Group Piano Classes
Each program is 12 - 18 months* and includes:
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Carefully scaffolded lesson plans, including "challenges" for every song
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Full-colour workbooks
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Accompaniment/backing tracks
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Games and worksheets to support learning
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Composition tasks
* The different times for program completion is based on when the student entered the class (since we have ongoing enrolment) as well as how many classes they may have missed due to absences.
Do I need to have a piano at home? What about practicing?
Although having a piano or digital keyboard at home is encouraged (and helpful), it is not absolutely necessary in the early stages of learning to play the piano, especially for younger children.
Do students have their own keyboards in class?
In Little Keynotes, the class is done around one acoustic piano which the teacher uses, inviting the child up to play.
In Storytellers and KeyNotes Play, all students are assigned are at a digital keyboard. Learning and ensemble playing takes place on the keyboards, while solo performances take place on the single acoustic piano in the classroom.
Can my child go beyond beginner groups?
Yes! Group piano classes can accommodate learners all the way to those playing at an RCM Grade 3 Piano level.
Here at The Willow School, we will be adding more advanced classes next year. Click here to see the progression of KeyNote Music Group Piano programs.
Our approach to reading music
Reading music is notoriously one of the most difficult areas to manage when it comes to learning a musical instrument, especially the piano. Indeed, it can even be responsible for students giving up all together. We believe in scaffolds learning, using clear steps, and ensuring that each step is secure before moving onto the next.
In the Little Keynotes and Storyteller programs, the first step is actually to ensure that other key concepts are secure; such as note names, where these notes are on the piano, finger numbers, and basic rhythms. While this learning is taking place, we help students to understand the concept of reading music WITHOUT having to rely on it to play and progress. We do this by presenting a "pre-reader" staff that will continue to look familiar as they learn to read music; in other words, there is nothing they will have to "unlearn" as they progress in their musical learning.
"Learning to play the piano is a musical endeavour, and playing should not be held back or move slowly because of reading."
The Importance of Singing
Singing is fundamental to the way that children engage with and understand music. Thus, not only do each of our songs contain lyrics that are linked to our topic or story, we ask students to sing finger numbers and letter names -- thereby singing their playing instructions! This helps them assimilate the melody, rhythm, and to quickly make connections between the songs and piano.
Other benefits:
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Singing with others helps children feel part of a community.
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Singing stimulates creativity.
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Singing provides an outlet for feelings and emotions.
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Neurologically, singing helps to build connection between different parts of the brain that include music and language, fine motor development, as well as visual and emotional development.
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Singing is fun!
To find out more about Keynotes Group Piano curriculum,
click here to go to the U.K. site.