Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Major Key Signatures

First year piano students will most likely be playing in only three keys, the C major, G major and F major. One approach is to teach the order of sharps first and then teach the sharp key signatures. Next teach the order of flats, then teach flat key signatures.

A second approach is to teach the key signatures as they come up in the music literature for the level of playing that the student is currently studying. It is also a good idea to teach the associated scale to be played for one octave the first year. The student will already have been introduced to playing simple sharps and flats in the literature and learning the associated scales should be possible for most students.

Theory workbooks to learn to identify key signatures are usually presented beyond the first year.

Key signature flash cards are useful for drills both at home and at the lesson.

For more information about piano lessons in the Millington area, contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sharps and Flats

Modern literature often recommends that the order of sharps and flats be taught so the student is prepared for naming key signatures. Traditional literature introduces sharps and flats in the key signature starting with C major, G major and F major. I see no reason for introducing the 14 accidentals to beginning students first without relating it to the keyboard sheet music. I prefer the traditional method that first teaches the student to read the time signature, read accidentals in the music, and then read accidentals in the key signature and applying the sharp or flat to the corresponding notes in the music. Then introduce the idea of a major happy sounds and a minor sad sound as we progress through the literature. Much later, I will introduce the concept of a key as applied to the entire composition.

To learn all key signatures, I teach the poem for sharps Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle. Flats are the reverse order of the same poem. Then, by repeating verbally the order of the sharps and flats the student will begin to learn their sequence somewhat by ear.

I also have no problem teaching the Circle of Fifths and Fourths by demonstrating the order of sharps and flats on the piano. Piano students of any age find this a logical approach to understanding the relationships of accidentals and their keys.

For more information about piano classes Bedminster area, contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Intervals Training

It's important to include ear training drills when students learn intervals. First have the student play and sing intervals at the piano. For example, sing 1-3, 1-5, and so forth. Then have him try to recognize intervals played by the piano teacher. Use familiar songs to recognize intervals. The first two notes of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" for a fourth, the first two notes of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" for a sixth, and so forth.

Flash cards are great to use when teaching intervals. Students can work with flash cards at home and also in class.

Intervals can be explained easily as the difference in tone (pitch) between two keys (notes). Melodic intervals are individual notes (relate to the "melody" of a song). Harmonic intervals are two notes played at the same time.

A second moves from a line to the next space or a space to the next line on the staff. A third moves from a line to the next line or from a space to the next space on the staff and it skips one musical letter. A fourth move from a line to a space or a space to a line on the staff. It looks like a second but it skips two musical letters. A fifth moves from a line to a line or a space to a space on the staff. It looks like a third but it skips three musical letters.

For more information about piano classes in the Bedminster area, contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Five-Finger Positions and Chords

The Major keys can be thought of as four groups of similar finger positions based on the tonic triad. If the student learns the pattern of black and white keys for each group they will be a step ahead. The student can create a picture in his mind of the groups and learn the chords by the shape of the white and black key patterns. Then he can practice finding them on the piano with his eyes closed.

Group 1 - These keys have all the white keys in their tonic chords:

C Major
G Major
F Major

Group 2 - These keys have a black key under the middle finger and white keys on either side:

D Major
A Major
E Major

Group 3 - These keys have a white key under the middle finger and black keys on either side:

Db Major
Ab Major
Eb Major

Group 4 - All of these fingerings must be learned individually.

Gb Major
Bb Major
B Major

For more information about Bernardsville area piano lessons, contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Beginning Music Theory

A first year theory program should include the following:

  • Major 5-finger positions and major tonic chords
  • Dominant seventh chords (inverted positions)
  • Intervals
  • The order of sharps and flats
  • Major key signatures
  • Minor 5-finger positions and minor tonic chords
  • Subdominant chords (inverted position)

Ultimately, the piano student should know how to identify the key of the piece, understand the harmonic changes, and have some understanding of the structure of the composition. To get there, piano instruction should include theory from the beginning as an integral part of the piano lessons.

I make it a point to each one hour piano classes rather than half hours because performance, technic, theory, and aural training cannot be managed in only thirty minutes. Families with two students cannot always swing this, so I offer half-hour classes to these candidates. Written theory assignments can then be given and the piano teacher can check these in a few minutes during the lesson.

For more information about piano lessons in the Millington area, please contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.