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A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.
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.
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.
This course is the second step in our beginners piano programme. The aim of the course is to move beyond playing pieces which are always in ‘C position’ (i.e. hand position based on middle-C). You will increase fluency at navigating the keyboard, develop your hand/eye coordination and your ability to recognise patterns and shapes in simple melodies.
You will focus on playing hands together, and extending beyond 5-finger patterns to explore a wider range of the keyboard. You will also develop your aural and keyboard skills to increase your fluency of playing and understanding of music, and develop your ability to evaluate music and recognise mistakes as an aid to effective practise. You need access to a full-sized keyboard or piano for practice (and lessons if choosing the online option). This course continues to Piano/keyboards 1C.
What will we cover?
- Moving beyond ‘C position’ to ‘G position’ - Sharps and flats (accidentals) - Playing a melody with simple chord accompaniment - Increased fluency of reading at sight, and playing without looking at your fingers - Reading and applying shapes and patterns at the keyboard - Simple scale and chord patterns - Reading and applying simple time signatures and common rhythmic patterns - Aural skills, especially identifying and correcting mistakes in playing.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Co-ordinate hands to combine melodies with simple chords - Read music within 2 octaves - Perform a complete piece with confidence from the course repertoire - Aural skills: remember and perform melodies or rhythms played by tutor of up to 2 bars in length.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1A’, or equivalent (approximately 3 months' tuition). You must be able to play simple melodies with chord textures in major keys (hands together), follow basic rhythms, and read music notation in bass and treble clefs. You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
If you already have experience of playing piano and reading music, and are not sure about your level, you can download our: preparation piece for piano/Keyboards 1B . If you can play this piece confidently (with two weeks’ practice) then this class is the right level for you. We also recommend you study this music ready for the start of your class as it addresses many of the points already covered in the previous piano class. 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 minutes, 4-5 times per week.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
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).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to ‘Piano/keyboards 1C’ Please note: we have multiple courses at different times throughout the week. You may wish to support your learning through a focus on reading, writing and hearing music and musical patterns. 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.
Cheslav has performed internationally as a pianist at renowned venues, on radio and television in many different contexts, playing everything from Beethoven to free jazz. Since 2011, he has been actively involved in contemporary classical music, having co- founded the audiovisual group a=b=x=y. As s composer he has written in genres ranging from solo pieces to works for symphony orchestra. He is also the co-founder of Our 'PL'ace Foundation, through which, among other activities, he co-curates an annual International Audiovisual Art Festival. As an educator, he is the author of two academic courses on music appreciation, based on the methodology set out by Dr Craig White of Yale University. Cheslav remains active in searching for extended playing techniques on the border between acoustic and electronic music, plays the organ, has a keen interest in tuning systems and is an active student and researcher of Gurba¯n?i¯ San?gi¯ta, having had the immense fortune of being able to work with and for its foremost exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh since 2013.
Lucia Sanchez de HaroSee moreSee less
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Polly HewettSee moreSee less
Polly is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer, musical director and conductor who has been an adult education tutor since 2009. She enjoys the challenge and exchange of ideas and energy that adult education provides-both as a tutor and as a student. Polly's work also includes live performances and session work in many genres and venues in London and the South East, e.g. playing cello with Clerkenwell String Quartet, piano for Associated Board exams, singing at weddings and parties, and playing in orchestras and ensembles. As a cellist she has appeared on BBC TV's Top of the Pop and on a number of albums. She has also played in lots of pop bands and, after attending a City Lit jazz piano course, she started playing jazz and blues piano too. Polly composes music for radio, for theatre productions and library music for BBC Radio 3, 4 and the World Service and for television around the world. Her study to PhD level at Goldsmiths College opened up the world of Dada and John Cage and conceptual and performance art. Consequently she has sung Dada masterpieces such as "Ursonata" as well as her own compositions at contemporary music festivals such as The Brighton Festival.
