Foundation
Suitable for complete beginners, or students with some musical experience in other instruments
Any good teacher will tell you that a student takes in information differently. There are:
1. Visual learners: those that need to see pictures and graphs to visualize.
2. Auditory learners: those who need to hear the information.
3. Kinesthetic learners: those who need to engage in an activity in order to grasp a concept.
This is why we believe that there are many ways one could learn music: by reading notation (visual), by ear (auditory), and by improvising and composing (kinesthetic).
Professional pianists utilise all these three skills simultaneously. We will help you establish what your style of learning is, as well as sharpen the other learning styles to take your playing to the next level.
You will be learning to read different rhythmic patterns, distinguish intervals, and together with learning the Landmark Notes method, you will be a speedy sight reader at the end of this course.
1. Visual learners: those that need to see pictures and graphs to visualize.
2. Auditory learners: those who need to hear the information.
3. Kinesthetic learners: those who need to engage in an activity in order to grasp a concept.
This is why we believe that there are many ways one could learn music: by reading notation (visual), by ear (auditory), and by improvising and composing (kinesthetic).
Professional pianists utilise all these three skills simultaneously. We will help you establish what your style of learning is, as well as sharpen the other learning styles to take your playing to the next level.
COURSE OVERVIEW
1. VISUAL LEARNING - READING MUSIC NOTATION
Reading notation can be intimidating to many. Fear not - we are proud to say that all our students are confident sight readers, thanks to our Intervallic Reading method.You will be learning to read different rhythmic patterns, distinguish intervals, and together with learning the Landmark Notes method, you will be a speedy sight reader at the end of this course.
2. AUDITORY LEARNING - PLAYING BY EAR
Playing by ear is more than just jamming to your favourite pieces after just one listen. It can be one of the more enjoyable aspects of your musical journey, as you watch your fingers almost magically translate notes in your head to notes in the air.Play pieces you like - from the start
It will take some time for you to hone your notation reading skills. Truth is - sometimes, the pieces aimed at beginners don’t sound very exciting. But nothing is stopping you from playing aurally-rewarding pieces from day one - by ear!
You will gain a deeper musical understanding compared to playing rote pieces. You will also be exposed to a variety of sounds which will enhance your vocabulary of musical ideas - which you can call upon to compose your own music.
You will gain a deeper musical understanding compared to playing rote pieces. You will also be exposed to a variety of sounds which will enhance your vocabulary of musical ideas - which you can call upon to compose your own music.
Improve your memory and concentration
Playing by ear is playing by memory. When you play rote pieces, you will not have anything to read or refer to. You will find this is beneficial when having to perform from memory (in our concerts, to your friends and family, or even on a random piano in an airport/hotel).
We will also develop your concentration. To stay focused without being distracted throughout your performance is the key to a successful performance. The pieces you will learn in this course are longer than what you might have learned before, and therefore will train your stamina and ability to concentrate for a longer period of time.
We will also develop your concentration. To stay focused without being distracted throughout your performance is the key to a successful performance. The pieces you will learn in this course are longer than what you might have learned before, and therefore will train your stamina and ability to concentrate for a longer period of time.
3. KINESTHETIC LEARNING - IMPROVISATION & COMPOSITION
Playing concertos is very impressive - but so are improvisation, jamming with other musicians and composing your own music! Channeling your inner creative self can be very rewarding, and a way to express yourself in a way words can’t.Among our students are UK’s most promising songwriters, music producers and film scorers. You will have the opportunity to improvise in our weekly lessons and from these sessions, you will be able to develop your own compositions alongside your professor.
4. KINESTHETIC LEARNING - TECHNIQUE
Technique, technique, technique - the solid foundation beneath the genius of your music idols, and of music’s greats from generations past. If there’s one thing you can never get enough of in music, it’s more technique.Prevent injuries
Many piano students underestimate this, but throughout the years we have seen far too many people with previous injuries. Playing your favourite pieces can be very exciting, which is why you will find yourself practicing endlessly and the hours will fly by.
When trying to master difficult passages, many students will repeat them over and over without knowing the appropriate technique to apply.
This, however, can backfire - they can end up with wrist issues, which could develop to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and therefore halting their progress as they will need rest to heal.
When trying to master difficult passages, many students will repeat them over and over without knowing the appropriate technique to apply.
This, however, can backfire - they can end up with wrist issues, which could develop to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and therefore halting their progress as they will need rest to heal.
Develop improvisation skills
The secret behind good improvisation is good technique. The only thing that’s separating your inner musical genius or that melody you can’t get out of your head from the piano is well-trained fingers.
You need your fingers to actualize your ideas, and in order to do that you need to gain mastery and fluidity on them so your musicality will pour out effortlessly.
You need your fingers to actualize your ideas, and in order to do that you need to gain mastery and fluidity on them so your musicality will pour out effortlessly.
Improve finger dexterity
You might have seen concert pianists moving their fingers so fast, they blur. And - without missing a note. The good news is, you could do it too!
All you need is to know exactly how to utilize your fingers, along with your arms, forearms, wrists, and, believe it or not, your body weight and abdominal muscles too.
You will learn proper technique through listening and imitating (this is when learning by ear comes in handy). What is proper technique? It is knowing the correct posture and hand shape, utilisation of arm weight, and position of forearms and wrists. You will also be learning to use the pedal, and we assure you that it is nothing to be intimidated by!
All you need is to know exactly how to utilize your fingers, along with your arms, forearms, wrists, and, believe it or not, your body weight and abdominal muscles too.
You will learn proper technique through listening and imitating (this is when learning by ear comes in handy). What is proper technique? It is knowing the correct posture and hand shape, utilisation of arm weight, and position of forearms and wrists. You will also be learning to use the pedal, and we assure you that it is nothing to be intimidated by!
5. MUSIC THEORY
You might have tried to learn your favorite tune on your own and found a lead sheet full of chords online that you have no idea what to do with. That’s where music theory comes in.You will be learning basic music theory with us and by the end of it, you will be more than equipped to play from lead sheets and easily harmonise (matching chords) to your favorite pop music.