The Beginner Course: Establishing Strong Foundations for Young Pianists (Facilitated)

A comprehensive, 36-hour course that provides the knowledge and skills necessary for working with beginning pianists (ages 5-8) in the most important year of piano study-the first. Available in Instructor-Facilitated and Self-Guided versions.

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Course Curriculum

Topics include: Understanding how children learn, nurturing musical skills and development, exploring creativity through improvisation, building effective collaborations, introducing pieces with purpose and imagination, building successful music reading, creating holistic experiences with rhythm and movement, inspiring artistry, developing expressive playing, structuring lesson time, successful goal setting, and much more!

1. Video: Navigating the Course
1. 1. Introduction: Welcome and Course Outline
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2. 2. Course Content
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3. 4. Using the Forum
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4. 6. Summary of Objectives
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5. Welcome and Course Outline (Transcript, PDF)
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6. Course Syllabus: The Beginner Course: Establishing Strong Foundations for Young Pianists
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7. Welcome Survey
8. Discussion Forum Instructions
9. Discussion Forum: Introduction and Questions
1. Session Contents
2. Reading 1: "Finding the Center" by Pete Jutras
3. Reading 2: "How do we define 'success' in piano study?" by Sam Holland
4. Reading 3: "The Power of One" by Marvin Blickenstaff
5. Discussion Forum Introduction: The Role of the Teacher
6. Discussion Forum Question 1
7. Discussion Forum Question 2
8. Discussion Forum Question 3
9. Session Resources
1. Session Contents
2. Video Lecture: "How Children Learn" with Marvin Blickenstaff, Part 1 - Introduction
3. Video Lecture, Part 2: Discovery
4. Video Lecture, Part 3: Large Staff Demonstration
5. Video Lecture, Part 4: Exaggeration
6. Video Lecture, Part 5: Accurate Repetition
7. Video Lecture, Part 6: Modeling
8. Video Lecture, Part 7: Creativity
9. Video Lecture, Part 8: Correct First Experiences
10. Video Lecture, Part 9: Goal Setting
11. Video Lecture, Part 10: Independent study
12. Video Lecture, Part 11: Honest Affirmation
13. Transcript: "How Children Learn" by Marvin Blickenstaff (PDF)
14. Reading: "What Does Research Tell Us About the Learning Process?" by Rebecca Johnson and Suzanne Schons
15. Session Resources
1. Session Contents
2. Video and photo: Small Child with Sara Ernst
3. Video and photo: Larger Child with Sara Ernst
4. Video: Posture Chant with Diana Dumlavwalla
5. Video: Correction Game with Diana Dumlavwalla
6. Reading: "Hand Position Basics" by Nancy Bachus
7. Quiz on Posture and Position
8. Session Resources
1. Session Contents
2. Video Lecture: "Understanding & Guiding Children's Musical Development" with Dr. Sara Ernst and Dr. Wendy Valerio, Part 1
3. Video Lecture, Part 2: Stages of Musical Development
4. Video Lecture, Part 3: Building Blocks of Musical Skill
5. Video Lecture, Part 4: Structure of Activities
6. Transcript: "Understanding & Guiding Children's Musical Development" with Dr. Sara Ernst and Dr. Wendy Valerio(PDF)
7. Reading: "Beyond the Keys" by Edwin Gordon
8. Video Demonstration: Audiation Games, Part 1 with Dr. Sara Ernst and Dr. Wendy Valerio
9. Video Demonstration: Audiation Games, Part 2
10. Video Demonstration: Audiation Games, Part 3
11. Video Demonstration: Audiation Games, Part 4
12. Video Demonstration: Audiation Games, Part 5
13. Transcript: Audiation Games (PDF)
14. References for the Video Lecture and Demonstrations
15. Quiz on Musical Skills and Development
16. Session Resources and Related Material
1. Session Contents
2. Reading: "Parents Attending Lessons: Rewards and Challenges" by Diane Briscoe
3. Reading: "Why Should My Child Take Piano Lessons?" by Sam Holland (PDF)
4. Discussion Forum Introduction: The Role of the Parents
5. Discussion Scenario 1
6. Discussion Scenario 2
7. Discussion Scenario 3
8. Discussion Scenario 4 (optional)
9. Session Resources
1. Session Contents
