This ongoing class is part THREE of an introduction to piano lessons for young beginners; see pre-requisites and recommendations at the bottom of this description.

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ABOUT THIS CLASS
I will help propel your learner to the next level with serious music theory disguised as fun games, exciting song-writing activities, and easy tunes. I balance a fun, student-centered approach with more traditional models, often replacing arduous theory worksheets with games. In my music classes, my goal is to build a creative, stress-free environment so that my students enjoy the music-making process.

In this class, Part C, the focus is on playing songs out of strictly "Middle C Position" or "C Position," although we will review these hand positions in alternate weeks. All sheet music is written in alpha notation. We will review basic rhythm notation and the names of the keys as necessary and play music games to re-enforce those concepts. The music students will learn are traditional, children's, and folk songs.

Practice between classes is highly recommended. Access to a keyboard/piano and view of the screen while playing is required to participate during class time.

LESSON STRUCTURE
* Play a "Memory"-type game to practice naming the white keys or rhythm notation.
* Identify the new hand position/s for the new song.
* Sightread and practice one new song. (See list below). 
*** Time permitting, we will also listen to and share student performances and/or compose a song.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week of 8/26: Twinkle
Week of 9/2: Rock-a-bye Baby
Week of 9/9: Head and Shoulders, Knees, and Toes 
Week of 9/16: Bah Bah Black Sheep
Week of 9/23: A Sailor Went to Sea
Week of 9/30: Brother John (Frere Jacque), Ring Around the Rosie
Week of 10/7: Bingo, Yankee Doodle
Week of 10/14: The A, B, Cs Song
Week of 10/21: La Lluvia
Week of 10/28: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, La Cucaracha
Week of 11/4: London Bridge, The Farmer in the Dell
* This list will repeat.

AFTER 'GRADUATION':
Students who have attended all classes (or reviewed the recordings) and practiced well between classes should be ready to attend "Piano Primer III: Songs on the Staff," or my Song-writing Crash Course, Song-writing for Beginners Part 1, or begin private one-on-one lessons.

For students ages 6 and younger who learned to play with "pincher" fingers or "lobster claw" hands while sightreading alpha notes, I do recommend you attend classes in the "Piano Primer I: Songs on the Black Keys" series afterward.

PRE-REQUISITES:
New Beginners
I prefer most learn the finger numbers before the white keys. Please attend Piano Primer I: Part A, B and C: Songs on the Black Keys first. There are On-going and 5-day Camp versions at each level. Check my profile under 'classes' for the links.

'Transfer' Students:
For students who have previously attended lessons, if your teacher began with learning the names of keys (C, D, E or Do, Re, Mi) instead of finger numbers, you are welcome to this class if you can still locate and name ALL white keys.

NOTE FOR THREE-AND-HALF & FOUR YEAR OLDS:
I recommend these students play with "pincher" fingers or "lobster claw" hands until their hands are more developed.

** Message me or schedule a $7 15-minute assessment if you are unsure which class will best meet your learner's needs.**



#creative
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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL):
Class is appropriate for (CEFR: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2)
Please message me to let me know if your learner is A1 or A2.
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SET UP
Please enable Original Sound setting (or Original Sound for Musicians) in your Zoom settings for all music classes!

For piano lessons, ideally the video camera should be positioned to face the keyboard/piano keys to show the student's hands *and* face. I will be screen-sharing sheet music for new beginners; it is essential that students log in a screen large enough to read the sheet music if they need help with eye-tracking development in reading. If this arrangement is not possible, please message me before class so you can print the sheet music ahead of time!

At the first lesson, I may ask to see your seating arrangement. Often, young children need a booster seat and a footstool in order to play comfortably at an adult-sized instrument.