Let's play piano! In this group course, beginning students will learn the basics of playing the keyboard. In this beginning course students will play on both the black and white keys. Students will have the opportunity to play some well known folk songs such as "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and "Bingo." We will learn the middle C hand position in this class. 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. 

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. This book is newly designed and works well in an online classroom. Students are required to purchase this resource.

We will play songs each class while learning musical concepts.
The course will break down as follows:
Class 1: We will focus on the fingers and learn quarter note and half note rhythms. We will also recognize the pattern of the black keys. We will listen for high and low sounds.
Class 2: We will learn about quarter rests, whole rests, and the repeat sign. We will play using various dynamics, such as piano and forte.
Class 3: We will learn a quarter rest and practice moving high and low.
Class 4: We will learn the dynamics "mezzo forte" and "mezzo piano."
Class 5: We will practice using the right and left hand on groups of two and three black keys.
Class 6: We will play "Swim with Me" and review.
Class 7: We will play "Old MacDonald" using both the right and left hand.
Class 8: We will learn about the musical alphabet beginning with the notes "C-D-E."
Class 9: We will learn the half rest rhythm.
Class 10: We will play the notes "F-G-A-B." 
Class 11: We will practice high and low notes on the white keys.
Class 12: We will learn about stepping notes.
This schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the individual learners in each session of the course.

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. Students will also be allowed to show what they have learned at the end of class if time permits.

Group classes work best for self-motivated students. Students will be expected to practice outside of class time. Students should bring a pencil to class in order to complete the writing assignments that will be presented in class. Most of these assignments will be completed during class time, but some outside work may also be necessary.
The teacher will need to see the students hands on the keyboard to ensure that the student is playing correctly. You may need to adjust your webcam or device to make this view possible. 
This course can not be held without at least two learners enrolled.  If only one student enrolls in a session, they will have the option of cancelling the class, transferring to a letter session, or enrolling in one on one classes.