Piano Apprentices

Purchase the course. Find a link in the introduction document to purchase method books and other optional materials. Once you have the books in hand, you’re ready to watch the streaming courses! Your child and an older piano partner will watch the courses, use the practice video to practice assignments, and play games on BoomLearning.com to reinforce concepts. Once you’re ready, create a video of your child playing the assignments and submit it to me. I’ll respond within 2 business days with a feedback video. We’ll continue this process with each of the 16 lessons in the course.

• You’ll need either an acoustic piano in reasonably good condition (keys don’t stick, damper pedal works, etc.) or a digital piano that has 88 full-sized weighted keys, touch sensitivity, and a sustain pedal. Your digital piano needs to be set up on a stand that is standard height, not a dining table, the bed, or the floor. You need a bench that is at the standard height or adjustable to a taller height for small children.

   

• You’ll also need a device for streaming the videos via your internet connection. The bigger the screen, the better. A phone screen will be too small.

   

• You’ll need a way to create and upload videos. A phone camera will be the easiest tool.

I created this course to be perfect for 2nd graders. 1st grade students should be able to do it with a slower pace, and 3rd graders should find it comfortable.

Yes. I use the Alfred Premiere Piano Course, level 1A as a basic text with additional supplemental material that you will not have to purchase.

This courses uses the Lesson and Performance books from the Alfred course. You’ll be provided links to find the books on Amazon and other vendors.

Piano Apprentices takes your child from a complete beginner to playing with both hands in a 5-finger position, and recognizing all of the notes on the staff and many musical terms and symbols. In addition, we will learn the white key pentascales and how to recognize musical direction by ear (sounds traveling higher or lower). We’ll get to know the composers Haydn and Beethoven and learn about 2 of their famous compositions. We’ll explore creative expression on the keys with improvisation and a composition project.

Each lesson module will consist of videos that total approximately 45 minutes of lesson time. There is an additional practice video in each module. Your child will watch the videos, which can be split up into more than one day of viewing, and practice the assignments. Daily practice should be around 20-30 minutes.

No previous instruction is required!

No previous musical knowledge or instruction is required of the adult piano partner!

Students who practice at least 4 days a week will be happier in their piano study because they’ll make forward progress. Without practice, students will enjoy lessons less and frustration will build if they try to move forward in the program. The first practice session, watching the video and following the instructions will likely be the longest one as they learn how to do the practicing. In general, you should expect to spend 20-30 minutes on 4-6 days per week. This can be broken up into shorter sessions, and is often more effective if you do.

Once you feel ready, you’ll submit a video of your child playing the assignments along with any questions you have. Please don’t wait until you think their performance is perfect! I’d like to see where your difficulties are so I can help! In piano apprentices, your videos will be short - each piece is only a few seconds long, so your homework video will probably be no more than 6 minutes. Within 2 business days, I’ll respond with a feedback video giving you detailed encouragement and specific suggestions for improvement. In the meantime, you can begin to look at the next module if you feel ready.

Piano Apprentices is a 16-week course, but that doesn’t mean you have to complete it in 16 weeks. With this course, you’ll be entitled to 20 personal feedback videos from me. If you want to slow down the pace of the course and do it over a period that is longer than 20 weeks, you can purchase additional mentoring sessions separately.