2. Video Lecture: "Concept Preparation" with Craig Sale, Part 1
3. Video Lecture, Part 2
4. Video Lecture, Part 3
5. Video Lecture, Part 4
6. Handouts: "Concept Preparation" by Craig Sale (PDF)
7. Transcript: "Concept Preparation" by Craig Sale (PDF)
8. Video Demonstration 1: Eighth Notes with Amy Glennon
9. Video Demonstration 2: Sharps and Flats with Sara Ernst
10. Video Demonstration 3: Scale Preparation with Steven Brundage
11. Discussion Forum Introduction: Concept Preparation
12. Discussion Forum Question 1
13. Discussion Forum Question 2
14. Discussion Forum Question 3
15. Session Resources
1. Session Contents
2. Reading 1: "Nature Is a Model Teacher" by Richard Chronister
3. Reading 2: "I’ve Got It! Planning for Mastery in the Piano Lesson" by Dr. Sara Ernst
4. Video Demonstration 1: Rhythm with Sara Ernst
5. Video Demonstration 2: Sight Reading with Sara Ernst
6. Video Demonstration 3: Dictation with Sara Ernst
7. Video Demonstration 4: 12-Bar Blues Improvisation with Scott Donald
8. Video Demonstration 5: "Half and Heavy" Practice Drills with Steven Brundage
9. Video Demonstration 6: "Fast and Fluent" Practice Drills with Steven Brundage
10. Video Demonstration 7: Self-assessment with Sara Ernst
11. Music Featured in Teaching Demonstrations
12. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Reading: "To Play and To Study, the Thrill of Discovery" by Sara Ernst
3. Video Demonstration 1: Discovering Intervals on the Staff with Sara Ernst
4. Video Demonstration 2: Half Steps and Sharps with Amy Glennon
5. Video Demonstration 3: Playing Thirds with Amy Glennon
6. Video Demonstration 4: Note Accuracy and Hand Position with Janet Hart
7. Music Featured in Teaching Demonstrations
8. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Reading 1: "What are your guidelines for assigning a new piece?" by Frances Clark
3. Reading 2: "Consider the Sound First" by Scott Donald
4. Reading 3: "The Role of Rote Teaching in the Development of Reading, Technique, and Artistry" by Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr
5. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Reading: "Four Strategies for Introducing Repertoire" by Dr. Sara Ernst
3. Video Demonstration 1: Rote and Rote-Notation with Dr. Lesley McAllister
4. Video Demonstration 2: Workout, Complete with Sara Ernst
5. Video Demonstration 3: Workout, Complete with Rebecca Mergen Pennington
6. Video Demonstration 4: Workout, Partial with Janet Hart, Week 1
7. Video Demonstration 5: Workout, Partial with Janet Hart, Week 2
8. Video Demonstration 6: Play-Discuss with Amy Glennon
9. Music Featured in Teaching Demonstrations
1. Session Content
2. Reading 1: "Four Principles of Teaching Beginning Technique" by Dr. Samuel Holland
3. Reading 2: "Developing Technical Skills via Exercises Apart from Pieces" by Elvina Truman Pearce
4. Reading 3: "In the Beginning" by Marvin Blickenstaff
5. Reading 4: "How Do You Teach Choreography to Young Students?" by Marilyn Taggart
6. Discussion Forum Introduction: Technique for Beginners
7. Discussion Forum Question 1
8. Discussion Forum Question 2
9. Discussion Forum Question 3
10. Discussion Forum Question 4
11. Discussion Forum Question 5
12. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Video Lecture: "Teaching Beginners How to Read Music" with Dr. Sara Ernst, Part 1
3. Video Lecture, Part 2
4. Video Lecture, Part 3
5. Video Lecture, Part 4
6. Video Lecture, Part 5
7. Video Lecture, Part 6
8. Video Lecture, Part 7
9. Video Lecture, Part 8
10. Video Lecture, Part 9
11. Video Lecture, Part 10
12. Video Lecture, Part 11
13. Video Lecture, Part 12
14. Video Lecture, Part 13
15. Video Lecture, Part 14
16. Transcript: "Teaching Beginners How to Read Music" by Dr. Sara Ernst (PDF)
17. Video Demonstration 1: Landmarks Introduction with Rebecca Mergen Pennington
18. Video Demonstration 2: Landmarks Treble G, Middle C, Bass F with Sara Ernst
19. Video Demonstration 3: Landmarks High G and Low F with Sara Ernst
20. Reading 1: "Making Sense Out of What We Read" by Dr. Andrew Hisey
21. Reading 2: "Off-staff Notation" by Dr. Meg Gray
22. Reading 3: "Make 'Off-staff' Serve 'On-staff' as Soon as Possible" by Dr. Sophia Gilmson
23. Reading 4: "Using Songs to Teach Musical Concepts" by Amy Glennon
24. Music Featured in Teaching Demonstrations
