This third year of our classical piano programme begins with repertoire of approximately grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns and musical issues.
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.
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.
This course uses repertoire of a grade 1 standard and moves towards new grade 2 work over the duration of three terms. You will achieve greater confidence, fluency and control of the keyboard. You will also improve general musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness, as well as extending your theoretical knowledge. You need access to a full-sized digital or acoustic piano for lessons and practice. This course continues with Piano/keyboards 2B
What will we cover?
Level 2 course repertoire will work towards an approximate grade 2 standard over the year. The choice of repertoire will be discussed at the first meeting (you will be asked to purchase your own music).
Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed
There may be some opportunity to play duets and ensemble exercises
Devise and master technical exercises, harmonise simple melodies, and sight-read
Developing greater co-ordination between hands, rhythm/pulse and establishing reliable dynamic control
Chord inversions plus chord VI.
Scales (over the whole year): C, G, F and D majors and A, E and D minors (harmonic and melodic, one octave hands together, two octaves hands separately).
Arpeggios in the same keys (1 octave hands separately).
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Play and recognise I, IV and V chords in major and minor keys
Play 3 major and 1 minor scales and arpeggios 1 octave hands separately
Play and recognise different 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 reliable co-ordination and fluency.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students need to be able to play a grade 1 standard piece, or have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1F’, as this course works towards material of an approximate grade 2 standard. 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 20-30 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.
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 level 2B’. Please take a moment to read our Piano Department page, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.
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.
Simon has been working as a musician for nearly forty years, initially solely as a performer with occasional composition, and then more latterly in education. After a mainly classical music training, he studied music at Goldsmiths College. His first job was at the Laban Dance School as an accompanist for contemporary dance, which required extensive improvisation, an experience that proved very useful training for his subsequent work as a keyboard session player in live performance and recording studios. In 2000, Simon became involved with adult education, and started working at City Lit teaching jazz, pop and classical piano and theory, and also as a community musician and workshop leader for Trinity College of Music, working with all ages. He has taught on Jazz Summer Schools for the Workers Music Association and Music for People, worked as accompanist and workshop leader for Mbawula, a South African Township choral project, and set up a weekly Jazz club in Hackney. Simon runs a successful private teaching practice in addition to his City Lit classes.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/piano-keyboards-2a-online3038800Piano/keyboards 2A onlinehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-7-1024.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Piano/keyboards classes/Courses/Online courses228513141351136017311228513141351<p>This third year of our classical piano programme begins with repertoire of approximately grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns and musical issues.</p>003034735Piano/keyboards 2A online249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/piano-workshop-7-1024.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceSep 2026Performing artsME242A249249Piano/keyboards 2A online249174249Simon Atkinspiano-keyboards-2a-online/me242a-2627<p>This third year of our classical piano programme begins with repertoire of approximately grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns and musical issues.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This course uses repertoire of a grade 1 standard and moves towards new grade 2 work over the duration of three terms. You will achieve greater confidence, fluency and control of the keyboard. You will also improve general musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness, as well as extending your theoretical knowledge. You need access to a full-sized digital or acoustic piano for lessons and practice. This course continues with Piano/keyboards 2B</p><p>This third year of our classical piano programme begins with repertoire of approximately grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns and musical issues.</p><p>Level 2 course repertoire will work towards an approximate grade 2 standard over the year. The choice of repertoire will be discussed at the first meeting (you will be asked to purchase your own music).</p><ul><li>Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed</li><li>There may be some opportunity to play duets and ensemble exercises</li><li>Devise and master technical exercises, harmonise simple melodies, and sight-read</li><li>Developing greater co-ordination between hands, rhythm/pulse and establishing reliable dynamic control</li><li>Chord inversions plus chord VI.</li><li>Scales (over the whole year): C, G, F and D majors and A, E and D minors (harmonic and melodic, one octave hands together, two octaves hands separately).