Level 1 Piano Fun: Group Piano and Keyboard Music Lessons
In this ongoing class, students will work on the early elementary level 1 piano skills - reading, writing, and playing music on their piano or keyboard!
Sandra Girouard
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(394)
What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per weekAssignments
1 hour per week. Learners are encouraged to play the weekly songs 5 times *every* day. Feedback requests should include a video recording of the student playing the song AFTER having practiced over the course of the week. In the lesson, we learn HOW to play a song. The ability to play the song fluenty will often only emerge after a student has spent multiple days in a row practicing a song.Class Experience
Welcome to Level 1, Piano Fun!, a specialized course tailored for youngsters eager for musical and piano adventures. This introductory level piano class is meticulously designed to foster a passion for music and establish fundamental piano abilities, and will be enjoyed by newcomers as well as returning students in the beginning levels of playing.
By engaging in interactive exercises, delightful tunes, and physical movement, participants will delve into the realm of piano playing. They will grasp notation reading and become acquainted with the piano keys, all while enjoying the process.
This class is suitable for acoustic pianos, electric pianos, and electronic keyboards.
This class should be attended using a laptop or tablet. This class is NOT suitable for attendance via phone. The instructor will share materials and model playing through screen sharing, and phone screens are too small for students to be able to see notation.
Concepts we will work with in this class include:
- Rhythm: Quarter notes and rests, half notes and rests, and whole notes and rests.
- Pitch: note from Bass C (the C below middle C) through the G above middle C; introduction of sharps and flats
- Melody: movement by step, skip, or repeated tone.
Scheduled activities are as follows:
Week of September 9
- rhythm practice
- Song: Piano Pro
Week of September 16
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: All Together Now
Week of September 23
- rhythm practice
- Song: Skip To It
Week of September 30
- rhythm practice
- Song: Call and Response, Composition Activity
Week of October 7
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Dynamic Duo
Week of October 14
- rhythm practice
- Song: Blast Up!
Week of October 21
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Build It Up!
Week of October 28
- rhythm practice
- Song: Lord of the Keys
Week of November 4
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Let’s Get Loud
Week of November 11
- rhythm practice
- Song: Triple Treat
Week of November 18
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Hot Cross Buns
Week of December 2
- rhythm practice
- Song: Call and Response, Composition ActivityLearning Goals
Develop Piano Playing Skills: The primary focus of this class is to introduce young students to the basics of piano playing. Through simple and fun songs, children will learn how to play keys with both hands, fostering coordination and dexterity.Reading Notation: Students will be introduced to basic musical notation, learning to associate notes with their corresponding keys on the piano. This skill will empower them to play a variety of tunes, inspiring their confidence and musicality.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Each learner should have access to a keyboard during class. Acoustic pianos, electric pianos, and electronic keyboards are all suitable for this class.
Parents, please help your learners with three aspects of this class:
- First, if at all possible, please angle the camera so that both your child's face AND the keyboard are visible. Being able to see their hands on the keyboard helps me to help them!
- Second, please configure the Zoom settings on your device (computer or tablet) to enable "original sound for musicians" and turn this on after entering the class. Directions to turn this on can be found here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360046244692-Configuring-professional-audio-settings-for-Zoom-Meetings It is possible that Zoom will not transmit your child's piano sounds if this is not turned on. That situation limits the amount that I can support your learner.
- Third, please make sure your learner understands how to mute and unmute themselves. It is also fine if you are simply close by and prepared to mute or unmute a learner. Sometimes when we're learning, it's REALLY HARD to wait for a turn to play. All of my students have permission to turn off their microphones so they can try to play something we just learned. However, I do not have the power to turn their microphone back on. Again, hearing your learner play (and ask questions) helps me help them.
- Finally, and perhaps most importantly: We make a lot of joyful "noise" in my classes. While this doesn't bother me at all, some people (including young learners) are very sensitive to loud and jumbled sounds. I always encourage learners to share this with me so we can make sure no one feels overwhelmed. Sometimes in classes, we find the best thing is for everyone to mute so that each learner hears only me and themself. I have a couple of requests about this. Again, please ensure your learner is able to unmute to speak to me or play for me. Also, if your learner tends to be shy and bothered by "too much" sound but unwilling to say so, please feel encouraged to communicate this to me. Music is for EVERYone, and everyone needs to be comfortable in class.
Supply List
Each learner should have access to a keyboard during class. Acoustic pianos, electric pianos, and electronic keyboards are all suitable for this class.
Each learner should attend class on a computer or tablet.
Please do NOT attend class using a phone. Materials are screen shared and are too small for students to see.
Materials provided are printable as well as viewable on a computer or mobile device.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined April, 2020
4.9
394reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Sandra Girouard has a Bachelor of Music (with a piano minor) and Master of Arts in Education (centering on music education, instructional technology, and early childhood, with piano as her principal instrument of study). She is certified in Orff-Schulwerk method of teaching music and has been trained in the Kodály method of teaching music. Sheis a member of the Nationa Assocaition for Music Education and the Music Teachers National Association. With over thirty years of teaching experience with students of all ages, she delights in fostering the musical growth of young children.Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
25 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-8
3-6 learners per class
