Piano/keyboards 4B
Can you play grade 2 standard pieces? Improve your hand coordination, musical phrasing, reading and technique, and improve your confidence in this second term of level 3.
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: 13 Jan 2026End Date: 24 Mar 2026Tue (Daytime): 15:45 - 17:15In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: ME285BTutors: Edward HendersonFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00
- Start Date: 15 Jan 2026End Date: 26 Mar 2026Thu (Evening): 18:00 - 19:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: ME212BTutors: David FrankelFull fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £167.00
- Start Date: 16 Jan 2026End Date: 27 Mar 2026Fri (Daytime): 09:45 - 11:15In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: ME213BTutors: Jonathan WilsonFull fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £167.00
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?
Achieve greater confidence in co-ordination of hands, rhythmical work and a range of dynamics. Improve your musicianship, keyboard harmony skills and aural awareness. You will extend your theoretical knowledge in order to fully understand the pieces you are playing.
You need access to a full-sized keyboard or piano for lessons and practice.
This course continues to Piano/keyboards 3C.
What will we cover?
- Developing dynamic range
- Developing co-ordination skills in variety of articulations i.e. play one hand legato and one staccato.
- Technical problems, style and performance skills will be discussed
- Develop practice strategies.
- Level 3 course repertoire will work from grade 2 towards an approximate grade 3 standard (over the course of the year)
- Scales (over the year): C, G, F, D and A majors and A, E, D and B minors (harmonic and melodic, 2 octave hands together).
- Arpeggios in the same keys (2 octaves, hands separately).
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Perform at least 3 pieces on the piano from the class repertoire
- Be able to use gradual dynamics
- Perform 4 major scales and 3 minor scales suitable for the level
- Play using staccato in one hand and legato in the other
- Develop technical exercises to deal with a number of technical problems.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students should have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 3A’ or have equivalent experience as this course draws on material of an approximate Grade 2/3 standard. You will need 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?
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?
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).
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). A notebook and pencil are also useful.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to ‘Piano/keyboards 3C’.
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.
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.