Pop Piano Lessons

POP PIANO LESSONS

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Our Pop Piano Classes are offered in three different levels:

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• Pop Piano Level 1 (proficiency equivalent of Grade 1-3)​​

• Pop Piano Level 2 (proficiency equivalent of Grade 4-5)​

• Pop Piano Level 3 (proficiency equivalent of Grade 6-8)

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Eligibility For Pop Piano Lessons:

• Children who have attained a minimum of ABRSM Grade 3 Piano or equivalent

• Teenagers & Adult Beginners who have completed our Foundational (Pre-Grade 1) Classes

• Highly recommended for Teenage and Adult Students to have attained a minimum of ABRSM Grade 3 Piano or equivalent prior to taking Pop Piano Classes

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About Pop Piano Levels:

• As a general guideline, Pop Piano Students will be allocated into the appropriate level according to the Grade they were pursuing before taking Pop Piano Lessons. For example, a student who has passed ABRSM Grade 3 and was last pursuing Grade 4 before signing up for Pop Piano Lessons will be first considered for allocation into Pop Piano Level 2 (proficiency equivalent of Grade 4-5)

• Allocation of students into the appropriate Pop Piano level (ie Level 1-3) is, however, done on a case-by-case basis. For example, a student who has attained an ABRSM Grade 6 might not necessarily be allocated to Pop Piano Level 3 (proficiency equivalent of Grade 6-8), but be allocated to Pop Piano Level 2 (proficiency equivalent of Grade 4-5) instead.

• For first-time students with us, the allocation of the Pop Piano level (level 2-3) will be determined during the trial lesson.​

• For continuing students who have been with us, the teacher will determine the Pop Piano level allocation based on their assessment of the student's proficiency. 

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Syllabus Outline:

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• Topic 1: Basic Solo Pop Piano Techniques And Concepts

  • 1.1 Two Basic Types Of Chords

  • 1.2 Forming Simple Patterns For The Left Hand

  • 1.3 Interpreting A Lead Sheet & Coordinating Both Hands

  • 1.4 Technical Exercises: Scales In Keys Of C, G, D

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• Topic 2: Inversions And More Chords

  • 2.1 Three More Types Of Triads

  • 2.2 Chord Inversions

  • 2.3 Adjusting the Left Hand Patterns For Inversions

  • 2.4 Technical Exercises: Scales In Keys Of D, F, Bb

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• Topic 3: Texturing Techniques For The Right Hand

  • 3.1 Block Chords & Harmonizing The Melody With The Right Hand

  • 3.2 Octaves In The Right Hand

  • 3.3 Technical Exercises: Scales In Keys Of A, Eb, E

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• Topic 4: Basic Techniques For Accompanying A Singer

  • 4.1 Voice Leading And Inversions In Accompaniment

  • 4.2 Basic Comping Rhythms

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• Topic 5: Seventh Chords

  • 5.1 Four Basic Types Of Seventh Chords

  • 5.2 Voicing Seventh Chords For Accompaniment

  • 5.3 Considerations In Harmonizing The Melody On Seventh Chords

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• Topic 6: More Accompaniment Techniques & Application In Solo Piano Context

  • 6.1 Rhythmic And Voicing Permutations

  • 6.2 Two-Handed Arpeggiation Techniques

  • 6.3 Accompaniment Fill Ins

  • 6.4 Application Of Accompaniment Techniques In Solo Piano Arrangements

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• Topic 7: Harmonic Analysis And Common Harmonic Figures In Pop Music

  • 7.1 Diatonic Chords

  • 7.2 Secondary Dominants & Secondary II-Vs

  • 7.3 Dominant Motion And Its Common Forms

    • Dominant Sus Chord And Voicing

    • V7 in First Inversion

    • The “Country Walk”

  • 7.4 Canon Progression As A Basis For Passing Chords & Reharmonization

  • 7.5 Must Know Progressions In Pop Music: IV-V-III-VI-II-V-I

  • 7.6 Modes As A Source Of Borrowed Chords

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• Topic 8: Tension Notes

  • 8.1 What Are Tension Notes?

  • 8.2 Available Tension Notes And Introduction To Chord-Scale Theory

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• Topic 9: Stylistic Comping

  • 9.1 Bossa Nova Groove

  • 9.2 Funk Comping

  • 9.3 Pop Rock Groove

  • 9.3 Jazz Comping & Walking Bass

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• Topic 10: Improvisation

  • 10.1 Introduction to Blues And Pentatonic Scales

  • 10.2 Blues And Pentatonic Vocabulary For Pop Music​