Beginning Piano Lessons: Music Moves for Piano, Book 1 Year Long Music Lessons
Heather Kirkconnell
Rising Star
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(256)
Through keyboard exploration, rote learning, games, and slides, beginning piano students will learn the basics of piano and music study in this complete music course
Class experience
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 future musical studies. This class is a starting point for older beginning piano students, and is the continuation of the Keyboard Games, Music Moves for Piano Book B classes ("Introduction to Piano and Music:...8 units//40 lessons//40 Weeks
Unit 1Getting StartedGetting Started4 lessons4 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1PopcornWe will learn our first song and practice getting around the keyboard both through group practice and a presentation lessonWeek 2Lesson 2Introduction to Self-PacingThis week, we will begin learning the routines and technology we will use for self pacing: video lessons, interactive presentations, and self-recording. Our song to learn is Forest Dance, taught over video and reviewed live in class.Week 3Lesson 3Progress Tracking and Mastery: Finishing our Self-Pacing IntroductionHow do we know when we've 'mastered' a song? How will I communicate with you? We'll learn more songs and spend some time as a group practicingWeek 4Lesson 4Flute and Bassoon'Soft' deadline for finishing our self-pacing unit. Begin song Flute and Bassoon.Unit 2Keyboard Technique: Fingers 2 and 3Keyboard Technique: Fingers 2 and 34 lessons4 WeeksWeek 5Lesson 5Falling LeavesWe'll learn about connected and separated styles of playing and apply that to learning our song "Falling Leaves"Week 6Lesson 6Hide and SeekWe'll work on 'bouncing' our wrists for the separated-style song "Hide and Seek"Week 7Lesson 7County FairWe'll work on firm fingertips and other technical needsWeek 8Lesson 8Unit Completion DayWe'll reflect on what we've learned in this unit and finish up any songs we need to completeUnit 3Keyboard Technique: Fingers 2-3-4Keyboard Technique: Fingers 2-3-43 lessons3 WeeksWeek 9Lesson 9Porpoise at PlayWe'll talk about a rounded hand position and playing with piano finger 4Week 10Lesson 10Lazy DayAnother song to learn using finger 4Week 11Lesson 11Unit Completion and Reflection DayWhat techniques did we learn or deepen in this unit? What was easy, what was hard? These are some of the questions and more we'll tackle on this dayUnit 4Music Theory: Tonic and Dominant PatternsMusic Theory: Tonic and Dominant Patterns4 lessons4 WeeksWeek 12Lesson 12The TonicFind the "home note" or "resting tone" of songs we've learned. Learn to sing our song "Little Bird" 'Soft Deadline' for mastering Lazy DayWeek 13Lesson 13The DominantWe'll review Flute and Bassoon and Popcorn, student parts and accompaniment to find the the resting tones and "active tones"/Dominants for these songsWeek 14Lesson 14Old MacDonald Had a FarmWe'll introduce the Tonic and Dominant of F# major and play a well-known song using those notesWeek 15Lesson 15Unit Completion and Reflection DayWhat are you doing well? What are some goals you have in the next unit? How can I best support your goals going forward? These are some of the questions and more we'll tackle on this dayUnit 5Music Patterns in ThreeMusic Patterns in Three5 lessons5 WeeksWeek 16Lesson 16Fingers 2 and 3 ReviewSong to learn: "Twin Kangaroos"Week 17Lesson 17Major Tonal Pattern DO-RE-DOSong to learn: "Route 76"Week 18Lesson 18The BumblebeeWe'll start the song, "The Bumblebee"Week 19Lesson 19The Bumblebee, ContinuedTonic and Dominant patterns on the black keysWeek 20Lesson 20Mid-Course Catch up Day'Soft' deadline for "The Bumblebee" and "Twin Kangaroos"-A reflection time halfway through the year to discuss and deepen our skills and questions, reflect on our learning so farUnit 6Songs on the White KeysSongs on the White Keys12 lessons12 WeeksWeek 21Lesson 21Preparatory lessons: Graceful arm and wrist motion, finding white keysWe'll learn the song 'Lizards' and 'Party Time'Week 22Lesson 22Review of Major Tonality: Big Ben'Soft Deadline' for finishing up LizardsWeek 23Lesson 23G Major Keys and PatternsWe'll introduce the Tonic and Dominant notes and patterns for G major, as well as find G on the Treble and Bass staffWeek 24Lesson 24G major Songs and Games'Soft Deadline' for finishing 'Big Ben', beginning 'Sneaking' and 'Spinning'Week 25Lesson 25G major Scale and ArpeggiosWe'll improvise our own music in the key of G and continue working on our G major songs, 'Sneaking' and 'Spinning'Week 26Lesson 26Introduction to F major-DO-RE-MI patternsWe'll start 'Little Bird' and begin 'Rolling Hills'Week 27Lesson 27F Major DO-RE-MI PatternsWe'll transpose 'Big Ben' to F major, finish 'Little Bird', and learn the accompaniment pattern for 