The Heart

In the opening lessons under the umbrella of “Foundations of Piano Playing,” we dive into the very basics. Starting with familiarizing you with the keyboard, understanding posture, and refining technique, we lay the groundwork. We gradually add on concepts such as hearing and visualizing music, understanding hand positions and fingerings, and exploring scales and triads.

The second unit titled “Keys, Key Signatures, and Black Notes,” builds on this knowledge. We introduce the concept of black notes and key signatures, unveiling a new facet of the instrument. Through these lessons, we delve into major and minor scales, intervals, and broken chords, introducing a new depth to your music.

The third unit, “Dynamics, Articulation, and Expression,” we start adding color to your performance. We explore dynamics, tempo, legato and staccato, and rhythmic shaping. You’ll be guided through mastering the Chromatic Scale on D, offering more nuance and variation to your play.

The fourth unit, “Rhythm, Timing, and Cantabile,” brings the element of timing into the spotlight. We further delve into rhythmic shaping, cantabile – a term that refers to playing in a singing style – and practice scales and arpeggios. Through these lessons, your music will start to ‘breathe’.

The fifth unit, “Compound Time and Piano Techniques,” provides a shift in complexity. We explore compound time and advanced techniques like thumb control and direct pedaling. Here, lessons on tonal balance, espressivo playing, and two-octave chromatic scales will further develop your technical skills.

The final unit of the Bronze course, “Composing, Improvising, and Harmony,” is where your creativity and understanding of music theory come into play. We delve into the fascinating realm of composing and improvising, learning about chord layouts, voice-leading, chord progressions, cadences, and harmony.

This Bronze journey, from lessons 1 to 16, guides you from the bare basics to the doorway of advanced concepts, building a solid foundation in music theory, technical skills, and expressive performance. It’s about nurturing a relationship between you and your instrument, about learning to express yourself through the universal language of music. So, prepare to embark on a journey that starts at the very basics and leads you to the doorway of advanced piano playing. Welcome to the Bronze course!