Teacher: Michael Searle Class: Year 7 Beginner Piano (Lesson 1)

Lesson Objectives: Learning Outcomes/Success Criteria:

- to understand the concept of a steady pulse in - pupil to be able to identify and clap the pulse of
music music at different tempos
- to understand how to sit at the piano and play - pupil to be able to demonstrate the correct way to sit
using the correct finger and wrist position at the piano, showing an understanding of distance
- to recognise and understand ‘crotchet’ and from the piano, posture and wrist/finger position
‘minim’ notes - pupil to be able to clap/play different rhythms made
of crotchets and minims
Lesson Context: Key Vocabulary

This is the first lesson introducing Piano. In future
lessons, the student will continue to develop
understanding of different note values, rhythm
and metre. They will then begin to learn note
names and notation reading after they have
consolidated their understanding of rhythm.
posture, wrist position, finger position, pulse, beat,
crotchet, minim, finger numbers
Resources
Piano, pencils, notated exercises, ‘recap’ sheet,
practice diary

Student Activity/Learning Assessment

Starter Welcome student and discuss musical interests/pieces they like. Visual & aural
observation
Discuss the correct way to sit at the piano and articulate key points,
demonstrate and then ask student to replicate the correct position.
Ask student to experiment with playing the keys, encouraging to
explore pitch and different articulation

Development Introduce and discuss concept of pulse, teacher to play chord Visual & aural
sequence and encourage student to identify the pulse by clapping observation,
along. Repeat exercise at a slow and fast tempo. questioning
Ask student to put hands together and identify finger numbers 1-5,
practice identifying number by quizzing student to ‘wiggle’ a specific
finger number.
Identify pattern of black notes on the keyboard and ask student to
find and play groups of 2 black notes followed by groups of 3 black
notes. Develop by playing the ‘climbing’ exercise using finger 3 of
RH and LH.
Ask student to ‘duet’ - improvising with the black keys whilst teacher
plays accompaniment - encourage exploration of pitch
Introduce crotchet and minim notes and clap simple rhythms asking
pupil to copy teacher and then vice versa.
Look at short exercises using three black notes with student and
clap rhythms first then play. Teacher to play accompaniment for
both clapping and playing exercises.

Plenary Ask student to match key words with definitions/symbols and to Checking work,
complete diagram with finger numbers using ‘recap’ sheet pupil self
assessment
Ask student to self-assess
Discuss exercises to practice at home and write down notes in
practice diary