Ana Claudia MagalhaesSee moreSee less
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.
Jonathan WilsonSee moreSee less
Jonathan Wilson BMus MMus studied Piano Performance and Electroacoustic Composition at Goldsmiths College, University of London under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed musicians such as John Tilbury, Alexander Ivashkin, and Colin Lawson (currently director, Royal College of Music). During this period he won 1st place at the Blackheath Music Festival in the Piano category, and has had his pieces performed at the Saatchi Gallery, London. Jonathan is a multi-instrumentalist and is equally proficient in playing electric guitar and drums; as a regular live performer and accomplished session musician he has toured with major label recording artists and performed at prestigious venues such as Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Latitude Festival and the Royal Festival Hall. He is currently an in-demand tutor who teaches both privately and at a number of educational establishments across London.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/piano-keyboards-1b174979Piano/keyboards 1Bhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Piano/keyboards classes22851314135113601228513141351A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course is the second step in our beginners piano programme.<br />
The aim of the course is to move beyond playing pieces which are always in ‘C position’ (i.e. hand position based on middle-C). You will increase fluency at navigating the keyboard, develop your hand/eye coordination and your ability to recognise patterns and shapes in simple melodies. <br />
<br />
You will focus on playing hands together, and extending beyond 5-finger patterns to explore a wider range of the keyboard. You will also develop your aural and keyboard skills to increase your fluency of playing and understanding of music, and develop your ability to evaluate music and recognise mistakes as an aid to effective practise.<br />
This course is taught with a maximum of 15 per class. You will need access to a keyboard or piano to contribute to and practise between sessions.<br />
<br />
<br />
You will focus on playing hands together, and extending beyond 5-finger patterns to explore a wider range of the keyboard. You will also develop your aural and keyboard skills to increase your fluency of playing and understanding of music, and develop your ability to evaluate music and recognise mistakes as an aid to effective practise.<br />
<br />
This course is taught in the digital piano classroom with a maximum of 15 per class. You will need access to a keyboard or piano outside class to practise between sessions. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- 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.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>74.91183033Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_79.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2025-09-16T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceSep 2025Performing artsME200B249249Piano/keyboards 1B199174249Lucia Sanchez de Haropiano-keyboards-1b/me200b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2025-09-16 00:00:00virtual1183216Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_78.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2025-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceSep 2025Performing artsME224B249249Piano/keyboards 1B249174249Cheslav Singhpiano-keyboards-1b/me224b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2025-09-15 00:00:00virtual1183240Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_80.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2025-09-17T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceSep 2025Performing artsME230B249249Piano/keyboards 1B199174249Polly Hewettpiano-keyboards-1b/me230b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2025-09-17 00:00:00virtual2666853Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_81.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekend2025-09-20T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceSep 2025Performing artsME206B249249Piano/keyboards 1B249174249Ana Claudia Magalhaespiano-keyboards-1b/me206b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2025-09-20 00:00:00virtual2672757Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_83.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Performing artsME201B249249Piano/keyboards 1B249174249piano-keyboards-1b/me201b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00virtual2672763Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_84.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Performing artsME202B249249Piano/keyboards 1B199174249Ana Claudia Magalhaespiano-keyboards-1b/me202b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00virtual2672778Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_85.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-14T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Performing artsME207B249249Piano/keyboards 1B199174249Ana Claudia Magalhaespiano-keyboards-1b/me207b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2026-01-14 00:00:00virtual2672784Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_86.jpgInStockDaytimeThuOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Performing artsME209B249249Piano/keyboards 1B249174249piano-keyboards-1b/me209b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.0000-Available|2026-01-15 00:00:00virtual2672790Piano/keyboards 1B249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/1/_/1_1_29_82.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Performing artsME223B249249Piano/keyboards 1B249174249Jonathan Wilsonpiano-keyboards-1b/me223b-2526A near-beginners’ course for pianists. 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