The Intermediate Course: Continuing Pianistic Growth

The Intermediate Course: Continuing Pianistic Growth and Development

This course is designed to introduce important concepts and material related to the teaching of intermediate students playing at approximately Levels 3-7.

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Course curriculum

1. Video: Navigating the Course
1. Module Contents
2. Introductory Video (with transcript): "Course Welcome and Introduction" with Jane Magrath and Pamela Pike
3. Course Syllabus
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4. Welcome Survey
5. Video Demonstration 1: Lesson Segment with Marvin Blickenstaff
6. Reading: "The Challenges and Joys of Intermediate Teaching" by Jeanine Jacobson
7. Video Demonstration 2: Lesson Segment with Aubrey Faith-Slaker
8. Reflection Activities
9. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Motivation and Learning - Reading: "Learning Theories for Piano Teachers" by Pamela Pike
3. Motivation and Learning - Video (with transcript): "Motivation and Cognition" with Pamela Pike
4. Motivation and Learning - Handout: "Motivation and Cognition" by Pamela Pike (PDF)
5. Curriculum and Assessment - Reading 1: "Fresh Impressions: The Interview Process" by Rebecca Pennington
6. Curriculum and Assessment - Reading 2: "Developing a Curriculum for the Intermediate Transfer Student" by Jane Magrath
7. Curriculum and Assessment - Reading 3: "Teaching the Transfer Student" by Elvina Pearce
8. Reflection Activities
9. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Reading 1: "Planning the Lesson Assignment" by Frances Clark
3. Reading 2: "Activities for Concept Preparation" by Craig Sale
4. Reading 3: "Assigning a New Piece" by Frances Clark
5. Reading 4: "Before Practice Begins" by Frances Clark
6. Video 1 (with transcript): "Presentation of Repertoire" with Craig Sale
7. Reading 5: "Presenting a New Piece in a Limited Amount of Time" by Frances Clark
8. Video 2 (with transcript): "Presentation of Kabalevsky Toccatina" with Elvina Pearce
9. Reflection Activities
10. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Foundational Technique - Video 1 (with transcript): "The Challenge of Teaching Technique" with Craig Sale
3. Foundational Technique - Reading 1: "Motivating Students to Practice Technique" by Jed A. Galant
4. Foundational Technique - Reading 2: "Technique—Tips for Teaching and Practicing" by Elvina Pearce
5. Warm-ups - Video 1 (with transcript): "Five-Finger Patterns" with Marvin Blickenstaff
6. Warm-ups Video 2 (with transcript): "Warm-ups and Rotation" with Marvin Blickenstaff
7. Scales - Reading: "Aspects of Teaching Scales" by Frances Clark
8. Scales - Video 1 (with transcript): "Major Scale Fingerings: Sameness and Difference" with Craig Sale
9. Scales - Video 2 (with transcript): "Scales, Part I" with Marvin Blickenstaff
10. Scales - Video 3 (with transcript): "Scales, Part II" with Marvin Blickenstaff
11. Scales - Video 4 (with transcript): "Teaching Scales" with Sara Ernst
12. Arpeggios - Reading: "Teaching Arpeggios" by Frances Clark
13. Arpeggios - Video 1 (with transcript): "Arpeggio Fingering" with Marvin Blickenstaff
14. Arpeggios - Video 2 (with transcript): "Teaching Arpeggios" with Sara Ernst
15. Chords - Reading: "Teaching Chords" by Frances Clark
16. Chords - Video (with transcript): "Teaching Chords" with Marvin Blickenstaff
17. Exercises and Etudes - Reading 1: "Other Technical Issues" by Frances Clark
18. Exercises and Etudes - Video (with transcript): "Finger Independence" with Marvin Blickenstaff
19. Exercises and Etudes - Reading 2: "What is the Role of 'Etudes' in a Pianist's Development? Which Ones Do You Use and When?" by Nancy Bachus, Seymour Fink, and Marilyn Neeley
20. Reflection Activities
21. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Musicality - Reading: "Finding Musical Messages in a Piece of Music – Kabalevsky Novelette, Op. 27, No. 14" by Joyce Cameron and Janis Combs
3. Music Reading and Sight Reading - Reading 1: "Comments on Music Reading" by Richard Chronister
4. Music Reading and Sight Reading - Reading 2: "Sight Reading for All Students" by Susanne Baker
5. Music Reading and Sight Reading - Reading 3: "How Do You Teach Students to Read Who Already Play By Ear?" by Dennis Alexander
6. Rhythm and Pulse - Video 1 (with transcript): "Questions and Answers" with Trevor Thornton, Andrea McAlister, Craig Sale, and Scott Donald
7. Rhythm and Pulse - Reading 1: "Rhythmic Security in Student Performances" by Frances Clark
8. Rhythm and Pulse - Video 2 (with transcript): "Internalizing Rhythm" with Marvin Blickenstaff and Jane Magrath
