Piano/keyboards 2A

What is the course about?

This third year of our piano programme uses repertoire of a grade 1 standard and moves towards new grade 2 work over the course of three terms. You will achieve greater confidence, fluency and control of the keyboard. You will also improve general musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness, as well as extending your theoretical knowledge.
You need access to a full-sized keyboard or piano for lessons and practice.
This course continues with Piano/keyboards 2B.

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 can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

Level 2 course repertoire will work towards an approximate grade 2 standard over the year. The choice of repertoire will be discussed at the first meeting (you will be asked to purchase your own music)
- Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed
- There may be some opportunity to play duets and ensemble exercises
- Devise and master technical exercises, harmonise simple melodies, and sight-read
- Developing greater co-ordination between hands, rhythm/pulse and establishing reliable dynamic control
- Chord inversions plus chord VI.
- Scales (over the whole year): C, G, F and D majors and A, E and D minors (harmonic and melodic, one octave hands together, two octaves hands separately).
- Arpeggios in the same keys (1 octave hands separately).

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Play and recognise I, IV and V chords in major and minor keys
- Play 3 major and 1 minor scales and arpeggios 1 octave hands separately
- Play and recognise different 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 reliable co-ordination and fluency.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Students need to be able to play a grade 1 standard piece, or have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1F’, as this course works towards material of an approximate grade 2 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?

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 20-30 minutes, 4-5 times per week.

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).

(Autumn 2021) Please source your own copies of:
- Piano grade 1 pieces 21-22 from the ABRSM
- Piano Grade 2 pieces 21-22 from the ABRSM
- Alfred's Greatest Hits 1 [external website]
- Big Book of Beginners Piano Classics (Bergerac) [external website].

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

This course leads to ‘Piano/keyboards level 2B’.
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.