25. Quiz on Music Reading
26. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Video Demonstration 1: Sound Modeling with Dr. Todd Van Kekerix
3. Video Demonstration 2: Score Study with Dr. Sara Ernst
4. Video Demonstration 3: Tempo Modeling and Score Study with Marvin Blickenstaff
5. Video Demonstration 4: Technique and Touch with Dr. Sara Ernst
6. Video Demonstration 5: Technique and Gesture with Amy Glennon
7. Video Demonstration 6: Singing and Modeling with Dr. Scott Donald
8. Video Demonstration 7: Singing and Drawing Phrases with Allison Shinnick
9. Reading 1: "Singing Through Your Instrument From the Very First Lesson" by Dr. Scott Donald and Dr. Klondike Steadman
10. Reading 2: "Teaching Artistic Phrasing" by Marvin Blickenstaff
11. Music Featured in Teaching Demonstrations
12. Discussion Forum Introduction: Expressive Playing
13. Discussion Scenario 1
14. Discussion Scenario 2
15. Discussion Scenario 3
16. Discussion Scenario 4
17. Discussion Scenario 5
18. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Video Lecture: "Rhythm and Movement" with Dr. Lesley McAllister, Part 1
3. Video Lecture: Part 2
4. Video Lecture: Part 3
5. Video Lecture: Part 4
6. Video Lecture: Part 5
7. Video Lecture: Part 6
8. Video Lecture: Part 7
9. Video Lecture: Part 8
10. Video Lecture: Part 9
11. Video Lecture: Part 10
12. Video Lecture: Part 11
13. Video Lecture: Part 12
14. Video Lecture: Part 13
15. Transcript: "Rhythm and Movement" by Dr. Lesley McAllister (PDF)
16. Video Demonstration 1: Steady Pulse with Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla
17. Video Demonstration 2: Ball Passing with Angela Triandafillou
18. Video Demonstration 3: Meter with Inflection with Dr. Rebecca Pennington
19. Video Demonstration 4: Meter Comparisons with Angela Triandafillou
20. Video Demonstration 5: Compound Meter with Amy Glennon
21. Music Featured in Teaching Demonstrations
22. Quiz on Rhythm and Movement
1. Session Content
2. Video Lecture: "Improvisation for the Beginning Pianist" with Dr. Scott Price, Part 1
3. Video Lecture: Part 2
4. Video Lecture: Part 3
5. Video Lecture: Part 4
6. Lecture by Scott Price (Transcript, PDF)
7. Video Demonstration 1: Black Key Single-Finger Improvisation with Scott Price
8. Video Demonstration 2: Two-Handed Black Key Improvisation with Scott Price
9. Video Demonstration 3: White Key Improvisation with Scott Price
10. Video Demonstration 4: Question and Answer 1 with Scott Price
11. Video Demonstration 5: Question and Answer 2 with Scott Price
12. Video Demonstration 6: Question and Answer 3 with Scott Price
13. Video Demonstration 7: Free Improvisation with Scott Price
14. Video Demonstration 8: Improvised Canon with Scott Price
15. Video Demonstration 9: Two-Handed White Key Improvisation with Scott Price
16. Reading: "Steps to Teaching Improvisation" by Bradley Sowash
17. Reading (optional): "Music Together: Creativity in Preparation for the Book" by Dr. Scott Price
18. Quiz on Improvisation Videos
19. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Video Performance 1: Landscape - Raindrops
3. Video Performance 2: Landscape - The Ocean
4. Video Performance 3: Landscape - Geese on the Pond
5. Video Performance 4: Landscape - Mountains
6. Video Performance 5: Spring - Bees Pollinate
7. Video Performance 6: Spring - Flowers in the Spring
8. Quiz on Composition Videos
9. Reading: "Student Benefits from Learning To Compose and Improvise" by Nicole Martens
10. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Video Lecture: "Pedagogical Strategies for Teacher-Student Duets" with Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla, Part 1
3. Video Lecture: Part 2
4. Video Lecture: Part 3
5. Video Lecture: Part 4
6. Video Lecture: Part 5
7. Video Lecture: Part 6
8. Video Lecture: Part 7
9. Video Lecture: Part 8
10. Transcript: "Pedagogical Strategies for Teacher-Student Duets" by Diana Dumlavwalla (PDF)
11. Video Demonstration: Performance Preparation Guidelines - "Hill and Gully Rider" with Diana Dumlavwalla
12. Video Performance 1: "This Land is Your Land," with Angela Triandafillou
13. Video Performance 2: "Square Dance" with Rebecca Mergen Pennington and Student Teacher
14. Video Performance 3: "Copy Cat" with Steven Brundage
15. Video Performance: "Tick-Tock Blues" with Scott Donald
