What is the course about?
Consolidate your skills at a grade 3 standard and gain experience by playing in front of others. Achieve greater confidence in hand co-ordination, rhythmical work and a dynamic range. Improve your musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness. You will also develop your theoretical knowledge in order to fully understand the pieces you are playing. This course is taught in a friendly and supportive environment.
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 a variety of articulations i.e. play one hand legato and one staccato.
- Technique, style and performance skills will be discussed
- Developing a practice routine and strategies for effective practice.
- Course repertoire will be of an approximate grade 3 standard
- Scales: 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 as scales (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 3 major scales and 3 minor scales from the selection for this level
- Play using staccato in one hand and legato in the other
- Use 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 its equivalent as this course draws on material of 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
If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our blog: Choosing a piano class at City lit which lists our full sequence of piano classes. You could also drop in to one of our advice sessions where we can hear you play and help you choose the right course.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
For this online course you will need your own piano (or keyboard) with 88 full-sized keys, a copy of the course text-book (see below) and a computer or tablet with a webcam, microphone and reliable internet connection.
We use GOOGLE CLASSROOM to share messages, documents, audio and video files and for you to submit any homework tasks.
We use ZOOM (video software) to meet for weekly classes via webcam.
Your tutor will teach though a variety of techniques:
- tutor explanation and demonstration via webcam
- short revision videos and audio files (posted in Google Classroom)
- worksheets (posted in Google Classroom)
- group playing and individual demonstration tasks
Sessions will also include aural skills and theoretical study as appropriate.
To make good progress a regular practice routine is essential. We recommend 20-30 mins daily.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A notebook and pencil are useful for this class and 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).
Repertoire for this term is as follows -
Encore: book 2, Grades 3 and 4 from the ABRSM starting with the Ballade by Burgmüller on p. 20, and Dozen a day book 3 by Edna-Mae Burnham starting with page 22.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to: Piano/keyboards 4C
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.
