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Piano for Young Beginners - Laid Back (Ages 5-10)

Learn the basics of beginning piano in a friendly, no-stress class. We will use Wunderkeys Primer Book 1 - a modern, fun approach to teaching younger kids.
Julie Schmidt
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(141)
Class
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What's included

10 live meetings
5 in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. Each week students will be expected to practice the 2 assigned songs. Even 5 minutes per day will allow them to progress easily!

Class Experience

Does your child want to try piano but you're concerned that they're too young? Or have they been playing around with piano apps and Youtube songs but they don't actually know how to read music? Or maybe you think that they can't sit still for 30 minutes? This is the class for you and your child! We will play games, do rhythm activities, color/highlight, and introduce new concepts slowly.  The songs are short and simple from a modern piano book written just for this age group (Wunderkeys Primer Book 1, see below for the link to purchase it). I believe in allowing my students to have fun during class while they learn how to express themselves through music. (NOTE: if you would like an inexpensive trial lesson before committing to a 10-week session just send me a message and we can schedule one).

This class is for absolute beginners ages 5-10! It's also perfect for preschoolers who have learned with the Wunderkeys preschool series. There are several reasons why I use the Wunderkeys series by Andrea and Trevor Dow:

* it's fun
* recognizable cartoon animals that repeat throughout the series
* it allows for learning "off the bench" since sometimes young students have a hard time sitting still for 30 minutes
* the scaffolding approach teaches new information and continuously reviews it
* students don't get "stuck" in one hand position, but they are also not expected to learn 3-4 new positions in the first book
* from the very beginning, students learn the notes on a staff so they can easily identify note position
* music theory in included in all lessons 

Here are the concepts that are introduced and reviewed in the first Primer book:

- where the notes are on the keys
- finger numbers
- quarter notes, half notes, dotted half and whole notes
- treble and bass clefs
- dynamics and time signatures
- by the 3rd lesson the songs are on the white keys

Each week, the 30 minute lesson will consistent of rhythm practice, learning a new note, circling or coloring in notes for various reasons, drawing notes or dynamics, practicing short exercises to reinforce previous and new notes, introducing 2 short songs for the students to practice over the week, and playing games to practice music theory.  Students will be expected to practice 30-60 minutes over the week and they can play the songs for each other if desired.

Week 1 - A Grand Adventure - learn finger numbers, find groups of black keys, practice songs
Week 2 - Cubs in Subs - learn quarter notes, play songs from previous week if desired, learn half notes, practice short songs on the black keys
Week 3 - Aching for Acorns - learn the notes on the white keys, focus on CDE in the right hand, practice new songs
Week 4 - Babysitting Bunny - identify FG on the piano, find AB on the keys, practice songs with the left hand
Week 5 - Happy in Hard Hats - find middle C on the staff, learn about the treble and bass clefs, practice songs
Week 6 - Wundertown Baseballers - learn whole notes, review middle C position, practice songs in the right hand with C and D
Week 7 - Flying Squirrel - introduce B in the left hand, practice playing bass B and treble D
Week 8 - Big Air Bunny - learn treble E, introduce forte and piano, practice songs with both hands and dynamics
Week 9 - Campfire Cookout - learn bass A, introduce 4/4 time, practice songs in middle C position
Week 10 - Double Decker Delight - learn 3/4 time signature, introduce dotted half notes, practice songs in middle C position

This class uses a piano book, "Wunderkeys Primer Piano Book One". Please order the book asap in case of shipping delays. It can only be purchased through Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/WunderKeys-Primer-Piano-Book-One/dp/1976001293/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=wunderkeys+primer+book+one&dchild=1&keywords=wunderkeys+primer+book+one&pd_rd_i=1976001293&pd_rd_r=410047c8-8d3d-42f5-9811-c186c014ed6c&pd_rd_w=ehsHi&pd_rd_wg=I5MMA&pf_rd_p=1835a2a9-7ed8-48dc-ad07-fcd7527bd2bc&pf_rd_r=H3GJKY1A1HZYY2XS7B11&psc=1&qid=1607283077&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c



https://wunderkeys.com/

If you have any questions please contact me!  You can also send me a message if you need help deciding whether your 5 year old should enroll in the Wunderkeys Preschool ( ages 3-5) or Primer ( ages 5-7) series.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to read A, B, middle C, D, and E on the staff. They will know their finger numbers and proper hand position. They will also understand rhythm and the lengths of notes. Students will also be able to find each letter on the keys!
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
This class requires a piano book, "Wunderkeys Primer Piano Book One". It is white with blue writing, and a squirrel playing the piano. You can only purchase it on Amazon, please order asap in case of slow shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/WunderKeys-Primer-Piano-Book-One/dp/1976001293/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=wunderkeys+primer+book+one&dchild=1&keywords=wunderkeys+primer+book+one&pd_rd_i=1976001293&pd_rd_r=410047c8-8d3d-42f5-9811-c186c014ed6c&pd_rd_w=ehsHi&pd_rd_wg=I5MMA&pf_rd_p=1835a2a9-7ed8-48dc-ad07-fcd7527bd2bc&pf_rd_r=H3GJKY1A1HZYY2XS7B11&psc=1&qid=1607283077&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c

A piano or keyboard is needed for this course. An adult is also helpful initially until students are able to identify the notes on the keys by themselves. Piano note stickers can also be helpful in the beginning. We use colored pencils or crayons, coins, and sometimes dice while playing games.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.9
141reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! My name is Julie Schmidt and I have 16 years of experience teaching individual and group piano lessons. Also, I have been playing and studying the piano for 35 years while earning a MS in Education. Music is definitely my passion. My favorite part of teaching the piano is finding out what kind of music motivates my students. Some of my students like reading the notes on the staff, playing classical music, and not straying far from the printed notes. Other students play more by ear and love to improvise! I always have a few students who want to be able to play songs quickly - I teach them chords and leadsheets so they can progress faster. I like to tailor my lessons to get a student excited about playing the piano. I use a variety of books, digital music, and resources to keep my lessons new and motivate my students to practice.

I have a laid-back teaching style and love to have fun during lessons. We will play games, improvise, compose, learn chords, and study different musical periods and composers. I really enjoy it when students bring their own music to lessons because I know that they are motivated to learn it! 

Along with piano I have also earned a degree in Dietetics, owned a baking business, homeschooled my 3 children for a few years, taught in the public school, and taught Sunday School to middle schoolers. Luckily I did not do all of these things at the same time! I love reading, baking, line dancing, and attending concerts. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$150

for 10 classes
1x per week, 10 weeks
30 min

Completed by 37 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-10
3-6 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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