Piano/keyboards 1F
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: ME215F
Duration: 12 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course continues from ‘Piano/keyboards 1E’ and continues to develop greater fluency at the keyboard, with music notation and keyboard harmony. It also explores rhythmic vocabulary and dynamic contrasts using ABRSM Grade 1 standard repertoire. You will extend your knowledge of major and minor keys.
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?
- Extended work on rhythmical patterns
- Development of legato technique
- Development of finger staccato
- Theoretical and practical of understanding of major and minor keys in pieces and studies
- Harmonisation of simple melodies
- Aural skills: develop your keyboard harmony skills alongside playing and theoretical work
- Understanding different chord positions (inversions).
- Level 1 course repertoire will work towards an approximate grade 1 standard.
- Scales (over the year): C, G and F majors and A minor (harmonic and melodic, one octave).
- Arpeggios in the same keys as scales (1 octave hands separately).
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Play and recognise basic chords I, IV and V chords
- Play 3 major and 1 minor scales and arpeggios, 1 octave hands separately
- Play and recognise forte and piano dynamics
- Play with finger staccato
- Play melodic lines with reliable legato technique
- Play rhythms with quavers
- Play simple tunes hands together with confident co-ordination and fluency.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students need to have been playing for over a year or have completed Piano/keyboards 1E and you will need 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 1F .. If you can play this piece easily (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?
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 Zoom to meet for classes and GOOGLE CLASSROOM to share messages, documents, audio and video files and for you to submit any homework tasks.
Your tutor will teach though a variety of techniques:
- tutor explanation and demonstration via webcam
- short revision videos and audio files
- worksheets
- group playing and individual demonstration tasks
Sessions will also include aural skills and theoretical study. 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).
Course book for this term: Core Classics grades 1-2 from the ABRSM.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to ‘Piano/keyboards 2A’.
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.
Elli is a classically trained pianist and piano tutor from Greece, based in London. She holds an MA in Piano Performance and the LRAM piano teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Music, a Bachelor's degree in Musicology from the University of Athens and degrees in Advanced Music Theory (Counterpoint and Fugue). She has performed professionally as a solo pianist and as part of ensembles and orchestras in the UK, USA and many European countries. Her concerts have included lectured recitals, all-Chopin recitals and all-Bach recitals. Elli is passionate about education and believes that music should be taught and enjoyed at any age. She has been teaching piano and music theory to students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced, in various schools in London for the past 10 years. She has also given piano masterclasses in Greece and in the USA.
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.
