Piano Classes at J. Wallace James are designed to get young students playing and reading music at the piano fluently!
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Students in K-2nd Grade Exploratory Piano class explore the keyboard through a general music curriculum, where we use the pianos to practice learning concepts and learning to read pre-staff notation, playing songs on black keys and eventually learning the white key letter names - ABCDEFG, before learning to read on the Grand Staff in 3rd Grade!
Kindergarten (see more) 1st Grade (see more) 2nd Grade (see more)
3rd Grade Piano
for Beginners
an 18-week course
Introduction to playing and reading notes on White and Black Keys
Students must have a keyboard or piano to practice on
We focus on learning to identify and play by reading landmark notes, stepping and skipping patterns, and directional reading on the staff.
We work on reading rhythms and maintaining continuity of pulse and rhythm while playing.
4th Grade Piano
This is the student's choice elective for their 4th-5th Grade years.
Intermediate Piano, for students who have a year of playing and note reading experience
Students have regular playing tests and performance opportunities
Students learn to read notes on the Grand Staff and play in several octaves, moving fluently around the piano keyboard.
5th Grade Piano
The most advanced group of Piano students, who have been playing piano for several years, and who are in their 3rd year of elective piano.
These students work on solo and ensemble performing skills.
We work on reading and playing comfortably and fluently, with proper hand position and technique, rhythmic accuracy, dynamics and expression, and continuity.
These students join the other artforms to produce 2 Musicals each year. The piano students become a part of the 5th Grade Orchestra.