9. Rhythm and Pulse - Video 3 (with transcript): "Feeling the Pulse in a New Piece" with Ivan Hurd
10. Rhythm and Pulse - Video 4 (with transcript): "Discovering Appropriate Tempo" with Susanne Baker
11. Rhythm and Pulse - Reading 2: "How Do You Teach Fluent Rhythm Reading?" by Connie Arrau Sturm
12. Reflection Activities
13. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Music Theory and Ear Training - Reading 1: "Questions and Answers on the Basics of Teaching Music Theory" by Frances Clark
3. Music Theory and Ear Training - Reading 2: "Relating Music Theory to Students' Repertoire" by Ann Milliman Gipson
4. Music Theory and Ear Training - Reading 3: "Apps for Teaching: Acing Theory Tests without Theory Books" by Leila Viss
5. Music Theory and Ear Training - Video 1 (with transcript): "Identifying Chords in a New Piece" with Ivan Hurd
6. Music Theory and Ear Training - Reading 4: "Ear Training Questions and Answers" by Frances Clark
7. Music Theory and Ear Training - Video 2 (with transcript): "Ear Training - Chord Identification" with Angela Triandafillou
8. Music Theory and Ear Training - Video 3 (with transcript): "Rhythmic Ear Training - Clapbacks" with Angela Triandafillou
9. Harmonization and Chord Progressions - Video 1 (with transcript): "Harmonization for the Intermediate Student" with John Patrick Murphy
10. Harmonization and Chord Progressions - Video 2 (with handout): "Demonstration of Harmonization Patterns" with John Patrick Murphy
11. Harmonization and Chord Progressions - Video 3 (with transcript): "Chord Progressions for the Intermediate Student" with John Patrick Murphy
12. Harmonization and Chord Progressions - Video 4 (with handout): "Demonstration of Chord Progressions" with John Patrick Murphy
13. Harmonization and Chord Progressions Handout - Resources and References compiled by John Patrick Murphy
14. Harmonization and Chord Progressions - Reading: "Going Further with Lead Sheets" by Bradley Sowash
15. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 1: "Teaching Composition to Intermediate Students" by Elvina Pearce
16. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 2: "Training Healthy Brains: Benefits of Using Improvisation in Music Lessons" by Olivia Hancock
17. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 3: "The Flavors and Style of Chords" by Forrest Kinney
18. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 4: "Understanding Chord Symbols" by Bradley Sowash
19. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 5: "Finding the Time to Be Creative" by Leila Viss
20. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 6: "Behind the Music: Finding a Common Theme in Creative Composition and Performance" by Michael Rushing and Benjamin Williams
21. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 7: "Improvisation: The Classical Way" by Alexander Kato Willis
22. Composition and Improvisation - Reading 8: "Create to Motivate: Using Repertoire to Incorporate Creativity in Lessons" by Chee-Hwa Tan
23. Reflection Activities
24. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Leveling Chart for Standard Repertoire
3. Standard Classical Intermediate Piano Literature - Video 1 (with transcript): "Baroque Teaching Literature" with Jane Magrath
4. Standard Classical Intermediate Piano Literature - Video 2 (with transcript): "Classical Teaching Literature" with Jane Magrath
5. Standard Classical Intermediate Piano Literature - Video 3 (with transcript): "Romantic Teaching Literature" with Jane Magrath
6. Reflection Activity
7. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Standard Classical Intermediate Piano Literature - Video 1 (with transcript): "Contemporary Literature 1900-1950" with Jane Magrath
3. Standard Classical Intermediate Piano Literature - Video 2 (with transcript): "Contemporary Literature 1950 - Present" with Jane Magrath
4. Reflection Activity
5. Developing Style - Reading: "Using Recordings to Develop Style and Stimulate Listening" by Mary Jane Clarke
6. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Video 1: Composer Vignettes - Dennis Alexander
3. Video 2: Composer Vignettes - Carol Matz
4. Video 3: Composer Vignettes - Christopher Norton
5. Video 4: Composer Vignettes - Catherine Rollin
6. Video 5: Composer Vignettes - Wynn-Anne Rossi
7. Video 6: Composer Vignettes - Chee-Hwa Tan
8. Slide Presentation (downloadable PDF): From the Composer’s Pen
9. Educational Composers - Project Sheet
10. Handout: Educational Composer Vignettes (recommended collections and solos)
11. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Repertoire Maintenance and Practice Techniques - Video 1 (with transcript): "Boiling It Down - Musical Performance" with Craig Sale
