Beginning Piano Lessons: Music Moves for Piano, Book 1, Semester 2 of 2
Following the first semester of studies, this semester class covers approximately the last half of the method book, Music Moves for Piano, a primer-level keyboard studies class.
Heather Kirkconnell
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What's included
13 live meetings
5 hrs 25 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. 15-25 minutes of practice, 5-7 days a week is necessary for successful completion of this class. Every song assigned to practice will have a practice video in the classroom to help learners gain confidence and practice for success. Learners should plan to upload videos of their at-home practicing for help, support, and accountability.Assessment
Assessment is done through what a learner posts online of their practice and what they play in class. I will always give constructive feedback focusing on strengths and offering next level suggestions to encourage learners to continue and to go farther in what they've done.Class Experience
This is the second class teaching beginner piano and keyboard students from the method book, Music Moves for Piano, Book 1. Using the Music Learning Theory research of Edwin Gordon and the adaptation of those ideas to the piano by Marilyn Lowe, this method introduces students to the fundamentals of musicianship and music study that will be applicable in whatever direction the learner chooses to take their future musical studies. This is a primarily audiation-based method, with musical reading and writing flowing naturally out of a strong foundation of listening and internalizing music. Each week we will move, sing, clap and move to rhythms, play music-skills based games, and learn to hear music as well as play. Improvisation and rote learning are taught from the beginning. Each month will focus on a specific aspect of music study: note names, healthy technique, accurate rhythm, improvisation, etc. Each week, we begin with moving, feeling, and singing rhythm and tonal patterns to prepare for and reinforce the learning happening in our assigned repertoire. We will explore and improvise at the piano, and play keyboard games to reinforce learning and creation at the keyboard. Students should expect to practice one or two songs every week, and upload a video of their practice. Class recordings will be posted weekly when they have processed, and practice videos will be posted in the classroom to support learners as they learn their assigned songs. Our semester will follow this plan: Week 1 Unit 10 review/Big Ben and Tonic/Dominant Patterns in G Week 2 Unit 11 Week 3 Unit 12 Week 4 Unit 13/14 /Review of Major Tonic/Dominant patterns, When DO is F Week 5 Unit 15 Week 6 Unit 16 Week 7 Students' Choice/Flexible week, where we will review, perform, and have a little one-on-one attention Week 8 Unit 17, C Major Scale, Tonic Dominant Patterns in Major, Introduce Harmonic Minor p 46-47, Improvisation, transposition and performance week (no new songs, review day!) Week 9 Unit 18 Week 10 Unit 19 Week 11 Unit 20, Springtime 1 and Springtime 2, melody only Week 12 Add accompaniment to Springtime 1 Week 13 Review, Improvisation, Performance, and Graduation Week Following completion of this course, learners will be ready for Music Moves for Piano, Book 2.
Learning Goals
Performing music in duple and triple meter confidently on and off the bench
Confidence with beginner level piano/keyboard technique
Begin playing in five-finger hand positions with healthy keyboard technique, prepared to begin playing two hands together with melody/accompaniment songs (introduced in Book 2, the following course).
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students may need adult assistance to view and upload practice videos. They can usually follow the keyboard assignments by this point but having an adult on standby may be helpful especially in the first lessons.
An at-keyboard view of the learner is very important, as it will help me assess their technique and troubleshoot any problems while learning the song. Please ensure that Zoom audio settings allow you to "use original sound," as otherwise Zoom may filter out music as background noise, interfering in our enjoyment of your learner's performance.
Supply List
The same as Part 1 of 2: Students need a weighted or touch-sensitive keyboard of at least 62 keys or a piano. Proper piano technique and positioning is important, so an adjustable bench is necessary. Required curriculum is from the Music Moves for Piano course, book 1, available at MusicMovesforPiano.com, 19.95$
Language of Instruction
English
Joined November, 2020
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278reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor's Degree in Music 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
$225
for 13 classes1x per week, 13 weeks
25 min
Completed by 19 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-11
2-5 learners per class
