Piano workshop 6
Choose a start date
- Course Code: ME234C
- Dates: 26/04/24 - 12/07/24
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Gary Preston
Course Code: ME234C
Choose a start date
Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
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?
Acquire a more solid technique and explore a wider repertoire at approximately grade 6 standard. Emphasis will be given to improving legato playing, quality of tone, tonal balance between hands as well as between voices in one hand. A regular practise routine is essential to develop at this level.
*There may be other classes at this same level taught by different tutors: please check the drop-down menu for other course dates/times
**If you are unsure which course is best for you, please contact the music department (music@citylit.ac.uk) where our teachers will help you select a class at the right level.
What will we cover?
Repertoire will include pieces and of studies at an approximate grade 6 standard (directed by the tutor)
- You may also include a piece of your own choice in agreement with your tutor.
- Technical problems, style, and performance skills will be discussed.
- Scales: all major scales from level 5 plus Aflat and Dflat and A, B, C, D, E, F, and G minors (harmonic & melodic, 3 octaves, hands together)
- Arpeggios in the same keys (2 octaves, hands together).
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Perform contrasting hand movements with a variety of articulation.
- Make informed pedalling decisions
- Decipher ornaments and implement them smoothly
- Maintain the same pulse with a change of note value
- Recognise sequences
- Be able to voice chords
- demonstrate your understanding of texture.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
For this workshop you must be ready to study repertoire at a grade 6 standard.
You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
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.
- Classes are taught through tutor explanation and demonstration, and playing/listening workshop style.
- Sessions may also include aural skills, musicianship and theoretical study where applicable.
- A regular practice routine is essential to progress on this course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should have access to a piano (acoustic or digital) for practice between classes and budget approximately £15 per term for scores. Music may be purchased new or second-hand. Suitable scores may also be available from IMSLP
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 2022-2023 [external website].
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course comprises of three terms spread across the academic year, after which you may continue to Piano workshop 7, or you may repeat this course to gain more experience.
Please note: we may 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.
Gary Preston began piano lessons aged 11 in South Wales and went on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the Royal Academy of Music. He has given many solo recitals around the country. Venues include the Purcell Room, London and City Lit. He has also performed Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with orchestra. After playing piano in a production of Aspects of Love, Gary went on to play keyboards in Cats and Mamma Mia! in the West End. He also acted as musical director, conducting shows such as Oklahoma!, Annie get Your Gun, and Oliver!. For over ten years, he played jazz at various social functions around the country. Gary has been teaching for over thirty years, working at the Centre for Young Musicians, various schools in Croydon, and at City Lit since 1999. Several of his students have gone on to study music at university level. Gary believes that learning to listen and play by ear is an important part of one’s musical development. Gary holds a BA in music, an ARCM performer's diploma and an LRAM teacher's diploma. He practises yoga and is a qualified yoga teacher.
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.