Piano taster
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: 30 Jul 2025End Date: 30 Jul 2025Wed (Daytime): 14:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £20.00
- Start Date: 30 Jul 2025End Date: 30 Jul 2025Wed (Evening): 18:15 - 20:15In PersonFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £20.00
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 short course is designed to give you a brief introduction to what learning piano is all about. It is designed for absolute beginners with no previous experience of playing piano or reading music notation.
What will we cover?
- Names and patterns of the keys.
- Simple rhythm values.
- Finger numbers and movements.
- Simple alphabet notation (C, D, E, F G).
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Know names of the keys on the piano.
- Play a simple tune with one hand.
- Show some knowledge of simple rhythm values.
- Understand basic notation.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for absolute beginners in both playing and reading music, it is not suitable for those who have had piano lessons in the past. If you are not a complete beginner, please email music@citylit.ac.uk for advice on which course would be most suitable for you.
You need to be able to listen to and follow instructions in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through playing in a group, tutor demonstration and explanation. Each student uses their own digital piano.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no extra costs. There is no need to bring anything to the course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Our Piano taster classes aim to give you an introduction to learning the piano at City lit.
If you enjoyed this course you may like to join our regular piano programme, for absolute beginners beginning with. Piano/keyboards 1A starting in September. NB: there are multiple dates available for these courses so use the drop-down list on the right hand side of the screen where it says ‘please choose a course date’ to see all available options.
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.
