$13
weeklyor $99 for all content
The Blues for Beginner Pianists
Completed by 4 learners
Ages 8-13
Self-Paced Course
9 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
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Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.Start when you want.
Learn at your own pace
Access course material for a full year.
Get hands-on support from teacher.
What's included
9 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. Students must upload videos to the classroom, leave comments, and practice 3-4 times a week.Assessment
Positive and encouraging assessments are offered for the work learners put in to learning their pieces. Learners who send their work in will have their work commented on by me, with a focus on growth and understanding of the genre.Class Experience
Beginner Level
This is a piano flex class for students who have been playing piano. It is not suitable for a student with no prior keyboard experience. In general, if your student has participated in Book 1 in the Music Moves for Piano curriculum I offer, they will have a good foundation for this class. No music reading is required, but I will teach some basic music reading as it applies to what we are learning to play. If you have any question about what level your student is, please reach out. I'm happy to find a suitable class for them. Please note too that I will generally not respond on Fridays and Saturdays, as those are my days off, but you can generally expect responses within 12-24 hours during the rest of the week.
Learning Goals
Students will learn about music theory through engagement with music, both learning written songs and in improvising their own using the 12 bar blues
Introduce, or increase the student's understanding of different piano repertoire and technique, specifically boogies and blues and jazz piano.
Syllabus
9 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Music Theory Basics
We'll cover measures, rhythm, and counting in music in general
Lesson 2:
Music Theory Basics for the 12 Bar Blues
C major notes, scale, chords, specific knowledge needed for playing the 12 bar blues
Lesson 3:
The 12 Bar Blues, part 1
We'll start with the simplest part of the 12 bar blues-C, F and G chords
Lesson 4:
The 12 Bar Blues, part 2
We'll practice different ways to play chords and keep a steady beat
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students must upload videos to the classroom, leave comments, and practice 3-4 times a week in order to get feedback and support from myself. We will use slides created in Canva and Google Slides for video tutorials and lessons in the music theory of Jazz and the Blues.
Pre-Requisites
This is appropriate to beginners with at least 6 or more months playing. Learners should have completed a primer level book and have some basic experience playing both hands together.
Supply List
You need a piano/keyboard-does not need to be special, whatever your learner has been studying on will work just fine.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
-Faber and Faber "Discover Blues Improvisation" with Edwin McLean Published by Hal Leonard
-Music Moves for Piano "Boogies and Blues" By Marilyn Lowe, in cooperation with Edwin E. Gordon
-Research into Blues/Jazz
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
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
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