Piano Lessons

Basic Class Objectives:

Progressive development of dynamic warm-up exercises on the piano, with specific coordination, mechanical agility, motor and mental dexterity goals over the instrument.

Development of specific exercises for separation and hands independence.

Early introduction to speed exercises, independence y high mechanical demand for all 5 fingers in each hand.

Early exercises over scales on the white keys. Exercises over triads (with and without octaves), 5 notes, introduction to sequences.

Exercises and motion technique for the thumbs on the piano.

Emphasis on quality of sound, attack, note sustain, and sound uniformity on both hands.

Physiotherapy exercises for repetitive motion for both hands, specific for musicians.

Basic sight reading.

Tempo exercises with and without metronome.

Study of the first scales from the Circle Of Fifths/Fourths on a dynamic manner over the keyboard, with practical and applied theory over them.

Execution of basic level pieces from the classical repertoire over the instrument.

Introduction to blues piano as a basis for rock (optional). First genre worked for improvisation.

Study of basic blues licks over the minor pentatonics (optional).

Command over Major scales and (optionally) pentatonics, with motion freedom throughout the entire instrument.

Intermediate Class Objectives (I):

Study of scales with more black keys/alterations involved. Study of scales with the root on a black key.

Execution of pieces from a basic-intermediate level from the classical repertoire over the instrument.

Study of the first pentatonic scales over the keyboard.

Basic straight & shuffle rhythmic exercises.

Intermediate study of scales using the metronome, over the entire instrument.

Theoretical & practical study over all basic chords (triads and seventh chords) over common and movable shapes. Introduction to voicings management.

Basic compositional principles over progressions in each of the natural modes (non altered). Theoretical and practical / melodic and harmonic study of each of the modes, and combined, intermediate improvisation of different scales and theory concepts.

Mechanical intermediate exercises for speed; method and correct intensity for proper execution.

Intermediate reading (and writing) of scores.

Introduction to studio setup and personal recording equipment.

Intermediate Class Objectives (II):

Execution of pieces from an intermediate level from the classical repertoire over the instrument.

Basic Blues Improv with the right hand, and harmonic blues forms with the left hand (optional).

Study of intermediate blues licks over both kinds of pentatonics, combination of scales while improvising, turnarounds (optional).

Interpretation (and transcription) of blues songs (optional).

Intermediate sight reading of scores on the instrument.

Study of all the modes or basic Greek scales.

Study of all basic arpeggios (with inversions), triads and seventh chords.

Intermediate skipping and shifting exercises over different scales & modes. Melodic inversions of scales, and improvisations using these concepts.

Improvisation over 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 simultaneous scales.

Improvisation over modal blues.

Arpeggios & altered chords, suspensions and their uses.

Fundamentals of altered modes.

Intermediate exercises (specific for developing speed) over the instrument.

Advanced Class Objectives (I):

Execution of advanced level pieces from the classical repertoire over the instrument.

Detailed study of the sixth mode, with all of its basic variations of scales (specially for students focused on hard rock & metal).

Study and composition of predetermined (and student-written) sequences of 3, 4 and more notes, over each of the scale patterns learned.

Study of each of the modes corresponding to each of the scale variations of the sixth mode, and a more detailed study over all the other minor natural modes.

Basic handling of a DAW for recording of the student's own ideas, backing tracks or loops, and improvisations.

Exotic scales; uses, applications & improvisation over them.

Improvisation and basic jazz voicings.

In-depth analysis of forms, instrumentation, composition and solo creation over songs from different musical genres.

Principles of digital audio. Study and utilization of each of the audio effects categories (in digital plugin format, or their analog counterparts).

Basic composition of pieces from the student's own riffs & musical ideas.

Advanced Class Objectives (II):

Execution of advanced level pieces from the classical repertoire over the instrument.

Study & composition of pre-determined (and the student's own) sequences, of 3, 4 and more notes, combining several of the scales studied.

Analysis of recording and mixes on the musical genre(s) that the student is interested in working on.

Comping, upper-structure triads, substitutions, multi-modal jazz, chord-melody playing & composing.

Complex rhythmic studies.

Advanced first-sight reading of scores with the instrument.

Intermediate and advanced composition of the student's own songs.

Please keep in mind,

The above is only a general outline, covering only the basic parts of the different contents of the class. The different programs extend beyond the content described here, especially for advanced students.

Due to the fact that the classes are personalized, the order, contents, intensity and the requirements of each topic varies according to each student, to adapt to their current level in the instrument (for those students who do not start from scratch), any possible problems or weak points in technique, clean sound, coordination or speed that may occur throughout the classes; their musical tastes, particular interests over the instrument, etc.

The learning process within the classes includes many other topics apart from those described in the program above, such as:

Basics about different types of keyboards (keyboard bed systems) and options/brands available on the market.

Octave setup of the (acoustic) instrument.

Principles of digital audio editing, recording, audio plugins management.

Handling and signal routing of virtual instruments, both inside a DAW or as a standalone app.

* The class program begins in a generic way for almost all beginner students, and the class becomes more personalized in each case, as the student progresses.