$18
weeklyPiano Primer: White Keys C - Changing Hand Positions
Completed by 7 learners
Ages 5-10
Live Group Class
Live video meetings
1x per week
2-4 learners per class
25 min
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
This ongoing class is part THREE of an introduction to piano lessons for young beginners; see pre-requisites and recommendations at the bottom of this description. ⭐New to Outschool? Message me before you enroll!!!⭐ ⭐ Get $10 off your first class with coupon code BFAMANEW10 until Jun 21, 2025. Enter the coupon code at checkout. ⭐ 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. In this class, Part C, the focus is on playing songs out of strictly "Middle C Position" or "C Position," although we will review these hand positions in alternate weeks. All sheet music is written in alpha notation. We will review basic rhythm notation and the names of the keys as necessary and play music games to re-enforce those concepts. The music students will learn are traditional, children's, and folk songs. 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 * Play a "Memory"-type game to practice naming the white keys or rhythm notation. * Identify the new hand position/s for the new song. * Sightread and practice one new song. (See list below). *** Time permitting, we will also listen to and share student performances and/or compose a song. WEEKLY SCHEDULE The A, B, Cs Song La Lluvia My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, La Cucaracha London Bridge, The Farmer in the DellWeek of 8/26: Twinkle Rock-a-bye Baby Head and Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Bah Bah Black Sheep A Sailor Went to Sea Brother John (Frere Jacque), Ring Around the Rosie Bingo, Yankee Doodle * This list will repeat. AFTER 'GRADUATION': Students who have attended all classes (or reviewed the recordings) and practiced well between classes should be ready to attend "Piano Primer III: Songs on the Staff," or my Song-writing Crash Course, Song-writing for Beginners Part 1, or begin private one-on-one lessons. For students ages 6 and younger who learned to play with "pincher" fingers or "lobster claw" hands while sightreading alpha notes, I do recommend you attend classes in the "Piano Primer I: Songs on the Black Keys" series afterward. PRE-REQUISITES: New Beginners I prefer most learn the finger numbers before the white keys. Please 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 your teacher began with learning the names of keys (C, D, E or Do, Re, Mi) instead of finger numbers, you are welcome to this class if you can still locate and name ALL white keys. NOTE FOR THREE-AND-HALF & FOUR YEAR OLDS: I recommend these students play with "pincher" fingers or "lobster claw" hands until their hands are more developed. ** Message me or schedule a $7 15-minute assessment 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 at least one new, recognizable, traditional song each week and will progressively become more comfortable finding piano keys by letter name. The songs for this class are arranged in alpha notation in a variety of hand positions: middle C position, near middle C position, or C position. Each class focuses on a different hand position so students can avoid associating particular fingers with specific keys.
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.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
All songs are public domain or the work of the instructor.
Games may be created in part by Andrea & Treavor Dow of Wunderkeys or Teach Piano Today.
Meet the teacher
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.
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