Welcome to this comprehensive course designed especially for late beginners!
In this course, you'll learn how to play a variety of accessible pieces, some of which are part of the ABRSM Piano Grades 2 and 3. These pieces are like small stepping stones that will help you build important piano skills.
Throughout the course, I'll guide you with clear explanations and practical tips. You'll understand the structure of each piece, how to position your fingers, how to build safe and efficient piano playing habits, how to use sustain pedal, how to memorize and understand musical language, and of course, how to express emotion through your playing.
Furthermore, this course contains a number of lessons dedicated to general efficient piano playing concepts, and provides useful tips about ear training.
I believe the best way to learn music theory is by looking at it in the music you play, and through improvisation. That's why I'll teach you the basics of music theory right through the pieces you'll be learning, and give some tips how to start improvising. This way, you'll get a better grasp of "how and why" things work in music.
BY PURCHASING THIS OR ANY OTHER COURSE OF THIS SCHOOL YOU GAIN A LIFELONG ACCESS TO THE LEARNING MATERIALS
8+ HOURS OF CONTENT THAT WILL KEEP YOU BUSY AND INSPIRED FOR WEEKS!
I will explain how to break the work on a piece into several stages. This includes memorization, building strong reflexes and improving technique, and, of course, refining your interpretation and expressing yourself emotionally through sounds.
You will have access to PDF scores with my markings for each piece, available for download. Additionally, the video lessons will show the score and my hands filmed from different angles on the screen.
I will provide performances at both a slow tempo and the actual tempo, captured from a top-down camera view. This is to aid your learning, especially if you're not yet comfortable reading the score easily.
The repertoire you will master includes:
Friedrich Burgmüller: 6 Etudes from Op. 100 - No. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8
These delightful pieces will help you master a wide range of common piano playing patterns. You'll also gain a solid understanding of efficient piano technique, expressiveness, and the language of music.
Alexander Goedike: Etude op. 36/13 [ABRSM Grade 2 2023-24] This petite study is an excellent exercise for smoothly transferring a melody between your hands. You'll be amazed by the potential for expressiveness it holds!
Henry Purcell: Air in D Minor ZT 676 [ABRSM Grade 2 2023-24] This piece captures the essence of what one might play on a solitary evening at home. It serves as a wonderful example for learning the basics of Baroque style, phrasing, and embellishments.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Ecossaise in G Major WoO 23 [ABRSM Grade 2 2023-2024]
Although an entry-level piece by Beethoven, it still carries his trademark passion and contrasts. It's a fantastic study for broken octaves, typical accompaniment patterns, and syncopated rhythms, which I'll explain in great detail.
Bela Bartok: "Sorrow" [ABRSM Grade 2 2023-24]
In this lesson, you'll gain insights into producing delicate sounds and phrasing.
Alexander Gretchaninov: "Farewell" Op. 98/4 [ABRSM Grade 2 2023-24]
Here, you'll discover how simple music can effectively convey specific emotions.
Robert Schumann: "Wild Horsemen" op. 68/13 [ABRSM Grade 3 2023-24]
Mastering this piece might present some challenges, especially getting up to speed. I'll provide detailed guidance on conquering it, including practice strategies, technique refinement, and interpretation suggestions.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: "Little Italian Song" op. 39/15 [ABRSM Grade 3 2023-24]
Tchaikovsky's melodies hit you right in the heart and remain unforgettable. In this piece, we'll work on enhancing phrasing, dynamics, technical skills, and the sense of musical flow.
Muzio Clementi: Sonatina op. 36/1 [ABRSM Grade 3 2023-24]
This introductory classical sonatina will help you grasp the fundamentals of the classical style. It covers various universal technical skills such as scales, broken octaves, and rapid runs. Moreover, it enhances hand coordination, and most importantly, teaches you how to convey emotions and musical expression through piano playing.
Dmitri Kabalevsky: Toccatina op. 27/12 [ABRSM Grade 4 2023-24]
This piece is designed to help you master a crucial skill: playing chords with different dynamics and without unnecessary tension. It's a fun piece to play, and it sounds more challenging than it actually is!
Curriculum
- Chords, Arpeggios & Scale Degrees (23:36)
- Harmonic Functions I-IV-V (15:19)
- Ear Training tips & sources
- Basic Technique skills
- Basics 1 - Forearm Rotation, finger strength (7:41)
- Basics 2 - Double rotation (7:46)
- Basics 3 - Leaning towards the bed of the key (5:05)
- Basics 4 - Natural Curve (3:15)
- Basics 5 - Motions "-In" & "-Out" (4:30)
- Basics 6 - Slow Learning (1:53)
- Etude No. 1 - Slow Playing (2:20)
- Etude No. 1 - Real Tempo Playing (1:09)
- Etude No. 1 - Harmony, Structure, Basics of Music Theory (29:23)
- Etude No. 1 - Technique (20:18)
- Etude No. 1 - Interpretation (9:37)
- Etude No. 2 - Slow Playing (1:43)
- Etude No. 2 - Real Tempo Playing (0:52)
- Etude No. 2 - Learning (9:40)
- Etude No. 2 - Technique (14:09)
- Etude No. 2 - Interpretation (3:30)
- Etude No. 4 - Slow Playing (2:35)
- Etude No. 4 - Real Tempo Playing (1:36)
- Etude No. 4 - Learning & Technique (12:26)
- Etude No. 4 - Interpretation (7:00)
- Etude No. 6 - Slow Playing (2:13)
- Etude No. 6 - Real Tempo Playing (0:58)
- Etude No. 6 - Learning & Technique (13:13)
- Etude No. 6 - Interpretation (3:02)
- Etude No. 7 - Slow Playing (1:58)
- Etude No. 7 - Real Tempo Playing (0:52)
- Etude No. 7 - Learning & Technique (12:43)
- Etude No. 7 - Interpretation, Pedaling basics (9:19)
- Etude No. 8 - Slow Playing (2:41)
- Etude No. 8 - Real Tempo Playing (1:13)
- Etude No. 8 - Learning & Technique (17:23)
- Etude No. 8 - Interpretation (2:53)
- Movement 1 - Slow Playing (3:14)
- Movement 1 - Real Tempo Playing (0:44)
- Movement 1 - Learning bars 1-16 (14:45)
- Movement 1 - Learning Bars 16-38 (11:57)
- Movement 2 - Slow Playing (3:22)
- Movement 2 - Real Tempo Playing (1:31)
- Movement 2 - Learning (13:13)
- Movement 3 - Slow Playing (3:30)
- Movement 3 - Real Tempo Playing (0:54)
- Movement 3 - Learning (10:30)
