What level should I be in?

Level 1:

·     For the new, young beginner (5-10 years old).

·     Want to start from the basics and establish solid foundation. You will learn proper piano position, how to produce a good sound, great technique, an introduction to all twelve Major keys, to read notes on the staff, good musicianship and expression.

·     Have desire to clear up any potential gaps in previous training? Start here!

·     Materials used: Faber Primer Level, Suzuki Book 1

Level 2:

·     Some piano experience and/or older beginner (10 or older).

·     Have some foundational technique and understanding of the staff and Major 5-finger positions.

·     Want to move through material quickly and are a fast learner. You will go through foundational technique in all twelve Major and minor keys, complete learning to read all the notes on the staff, learn to phrase music and bring out dynamics, learn how to voice out melody lines, and learn great basic practice principles for success throughout every level of your progress in piano.

·     Materials Used: Faber Level 1, Suzuki Book 1

Level 3:

·     Experienced beginner. Foundation in twelve Major and minor five-finger patterns. Secure in foundational technique and an understanding and ability to musically express. Beginning to be fluid in note reading.

·     You will learn the 12 Major scales and arpeggios and primary chord cadences. You will continue to learn and use solid practice principles and techniques to improve your level of playing and expression.

·     If you have gone beyond Level 2A in Faber books or other method books, but lack foundational technique, note reading, and/or musical expression experience and training…begin here or in Level 2.

·     Materials Used: Faber Level 2A, Celebration Repertoire Book 1

Level 4:

·     For the experienced beginner with a solid foundation in one-octave scales and arpeggios of all twelve Major and minor keys. Should have a secure foundational technique, as well understanding and ability to phrase and express music and on the way to becoming a confident note reader.

·     You will learn the 12 Major scales and arpeggios in two octaves, as well as Major and minor Cadences. Your sight-reading skills will develop further and the weekly book assignments as well as Performance pieces will push your technical and musical expressive skills. You will learn how to thoroughly practice and prepare for performances.

·     If you feel like a confident pianist, but desire to gain a greater technical foundation as well as learn how to express musical phrasing and deeper meaning in music, this is a great place for you! Even if you have previously done Faber Level 2B, this level will strengthen your technical and musical abilities.

·     Materials Used: Faber Level 2B, Celebration Repertoire Book 2

Level 5:

·     For the pianist who is confident in all of their basic Major scales and arpeggios and able to play them fluidly. Confident in note-reading and participating in regular sight reading of beginning music. Should be able to express music and know how to practice effectively in order to produce a clean, musical and solid performance.

·     You will continue to improve your 12 Major scales and arpeggios as well as begin learning the minor scales and arpeggios in all twelve keys. You will also learn triads and inversions in all twelve keys. You will continue to develop confident sight-reading skills as well as further your expressive and technical abilities in more difficult music creation.

·     Materials Used: Faber Level 3A, Celebration Repertoire Book 3

Level 6:

·     For the pianist who is confident in all Major and harmonic minor scales and Major and minor arpeggios. Should be confident in sight reading middle-beginner music. Should be confident in effectively expressing and connecting through music. Should be consistent and effective at practicing.

·     You will continue improving and learning more Major and minor scales and arpeggios. You will be pushed in learning more intermediate performance pieces and more challenging weekly assignments.

·     Materials Used: Faber Level 3B, Faber Piano Literature Book 3

As you consider what level to begin in, consider these three principles:

1 - What is your technique background?  We really emphasize establishing a strong piano foundation in our program - with great technique skills that lend to better music making in every way. We hope you won't ever look back and say, "I took lessons for 8 years and can't play a thing..." Instead, we want to give you the tools to create a piano and music foundation that will enable you to play and enjoy music forever. This begins with a technique foundation. Level 1 will take you through beginning the technique that will set you up for success in every other level.

2 – If you already play the piano, don’t be afraid to start at an earlier level. The pieces you are currently playing may be more difficult than some of the early pieces in the first few levels, but we want to help you to play pieces extremely well - even if the notes seem simpler. Why? We know as you do that, it will benefit you in SO many ways: you will enjoy the music you play much more, you will learn how to express and connect to each piece you play, and you will be able to progress technically and musically to much harder pieces faster and with a much higher level of result. 

3 - What is your proficiency of reading music by sight? We feel it is extremely valuable and in your best interest to teach you how to read notes. This will greatly expand your ability to participate in a lot of musical experiences and be able to enjoy all kinds of music - whatever you like! It is so fun! We begin teaching sight reading in Level 1. If you are still working to learn how to read notes, beginning in an earlier level (levels 1 and 2) will help you establish these skills that will help your progress in the later levels.