top of page

Syllabus Overview

Piano/Keyboard Grade 1

Piano

4-6 months

Goals

  • Certification : Finish a certificate course, and take an exam with Trinity College London.
    For more details on the exam, visit Trinity College London's Piano Page.

  • Performance : Prepare for competitions/stage performances/events based on your level of skill. When you're ready, record at the studio.

  • Social Playing : Learn techniques that you can use, on popular pieces/songs at this level, to play along with friends, etc., at social events and gatherings.

Concepts Covered

Knowledge, technique from Piano Initial is required. 

Finger Technique ONE (60 exercises covering the following): ​

  • Staccato Chords.

  • Simultaneous Right-Hand and Left-Hand Chords.

  • Cross-overs beyond octaves.

  • Octave jumps (both hands).

  • Thirds (both hands).

  • Introduction to accidentals.

  • Triplets.

  • Introduction to syncopation between hands.

  • Sharps and Flats.

  • Introduction to Off-beat phrasing.

  • Chromatic two-note chord movements.

Finger Technique TWO (60 exercises covering the following): ​

  • Tied notes.

  • Melody on one hand accompanied by chords on the other.

  • Introduction to jumps and repeats

  • Dynamics (p and f)

  • Crescendos

  • Decrecendos

  • Tempo

  • Pedal work

  • Key-Signatures (1-flat/F-major | 1-sharp/G-major)

  • Note repetition with finger changes

  • Staccato studies with chords

  • Rapidity in closed groups

  • Accents

  • Broken Chords

  • Harmonic Thirds.

Sight Reading (48 exercises) : 

  • Natural keys.

  • Notes across 3 octave range.

  • 8 bar pieces with two 4 bar phrases just like in jazz.

Rhythm Reading (15 exercises) :​

  • 40 bar exercises.

  • Understanding Cut-time rhythms.

Improvisation Technique :

  • F Blues riff (Introduction to blues leads).

Comping :

  • Introduction to chord progressions.

  • Broken Chords.

Exam Syllabus*

  • Pieces

  • Exercises

  • Musical Knowledge

  • Scales

  • Arpeggios

bottom of page