Classical Outline for Beginners
This is Mozart, not David
Starting out or rejoining the Classical Music piano journey is exciting. Learning the music of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms or Satie is intrinsically satisfying in a way no other music can match. I know from personal experience. At 43 I took up classical piano after a long career as a commercial musician and graduated four years and 5000 hours of effort later with my ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music, a national, provincial, and local scholarship winner. My musical life as never been the same.
Whether your goal is to sit for a piano exam, or just explore the repertoire, we will discuss your goals and background. I will hear you play something if you have played before. If you are understandably nervous, it might just be a C scale. We will then plan a way forward. I make a note of pieces you`d like to learn, either right away or later when you are ready.
I`ve created below a general outline of how lessons given in my studio.
Technique. One of the foundations of musicianship. I think of technique as a form of meditation. A time to explore the beauty your hands can make. Pavarotti said something to the effect that, ``practice is a form of devotion. ``
Repertoire development. We will work on appropriate level pieces, after all this is the reason you’ve called me. I will satisfy your need to play beautiful music, pieces you love, while helping achieve greater mastery.
Sight-reading. Good sight-reading skills makes everything easier. Sight-reading is about pattern recognition. There are modern ways to go about this that are through and effective. Fun, too.
Ear training. If you can hear music analytically it is easier. Forget your preconceptions of your own skills here. As your ears evolve so will your confidence at the piano.
Theory. Knowing what you are doing is one of the most effective shortcuts there is. A solid grounding in theory assists our ability to sight-read well and communicate with the teacher in a more precise way.
Practicing. I will teach you to practice like a Master musician. Learning to practice methodically will increase your joy and success at the piano.
"I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin." - Albert Einstein
David
Whether your goal is to sit for a piano exam, or just explore the repertoire, we will discuss your goals and background. I will hear you play something if you have played before. If you are understandably nervous, it might just be a C scale. We will then plan a way forward. I make a note of pieces you`d like to learn, either right away or later when you are ready.
I`ve created below a general outline of how lessons given in my studio.
Technique. One of the foundations of musicianship. I think of technique as a form of meditation. A time to explore the beauty your hands can make. Pavarotti said something to the effect that, ``practice is a form of devotion. ``
- This includes scales, chords, and arpeggio studies.
Repertoire development. We will work on appropriate level pieces, after all this is the reason you’ve called me. I will satisfy your need to play beautiful music, pieces you love, while helping achieve greater mastery.
- Let's explore your favourites. Bring a list to our first meeting.
Sight-reading. Good sight-reading skills makes everything easier. Sight-reading is about pattern recognition. There are modern ways to go about this that are through and effective. Fun, too.
- Good sight readers play music like readers read books.
Ear training. If you can hear music analytically it is easier. Forget your preconceptions of your own skills here. As your ears evolve so will your confidence at the piano.
- It's difficult to play what we can't hear in our heads.
Theory. Knowing what you are doing is one of the most effective shortcuts there is. A solid grounding in theory assists our ability to sight-read well and communicate with the teacher in a more precise way.
Practicing. I will teach you to practice like a Master musician. Learning to practice methodically will increase your joy and success at the piano.
"I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin." - Albert Einstein
David