Introduction to Piano Fundamentals: Self-Paced Course
In this on-demand video course, we will introduce your learner to the art of piano playing.
Phil Romo - Piano and Music Theory Instruction
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(810)
Popular
What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. We want to play a little bit of piano every day for the best results. 5-10 minutes a day should be sufficient.Assessment
Assessments are optional and can be done by sending a video of your performance to the instructor. The Instructor will review your video and give you encouragement as well as any relevant feedback if necessary.Class Experience
US Grade Kindergarten - 3
Beginner Level
In March of 2020, Phil Romo launched "Introduction to Piano Fundamentals" as a live online group class. Since then, over 900 learners have taken the course and the class has been a massive success on the Outschool platform. Now for the first time, students can learn how to play piano from Phil with downloadable on-demand video lessons. There will be no live meetings for this particular version of the class. A link to the live in-person meeting version of "Introduction to Piano Fundamentals will be included at the bottom of this text. If you would like to message me with video demonstrations of your progress, I would be happy to receive them in a direct message or a class post. Please allow up to 2-3 business days for feedback on videos and questions. This class may take up to 8 weeks to complete but motivated learners may be able to finish the video course sooner. In this course, we will learn the first steps of playing the piano. Phil will demonstrate each exercise and the students will repeat to the best of their ability. We will start with proper posture, hand shape, and note production on black keys. We will move on to rhythms, counting, and finger control. In the next phase, we will learn about the white keys and finally, we will get a handle on reading music. This class uses a book. The very popular "Alfred Level 1A Piano Book" which can be purchased from most local music stores or from online retailers. Parents- please be ready to assist your learners if they have any trouble following along with the video lessons. Parents can assist by making sure that their learner's fingers are in the right position with curved fingers. It is also helpful to point at the book with a pencil so that the learner's eyes can keep their place on the page. Here is the link to the live in-person version of this class: https://outschool.com/classes/introduction-to-piano-fundamentals-nl1AhMms?usid=nGt6td9A&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Learning Goals
Students will receive thorough instruction on the beginning phases of playing the piano with confidence and with good playing habits. We will lay out a solid foundation for improvement in the future and take steps towards unlocking their fullest potential as a musician.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Piano Fundamentals Lesson #1
Getting started with the video lessons, posture, finger position, and playing quarter notes on the black keys. 15 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Lesson #2- Using the long fingers to make music
We start on basic rhythms and using the "long fingers" 2, 3, and 4 to make some music 13 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Lesson #3- More songs with long fingers
We develop control of the long fingers and build coordination using songs 17 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Lessons #4- The white keys and Middle C position
Identifying and locating every white key on the piano. Setting the hands up in Middle C position. Other Details
Supply List
A piano or a keyboard is necessary with a music stand for their book. They will also need the Alfred Piano Lesson Book: Level 1A so that we can all work out of the same book. Upon enrollment, I can provide a digital copy of the Alfred Level 1A book. Parents frequently ask if keyboards are ok. The answer is YES! There is no need to have 88 weighted keys, although it is nice to have. The minimum requirement is 61 plastic keys. I do not recommend roll-up 2-D pianos or small baby toy pianos. Here are some Amazon links to keyboards I like: 88 weighted keys like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Weighted-Digital-Sustain-Amazon-Exclusive/dp/B01LY8OUQW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=Q3MM89KH8KUB&dchild=1&keywords=yamaha+keyboard&qid=1596849121&sprefix=Yamaha%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-3 or 61 plastic keys, which is less expensive but better if you are just trying it out: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-PSR-E273-Portable-Keyboard-PSRE273/dp/B0854C7M9R/ref=sr_1_6?crid=Q3MM89KH8KUB&dchild=1&keywords=yamaha+keyboard&qid=1596849270&sprefix=Yamaha%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-6 I've heard great things about this Casiotone CT-S200, a bare-bones 61 key $120 keyboard. https://www.amazon.com/Casio-Casiotone-Portable-Keyboard-CT-S200RD/dp/B07VSTXH3V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XAH6TZRP8P6Q&dchild=1&keywords=casio+ct-s200&qid=1600348994&sprefix=Casio+CT-S200%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-1 I also like "Casio Privia" full-sized keyboards. Thanks again!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will use the Alfred Level 1A piano book (Amazon Associates link below)
https://amzn.to/3fwEAWV
Joined March, 2020
4.9
810reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello, I teach guitar, piano, and bass classes for the ages of 6 and up. I also specialize in music theory and jazz harmony.
I began teaching music in 2002 and it has been my primary profession ever since.
I believe in teaching the fundamentals. Reading notation is a must. Deciphering chords, understanding harmony. The facts of music take priority in my lessons. I believe that everyone has limitless potential to be whatever kind of musician they would like to be.
Note to parents:
Here is my recommended learning path for my piano students:
1. Introduction to Piano Fundamentals- for the pure beginner. Young learners will find this class simple to grasp and loads of fun. This class is a great way to establish good habits from day one.
2. Piano Fundamentals 2- This is a class where we focus on reading music notation. Any learner with a bit of piano experience who is unsure of their reading can start here. Reading music is essential in your piano journey and learners who cannot do this well will struggle in these courses. This class is highly recommended.
3. Piano Fundamentals 3- Where we learn to master the art of practice and play through the rest of the beginner method book
4. Intermediate Piano Course 1- We jump to the big leagues and master basic chords in C and G position. We move quickly and play more advanced pieces. Quality practice is essential for success in this class.
5. Intermediate Piano Course 2- Hanon exercises, an expanded rhythmic vocabulary, and more sophisticated piano pieces are covered in this course.
6. Intermediate Piano Course 3- Scales, technique, and longer pieces in different keys.
7. Intermediate Piano Course 4- We will learn about minor scales and get to the end of the Alfred Adult All-In-One Course book.
8. Advanced Piano 1- We make the jump into the Alfred Adult Level 2 book.
9. Advanced Piano 2- We continue through the Level 2 book.
10. Advanced Piano 3- We cover the keys of E minor, D Major, and the chromatic scale
11. Advanced Piano 4- Chord inversions are covered as well as 2 part writing
12. Recital Ready- This is an ongoing class where we cover famous piano literature in a group setting. This is the highest level group class that I teach and it is recommended that learners cover all previous levels before enrolling. 🎹
I also have a new class called "The Piano Player's Toolkit" that covers various topics related to piano playing and music theory. The amount of practice time is less than in the academic classes, and this is more of a casual weekly learning experience. Here is the link to the class:
https://outschool.com/classes/the-piano-players-toolkit-fn0Try2k?usid=nGt6td9A&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
I’m a father and a husband and I love what I do! I was the primary bassist for The Daytime Emmy Awards show from 2016 to 2019.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$13
weekly or $100 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 7 learners
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Ages: 6-11
