Piano and keyboard lessons
| Modern piano | Classical Piano | Keyboard lessons |
Wanting to learn piano or keyboard? We know that every student has different goals, learning styles and musical preferences
so our piano lessons don't follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Each lesson is built around the best outcome
for the student's own musical journey. On this page is just an overview of what happens in our piano
lessons and doesn't cover everything so if you'd like to know more, head over to our Get in touch page and send us a message.
Here are some of the typical things you will learn in our piano lessons.
Beginner piano lessons
- Parts of the piano/keyboard
- Names of the notes
- Starting to read music (if the student wants to)
- Basic piano chords
- How to play songs
- Understanding song structure
- Understanding rhythm
- Left hand and right hand independence
- Basic scales
Those are just some of the things that you will learn. Remember these lessons are for you and are based around what your goals are.
Intermediate piano lessons
As you progress in your learning, or if you join us further along in your musical journey, here are some of the more intermediate things
that may be included
in your lessons. Of course, as you specialise more the lessons will be modified to achieve
your goals.
- Fundamental music theory and how it works on the piano
- More complex rhythms
- Expressive techniques and pedals
- Reading more complex notes and rhythms
- How to play more complex songs
- Triads and arpeggios and how to use them
- More complex chords and inversions
- Improvisation and 'vamping' chords
- Ear training - hearing intervals and chord types
- Instrument care: Basic maintenance
At the point you've reached an advanced level playing there will be very specific subjects that you want to work on (eg incorporating modes into
your playing, or advanced music theory). It's likely by this point you'll be bringing subjects and areas to work on to the lessons or your teacher
may discuss advanced topics and how they well advance your playing.
Grades and strutured learning for piano
For students who are motivated by a more structured, grade-oriented learning experience, we can offer Rockschool or Trinity College.
Some students like to use the Trinity and Rockschool pieces in their playing whereas others go on to take the full grade exam.
As the name suggests, Rockschool is a more modern approach to music grading whereas Trinity is a more classical approach. Rockschool is a British
grading system supported by The Australian Music Examining Board in this part of the world.
You can find out more about Rockschool by heading over to the Rockschool New Zealand web page.
NCEA Music - piano as main instrument
We offer support to students who are taking NCEA music and using piano as their main instrument. We can help with selection and learning of
of performance pieces, as well as supporting understanding of class room topics. We have good relationships with the school music departments, and
many of our tutors are, or have been, Itinerant tutors in schools so we have a good understanding of the requirements for NCEA music.
