Next Level Up: Piano Boot Camp! Blue Level

I recommend having taken my "Next Level Up: Piano Boot Camp! Green Level" course before this course, or at minimum, having some basic experience with piano. 

This "Next Level Up: Piano Boot Camp! Blue Level' is the final level of a series of 5 levels (red, orange, yellow, green, blue). Each level explores new piano/music concepts and skills while also building on, reviewing and applying previously practiced skills and techniques. It provides a great, fast-paced platform for learners with minimal piano experience to build confidence. By the end of each class learners will have learned and practiced fundamental keyboard concepts and skills.

The main focus of the Blue Level is the review of the most important concepts previously practiced in other levels and the coordination of playing both hands together comfortably. There is a continued focus on key names and note recognition on the Grand Staff in this level building confidence with sight reading. Learners will be introduced to playing octaves below and above, tempo markings like "ritardando" and a brief intro to G position. While some material is naturally a review from previous "Next Level Up: Piano Boot Camp!" levels, in the Blue Level practice pieces are continuously more complex and present more level appropriate challenges. 

Learners should be set up at a keyboard so that I can see their hands and the keys and hear them well. 

Week 1:
Review of C Position on the piano and on the bass and treble clefs. Review of steps, skips, 4ths & 5th (harmonic and melodic), playing legato and with staccato in piano and forte dynamic levels with repeat signs. A review of eighth notes and the fermata. Learners will coordinate these skills and both hands while playing an 8 measure long practice piece. Practice piece may be in 3/4 or 4/4 time, include steps, skips, fourths and any of the beats we have learned previously including, quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, whole notes, eighth notes and respective rests.

Week 2:
Review of C position on the piano and on the bass and treble clefs. Introduction to playing one octave below and above and the "ritardando". Learners will coordinate skills previously learned and both hands while playing an 8 measure long practice piece with eight notes. Practice piece may be in 3/4 or 4/4 time, include steps, skips, fourths and fifths and also any of the beats we have learned previously including, quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, whole notes, eighth notes and respective rests.

Week 3:
Continuing review of playing one octave below and above and the "ritardando". Introduction to G position. Learners will coordinate these skills and both hands while playing an 8 measure long practice piece. Learners will coordinate skills previously learned and both hands while playing an 8 measure long practice piece with eight notes. Practice piece may be in 3/4 or 4/4 time, include steps, skips, fourths and fifths and also any of the beats we have learned previously including, quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, whole notes, eighth notes and respective rests. One or more practice pieces may be a review from the previous week.

Week 4:
Learners will practice skills reviewed and learned in this course while playing an 8-16 measure practice piece. One or more practice pieces may be a review from the previous week.

I have an MM and BM in music. I have taught learners of this age range music and ESL since 2002 online and in person. 

Learners are encouraged to practice all skills and concepts at home. I recommend 15-20 minutes 4-5 days a week.

Informal assessments are taken throughout the class to reinforce the concepts learned and skills acquired.  

25 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 0 - 1 hours per week outside of class.

Learners should be set up at a piano, acoustic or electric, in such a way that I can hear them well and see their keyboard. The PDF worksheets I provide act as your piano book for the course. They can be printed and placed in a hard binder or clipboard and rested on the piano. I also provide the music on screen share incase learners do not have a printer.