Valley Christian Music & Arts

Beginning Keyboard & Music Theory Class

Teacher: Becky Hedman

AGE: Students must be age 10 or over. Adults welcome.                                                                   (Students over the age of 18 will be asked to complete a VCMA Background check.)

TIME: Thursdays 10:30-11:25

DATES: Classes will begin March 21st

LEVEL: Beginning/Level 1

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

The focus of this class is learning basic piano keyboard skills in a group setting, with an emphasis on music theory. Some of the material covered will be note names, intervals, ear training, major/minor, scales, basic chords and chord theory, simple melodies, and left hand accompaniment patterns. We will also explore some of the special features of the electronic keyboard which pianos do not have.

Please see the following for what is required/optional for class. Class is 6 weeks long. Minimum of 6 students are needed in order for this class to run. Maximum of 12 students. There will NOT be a concert performance at the end of the class session.

REQUIRED ITEMS:

1. An Electronic Keyboard is required for use in class and at home with full sized keys, onboard speaker(s), AC adapter with extension cord OR Batteries, a headphone jack and small headphones(for silent practice in class). Please make sure that the keys are full sized, and that every single key works if buying a used instrument! Size requirement is at least 49 full-size keys, with 61 being better so both hands can play at the same time. Velocity or touch sensitive keys (sometimes called semi-weighted) help for developing dynamics and technique, but are NOT necessary for this class. An acoustic piano or 88 weighted-key digital piano at home is a plus for further piano study.

Full-length digital keyboards with 88 keys are heavy and cumbersome to haul back and forth whereas the smaller, lighter weight keyboards are much easier to transport. It is your choice which kind to purchase and bring to class! Cases are available for all sizes, but the smaller keyboards may do fine brought to class in their original box or wrapped in a blanket.

2. Music stand - comes with new keyboards, can purchase a table music stand fairly inexpensively.

3. Music book and/or 3-ring binder will be required (to be announced).

OPTIONAL:

Keyboard stand - in class we will likely be using tables for the keyboards without stands.

Sustain pedal is not necessary for this class, but will be needed for future piano study.

Metronome - for developing accurate rhythm.

Link to a keyboard on amazon that will work: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Electric-Keyboard-Microphone-Educational/dp/B07X9TQY5C/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XzTjvuYgtIdgHJTMjHm7odBy_OP4dPAEshBBwgQ1vxXya8f8lsdAa7lyaJ-sX4OulL6vHkuumRTnL3xyPOrQCRbDpnlOGVgwDG27gfkAgnJKVbJrC6TjgP3jd4SFNZf1h_sOdCWg3n9Vqcib9cmaDKZufjMkwi4lCW8MDuLLcd581285WHSUK_2QWTZohPK2zlYkCcCZFM5t34Gn1RCBSB6p8zkzmnTu-uTa2ibqyNDqr_eu0tilxNJZsk9NagjmeXJHVYhoarQUMwB4Y3T2bR8K0f9kUm-KSRdLrBxhPMk.YEy31zhZ219SbK0qC7_XMMPUA0tbF24nUfQD9_4_QaY&dib_tag=se&keywords=melody%2B54&sr=8-1&th=1

PAYMENT INFO:

Pay in person on a Thursday (see Kim or Zindra) or pay online via paypal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ValleyChristianMusic If you pay via paypal, please include your Students Name & the Class in the info box.

Currently enrolled at VCMA? If your student is currently enrolled as a year-long student, they are eligible to receive a $25 discount. Please contact Zindra or Kim for the discount code for this class.

Cost is per student. Scholarships are not available for our 6 or 8 or 10 week class sessions/short term classes. Payment in full is required In order to be considered registered for the class. Fees for this class are separate from our year long classes family payment plan. If payment is not completed within 10 days of class beginning, your students place may be forfeit to a student on the waitlist. Currently there are no discounts for registering multiple students from the same family. Class fees are non-refundable, but may be put towards a future class.

OTHER INFO:

If student is not currently enrolled in VCMA, you will also need to complete the following forms, which we will provide to you. 1- Student Code of Conduct, 2- Medical Liability Form, 3 - Parent Agreement.

Please note: Payment is due at the time of registration.

We reserve the right to use photos taken during class for promoting future classes, for example: in a yearbook, in our concert programs or on our website or in a advertising type setting.