Beginner Piano Small Group
This class is an introductory course to playing the piano. By combining note reading, ear training, and rhythmic practice, I will equip the young piano student for continued practice and interest on this most valuable musical instrument.
Mr. Darrell
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(235)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. 1-2 throughout the classClass Experience
Beginner Level
Welcome! This beginner level class is a result of many requests I've received over the years to engage students in their study of what I think is the single most important musical instrument for children: the piano. This is only an introductory beginner class. If you wish to find private lessons that are ongoing, please contact me through Outschool's messaging function. In this class, I will take students through the very beginning of the basic skills they need to get started on piano. We'll cover hand position, sitting position, finger numbers, understanding how the piano is laid out visually, basic quarter note and half note rhythms, and process-oriented practicing. In the middle C position--both thumbs on middle C, we'll learn up to 5 notes on the right hand and a couple notes in the left hand. I will be teaching from a method book called Bastien Piano Basics: Piano For the Young Beginner, Primer A. I will also incorporate some of my own ear training exercises for some of our warmups. I will have students playing along with me as we go through every part of the song. As we progress, students will play aloud so I can hear/see how they are interpreting the material and give them the necessary guidance. All of our classes will be highly interactive.
Learning Goals
SWBAT perform simple melodies on the piano using the proper technique.SWBAT read and perform quarter and half note rhythms.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Getting Started
During this lesson, we will set up cameras and ensure good sound quality from all students. The lesson is mainly about good hand, sitting, and posture technique and fundamentals--finger numbers, low and high, and basic rhythms. We will play and be expected to practice a few songs using only black keys. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Middle C, and D and E
The second lesson will introduce the white keys C, D, and E. We'll begin to interpret the up and down nature of a melodic line with notes labeled by their letter (C, D, or E). We'll learn a few songs that incorporate those notes. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
A and B in the Left Hand
The third lesson introduces two notes on the left hand, A, and B below middle C. We'll explore--through simple melodies--that songs which center around the note A sound darker because they are minor. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Mary Had A Little Lamb
Our last lesson will introduce F and G in the right hand which will allow the student to access all notes in the song "Mary Had A Little Lamb." We will learn to play this song as our final piece of repertoire. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Learners must have their own keyboard or piano, and a set-up that allows me to see their hands while they play. An extra camera is not necessary, but the camera they use to be seen in class must be properly situated. Students are not required to have the book that I am using, as all of the material will be made available to them through the classroom. But the book is also very inexpensive and may be a good resource if you plan to continue your child's piano education beyond this class.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2020
5.0
235reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Teaching Certificates
Maine Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Berklee College of Music
Associate's Degree in Education from Bridgewater State University
Hello! I am a professional music educator and farmer living in Maine with my wife and three small children in the forest. After a long span of touring as a professional musician, I most recently spent several years as a music teacher in a diverse urban public school before transitioning my teaching online due to circumstances surrounding the pandemic. I now teach remote music classes exclusively, right here on Outschool! I am thrilled to serve students in a larger online network, through active and creative music education.
In nearly all of my general music classes, I help students cultivate or deepen fundamental musical skills that I believe we all need: perceiving and keeping the beat, moving meaningfully to music, and singing various song forms. Additionally, I expose my students to a wide range of culture through an authentic and diverse repertoire, including traditional, folk, and modern music from America and throughout the globe. Another critical component of my classes is active music-making with voice, percussion, and instrumentals. My classes range from learning construction vocabulary through song for preschoolers, to digital music production for savvy teenagers, to advanced improvisation for music scholars.
I am also an experienced composer and performer. I often take songs requested by students and transcribe the music so we can learn it together; I love a good transcription challenge. And, if I can't find a song that meets the needs or interests of my students, I'll write one for them! Classes, too!
I look forward to learning with you.Reviews
Live Group Class
$4
weekly or $14 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-9
2-6 learners per class
