Piano/keyboards 2C

What is the course about?

What will we cover?

- Level 2 course repertoire is at an approximate grade 2 standard by this term 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 course of Level 2 modules): 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 those 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 4 major and 3 minor scales and arpeggios 1 octave hands separately
- play and recognise gradations in 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 have been playing for two years or have completed ‘Piano level 2B’ as this course draws on material of 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 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 3A
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.