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Syllabus

  • Mike
  • Jul 28, 2017
  • 2 min read

Recommended text:

If you have no experience at all with playing an instrument and cannot read music, then I recommend Alfred’s Teach Yourself to Play Piano, available at Guitar Center for under $20.00.

If you can read music, or if you want to move a little more quickly, then Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Book 1 (about $16), or Alfred's All-In-One Course, Book 1 (about $21), are both very good. These two include a DVD or a CD with them, and both are available at Music & Arts.

Note that I don't get any kickback from either store. If you have a preferred text, we can use that also. After you complete the suggested text, if you keep it in good condition (only pencil marks), then I’ll probably buy it back from you.

What Will We Study:

  • How to read music. The text introduces you to reading music at a slow and easy pace, just enough for the lesson at hand. If you already read music, we’ll skip over it. If not, we’ll make it as easy as possible for you.

  • Music theory. Don’t panic. We won’t be learning to be a composer/arranger. We will learn about notes, intervals, scales, and chords. If you plan to play only music “as written”, then maybe this isn’t all that important. If you want to improvise with pop music, though, you need theory. I know that many very famous pop musicians can’t read music and don’t know a thing about theory. They are either immensely talented or immensely lucky. We will go the smart way and learn stuff we can use.

  • How to play. Well duh. That’s what you’re here for. You will start with simple stuff, and progress rapidly. By page 13 you will be playing the grand finale to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, the famous “Ode to Joy”. Sure, we’ll be playing a much simplified version, but still. And we’ll play an Elvis song. And whatever else comes along. Remember, the objective is not “how many notes per minute we can play”, but like the tortoise who famously beat the hare, we want to be steady, even, and precise. Speed will come.

What You Need to Do:

  • First, you need to practice. I think I mentioned this in the last post. It bears repeating. Try to find at least 5 minutes daily. You’ll thank me someday.

  • Listen to music. Good music. Whatever that means to you. I recommend WRR 101.1 the Dallas classical music station. Also 88.1 KNTU the University of North Texas University jazz station. And anything else you want and like. YouTube has a wealth of piano music. Listen to find the beat. Figure out how many beats to the measure – the time signature. Just listen and enjoy.

More to come … stay tuned …

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