3. Repertoire Maintenance and Practice Techniques - Reading 1: "Behind Closed Doors: What Our Pre-College Students Really Do During Practice . . . And How We Can Empower Them to Improve!" by Pamela Pike
4. Repertoire Maintenance and Practice Techniques - Reading 2: "Time Spent vs. Mind Spent" by Elvina Pearce
5. Repertoire Maintenance and Practice Techniques - Reading 3: "Practicing Alongside Our Intermediate Students" by Sara Ernst
6. Repertoire Maintenance and Practice Techniques - Video 2 (with transcript): "Teaching Students to Practice" with Marvin Blickenstaff and Jane Magrath
7. Repertoire Maintenance and Practice Techniques - Video 3 (with transcript): "Teaching Students to Practice" with Susanne Baker
8. Practicing Reinforced - Reading 1: "A 'Practice Toolbox' for Students" by Steve Rosenfeld
9. Practicing Reinforced - Reading 2: " A Teachers' Roundtable on Solutions to Common Practice Problems" by Elvina Pearce, Editor
10. Practicing Reinforced - Reading 3: "What to Do about Fingering Issues?" by Elvina Pearce
11. Practicing Reinforced - Reading 4: "Plateaus in Learning" by Frances Clark
12. Working out a Piece - Video 1 (with transcript): "Coaching Phrasing" with Marvin Blickenstaff and Jane Magrath
13. Working out a Piece - Video 2 (with transcript): "Identifying Errors, Part 1" with Susanne Baker
14. Working out a Piece - Video 3 (with transcript): "Identifying Errors, Part 2" with Susanne Baker
15. Working out a Piece - Video 4 (with transcript): "Identifying Errors, Part 3" with Susanne Baker
16. Working out a Piece - Video 5 (with transcript): "Developing Artistry and Ownership" with Marvin Blickenstaff
17. Reflection Activities
18. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Guiding Students to Successful Performance - Video (with transcript): "Memorization" with Craig Sale
3. Teaching Students to Memorize - Reading 1: "Fundamentals of Memory" by John Ford
4. Teaching Students to Memorize - Reading 2: "A Choice to Be Made" by Stewart Gordon
5. Reflection Activities
6. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Developing Diagnostic Skills and Coaching - Video (with transcript): "Developing Diagnostic Skills" with Craig Sale
3. Inspiring Artistry - Video (with transcript): "Inspiring Artistry Project Introduction" with Jane Magrath
4. Inspiring Artistry - Project Sheet
5. Performance Anxiety - Video (with transcript): "Performance Anxiety" with Craig Sale
6. Performance Anxiety - Reading 1: "Preparing the Mind and Body for Performance: Conquering Stage Fright through Effective Practice" by Allison Maerker Garner
7. Performance Anxiety - Reading 2: "Strategies for Successful Performances" by Gail Berenson
8. Performance Anxiety - Reading 3: "Convert Performance Anxiety into Performance Energy" by Julie Jaffee Nagel
9. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 1 (with transcript): "Lesson 1 - Student Plays Piece and Identifies Errors" with Susanne Baker
10. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 2 (with transcript): "Lesson 2 - Student Works on Selecting Tempo" with Susanne Baker
11. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 3 (with transcript): "Lesson 3 - Listening, Aural Discernment, Self-Coaching, Expressivity" with Susanne Baker
12. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 4 (with transcript): "Lesson 4 - Final Coaching, Review, and Performance" with Susanne Baker
13. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 5 (with transcript): "Lesson 1 - Identifying Chords" with Ivan Hurd
14. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 6 (with transcript): "Lesson 2 - Creating a Story to Develop Interpretation" with Ivan Hurd
15. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 7 (with transcript): "Lesson 3 - Reviewing and Refining" with Ivan Hurd
16. Videos of Progressive Lesson Development - Video 8: "Student Performance"
17. Reflection Activities
18. Module Resources
1. Module Contents
2. Video 1 (with transcript): "Perspectives on Teaching Going Forward" with Jane Magrath
3. Video 2 (with transcript): "Guiding Students to Successful Performance" with Craig Sale
4. Video 3 (with transcript): "Finding Inspiration in Teaching" with Marvin Blickenstaff
5. Reading 1: "In Praise of Ignorance: The Teacher as Student" by Robert Mayerovitch
6. Reading 2: "Further Insights" by Frances Clark
7. Videos of Our Students at their Best in Performance
8. Reflection Activities
9. Recommended Supplementary Reading: "The Many Faces of Music" by Marvin Blickenstaff
10. Module Resources
11. Exit Survey