16. Video Performance: "Holidays" with Amy Glennon
17. Video Performance: "Graduation March" and "Crocodile in the Nile" with Sara Ernst
18. Beginner's Music Featured in Duet Videos
19. Quiz on Exemplary Performance
1. Session Content
2. Audio Interview: "The First Recital: A Podcast Interview with Amy Glennon and Rebecca Mergen Pennington" with Sara Ernst
3. Transcript: "The First Recital: A Podcast Interview with Amy Glennon and Rebecca Mergen Pennington" by Sara Ernst (PDF)
4. Discussion Forum Introduction: Exemplary Performance
5. Discussion Forum: Statement 1
6. Discussion Forum: Statement 2
7. Discussion Forum: Statement 3
8. Discussion Forum: Statement 4
9. Discussion Forum: Statement 5
10. Discussion Forum: Pros and Cons
1. Session Content
2. Reading 1: "Complete Musicianship and Lesson Planning" by Louise Goss
3. Reading 2: "Putting It All Together: Creating a Great Lesson" by Steven Rosenfeld
4. Reading 3: "Planning for Short and Long Term Success" by Arlene Steffen
5. Sample Lesson Plan for Beginner (with reflective text) by Todd Van Kekerix
6. Sample Assignment Sheet for Beginner by Todd Van Kekerix
7. Session Resources
1. Session Content
2. Video 1: 30-Minute Lesson with Rebecca Mergen Pennington, Part 1
3. Video 2: 30-Minute Lesson with Rebecca Mergen Pennington, Part 2
4. Lesson Plan by Rebecca Mergen Pennington
5. Assignment Sheet by Rebecca Mergen Pennington
6. Video 3: 45-Minute Lesson with Sara Ernst, Part 1
7. Video 4: 45-Minute Lesson with Sara Ernst, Part 2
8. Lesson Plan by Sara Ernst
9. Assignment Sheet by Sara Ernst
1. Session Content
2. Video 1: Demonstration of Rote Piece by Sara Ernst
3. Video 2: Demonstration of Practice Steps by Sara Ernst
4. Video 3: Composition Assignment by Sara Ernst
5. Video 4: Five-finger Warm-up by Sara Ernst
6. Video 5: "Drop-lift" Warm-up by Sara Ernst
7. Reading 1: "The Home Practice Environment" by Richard Chronister
8. Reading 2: "'Time Spent' vs. 'Mind Spent'" by Elvina Truman Pearce
9. Reading 3: "Practice Steps for Successful, Independent Learning" by Angela Triandafillou
10. Reading 4: "Playing Through a Piece Is Not Practice" by Richard Chronister
11. Reading 5: "What Do You Do in the Lesson When the Student Has Not Practiced?" by Craig Sale
12. Handout 1: Practice Steps Level Primer by Angela Triandafillou
13. Handout 2: Practice Steps Early Elementary by Angela Triandafillou
14. Handout 3: Practice Steps Elementary and Late Elementary by Angela Triandafillou
15. Discussion Forum Introduction: Preparing Home Practice
16. Discussion Forum Question 1
17. Discussion Forum Question 2
18. Discussion Forum Question 3
19. Discussion Forum Question 4 (optional)
1. Session Content
2. Holidays by Jon George and Bingo from Music Tree 1
3. Video Demonstration 1: "Holidays" with Scott Donald, Week 1
4. Video Demonstration 2: "Holidays" with Scott Donald, Week 2
5. Video Demonstration 3: "Holidays" with Scott Donald, Week 3
6. Video Demonstration 4: "Holidays" with Scott Donald, Week 4
7. Video Demonstration 5: "Bingo" with Janet Hart, Week 1
8. Video Demonstration 6: "Bingo" with Janet Hart, Week 2
9. Video Demonstration 7: "Bingo" with Janet Hart, Week 3
10. Video Demonstration 8: "Bingo" with Janet Hart, Week 4
11. Video: Course Conclusion with Dr. Sara Ernst
12. Transcript: Course Conclusion (PDF)
13. Exit Survey

About this course

$179.00
300 lessons
12 hours of video content
Facilitated discussion forums allow participants to engage with each other and the course instructor on course content and other relevant topics
Designed to be completed at your own pace

Course Designer

Sara Ernst

Senior editor: Craig Sale. Course contributors: Steven Brundage, Scott Donald, Diana Dumlavwalla, Sara Ernst, Amy Glennon, Janet Hart, Lesley Sisterhen McAllister, Rebecca Mergen Pennington, Scott Price, Angela Triandafillou, and Todd van Kekerix.

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Testimonials

“The course has been extremely helpful. I am starting a teaching business after many years spent just performing. The course helped to conceptualize the teaching approach, emphasizing how music learning parallels language acquisition. I have also been able to make direct use of materials from lectures, readings etc. that have helped with detailed lesson planning.”

Brian G.