</li><li>Arpeggios in the same keys (1 octave hands separately).</li></ul><ul><li>Play and recognise I, IV and V chords in major and minor keys</li><li>Play 3 major and 1 minor scales and arpeggios 1 octave hands separately</li><li>Play and recognise different forte and piano dynamics</li><li>Play with finger staccato</li><li>Play melodic lines with reliable legato technique</li><li>Play rhythms with quavers</li><li>Play simple tunes hands together with reliable co-ordination and fluency.</li></ul><p>Students need to be able to play a grade 1 standard piece, or have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1F’, as this course works towards material of an approximate grade 2 standard. You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.<br/><br/> </p><p>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.<br/>You will learn through:</p><ul><li>tutor explanation and demonstration</li><li>group playing and individual demonstration tasks</li></ul><p>To make good progress a regular practice routine is essential. We recommend a minimum of 20-30 minutes, 4-5 times per week.</p><p>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: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0zAXTERFh-iDm-UaX50OdGAXx3FbwyKHwx8vK2PPSg/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City lit piano repertoire books</a>.</p><p>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.</p><p>This course leads to ‘Piano/keyboards level 2B’. Please take a moment to read our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Piano Department page</a>, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.</p><p><br/>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: <a href="http://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/musicianship-music-theory-courses-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Musicianship and music theory at City lit </a> which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.</p>MusicPiano/keyboards classesvirtual249249174ME242ANONEMon14/09/26 - 23/11/2618:15 - 19:4518:1519:4511 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineSimon AtkinsSome experienceAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing arts249249Piano/keyboards 2A onlinepiano-keyboards-2a-online/me242a-2627<p>This third year of our classical piano programme begins with repertoire of approximately grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns and musical issues.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This course uses repertoire of a grade 1 standard and moves towards new grade 2 work over the duration of three terms. You will achieve greater confidence, fluency and control of the keyboard. You will also improve general musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness, as well as extending your theoretical knowledge. You need access to a full-sized digital or acoustic piano for lessons and practice. This course continues with Piano/keyboards 2B</p><p>This third year of our classical piano programme begins with repertoire of approximately grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns and musical issues.</p><p>Level 2 course repertoire will work towards an approximate grade 2 standard over the year. The choice of repertoire will be discussed at the first meeting (you will be asked to purchase your own music).</p><ul><li>Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed</li><li>There may be some opportunity to play duets and ensemble exercises</li><li>Devise and master technical exercises, harmonise simple melodies, and sight-read</li><li>Developing greater co-ordination between hands, rhythm/pulse and establishing reliable dynamic control</li><li>Chord inversions plus chord VI.</li><li>Scales (over the whole year): C, G, F and D majors and A, E and D minors (harmonic and melodic, one octave hands together, two octaves hands separately).</li><li>Arpeggios in the same keys (1 octave hands separately).</li></ul><ul><li>Play and recognise I, IV and V chords in major and minor keys</li><li>Play 3 major and 1 minor scales and arpeggios 1 octave hands separately</li><li>Play and recognise different forte and piano dynamics</li><li>Play with finger staccato</li><li>Play melodic lines with reliable legato technique</li><li>Play rhythms with quavers</li><li>Play simple tunes hands together with reliable co-ordination and fluency.</li></ul><p>Students need to be able to play a grade 1 standard piece, or have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1F’, as this course works towards material of an approximate grade 2 standard. You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.<br/><br/> </p><p>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.<br/>You will learn through:</p><ul><li>tutor explanation and demonstration</li><li>group playing and individual demonstration tasks</li></ul><p>To make good progress a regular practice routine is essential. We recommend a minimum of 20-30 minutes, 4-5 times per week.</p><p>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: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0zAXTERFh-iDm-UaX50OdGAXx3FbwyKHwx8vK2PPSg/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City lit piano repertoire books</a>.</p><p>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.</p><p>This course leads to ‘Piano/keyboards level 2B’. Please take a moment to read our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Piano Department page</a>, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.</p><p><br/>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: <a href="http://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/musicianship-music-theory-courses-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Musicianship and music theory at City lit </a> which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.</p>MusicPiano/keyboards classesconfigurable
