Specialising in
ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
Small group classes at
Ainslie Arts Centre
Specialising in
ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
Small group classes at
Ainslie Arts Centre
ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
Small group classes
Ainslie Arts Centre & Online
PIANO 101
Group format piano lessons for adults who are absolute beginners, Piano 101 introduces students to easy, logical and step-by-step ways to gain familiarity with the piano, by providing the foundations for both the physical aspects of playing and following a written score.
​
Goals & outcomes: To be able to play short piano pieces with two hands, incorporating melody and harmony, with progressive learning and accomplishment term by term. Students will learn how to read and respond to a piano score, as well as: simple improvisation techniques; fundamental music theory; and foundational aural and sight-reading skills.
​
Prerequisite knowledge: None. For absolute beginners. Piano 101 is suitable for adults of any age, new to the piano.
​
About the classes: Classes include: (a) weekly one-hour group lessons; plus (b) 24/7 online access to progressive course content, over a term. Terms generally coincide with ACT school term dates. Although enrolment is on a per term basis, the complete Piano 101 course is designed for ongoing participation, with each term consolidating and building on skills learnt in the previous term, covering:
​
-
How to Play the Piano
-
Learning to Read & Understand Sheet Music
-
Technique, Musicianship & Stylistic Interpretation
Piano 101 incorporates a broad variety of musical genres, including classical, neoclassical, blues, jazz, popular and film music.
​
Progressive learning is offered through Piano 101 Continuing / Advancing / Advanced and Piano 201.
​
Fee: $375 per term
Fee inclusions: Face-to-face or online classes; plus online course material; plus all sheet music, over a term.
What students
PIANO 101 FIRST
Starts from scratch. This class is the first term for absolute beginners and is also great for any students with some experience who either want a refresher or aren't yet familiar with all the introductory material.
​
Introductory material includes:
-
notation in treble and bass staves;
-
recognising intervals;
-
melodies, harmonies & bass lines;
-
major, minor & extended chords;
-
major, minor & blues scales;
-
time signatures, simple and compound note values, basic rhythms;
-
reading and playing from conventional scores as well as lead sheets;
-
introductory improvisation.
​
Please note that classes are responsive to students' interests and abilities. Depending on any twists and turns that given cohorts can take, planned introductory material may not always be completed in the first term so will extend into Piano 101 Continuing.
Perfect for absolute beginners & also a great class for any experienced students wanting a refresher.
​PERFECT FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
PIANO 101 CONTINUING
Follows Piano 101 First. This class both consolidates and expands on the material introduced in the first term, and may continue for one or two additional terms depending on the cohort and the curiosities that engage the group.
Additional material includes: ​
-
diminished & augmented chords;
-
chord inversions;
-
broken chords;
-
alternating intervals;
-
more reading and playing from conventional notation as well as lead sheets;
-
extended improvisation.
For students continuing from Piano 101 First & also suitable for new students already familiar with the basics introduced in Piano 101 First.​
NOT SUITABLE FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
PIANO 101 DEVELOPMENT
Follows Piano 101 Continuing. This class also suits students with some experience who are familiar with the material introduced in Piano 101 First and Continuing and want to get back into playing.
Material focuses on: ​
-
developing reading and playing skills;
-
understanding the theory, technique and pianism of pattern-based reading;
-
gaining awareness and confidence translating notation.
For developing beginners who want to 'read music better' and are already familiar with the basics introduced in Piano 101 First and Continuing.​
NOT SUITABLE FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
PIANO 101 ADVANCED
Follows Piano 101 Development, however students can also 'jump' to this class. This class suits students with some experience who are familiar with the material introduced in Piano 101 First and Continuing and feel ready to explore lots of music. This is a perpetual class that students are welcome to continue for as long as they like.
Material focuses on:
-
expanding reading and playing skills;
-
lots of short, stylistically varied pieces;
-
exploring a wide range of musical ideas, theory and different techniques.
Rather than being a standardised grade, Piano 101 Advanced set pieces are offered in a variety of progressive levels to suit a range of abilities and individual student readiness.
For advancing beginners to intermediate students who want to strengthen their reading & playing skills and are already familiar with the basics introduced in Piano 101 First and Continuing.
​NOT SUITABLE FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
All our classes are designed for enjoyment & self-directed goals. Our classes don't follow a strict standardised grading system, which we find too rigid. When it comes to the pieces we learn, with so much music to discover, explore and enjoy, we don't want to restrict ourselves; sometimes pieces will be easy pleasures to learn and play, sometimes we'll throw out a challenge. Cohorts tend to have diverse musical backgrounds, so set pieces are offered in a variety of progressive levels to suit a range of abilities and individual student readiness.
NEW STUDENTS FAMILIAR WITH INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN ADVANCING CLASSES.
Classes run as workshops, with a mix of demonstration, instruction, playing, theory, discussion, and a lot of scope for student enquiry and collaboration. Face-to-face classes are performed around one piano with individual keyboards per student for ensemble exercises and solo practice; for virtual classes, students can participate from their own instrument. All progressive material is provided in an online forum that includes explanations, theory, sheet music, learning tips, practice guides and video instruction.
THE BEAUTY OF CLASSES IS THAT THEY'RE SOCIAL
All classes are open for new enrolments each term, subject to interest for new classes and availability in continuing classes.
can expect
Our classes cover both instruction and online learning material. We put a lot of effort into both, and we believe in the quality of both.
What we expect of our students is simple: enjoy and make the most of both the instruction and material we offer.
As adult students, we absolutely understand demands on time and know that interruptions can happen. So we’re far more interested in the things you can learn with us rather than how much time you spend practising. If interruptions occur, while we don’t arrange make-up classes for non-attendance, all class material is continuously updated online for student reference, providing the benefits of revision and ongoing guidance.
of students
What we expect
