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Quick-Start to Piano Lessons for Beginners

This is an overview of how I will be teaching my live 40 week courses in beginning piano lessons-an important technology, procedure, and expectations introduction for any student looking to join my Book 1 or Book 2 classes late.
Heather Kirkconnell
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(278)
Star Educator
Popular
Class

What's included

5 pre-recorded lessons
2 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
1 hour per week. Learners are strongly encouraged to learn one or two of the songs in this module and submit them via video. Learners do not need to learn every song in this module, as they can continue doing that once they've joined the live class.
Projects
Two interactive Nearpod slides and activities that I will review once they are turned in.
Assessment
Learners who submit videos of their work at the keyboard will receive personalized assessments focused on their strengths and next-steps with the material they are working on.

Class Experience

Beginner Level
***This is a quick-start guide replacing the introductory module of my year-long piano courses. Beginning Piano Lessons, Music Moves for Piano Book 1 and Beginner Piano Lessons, Music Moves for Piano, Book 2 are live group piano lessons classes, however there is a large amount of flexibility AND one-on-one instructor time built in to our weekly meetings, so learners joining late need to have some help navigating the technology and procedures we will use to make the most of our class time. The purpose of this self-paced class is to help new learners in my Book 1 or Book 2 classes get a jumpstart on the material when joining late.***

Additionally, this will give students a preview of what we are doing in beginner piano studies classes so they can commit to further classes with the knowledge of what we'll be doing and how I approach these classes.

This class will provide materials from both the Book 1 and Book 2 beginner modules so you can be sure your learner is in the correct level class for them.
Learning Goals
Basic keyboard navigation-finding groups of black keys and using them to find different notes at the piano
Beginner-appropriate piano songs. We will learn several different songs both to practice keyboard navigation, but also to practice self-pacing and practice organizing.
learning goal

Syllabus

5 Lessons
over 2 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Getting Started-Finding notes and Getting Around
 This is a lesson about finding different groups of black keys, and finding a few white keys in relation to that and making our own short musical ideas with these notes. 
1 assignment
7 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Getting Started with Learning Songs
 We will do a Nearpod Self-Paced lesson that introduces the different aspects of musical resources available in these classes-audio practice tracks, video lessons, reflection questions, and making our own audio recording of our playing. An introduction to Mastery Checks and how we reflect on our learning in my classes is included. 
10 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
More songs for Self-Pacing
 We'll learn the first few songs in Book 1: Forest Dance, Peter Peter, and Flute and Bassoon, or your learner will look at the first few songs in the Book 2 class: Hot Cross Buns and This Old Man 
13 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Interacting as a Group Class
 How can you make the most of having friends in piano class with you? What can you learn from them, and what can you teach them? We'll look at the agreements we accept in this class to be a friendly, helpful, and productive group. 

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Learners will learn basics of the outside learning tools needed for my other classes: Canva Edpuzzle Nearpod Google Suite (specifically slides)
Pre-Requisites
This course is a pre-req for other classes I teach.
Supply List
Learners must have a keyboard or piano with at least 61 keys. Weighted keys are best.
To join the live Book 1 or Book 2 class following this self-paced class, learners should have the required books (see those class listings or myself for more information).
Joined November, 2020
5.0
278reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor's Degree in Music from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Bachelor’s of Music in Performance, Oberlin Conservatory, USA
Diplôme de Perfectionnement, Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Versailles, France

15+ years working, performing, and teaching piano, general music, choir, and organ all over the world

As a professional musician and a mom, I put a high value on exposing children to music in fun, uplifting, and creative ways. I particularly enjoy introducing music in ways that support and affirm a student's own innate musical understanding, and help bring that out from the start. I believe in whole child education, understanding that a learner brings their whole self to the lesson, and that my role is to affirm and support their WHOLE self. My ACE Educator workshops focused on different ways to engage the whole child-whether cultural, emotional/SEL, neurodiversity, or other difference, I care about your learner having the best possible introduction to music.

My own musical training included studies overseas, where exposure to a different culture surrounding musical education broadened my own training and goals in teaching beginning students to play. Although I have an affinity for starting students off right as beginners, I have worked with music students of all ages and levels, and value the changing needs and goals when helping intermediate or advanced musicians grow and hone their skills. When I'm not making music and teaching, I'm probably knitting and designing unique knitwear and clothes to wear and gift :-) I also enjoy pottery, painting, and sewing, to name a few things.

Studio policies:
All my classes are currently autoposting recordings. If there's ever a safety reason for a recording to not be posted, you will not be able to view it. If you miss a class, you are encouraged to watch these recordings. I follow all of Outschool's policies regarding refunds and make-up classes.

If you are taking private classes with me, I will always wait at least 20 minutes before closing the section. I otherwise follow the same refund and absence policies as set forth by Outschool: students must be logged in by 10 minutes after the start of class. Given the nature of the classes I teach, I will not teach to an empty classroom, but practice videos will be available when the class listing calls for it.

Many parents are curious about where to start their learners. Here's a quick rundown/sample course of studies:

Younger beginners 3-5:
Ready for Piano->Introduction to Piano and Music Book A, Book B, Then begin Book 1
5-7 Year Olds: Start directly in Book B

Older beginners (8 and up): Beginning Piano Lessons, Book 1. For those who prefer an ongoing course offering, I now offer a class called Piano Level 1, where we cover some of the same materials in Beginning Piano Lessons, but with more abstract concepts of music theory and improvisation. It still includes a lot of fun games, however! :)

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Self-Paced Course
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$18

weekly or $35 for all content
5 pre-recorded lessons
2 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

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