'Little Bird' (not putting right and left hands together, yet)Week 28Lesson 28More Songs in F'Soft Deadline' for 'Rolling Hills' and learn 'Folk Song from Wales'Week 29Lesson 29Tonic and Dominant Patterns in F'Rope Swing' and transposing 'Sneaking' into F majorWeek 30Lesson 30F Major scale and arpeggios'Soft Deadline' for finishing up our songs in F learned so farWeek 31Lesson 31Review of G Major notes and patternsSong to Learn: 'Carousel'Week 32Lesson 32Unit Reflection DayWhat strategies should you use for playing arpeggios and scales? How does your technique help you, and what can you do to make playing with all five fingers effortless?Unit 7Major and Minor Tonalities-More Songs on the White KeysMajor and Minor Tonalities-More Songs on the White Keys4 lessons4 WeeksWeek 33Lesson 33Springtime 1We'll learn about C majorWeek 34Lesson 34Hot Cross Buns and Sad Cross BunsContinue patterns in C major and introduce A minorWeek 35Lesson 35Scales and Arpeggios in C major and A minorWe'll review scales and arpeggios by way of C major and A minor patterns.Week 36Lesson 36Springtime 2, Unit reflection dayOur last week of C major, 'soft deadline' for finishing up all songs in C major/A minorUnit 8Playing Hands TogetherPlaying Hands Together4 lessons4 WeeksWeek 37Lesson 37Springtime AccompanimentWe'll learn the accompaniment parts for Springtime 1 and discuss ways to practice putting hands togetherWeek 38Lesson 38Little Bird ReviewWe'll practice the left hand pattern for Little Bird and put it together with the right handWeek 39Lesson 39Playing different parts togetherMore practice, group and individual help with Springtime 1, 2, and Little BirdWeek 40Lesson 40Celebration and Reflection DayWe'll celebrate finishing Primer Level Book 1, play for one another, and play games
Performing music in duple and triple meter confidently on and off the bench Confidence with beginner level piano/keyboard technique, including hand and finger position, and simple musical patterns Ability to improvise music while following simple rules such as only using certain notes or certain rhythms Finding white keys comfortably and playing in G, F, and C major
Homework Offered
5-10 minutes of practice, 4-5 days a week is necessary for successful completion of this class. Every song assigned to practice will have a practice video in the classroom to help learners gain confidence and practice for success. Since practicing is a skill that we must build up, this music course is designed to help students learn the value of continual practice and effort in a fun, engaging, and multifaceted way.0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Students are encouraged to unmute and play for myself and one another. Learners may also record themselves playing directly in Nearpod or on the Outschool platform for feedback from me. All feedback will be positive and focused on the continued growth and enjoyment of the learner. Learners will have one on one opportunities with me during class time as well as group study where they will have the opportunity to give and receive help from peers. Once learners pass their mastery check for a song, they will be empowered to self-pace in learning the next song.Grades Offered
Younger beginners (6/7 year olds) may start in this class or choose Music Moves for Piano Book B classes to build the fine motor skills required to play music in this class. Six-Year Olds with good fine motor skills may start in this class
1 file available upon enrollmentStudents need a weighted or touch-sensitive keyboard of at least 62 keys or a piano. Proper piano technique and positioning is important, so an adjustable bench is very helpful. Required curriculum is Music Moves for Piano, Book 1, available at MusicMovesforPiano.com, 19.95$ (yellow cover).
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Students may need adult assistance in the beginning to mute/unmute and learn their way around the computer for using breakout rooms and Nearpod. I will also use Google and Canva Slides, as well as Edpuzzle for interactive videos and teaching. An at-keyboard view of the learner is helpful, as it will help me assess their technique and troubleshoot any problems while learning the song. Please ensure that Zoom audio settings allow you to "use original sound," as otherwise Zoom may filter out music as background noise, interfering in our enjoyment of your learner's performance. You should also check other computer/device audio settings as some have preinstalled settings which inhibit the sharing of music.
Rising Star
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(256)
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...
Group Class
$17
weekly or $649 for 40 classes1x per week, 40 weeks
30 min
Completed by 41 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-9
3-7 learners per class
