You see a piano somewhere, and long to play it, but can’t because you don’t have suitable books with you. This course will teach you what and how to play on such spontaneous social occasions - with a special focus on Christmas music.
STANDARD: ALL
Resident: £572 Non-Resident: £435 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 24/362
Booking for Members opens at 11am on Tuesday 14 May 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 11am on Tuesday 4 June 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here.
What is the course about?
Perhaps you have learnt the piano for many years, or perhaps you’ve recently begun, but what you would most like to do is be able to sit at any piano, anywhere, and play without notation - because your books will have been left at home. It would be fun, too, if other people could join in, singing well-known songs or improvising with you.
This course will teach you what and how to play spontaneously, and include others, on social occasions. Suitable for all piano players (social piano playing is all about including people of different levels), it will teach you how to:
Play by ear, including accompanying songs e.g Happy Birthday, Auld Lang Syne, Folk songs, pop songs and Christmas Carols
Improvise solo and with others (including with non-piano players)
Choose repertoire suitable for memorising, and memorise it
Understand chord symbols and play from a leadsheet
Sight read whatever’s in the piano stool
Everyone will be able to focus on achieving their own personal goals in the mutually supportive atmosphere created by Lucinda with her life-long experience of working with adult piano players of all ages and stages.
Tutor website: www.lucinda-mackworth-young.co.uk
What will we cover?
Playing by ear, including accompanying songs e.g. Happy Birthday, Auld Lang Syne, Folk songs, Pop songs and Christmas Carols.
Improvising solo and with others (including with non piano players).
Memorising repertoire.
Understanding chord symbols and playing from a leadsheet.
Sight reading.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course...
You will know how to sit down at any piano, anywhere, and play music to your own satisfaction and personal self-respect, and you will have made significant practical progress playing in these ways.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Players of all levels are welcome, social piano is all about inclusion in a mutually supportive atmosphere.
The course will be taught in such a way that everyone will be able to work, separately and together, at their own level.
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
Mainly group work with some individual time.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
All material required will be provided, but please bring with you three short, contrasting pieces that you can play - including something suitable for social piano if you have it (e.g. a well-known tune or song?).
What previous participants said about this course…
“The course was truly excellent: Informative, varied and well-structured.”
“Lucinda is very knowledgeable, has a clear love of her subject and her method of teaching is refreshing and inclusive for everyone.”
“The balance between group and individual work was very well-struck and the individual attention we each received really made the difference.”
“Our small group worked really well – and it was just right for splitting into duets and trios.”
“Such a lovely experience! Confidence boosting! Lots of good tips!”
“One of the best courses I have attended at Benslow -really worth it!”