Let's Play Piano- Level A Flex Class Part Two

Let's play piano! In this group course, beginning students will learn the basics of playing the keyboard. This is a follow up course from "Let's Play Piano-Level A Part 1."  If you are unsure if this course would be right for your student, and your student has played the piano before, please reach out to the teacher. Students will have the opportunity to play some well known folk songs such as "BINGO" and "Down By the Station." 

In this class students will use the "Bastien New Traditions All In One Piano Course" A Primer by Lisa, Lori and Jane Bastien. The purchase of this book entitles students to access the Kjors Interactive Piano Studio available for desktop and tablet. The Interactive Piano Studio will give students the opportunity to play along side a backing track. We start the book on page 41.

In this course students will focus on using all five fingers of their right and left hand to play the keyboard. We will focus on various finger patterns, basic rhythms, dynamics, and music articulation. 

Flex classes work best for self-motivated students. There are no live meetings of this class. Two class videos will be presented to the students each week. Students should follow along with the video. After watching the video, students are expected to practice on their own. After practicing, students will need to make a video of themselves playing the assigned music for the teacher to see. The teacher will comment on the video with helpful tips for the student. The teacher will need to see the students hands on the keyboard to ensure that the student is playing correctly when making their video. You may need to adjust your webcam or device to make this view possible.

Students will be able to share what they have been learning by creating videos using the Flipgrid website. This secure website allows only the student's teacher and classmates to see their progress. If you do not want your student to use the Flipgrid platform, they can also submit videos directly to the teacher through the Outschool classroom. Because this is a flex course, it is important for students to submit videos to the teacher. 

The course will break down as follows:
Week 1
Video 1: We will learn the 4/4 time signature.
Video 2: We will learn about skipping notes.
Week 2
Video 3: We will review the new 4/4 time signature.
Video 4: We will learn about dotted half notes and the 3/4 time signature.
Week 3
Video 5: We will play in middle C position. 
Video 6: We will move up and down the keyboard on the white keys using two fingers.
Week 4
Video 7: We will play "Bingo."
Video 8: We will use a five finger pattern and learn to use the damper pedal.
Week 5
Video 9: Will will play in C Position.
Video 10: We will play "Down By the Station."
Week 6
Video 11: We will finish the book by playing a classical tune by Beethoven.
Video 12: We will celebrate our accomplishments by reviewing our favorite songs.

This schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the individual learners in each session of the course.

Some weeks will include short theory assignments. Students will complete these assignments and submit a picture of the completed work to the teacher. That will give the teacher the opportunity to check their understanding of the concepts presented in the class videos.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this course!