As in previous levels, you will work on technique exercises with attention to rhythmic skill and awareness, hand position, and posture. You will be introduced to playing parts in a variety of styles, including pop, funk, R&B, gospel, blues, and neo-soul.

You will learn and memorize a minimum of one piece from a specifically notated score, which will allow you to demonstrate advanced stylistic awareness in a particular genre. You will also learn and memorize a minimum of two chord symbol improvisatory pieces. One can be in any contemporary style, such as jazz, pop, R&B, rock, blues, and more. The second should come from jazz standard repertoire utilizing previously covered techniques.

You will work with your instructor to arrange an approved piece employing proper harmonization and voice leading, expressive elements, fingering, and technical elements. Improvisation is required on both chord symbol improvisatory tunes for the final exam.

By the end of Private Piano Lesson Level 8, you will:

• Perform symmetrical diminished scales in 12 keys, hands together, four octaves, at 72 BPM, in rhythmic groupings of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1
• Perform major scales in 3rds or 10ths and 6ths in 12 keys, hands together, four octaves, at 72 BPM, in rhythmic groupings of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1
• Perform a minimum of one technical exercise designed to develop hand strength and muscle memory essential for conventional movement and movement-specific from the approved repertoire for this level
• Perform a memorized piece that demonstrates advanced stylistic awareness from a specifically notated score
• Perform a minimum of two memorized chord symbol improvisatory pieces that advance stylistic awareness; one piece can be in a pop, funk, R&B, gospel, blues, or neo-soul style, or other approved contemporary style, and the other piece should come from jazz standard repertoire
• Improvise rhythmically and melodically on the chord symbol improvisatory piece
• Prepare and upload a draft of your Level 9 recital program