About this course

$129.00
164 lessons
8.5 hours of video content

Each session may include:

video teaching demonstrations, video lectures (with downloadable transcript), readings, and reflection activities

Topics covered include:

An introduction to intermediate teaching and learning
Motivation and learning
Curriculum assessment and lesson planning
Foundational technique including warm-ups, scales, arpeggios, chords, and exercises and etudes
Music reading and sight reading
Rhythm and pulse
Music theory and ear training
Harmonization, chord progressions, composition, and improvisation
Standard and educational piano literature
Repertoire maintenance and practice techniques
Memorization and performance success
Coaching and preparing for performance

Testimonials

“This course has been of great help to me. I graduated in piano performance over 20 years ago and wanted to find ways to improve my teaching. There were many things that brought new light to me and I am excited to implement them into teaching. Thank you!”

Melissa K.

“It has been very fruitful learning with a lot of insightful sharing, especially sharing, demonstration, and illustration by the presenters. Their passion towards teaching and nurturing young artists has been very inspiring.”

Jiaxian L.

About The Course

The Intermediate Course: Continuing Pianistic Growth and Development is organized into thirteen modules, several of which are divided into units on related topics. It is intended for those who are just beginning their teaching careers as well as experienced teachers seeking to expand their teaching skills related to intermediate study.

This is a fully online course comprised of video and written materials created and curated for the course, as well as material from Piano Magazine, Clavier Companion, Keyboard Companion, Frances Clark Center webinars, and books published by the Frances Clark Center.

This is a self-guided course. Students may progress through the course at their own pace following a prescribed order. Reflection questions encourage further consideration and application of the module materials. Students will not respond to these questions on the platform but are encouraged to complete the activities for their own personal use. Teachers should select those questions that will help them the most in their current instructional situation.

Course Leader: Dr. Jane Magrath.

Senior Editor: Dr. Pamela Pike.

Special lecturers and demonstration teachers include: Dr. Susanne Baker, Marvin Blickenstaff, Dr. Ivan Hurd, Dr. John Patrick Murphy.

Did you know? Piano Inspires subscribers receive 20% off all full-length course purchases! Email [email protected] for discount code.