year): C, G and F majors and A minor (harmonic and melodic, one octave).
- Arpeggios in the same keys as scales (1 octave, hands separately).

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

- Play and recognise basic chords I, IV and V chords
- Play a major and minor scale and arpeggio, 1 octave, hands separately
- Play and recognise forte and piano dynamics
- Play with finger staccato
- Play melodic lines with reliable legato technique
- Play rhythms with quavers
- Play simple tunes hands together with reasonable co-ordination and fluency.

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

Students need to have been playing for over a year or have completed Piano/keyboards 1D and you will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.

If you already have experience of playing piano and reading music, and are not sure about your level, you can download our: preparation piece for piano/Keyboards 1E . If you can play this piece easily (with two weeks’ practice) then this class is the right level for you. We also recommend you study this music ready for the start of your class as it addresses many of the points already covered in the previous piano class.
If you need any further advice please take a moment to read our blog: Choosing a piano class at City lit which lists our full sequence of piano classes and you can always contact the music department directly (music@citylit.ac.uk).

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?

Students should have access to a keyboard or piano for practice between classes plus material, usually one or two printed books (approx. cost £10 each).
To see the repertoire and any required music books you will need to bring to this course please refer to our list as follows: City lit piano repertoire books [external website]
A notebook and pencil is also useful. Students should have access to a keyboard or piano for practice between classes plus material, usually one or two printed books (approx. cost £10 each). A notebook and pencil are also useful.

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

This course leads to Piano/keyboards 1F.
You may wish to support your learning through a focus on reading, writing and hearing music and musical patterns. 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.