Parent - Child Lesson 1

STATUS: Website Lesson Complete, Preparing Video Lesson.

Lesson Objective This is an introduction to visualising the piano keyboard. The child will think in terms of interval numbers and learn to play a simple pattern in order to begin building finger mobility with the right hand.

Step 1 Our visual memory is very strong, so we'll start with visualisation.  The first thing to teach your child is; the piano is a repeating pattern of twelve notes in two groups. We're going to start playing using only the white notes for now, this is the key of C, however you need to visualise the black notes in order to locate the white notes.

Step 2 Visualise group 1, as two black notes above and three white notes below. Visualise group 2 as three black notes above, and four white notes below.

Step 3 The first thing to do is name all the notes as interval numbers, we'll introduce note letters later. The numbers do not represent fingers, they're called intervals. The child doesn't need to know what an interval is at this stage (the distance between two notes), you just want to get familiar with the white note numbers. These numbers apply only in key of C, we're going to start learning in the key of C, white notes only, and let the child build curiosity about the black notes. You want your child to start asking questions, this shows they want to learn.

Step 4 The Akousunesis method does not use finger numbers because we describe music in terms of intervals, so we name the fingers thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky, T I M R P for both hand. 

Step 5 In order to be precise, we're going to match fingers with interval numbers. This will be the first exercise both you and you're child can perform. Using only your right hand, you will only play up to the fifth interval. One note at a time, starting with your thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky.

Step 6 A Finger Placement Exercise will show you how to play the pattern. The exercise will start on the first interval 1, the note C in this case. You don't need to know the note names yet, just say root note or 1. The symbol >< means you play one note at a time rising up and then coming down, you play the fifth interval only once. 

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: It's import to realise there's no timing information with finger placement exercises, this is vital because timing is something needing to develop naturally without thinking about it or trying to read it. The Akousunesis method does not encourage children to read timing on notation, this will destroy your child's enthusiasm to learn piano. Children want to learn visually, we're also training their ears to hear the intervals and make subconscious memory associations, the sound of the intervals, the root note is the reference note.

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: The finger placement exercises are not to be used as a visual crutch, your child needs to be looking at their hands, NOT looking at a sheet of paper or a tablet screen.

Exercise 1: Place each finger on each note as shown, play the pattern slowly and evenly. At the same time, have your child say the interval numbers out loud. I 'll create quick videos on how to do each exercise, this will be a brand new series of video lessons.

C >< T1 I2 M3 R4 P5