Beginner training plan
Your first lessonThe first lesson consists of establishing a strong foundation in piano technique, basic music theory, and student (your) goals. This is the time to get to know the student, discuss posture and technique, keyboard orientation and notation, and introducing some playing exercises. You will leave with homework and a practice routine.
Lesson 2-3These lessons usually consist of building coordination and reading skills. This is the time for introducing warm-up exercises, expanding note and rhythm reading, introducing a first piece, and dynamics and articulation. You will leave with homework and a practice routine.
Lesson 4-10These lessons usually consist of expanding repertoire and technique. There will be a warm-up routine, repertoire development that includes progressively challenging pieces focusing on phrasing, articulation, and expression. We’ll begin ear training, improvisation, and sight reading work during these lessons. You will leave with homework and a practice routine.
Lesson 11+These lessons consist of milestone assessments and next steps for future study. We’ll begin by performing a selected piece, emphasizing both technical precision and expressive interpretation. The focus is on the student’s ability to convey dynamics, articulation, and phrasing, all while maintaining steady rhythm and finger control. After the performance, we discuss your strengths and identify areas for improvement, offering constructive feedback to refine your technique and musicality.
Next, we conduct a technical check-in, assessing finger strength, coordination, and overall rhythmic consistency. If needed, new exercises are introduced to address any challenges, ensuring continued technical development. From there, we shift the focus to musical interpretation, exploring how the student can enhance storytelling within their playing. This may include introducing a new stylistic element, such as pedaling for greater resonance or experimenting with rubato to add expressive flexibility.
Looking ahead, we set future goals by selecting the next level of repertoire that aligns with the student’s progress and aspirations. Depending on your readiness, we introduce new technical challenges, such as playing faster scales, navigating more complex rhythms, or incorporating advanced articulation techniques. We also take the time to explore their musical interests, whether in classical, jazz, pop, or another genre, ensuring their learning journey remains engaging and personal.
To conclude, we discuss strategies for effective practice, emphasizing structured and mindful approaches to learning new material. A new repertoire is assigned, tailored to both challenge and inspire the student. Finally, creativity is encouraged, whether through composition, improvisation, or exploring personal musical projects, fostering a deeper connection to the instrument and the joy of making music.
