Syllabus Overview
Piano/Keyboard Initial
Piano
4-6 months
Goals
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Introduction to the instrument : understand how to sit in front of the piano and position your hands to play efficiently.
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Introduction to sheet music : Learn the basics and identify them in your course material.
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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.
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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
Instrument Basics :
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Identifying notes on the keyboard in all octaves.
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Keyboard Topography.
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Identifying the pedals.
Sheet music Basics :
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The Staff
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The Clef
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Whole-notes, Half-notes, Quarter-notes, Eighth-notes and equivalent rests
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Time-Signatures
Finger Technique (60 exercises covering the following):
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Legato playing.
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Staccato playing.
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Slurs.
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Time Signatures (Simple and Compound).
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Chords (2 and 3 note 135 chord position).
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Introduction to cross overs with thumb.
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Cross over with hand.
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Introduction to sharps and flats.
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Finger extensions and manipulation.
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Dotted half-notes.
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Introduction to Phrasing.
Sight Reading (24 exercises) :
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C position for Left and Right hand.
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8 bar pieces with two 4 bar phrases just like in jazz.
Rhythm Reading (10 exercises) :
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Whole-note, Half-note, Quarter-note, Eighth-note and equivalent rests.
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Common Time-Signature.
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40 bar exercises.
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Understand down-beat, off-beat.
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Play to metronome.
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Understanding sync.
Improvisation Technique :
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A minor pentatonic riff (Introduction to pentatonic leads)
Comping :
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Introduction to rhythmic comping over chords.
Exam Syllabus*
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Pieces
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Exercises
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Musical Knowledge
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Scales
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Arpeggios
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