BEGINNERS MUSIC THEORY
Week 1: Foundations & Finding Your Way
- Theory
concept: The musical alphabet (A through G) and the keyboard layout.
- Keyboard
practice: Finding Middle C, identifying white keys using black key
patterns (groups of 2 and 3), and proper seated posture/hand shape (curved
fingers).
- Mini
practice project: Play a simple 5-finger pattern (C–D–E–F–G)
ascending and descending with the right hand.
- Student
practice assignment: 5 minutes daily finding and naming all the C’s,
F’s, and B’s across the keyboard.
Week 2: Rhythm Basics & Timing
- Theory
concept: Note values and time signatures:
- Whole
note (4 beats)
- Half
note (2 beats)
- Quarter
note (1 beat)
- 4/4
time signature and counting out loud (1-2-3-4).
- Keyboard
practice: Finger numbers (1 through 5 on each hand) and keeping a
steady pulse.
- Mini
practice project: Tap and play steady quarter notes on Middle C, then
switch to half notes without breaking rhythm.
- Student
practice assignment: Clap and count simple rhythm charts with a
metronome at 60 BPM.
Week 3: Steps, Skips, & The Major Scale
- Theory
concept: Half steps (semitones) vs. whole steps (tones), plus the
Major Scale formula:
- Whole
– Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H)
- Keyboard
practice: Building and playing the C Major scale with both hands
separately. Introducing the thumb-under transition technique.
- Mini
practice project: Play the C Major scale one octave up and down with
correct fingering.
- Student
practice assignment: Play C Major 5 times in a row without stopping,
focusing on a relaxed wrist.
Week 4: Building Your First Chords (Triads)
- Theory
concept: What is a triad? Root, third, and fifth. Major chords vs.
Minor chords (how the 3rd defines the mood).
- Keyboard
practice: The "hand shape" for basic root position chords.
Playing C Major (C–E–G), F Major (F–A–C), G Major (G–B–D), and A Minor
(A–C–E).
- Mini
practice project: Simple chord progression: C – Am – F – G (holding
each chord for 4 counts).
- Student
practice assignment: Switch between C and G smoothly without pausing
between chord changes.
Week 5: Reading the Grand Staff
- Theory
concept: How the staff connects to the piano:
- Treble
clef (right hand / high notes)
- Bass
clef (left hand / low notes)
- Middle
C as the bridge between both clefs.
- Mnemonic
devices for line and space notes (e.g., Every Good Bird Does Fly, FACE).
- Keyboard
practice: Reading 3–5 note melodies on sheet music and finding the
matching keys without looking down at the keyboard.
- Mini
practice project: Sight-read an 8-measure beginner piece (like Ode
to Joy).
- Student
practice assignment: Flashcard drills for Treble Clef notes C4
through G4.
Week 6: Hands Together & Playing a Complete Song
- Theory
concept: Lead sheets, chord symbols, and basic musical dynamics
(piano / forte).
- Keyboard
practice: Hand coordination basics:
- Left
hand: Plays roots or basic whole-note chords.
- Right
hand: Plays simple melody lines.
- Mini
practice project: Play a full beginner arrangement of a well-known
tune (e.g., Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or Amazing
Grace) with both hands together.
- Student
practice assignment: Record a 30-second run-through of the final song
to track progress and celebrate finishing Level 1.
Next Steps to Package This on the Lessons:
- Video
length: Keep each lesson between 7 to 12 minutes to keep completion
rates high.
- Visual
aids: Use split-screen or an overhead camera angle with an on-screen
digital keyboard display (like MIDI visuals) to show key presses clearly.
- PDF
accompaniment: Offer a simple 1-page downloadable PDF recap or
exercise sheet in each video's description.
