Aprende a tocar el piano ahora (nivel 4) con el Dr. Nathan

Level 4 of Learn Piano Now expands the technical foundation that began in Levels 1, 2 & 3. It is possible, however, for a student to skip to Level 4 if they understand basic rhythms (quarter, half, dotted half, and whole notes), know the musical alphabet, can identify the musical alphabet on the white keys, can identify musical intervals (2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths), play legato and staccato, and play simple songs on the bass and treble clef using all five fingers. The classes listed below are sequenced to maximize musical development and continue enjoyment at the piano. Students will be engaged with rhythm games, slides, ear training, music history, and even composition. By the end of level 4, learners will play several new songs, combine the treble clef and bass clef to form the grand staff, and begin to identify major and minor by ear. As we learn new material, we will continue developing proper posture and hand position and have several designated performance times. 

Week 1: Review Levels 1, 2, and 3 
Level 4 begins with a review of previous levels. Students will be engaged in several games to assess what they remember and how familiar they are with previous material. We will use two 5-finger patterns learned in Level 3 to establish the hand position for "Scarborough Fair."

Week 2: Major
We will use two pieces from Level 3 ("Are You Sleeping" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat") to explore major five-finger patterns. Students will transpose these pieces by moving the home note.

Week 3: Minor
In week 3, we listen for the different between major and minor five-finger patterns. We will then use this knowledge to play "Are You Sleeping" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" on minor five-finger patterns. Students will consider if the lyrics match this new sound and create new lyrics as needed.

Week 4: Treble Lines
We learned about the Treble clef in Level 3, but in Week 4, we will expand it to the five lines of standard musical notation. Several fun activities will reinforce the names of each line as well as which key it corresponds to on the piano. Dr. Nathan will create a new song using these 5 notes. Students will have an opportunity for performance during Week 4.

Week 5: Treble Spaces
To reinforce the names of the treble lines learned in Week 5, we will also study the names of the spaces between them. Students will discover the word these letters spell and use all the lines and spaces together for the second part of "Ruffs and Rhees."

Week 6: Bass Lines
After review the lines and spaces of the Treble Clef, we will shift our focus to the lines of the Bass Clef. Similar activities will be used to reinforce the names of each line as well as which key it corresponds to on the piano. Dr. Nathan will create another song for these 5 notes and students will have the opportunity to make their own songs with the same notes.

Week 7: Bass Spaces
In week 7, students will learn to identify the spaces of the bass clef. Their new piece, "There is a Balm in Gilead," will use a wide range of the bass clef and reinforce reading. Students will continue working to play major and minor five-finger patterns with both hands at the same time.

Week 8: Grand Staff
To conclude Level 4, students will construct the grand staff by combining the treble and bass clefs. In addition to performances of pieces from Level 4, students will learn the Congratulations Song. This piece is used to celebrate the end of each level. Level 4 is the first time that both hands will play at the same time!