Piano/keyboards 3A

What is the course about?

Working with grade 2 standard repertoire at first, you will achieve greater confidence in co-ordination of hands, rhythmical work and a range of dynamics. Improve your musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness. You will extend your theoretical knowledge in order to fully understand the pieces you are playing and as the course progresses you will begin to encounter some elements of the grade 3 syllabus. You need access to a full-sized keyboard or piano for lessons and practice.
This course continues to Piano/keyboards 3B.

What will we cover?

- Developing dynamic range
- Developing co-ordination skills in variety of articulations i.e. play one hand legato and one staccato
- Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed
- Develop practice strategies.
- Repertoire will work from grade 2 towards an approximate grade 3 standard (over the course of the whole year)
- Scales (over the whole year): C, G, F, D and A majors and A, E, D and B minors (harmonic and melodic, 2 octaves, hands together).
- Arpeggios in the same keys (2 octaves, hands separately).

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

- Perform at least 3 pieces on the piano from the class repertoire
- Be able to use gradual dynamics
- Perform 4 major scales and 3 minor scales suitable for the level
- Play using staccato in one hand and legato in the other
- Develop technical exercises to deal with a number of technical problems.

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

Students should have completed City Lit Piano/keyboards 2 or have equivalent experience as this course draws on material of an approximate Grade 2/3 standard. You need to be able 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 3B’.
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.