What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students who are most successful in learning to play an instrument commit to creating a DAILY practice habit. The amount of time should vary based on the age of the student and the number of songs they have already learned. A new beginner 5-10yo that knows 1 song should aim to practice 5-10 minutes every day and play the newest song PERFECTLY at least 3 times at each practice. The rest of the practice time may be devoted to reviewing older songs or free improvisation. Practice time should increase with the number of songs and with age.Class Experience
Are you looking to join my "Taylor Swift Primer Level" or "Disney Primer Level" piano classes? This class is the ticket to get you ready to join up! This on-going, weekly class is part of an introduction to sighreading piano staff sheet music for young beginners, focused on reading in "middle C position." Students may join at any time. NEW beginners, please begin with the pre-requisite classes below (or send me a message!): * Pre-reading Piano: Black Key Patterns (Memorized songs.) * Piano Primer: Songs on the Black Keys A (Reading using finger numbers & kinds of notes.) * Piano Primer: White Keys A ** (Reading using alpha-notes C, D, E or Do, Re, Mi & kinds of notes-- I recommend the "Black Keys" series afterward if you start here.) ABOUT THIS CLASS I will help propel your learner to the next level with serious music theory disguised as fun games, exciting song-writing activities, and easy tunes. I balance a fun, student-centered approach with more traditional models, often replacing arduous theory worksheets with games. In my music classes, my goal is to build a creative, stress-free environment so that my students enjoy the music-making process. Practice between classes is highly recommended. Access to a keyboard/piano and view of the screen while playing is required to participate during class time. LESSON STRUCTURE * Find and name the correct keys on the keyboard and the staff. * Review types of notes. * Learn at las short new songs. (See partial list below. List may also be supplemented by original songs written by the teacher.) * Play a game to practice finding the piano keys and corresponding notes on the staff. * Time permitting, we will compose original songs or share student 'solo' performances. WEEKLY SCHEDULE Week of 9/23 - CDE - Pease Porridge, Little Bunny Foo Foo Week of 9/30 - ABC - Sakura, Sleeping Beauty Waltz Week of 10/7 - BCD - De Colores Week of 10/14 - CDE - Down by the Station Week of 10/21 - ABC - Funeral March by Chopin / Piano Sonata in Bb minor, Op. 35, Chinese Drum Song Week of 10/28 - BCD - Christmas-Day Secrets* This list will repeat. Week of 11/4 - CDE - Au Clair de Lune Week of 11/11 - ABC - Boil Em Cabage Down Week of 11/18 - BCD - The Happy Wanderer AFTER 'GRADUATION': Students who have attended all classes (or reviewed the recordings) and practiced well between classes should be ready to begin private one-on-one lessons. Graduates are also welcome in my Taylor Swift Crash Course 2, Taylor Swift Play Along Primer, Song-writing Crash Course or Song-writing for Beginners Part 1. PRE-REQUISITES: New Beginners I prefer most learn to read using finger numbers, then white keys 'alpha-notes,' then on the staff (this class). New Beginners 5 and younger, please attend Pre-reading Piano Patterns and/or the Wunderkeys series first. Confident readers and students 6+, attend Piano Primer I: Part A, B and C: Songs on the Black Keys first. There are On-going and 5-day Camp versions at each level. Check my profile under 'classes' for the links. 'Transfer' Students: For students who have previously attended lessons, if you know the names of keys (A, B, C, D, E or La, Ti, Do, Re, Mi) and/or your finger numbers, you are welcome to this class! ** Message me if you are unsure which class will best meet your learner's needs.** #creative ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL): Class is appropriate for (CEFR: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) Please message me to let me know if your learner is A1 or A2. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SET UP Please enable Original Sound setting (or Original Sound for Musicians) in your Zoom settings for all music classes! For piano lessons, ideally the video camera should be positioned to face the keyboard/piano keys to show the student's hands *and* face. I will be screen-sharing sheet music for new beginners; it is essential that students log in a screen large enough to read the sheet music if they need help with eye-tracking development in reading. If this arrangement is not possible, please message me before class so you can print the sheet music ahead of time! At the first lesson, I may ask to see your seating arrangement. Often, young children need a booster seat and a footstool in order to play comfortably at an adult-sized instrument.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to at least one new, recognizable, traditional song each week. The songs for this class are arranged in easy staff notation, focussing on 3 notes/keys per class.
Students will progressively be more comfortable finding piano keys by letter name and location on the staff.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
To fully participate in any music class, it's best to check your audio settings in Zoom first! Watch below to find out how to turn on ORIGINAL SOUND on your device:
iPads → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1pkirtPH9o
other platforms → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEZMRtrSsYY
Parents must stay off camera as much as possible but will need to assist as necessary during class time to help their young learner find the correct keys, clap along to the rhythm, and control the mute button in Zoom. Parents will also be expected to assist with at-home practice throughout the week.
Absolutely NO EATING during class. Learners will need the constant use of both of their hands as well as to engage with their full attention. Learners who fail to participate or cause a distraction by eating on camera may be asked to leave.
Google Slides will be used as a screen-share during our game and composing time.
Supply List
Each learner should have access to a piano or music keyboard. I will provide sheet music and some worksheets. Please print after class if you have a printer so your learner can continue to practice and build skills.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
Virginia Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Master's Degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University
I teach classes on a variety of arts-related subjects:
* piano, sight-reading, song-writing;
* realistic drawing techniques;
* comic book creations & anime drawing styles;
* digital arts, Photoshop, graphic design.
Look at the bottom of my profile to find my other classes.
→ https://outschool.com/teachers/Elizabeth-Essex ←
As a teacher with over twenty years of experience, I have been running my own piano studio full-time for the last decade. I started learning music in piano lessons when I was four years old and am currently teaching my 15th academic year as a piano teacher. I also am a former public school art teacher, university adjunct professor, swim instructor, dance teacher, and math tutor.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
25 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-8
2-4 learners per class