I just finished my first piano class at my college. There are four piano classes: A, B, C, and D. I am in Class Piano A, which is for beginners. The class was from January through April 23. The class met twice a week for 50 minutes each. A total of 1hr. 40min. per week.
Is the following enough for one semester?:

- Five finger pattern ascending and descending hands together
- First and second inversion of major scale, both hands separately ascending and descending
- Major scales, both hands separately, ascending and descending
- Chords of major scales
- Chord progression (I-IV-I-V7-I) of major scale, both hands separately.

I would say you are off to a very good start, and what you have covered in just 3 months will really be of great advantage when you get to playing pieces. You now know your major scales and chords, and progressions.
Now that you know them I imagine you will be assigned the Minor ones, and you should enjoy them very much. Also I guess, at some point soon, you will get to play arpeggios.

Have you had any pieces assigned yet, or does that come later? Gaby Tu

Gaby Tu alludes to the only concern I would have, which is that if scales and chord progressions are ALL you are doing, I would find it pretty unsatisfying. (Actually, the words that come to mind are "stultifyingly boring" ). College music classes tend to be cheap (especially if somebody else is paying your tuition ), but I might recommend supplementing it with private lessons that would help you get started on learning something with a melody.

Monica, I'm shocked. You mean you DON'T like to repeat the first eight Hanon's in twelve keys?


music83,

I'm presuming these are the usual group classes around a set of keyboards or clavinova-type pianos? They can be a very good experience for a beginner because many beginning students actually are more comfortable in a group setting than they would be one-on-one with a scary piano professor -- no matter how friendly the professor seems to be.

But I would have thought that the class would have been more complete. What you describe is essential theory, but it is only a set of building blocks. Was there no work on actual pieces, no matter how simple? I would agree with Monica's assessment. Although I actually enjoy scales and exercises (within limits) I would find working on those basics exclusively to be very off-putting. It's like a dinner made up exclusively of canned peas and celery stalks. Very healthy in a way, but not really pleasant.

Cheers,

David F

it sounds like a theory class, which didn't really cover enough in 3 months. but it's a good start, and you might want to consider attending B or C class or maybe some other classes for playing techniques.

Correct.

We played several pieces. This is the book we used for class: http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Group-Adults-Second-Course/dp/0739035266

After my final exam, the instructor told me that I did really great considering I never had piano and that I am not a music major. He said I should consider taking private lessons.
Why would I need private lesson if I am taking and will be taking these piano classes in college?

I always wanted to learn the piano and be able to read sheet music and play it but could never afford private lessons. Then I found out that my university had piano classes. So I though I would take advantage of this opportunity and take this piano class.
Before I took the class I e-mailed the chair of the music department and he told me that the class is functional piano playing. I asked if thsi is the type of class where I would learn to read and play from sheet music but I never really got an answer.
Am I in the wrong class if I want to be able to read sheet music and play from sheet music?


There is a separate class called music theory. The actual title is "Elementary Music Theory".

music83,

I would suggest you pose that question on the teachers' forum for added insights.

I'm not a music teacher, but I can give the perspective of a pianist of some decent ability and of a parent whose son currently studies privately.

First, a group class will give you very little direct instruction in technique. The professor must move around the room. You may get a minute or two of direct instruction, enough to offer you a quick correction to some big problems, but probably not enough to create and reinforce good technique.

There is no substitute for one-on-one instruction if you want to make rapid progress with a minimum of backtracking to fix problems that may take root in the absence of a trained teacher's help.

I've watched my son blossom into a good pianist in part because he has, essentially, a private lesson per day. He has his regular weekly lesson with a teacher and seven days of supervised practice with me. That ensures that he internalizes the right way to do things. It also allows him to get the most out of his practice time. No, I don't stand over his shoulders 100% of the time. All students need the freedom to mess around and experiment, but all students benefit from supervision as well.

Can one become a fine musician all by one's lonesome? Yes, I'm sure it can be done. But it takes a rare sort of determination and a lot of work effort. If you have a personality that doesn't easily bend to another person's will, then perhaps doing things solo makes sense, but you also give up all the wisdom and insight that you could possibly get from sharing another person's expertise.

Cheers,

David F

music83, regardless what type that class is, you can play from sheet music if you can read notes! you don't have to have private lessons to play, although with a private teacher, things would get easier for you.

i would suggest that you continue taking that class (next level one) but at the same time, get some method book on piano playing instructions and basics, such as "The Piano Handbook" (by C.H.) or any such a book, which you might find from amazon.com. the good thing about such a book is that teaches you how to play piano (including your posture, your hand position, fingerings and etc.), not just knowning scales, chords as such.

i had taught myself about 5 years, and went through all that.