Piano Funday: Level 1A!
In this ongoing class, students will learn songs to play on the piano using right and left hands and reading basic notation.
Sandra Girouard
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(394)
Star Educator
What's included
12 live meetings
5 in-class hoursHomework
Learners are encouraged to play their weekly songs 5 times every day.Class Experience
US Grade 1 - 3
Beginner Level
Welcome to Piano Funday: Level 1A, a class designed specifically for children aged 6 to 8 years old who are eager to embark on their journey into the world of music and piano playing. This early level one piano class is carefully crafted to nurture a love for music while laying the foundation for essential piano skills. Through a combination of interactive activities, joyful songs, and movement, students will explore the world of piano playing, learning to read notation, and discovering the keys on the piano keyboard.
This class is suitable for acoustic pianos, electric pianos, and electronic keyboards.
Scheduled activities include:
week of 9/5:
- rhythm practice
- Song: The C Song
- Song: The D Song
week of 9/12:
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Hold On!
week of 9/19:
- rhythm practice
- Song: The E Song
week of 9/26:
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: That's Easy!
week of 10/3:
- rhythm practice
- Song: Mary Had a Little Lamb
week of 10/10:
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Class Composition Project
week of 10/17:
- rhythm practice
- Song: Sticky Fingers
week of 10/24:
- NO CLASS: Practice week
week of 10/31:
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Stepping Up
- Song: Stepping Down
week of 11/7:
- rhythm practice
- Song: Step and a Skip
week of 11/14:
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Graceful Waltz
week of 11/21:
- NO CLASS: Week of Thanksgiving
week of 11/28:
- rhythm practice
- Song: Look! Both Hands!
week of 12/5:
- Listening Skills practice
- Song: Don't Let GO!Learning 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.
Keyboard Awareness: Understanding the layout of the piano keyboard is essential for any aspiring pianist. Through engaging games and exercises, children will become familiar with the piano's layout, recognizing notes and keys with ease.
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. It is NOT recommended to attend class using a phone. Materials will be screen shared and will be too small for students to see. Materials provided are printable as well as viewable on a computer or mobile device.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
394reviews
Star Educator
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. 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
$13
weekly or $150 for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
25 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-8
2-4 learners per class
