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Beginning Steps to Piano - Group Piano for Ages 8 - 11

This is a 4 lesson course where students will learn the basics of the piano/keyboard. Each lesson we will learn a new song; students will walk away feeling successful every time. Access to an electric or acoustic piano is required.
Class

What's included

4 live meetings
2 in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. Students will be asked to practice their songs outside of class, so they are prepared for next week to move on to a new concept and song. They should expect to practice for approximately 10 minutes a day, three days a week.

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 5
Beginner Level
This is a four-week-long series designed to teach young learners about how the piano keyboard is laid out, learn simple songs, and provide a foundation for further instruction. In each lesson students will learn about and revisit the following topics: low and high on the piano; good posture at the piano; how to position their hands and arms when playing; and finger numbers. All of these concepts will be wrapped into a song each lesson. 

Week one: introduction to the piano. 
Learn about low and high notes
Play groups of two black keys
Play groups of three black keys
Learn finger numbers for piano
Start learning Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Both songs will be taught with the following sequence:
- Sing song
- Learn finger numbers
- Sing finger numbers
- Read the notation of finger numbers
Individual practice time in breakout rooms for Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb
Come back together to share
Play a game if time

Week two: 
Review low and high notes
Review finger numbers
Ask if anyone wants to share what they practiced from last week
Start learning Old MacDonald with the same sequence as before.
Individual practice time in breakout rooms for Old MacDonald
Come back together to share
Play a game if time

Week three: 
Ask if anyone wants to share what they practiced from last week
Learn the names of the white keys on piano
Play Hot Cross Buns on E, D, C
Play Mary Had a Little Lamb on E, D, C
Individual work time to write their own song using E, D, C
Come back together to share
Play a game if time

Week four:
Ask if anyone wants to share what they practiced from last week
Review white keys on the piano
Start learning Jingle Bells with the same sequence as before
Individual practice time in breakout rooms for Old MacDonald
Come back together to share
Play a game if time


Songs will be taught using visual aids, singing, and spoken repetition. The songs will be learned on black keys so students do not have to read music yet. My goal is for my students to be able to focus on their posture, hand position, and finger numbers, and most importantly to feel successful in their beginning piano experiences. 

There will be time for students to practice individually during the lesson and for me to listen to each student on their own so I can monitor progress and suggest improvements. 

Each class period will begin and end with students sharing (if they want) what they learned during our time together. I make it my goal to foster a friendly learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their successes, big or small but also feel comfortable choosing not to share. Depending on the amount of time at the end of class, we will end class with a listening game.

Syllabus

4 Lessons
over 4 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Finger Numbers and Black Keys
 This lesson will introduce students to way we assign numbers to our fingers on the piano, how to identify groups of two and three black keys, and how to play a short song on the black keys (Hot Cross Buns). 
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Quarter and Half Notes
 This lesson will review finger numbers, identifying black keys, and the song we learned last week. Students will be invited to share what they practiced from the last session. In this lesson we will read notation in quarter and half notes, learn how to count them, and play a new song (Mary Had a Little Lamb) written in standard rhythm notation. 
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Hands Together
 This lesson will begin with students sharing what they practiced from the last session. We will read some rhythm exercises. In this lesson, we will use the song "Old MacDonald" to try putting our hands together for the first time. 
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Composition
 This lesson will include a review of Old MacDonald and learning the last section of the song. Students will try reading the whole song written with standard rhythm notation. We will end class with composing our own songs and sharing them with the class. 
30 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Supply List
Electric or acoustic piano.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined February, 2024
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
South Carolina Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Hi students! My name is Ms. Baut, I teach Music and English and I am so excited to spend time with you. I've been teaching piano lessons for over 10 years, and this is my fifth year as a public school educator. So far I have had the opportunity to teach in Cincinnati, Ohio; Carmagnola, Italy; Olivia, Minnesota; Brighton, Michigan; Campamento, Honduras; and Garden City, South Carolina. My favorite part of teaching is meeting new people and sharing ideas. I always learn something new from my students! I hope we can share our music and languages soon!

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Live Group Class
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$8

weekly or $32 for 4 classes
1x per week, 4 weeks
30 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 8-11
4-7 learners per class

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