What's included
4 live meetings
2 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. While there is no "homework," per se, the students will make better progress if they regularly practice the lessons covered in class. This teacher emphatically rejects the traditional concept of requiring a strict practice regimen, which is not psychologically healthy, but instead tends to cause a negativity in attitude. Rather, the student is encouraged to help their own achievements by frequently playing through the materials learned in each lesson in order that they will be ready to go further in the next session. A practice chart with simple sticker rewards can be motivating as a visual display of earnest endeavors. Perhaps even timely other rewards can be fun, and could develop a positive attitude, in knowing that they are doing their part in their personal development. (extrinsic and intrinsic motivation)Assessment
The teacher will give honest feedback after the lesson, in a written memo, to let the parent know how things are going. It's also a good idea to ask the student to give their own assessment of their activities and progress. Listening to the output from the student's playing or demonstration of accumulated knowledge is also a great way to know. Finally, above everything else, is the way the student is feeling about the whole experience. Are they enthusiastic? Do they feel forced? Are they enjoying it? Those are the best indicators.Class Experience
The teacher will meet with the student privately, one-on-one, and will determine the course of study based on the experience and needs of the learner. If the parent has any special requests as to focus, or area of study, that will be foremost. In the case of players with some previous background of lessons in piano/keyboard, we will take up as a starting point where they have left off, and tailor the instruction to fit their current situation, also including the areas listed below in the curriculum. Assuming that the majority of learners here on this platform might well be beginners, then the curriculum is as follows: Keyboard* orientation, posture, hand-and-finger positions Notation: note reading, music terminology, rhythm practice Exercises for finger development, technique, and ear-and-eye training Scales and harmony (chords), inversions, arpeggio playing Repertoire: songs and compositions of various genre, classical, or popular, or sacred, composer biographies Composition and improvisation
Learning Goals
Students will learn to read and write music, understand rhythmic patterns, use good posture and technique, as well as know how harmony is structured, including scales and chords. These are the basic foundations in learning about all music. The learners will accumulate a repertoire based on their musical interests, a variety of songs and compositions from current popular repertoire and also famous classical composers' works.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Aloha! I'm "Teacher Leilani" in the classroom, just for fun, but my name is Leigh Johansen; that's the short form. It's actually Jane Leigh Johansen-Oishi, but what was I thinking there?
I have been around many blocks, having just retired in 2019 from public and private school teaching after 50 years. That is not a typo! But I'm young at heart, and still have a lot to give. I've been a church organist since I was 13 - and over those 57 years have been choir director (children, youth, adult, handbells) and cantor, as well as having taught Sunday School and VBS. I started being a neighborhood piano teacher when I was 17. In college I majored in Elementary Education, receiving a B.A. from Texas Lutheran University and a M.S. from St. John College, Cleveland, OH. I also claim an A.A. degree in Music from Pensacola State College. I home-schooled my four children at various times, volunteering with music in their classrooms when they were in schools. I have a slew of grandchildren now.
In 1991, as my eyesight entered my 40's, I began to color-code my organ music for the pedal lines. This turned into a radical game-changer when I realized that it carried over into piano teaching to astounding effect. Color-coding the notes, and using "solfege" as I taught for Yamaha Music System, made a remarkable combination in learning music, particularly in harmony and sight-reading! I created a little book, which my classes are built upon, and have been using it ever since.
I love children and delight in working with them. I know that it is my true calling, and I'm not done yet. I also teach ESL Online now to young students in China. Fun! Online is now much easier on me than being in a school, so I'm happy to be with Outschool. I hope to see you there sometime soon. Mahalo, and Aloha.
Reviews
Live Private Class
$30
weekly1x per week, 4 weeks
30 min
Completed by 41 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-12