A Very Merry Piano Christmas Class, Older Beginners
A three-week introduction to piano using fun songs of the season for beginners of various backgrounds and levels
Heather Kirkconnell
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(295)
Star Educator
What's included
3 live meetings
1 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
This is an introductory piano class teaching (or reviewing) some basics about music and piano study using secular Christmas songs as the repertory to be learned. Beginning piano students will move to a steady beat, practice rhythmic and tonal music patterns, and learn a few level-appropriate songs with options provided to accommodate a variety of experience levels, from new students through intermediate beginners at the piano. Depending on the level and experience of the group, more songs or easier songs may be studied as well, giving students a say in what they do with their time and accommodating a wider range of backgrounds. Session 1: Music patterns in 2, C major scale and solfege, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas Session 2: Music patterns in 3, A minor scale and solfege, Continue reviewing last week's songs and start Carol of the Bells Session 3: Concert and Christmas Party! We'll finish up learning and reviewing the songs for this class, improvise some holiday music, and have fun celebrating our accomplishments!
Learning Goals
-Solfege in do-based major and la-based minor
-A healthy piano position and beginner friendly five-finger piano position
-Creativity and improvisation at the keyboard
-A few level-friendly Christmas songs from secular/cultural Christmas repertory
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students may need help remembering to practice in order to get the full benefit of this class. Practice videos will be posted in the classroom of the songs we're working on to help guide new pianists through practicing piano.
Supply List
A piano or keyboard with (preferably) 60 keys, or 5 octaves. A weighted keyboard with pedals is preferred. A starter digital keyboard of at least one octave is the minimum requirement, although I encourage beginners to consider upgrading soon after beginning studies in such cases.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Jingle Bells
Carol of the Bells
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Other secular Christmas songs may be learned, depending on the level and interests of the group: Over the River and Through the Woods, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Joined November, 2020
5.0
295reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Music from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor’s of Music in Performance, Oberlin Conservatory, USA
Diplôme de Perfectionnement, Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Versailles, France
15+ years working, performing, and teaching piano, general music, choir, and organ all over the world
As a professional musician and a mom, I put a high value on exposing children to music in fun, uplifting, and creative ways. I particularly enjoy introducing music in ways that support and affirm a student's own innate musical understanding, and help bring that out from the start. I believe in whole child education, understanding that a learner brings their whole self to the lesson, and that my role is to affirm and support their WHOLE self. My ACE Educator workshops focused on different ways to engage the whole child-whether cultural, emotional/SEL, neurodiversity, or other difference, I care about your learner having the best possible introduction to music.
My own musical training included studies overseas, where exposure to a different culture surrounding musical education broadened my own training and goals in teaching beginning students to play. Although I have an affinity for starting students off right as beginners, I have worked with music students of all ages and levels, and value the changing needs and goals when helping intermediate or advanced musicians grow and hone their skills. When I'm not making music and teaching, I'm probably knitting and designing unique knitwear and clothes to wear and gift :-) I also enjoy pottery, painting, and sewing, to name a few things.
Studio policies:
All my classes are currently autoposting recordings. If there's ever a safety reason for a recording to not be posted, you will not be able to view it. If you miss a class, you are encouraged to watch these recordings. I follow all of Outschool's policies regarding refunds and make-up classes.
If you are taking private classes with me, I will always wait at least 20 minutes before closing the section. I otherwise follow the same refund and absence policies as set forth by Outschool: students must be logged in by 10 minutes after the start of class. Given the nature of the classes I teach, I will not teach to an empty classroom, but practice videos will be available when the class listing calls for it.
Many parents are curious about where to start their learners. Here's a quick rundown/sample course of studies:
Younger beginners 3-5:
Ready for Piano->Introduction to Piano and Music Book A, Book B, Then begin Book 1
5-7 Year Olds: Start directly in Book B
Older beginners (8 and up): Beginning Piano Lessons, Book 1. For those who prefer an ongoing course offering, I now offer a class called Piano Level 1, where we cover some of the same materials in Beginning Piano Lessons, but with more abstract concepts of music theory and improvisation. It still includes a lot of fun games, however! :)Reviews
Live Group Class
$45
for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
25 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-7 learners per class
