Piano/keyboards: revision for levels 1 and 2
Study pieces from the current Grade 2 piano syllabus. Learn the required scales and try some aural tests. An ideal way to boost your learning over the summer.
Tutor: Ana Claudia Magalhaes.
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: 22 Jul 2025End Date: 31 Jul 2025Tue+Thu (Evening): 19:00 - 21:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 4 sessions (over -2 weeks)Course Code: ME946Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesFull fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £76.00
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?
This course offers an opportunity to consolidate your piano learning at a Grade 2 standard through study of selected pieces from the current ABRSM exam syllabus. There will be a focus on learning two contrasting pieces whilst maintaining good practice of scales and arpeggios, musicianship skills and sight-reading. Please bring your own copy of the music (see section below). Tutor: Ana Claudia Magalhaes.
What will we cover?
- Study of two contrasting pieces from the current ABRSM exam syllabus
- Legato technique
- Aural training with special attention to recognition of features such as dynamics as well as rhythm patterns.
- Sight-reading skills, developing the ability to identify patterns and continuity.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand clearly the requirements of a grade 2 examination
- Identify and begin learning two pieces in contrasting styles
- Play with better legato and staccato technique
- Develop your musicianship so that you can identify time signatures by ear
- Demonstrate more accurate musical listening due to the work on aural training
- Consolidate your scale and arpeggio playing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students need to have been playing for at least two years and/or completed Piano/keyboards 1 and at least one module of Piano/keyboards 2 meaning that you are ready to approach music of ABRSM Grade 2 standard.
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.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Group work, playing together in parts or in unison, playing solo in front of the class (optional)
- Private study on digital pianos while using headphones (provided)
- Tutor demonstration with question & answer, and discussion sessions
- Practical session with aural and theoretical tasks (clapping rhythms, identifying major/minor sounds by ear)
- Students should practise a minimum of 30 minutes a day between classes.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You need access to a piano/keyboard between classes for practice (acoustic or digital piano).
For this course there are music books which you are asked to buy and bring to class. Please buy your own copy of: Piano Exam Pieces 2019 & 2020, ABRSM Grade 2 [external website].
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to Piano/keyboards 3: module 1 or Piano: transition to workshop A in September (multiple dates available). Your tutor will advise you.
You may also be interested in courses from our wide range of practical musicianship and music theory offerings. 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.
Ana Claudia Magalhaes is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has a degree in Music (main instrument Piano) at the School of Music of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She also attended for many years, the piano class of Gloria Maria da Fonseca Costa, a former pupil of Alexander Siloti. Gloria Maria was a major influence and inspiration in Ana's piano studies. Ana came to London in 1996, where she took the Post Graduate and MA degree in Music Teaching at the Professional Practice at the University of Reading. She has a passion for teaching, individually and in groups, from beginners to advanced, children and adults and she enjoys adapting her teaching according to the main needs of her students/classes. Although her main Musical Education was Classical, Ana has also developed the ability to improvise and play by ear since her teens when playing in bands with her youth friends and she thinks this freedom was very important for her formation as a musician. Ana plays solo but she also enjoys mainly playing chamber music, accompanied by other people. She has combined teaching and performing since she lived in Brazil.
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.
