Early education classes

Keyboard Kids

A Piano Primer for young children

12 Weeks, Feb 1 - May 1

Family Music: Big Kids introduces music to children in a fun and interactive way. Teacher and partners work together to provide a positive setting in which the child can grow both musically and socially.  We are process oriented, not product oriented.  We realize that the most important information the young children are receiving is the joy of music, the inner hearing and inner feeling. These are not “products” that you can immediately see.  We also model how to share music at home with your family and give you specific ideas on what musical activities to enjoy at home.

Learning notes on the keyboard:

The students will learn different notes on the keyboard without having to worry about reading the music immediately or using a specific finger. The students will learn high and low, the black keys vs. the white keys and discover where ‘do’ is located. Developing a physical awareness on the piano is the most important part. Physically playing different notes while seeing the movement up and down the keyboard will assist in ear training while allowing the student to explore music in his or her own way. Remember – process, not product.  

Finger Preparation for keyboard playing:

Finger games are used to prepare students to use different fingers as they further their piano education. We begin the development of moving a specific finger apart from any other finger, building on the fine motor skills that students are beginning to discover. We do not focus on playing the keyboard with specific fingers; rather building finger independence.

Musical Terms:

Family Music: Big Kids introduces musical terms through example. Students use movements to discover “presto” and “largo” and through songs we learn “forte” and “piano” and much more!

Developing community:

Students learn a sense of community through playing instruments with others, singing and making music with others. Partner participation is essential- the students watch the partners enjoy creating music with other adults and imitate what they see. Students love to interact with their parents!

Feeling rhythm:

Feeling rhythm is a main aspect of Family Music: Big Kids. Through singing, listening and movement, students will feel rhythm in 2, in 3, and in 4.  We use creative and large muscle motions to develop a feeling for pulse and meter. Students will learn to feel the difference between quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and eighth notes. Feeling rhythm helps to establish an internal beat in all students.

Listening to all genres of music:

Students are exposed to a wide variety of music including classical. The students listen to, sing, and move to examples of jazz, classical and folk music, creating a more rounded musical experience for the students.

#	Grade	Partner	Siblings*	Length	Tuition	Materials	Day/Time	ENROLL
MT2	K in 2012	YES	NO	45 min	TBA	TBA	TBA