Piano/keyboards: intermediate
reading, aural skills and playing confidence.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 18 Sep 2025End Date: 04 Dec 2025Thu (Daytime): 12:15 - 14:15In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)Course Code: ME228ATutors: David FrankelFull fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £223.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Consolidate your skills at a grade 5 standard and gain experience by playing in front of others. Achieve greater confidence in hand co-ordination, rhythmical work and tonal 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.
What will we cover?
- Developing dynamic/tonal range
- Increasing co-ordination skills in a variety of articulations
- Technique, style and performance skills will be discussed
- Developing a practice routine and strategies for effective practice
- Course repertoire will be of a grade 5 standard and above
- Scales and Arpeggios.
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 produce a good quality of tone and convincing dynamic range
- Play a variety of scales and arpeggios fluently
- Play using a variety of articulation/touches.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students should have completed a City Lit Piano/keyboard 4 class or its equivalent as this course draws on material of Grade 5+ 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?
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 30-60 minutes, 4-5 times per week.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should have access to a full-size digital or acoustic 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].
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course comprises of three terms spread across the academic year, after which you may continue to ‘Piano workshop 6’, or you may repeat the course to gain more experience at the same level.
City Lit offers a wide range of piano classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano
classes, please take a moment to read our Piano Department page,
href="http://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit " target="_blank"> Piano at City Lit which
lists our full sequence of piano classes.
Early signs of musical activity indicated David’s future path, and after taking grades on both piano and viola, he obtained a first-class honours degree in music at Leeds University, studying both instruments. He subsequently completed a postgraduate jazz course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying piano with Simon Purcell, where he obtained an LGSM. He obtained an MMus in composition with Merit at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, with support from the Trinity College London scholarship, studying with Deirdre Gribbin, Gwyn Pritchard and Paul Newland. David is passionate about teaching, and teaches adult piano students at City Lit, as well as piano to individuals in his private practice and to young learners for Richmond Music Trust. He also performs from time to time as a jazz and classical pianist and undertakes practical music examining work for ABRSM jazz and classical syllabuses both in the UK and abroad. David also enjoys playing chamber music on viola.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
