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Ready for Piano, Young Beginners

In this repeatable introduction to keyboard playing, beginning piano students will move to a steady beat, learn music theory experientially, and practice how to learn and succeed in music lessons, and have FUN!
Heather Kirkconnell
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(278)
Star Educator
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What's included

1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

This is an opportunity to try out a group piano class. Each week, we will begin with some easy movement and rhythm games off the piano bench, and move to sitting at the keyboard and following rhythm patterns while playing with a closed fist. Students will have opportunities to play short, new-beginner-friendly songs and learn more about the mechanics of the piano. The goal of this class is largely to learn HOW to learn piano, not to be a long-term standalone music class. Sometimes this is enough musical enrichment for learners, but if your learners join, have fun, but want more challenge, I recommend moving up as soon as they and you would like!

Using the Music Learning Theory research of Edwin Gordon and the adaptation of those ideas to the piano by Marilyn Lowe, this method introduces students to the fundamentals of musicianship and music study that will be applicable in whatever direction the learner chooses to take their musical studies.

This class is designed to welcome complete beginners and nurture new pianists, giving young learners a chance to build confidence and creativity as they learn simple songs, musical patterns, and create their own music at the keyboard.  I aim to make the lessons welcoming to new beginners while also providing variety for continuing learners as this beginner stage lasts a little while. I believe a beginner's introduction should be fun, supportive, and challenging, but not discouraging. If your learner is ready for more challenge, I encourage you to step up to my multiweek group classes which allow students to build upon previously learned knowledge in the same fun, cordial environment I foster here in this class. Reach out if you need help selecting an appropriate class.

Songs to learn by week:
November Theme: 'Dinovember'
11/4: Megladon 
11/11: T Rex
11/18: Triceratops
11/25 (no classes on Thursday or Sunday of this week): Stegosaurus
Learning Goals
Students will learn and practice musical patterns and create musical meaning through movement, singing, playing, learning simple songs, and playing musical games
Students will experience how music tells a story through the storytelling and imaginative aspects of this class
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Students must have good audio and have Zoom settings changed to allow for Original Sound. Once the learner joins the class, they will need help selecting the use of Original Sound from the three dots/"More" menu in the Zoom session. This prevents their audio from being filtered out as background noise. Students should be able to mute/unmute themselves or have an adult nearby to help
Supply List
A keyboard and a small area to move around in are required for this ongoing class. The keyboard should have at least 4 octaves, or 48 keys.
 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined November, 2020
5.0
278reviews
Star Educator
Popular
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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! :)

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$11

weekly
1x per week
25 min

Completed by 904 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-7
3-7 learners per class

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