PIANO

The Instrument

The piano is the primary instrument taught at Amaria Music. Compared to many other instruments, particularly stringed and wind instruments, it is easier to learn and play. The instrument itself does all of the work when you press the keys and because of the repeating note pattern of the keyboard, you really only have to learn the locations of the 7 notes in the musical alphabet. This makes the piano one of the best instruments on which to learn how to read music.

However, let's not make it sound too easy. It takes lots of practice to coordinate playing with both hands. And there are plenty of fingering techniques to be mastered, to effortlessly play some of the more advanced rifs, such as the fast moving arpeggios found in alot of classical and jazz music.

It's best to learn and practice on a real piano. The mechanincs of a real piano are much easier on your fingers, hands, and wrists than an electronic keyboard. Also, you can control the sound of the instrument by how you play it. And the sound is richer. Real pianos typically have all 88 keys while electronic keyboards typically have little more than half that. However, the next best thing is a digital piano with weighted or hammer action keys. Amaria Music recommends the cost-effective Casio Privia which sells retail for about $500.

What You Learn

• Notes on the keyboard
• Appropriate posture and hand placement
• Fingering and Pedaling techniques
• How to make chords
• Popular chord progressions

Basic Music Theory is included.

Study Material

Amaria Music uses the Bastien Series for all beginner students. Each level comes with a matching Theory Book. Click here to purchase Bastien and other piano books. Beginner arrangements of familiar songs published by the studio are also used to supplement the lesson books. Once you learn the basics, we concentrate on the style of music you would enjoy playing most.