(Ten weeks course for beginner level children)

Lesson 1

  1. Concepts of hand position and posture at piano (see Review Sheet).
  2. Learning notation system (see Review Sheet) and establishing correct concept in pitches, rhythms, tempo, and articulation.
  3. To establish good reading habits.
  4. To describe how to practice and to do a good time manager (recommendation in 45 minutes practice for each day).
  5. Let students to know what particular four basic categories: repertoire, theory, technique and supplementary books are in each lesson.
  6. Fingernails must be kept short for playing the piano.

Assignment:

  • Playing flashing card, keyboard chart, and learning names of keys.
  • Watching fingers and hand position, and playing keyboard in five-note sequence.
  • Preparing two short pieces with count aloud for next lesson.

Lesson 2

  1. Finger position and some notes (see Review Sheet.).
  2. Learn C Major scales.
  3. Review music notations (see Review Sheet.).
  4. Balance of melody and accompaniment (see Review Sheet.).

Assignment:

  • To say alphabet letters forward and backward in fun game of animals.
  • Five-finger exercises for legato/staccato touch.
  • Identification of steps, skips, and repeats.
  • Playing one or two pieces that is in combination of folk songs, original melodies.

Lesson 3

  1. To improve skill of sight-reading.
  2. To improve technique in playing fast running notes such as using fast speed to play scales in parallel and contrary motions.
  3. Learn C Major chord.
  4. Before performing a music piece, you have to make a perfect preparation in your mind (see Review Sheet).

Assignment:

  • C Major scale in two octaves.
  • Practice C Major chord.
  • Count time signatures of 2/4,3/4, 4/4.
  • Review two pieces with singing names of keys and finger position.
  • Learn two new music.

Lesson 4

  1. Learn intervals (2-5th)
  2. Phrasing (see Review Sheet)
  3. Legato and Staccato Touches Combined (see Review Sheet)
  4. Balance Between Hands (see Review Sheet)

Assignment:

  • Recognize 2-5th intervals.
  • Review scale and learn C Major chord.
  • Playing one piece with singing note names.
  • Learn two or three pieces with music expression.

Lesson 5

  1. Dynamic Shading
       Exercises for crescendo and decrescendo, loud and soft change immediately.
  2. Part-Playing (see Review Sheet)
  3. Triads & Inversions (see Review Sheet)

Assignment:

  • Review C Major scale and chord (three positions).
  • Play five-note sequence and watch finger and hand position.
  • Play two pieces in memorization.
  • Learn two new music in correct articulation.

Lesson 6

  1. Learn arpeggios in two octaves
  2. Theory (see Review Sheet) Scale Degree Names:
    Pitches names: C D E F G A B C
    Degree names: I II III IV V VI VII I
      Tonic   Mediant   Dominant   Leading tone  
        Supertonic   Subdominant   Submediant   Tonic

    Intervals:
    Explanation of Intervals: Min2 Maj 2 Min3 Maj3 P4 Aug4 or Dim5 P5
    Example: C-Db C-D C-Eb C-E C-F C-F# or C-Gb C-G

    Explanation of Intervals: Min6 Maj6 Min7 Maj7 P8 P1
    Example: C-Ab C-A C-Bb C-B C-c C-C

  3. Instructor will play one piece with music analysis

Assignment:

  • Practice C or G Major scales, chords and broken chords in two or three octaves
  • Practice arpeggios in two octaves
  • Review old assignment and learn one new piece

Lesson 7

  1. Ear training for recognizing intervals of 2-7th
  2. Review scales, chords, broken chords, and arpeggios in C or G Majors
  3. Preparing one piece for recital

Questions for Discussion & Assignments

  1. What are the most important thing and interested thing when you play the piano?
  2. How to keep and develop your repertoires?
  3. How to improve your level in the sight-reading?
  4. Could you understand very well about music phrasing, legato and staccato combinations, voicing, dynamic shading, part-playing, scales, triads and inversions?

Lesson 8

  1. Introducing technique and opening your eyes (see Review Sheet)
  2. Learn rhythmic pattern
  3. Ear training for intervals (2-7th)
  4. Stage performance

Assignment:

  • Review scales, chords, broken chords, and arpeggios in C or G Majors.
  • Practice and recognize intervals (2-7th).
  • Learn now pieces.
  • Preparing and improving your recital piece.

Lesson 9

If you have problems, do not worry too much. However, you have to work hard in the follow four general guides:

  1. Scales (see Review Sheet)
  2. Arpeggios (see Review Sheet)
  3. Chords (see Review Sheet)
  4. Musical Expression (see Review Sheet) (To remember my key words for your preparation)

Assignment:

  • Review scales, chords, broken chords, and arpeggios in C or G Majors.
  • Learn scale, chord, broken chord, and arpeggio in A Minor.
  • Review and recognize intervals (2-7th).
  • Learn now pieces.
  • Preparing and improving your recital piece in memorization

Lesson 10

  1. Review Theory
    • Scale (major/minor).
    • Chords (triads) (see Review Sheet).
    • Arpeggio figures (broken chords).
  2. To Understand the Expression of Music on Details
    • To reflect composer's idea exactly from musical notation system.
    • To express music precisely in articulation
    • To imagine musical picture correctly when you are in performance.
  3. Technique Learning
    • To improve the independent ability of ten fingers (see Review Sheet).
    • Staccato touch (see Review Sheet).
    • Pedal (see Review Sheet).
  4. Tone control and touch control (particular idea)

Assignment:

  • Play scales, chords, broken chords, and arpeggios in C, G Majors, and A Minor. Please check the equality in dynamics and tempo.
  • Review all theory from past assignment.
  • Practice your three repertoires and prepare for your recital piece.