Piano/keyboards 3C

What is the course about?

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 being studied. You need access to a full-sized keyboard or piano for lessons and practice.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

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
- Level 3 course repertoire transitions from grade 2 towards an approx grade 3 standard (over the course of the three modules)
- Scales (over the course of Level 3 modules): C, G, F, D, 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 a City Lit piano/keyboard 3 class or have equivalent experience as this course draws on material of an approximate Grade 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?

Depending on your experience, after completing Piano/keyboards 3C, you can continue with Piano/keyboards 4, which will offer increased emphasis on playing in front of others whilst consolidating your new grade 3 standard skills, or you may wish to move directly to a Level 3 piano workshop. For workshop classes you need to be able to prepare your grade 3 standard pieces independently, in advance. Your tutor will advise you further.
You may also like to support your piano playing with one of our musicianship courses to boost your music-reading and listening skills. For more details please visit our blog: Musicianship and music theory at City lit which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.