PIANO

This course is now in its fourth year and we are able to offer a complete program with Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginning Piano classes.

Beginning students learn note reading, rhythms, and technique. They practice materials that range from separate hand studies to simple two-voice pieces. They will also learn simple melodies with chordal accompaniment and play piano ensemble pieces together.  

Intermediate students will learn to read music with a wider range of notes, rhythms, meters, and keys.  They will develop more advanced techniques with both hands such as scale, arpeggio, and chord studies in wider range of keys.  They will learn a variety of music including duets and ensemble pieces.

Advanced students will continue building their technical skills with scales and arpeggios in a wide variety of keys.  They will continue to expand their range of notes, rhythms, and meters (including sixteenth rhythms and compound time signatures.)  They will continue to learn music of increasing complexity and length including solos, duets, and ensemble piece.

Suggestions for getting a piano to play at home.

At school we are using the Yamaha P-45 Digital Piano. A digital piano sounds and feels like a traditional piano. It is recommended that students practice on a digital or traditional piano to get the full experience and technique development.  It is particularly important to make sure the instrument has full size weighted keys.

However, any keyboard for practice at home will always help your child improve their skills.

We purchased the school pianos at The Music Connection in Redding.  They have a good selection of different pianos to choose from.

Another option is to contact Piano Angels. This is an organization in Redding that connects piano students with pianos. People donate unwanted pianos and Piano Angels get them to piano students that need one!