Piano/keyboards 2B

What is the course about?

This course moves beyond simple grade 1 standard repertoire and introduces elements of the grade 2 piano syllabus. 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 keyboard or piano for lessons and practice.
This course continues with Piano/keyboards 2C.

What will we cover?

Level 2 course repertoire works towards an approximate grade 2 standard and the choice of repertoire will be discussed at the first meeting.
- Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed
- Opportunity to play duets
- Devise and master technical exercises, harmonise simple melodies, and sight-read
- Developing greater co-ordination between hands, rhythm and 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 basic I, IV and V chords in major keys
- play 3 major and 2 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 a confident grade 1 standard or have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 2A’ as this course draws on some material of an approximate Grade 2 standard. You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.

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 20-30 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 [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 2C’.
Please note: we have multiple courses at different times throughout the week.
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.