In Level 1, you will be introduced to several theoretical foundations of piano performance: posture at the instrument, major scales, major root-position triad arpeggios, and more. You will learn two pieces, one in traditionally notated scoring and another in chord-symbol improvisation forms, working with your instructor to adhere to all expressive, fingering, touch, and technical elements. The harmonic texture required for your chord symbol improvisatory piece in Level 1 is to play the melody in the right hand with voice-led chords in the left hand. Additionally, you will also be required to learn technical exercises to help you develop rhythmic skill and awareness, muscle memory, and hand strength.

By the end of Private Piano Lesson Level 1, you will be able to:

• Play major scales hands together, four octaves ascending and descending with the proper fingers in eighth notes at 65 BPM in the keys of C, G, D, A, E, and B in rhythmic groupings of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1
• Play major triad root-position arpeggios hands together, four octaves ascending and descending with the proper fingers in eighth notes at 65 BPM in the keys of C, G, D, A, E, and B in rhythmic groupings of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1
• Perform triadic chord progressions I – IV – V – I and I – VI – II – V – I in the keys of C, D, G, A, E, and B
• Perform a technical exercise designed to develop rhythmic skill and awareness, hand strength, and muscle memory essential for conventional keyboard movement
• Perform a piece from a “traditionally” notated score
• Perform a piece in the chord symbol improvisation style right-hand melody, left-hand chords voice-led