Course Description

 

Teacher: Art Matthews Duration: 12 Weeks Frequency: 1 Hour per Week Enrollment: 1-2 people (2 maximum) Call 669-9191 for more information

In this course you will learn how to develop "speedy" fingers! The course, designed by Art Matthews, uses an aerobic-like approach to practicing scales, arpeggios and other piano technique-building exercises.

Every serious piano student must have a good, solid "piano technique" if he or she is to be successful at executing sheet music or improvising fluently. No matter how well you learn to read music and no matter how well you learn music theory and harmony. if you want to be a player, your fingers must have the technique necessary to carry out the orders they receive from printed music or your own imagination.

Investing quality time and maximum effort in scale, arpeggio, chord and broken chord execution, on the front end of your musical travels, will pay big dividends later on down the road in terms of your technique. Lots of work here but we'll have fun getting the job done aerobically. Roll up your sleeves! Let's get busy!

After passing this course you should be able to:

• Notice an improved hand posture at the piano
• Notice more finger strength
• Notice more finger independence
• Notice improved finger enunciation
• Notice improved hand/finger stamina
• Notice an augmented sense of piano key awareness
• Play all twelve major scales fluently (Ionian Mode)
• Play all twelve minor scales fluently (Dorian Mode)

Prerequisites

Students should have studied the piano for at least two years and have knowledge of reading treble staff or bass staff notes. Students should have some knowledge of basic intervalics. (Whole and half steps)

Students should have basic skills in computer operation. (A basic computer course is available at Ted's.)

Enrollees must pass a preliminary aptitude test to qualify for course entry. All others may sign up for private instruction.

Finger Aerobics Syllabus

Week 1: The Key of C

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 2: The Key of F

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 3: The Key of Bb

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 4: The Key of Eb

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 5: The Key of Ab

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 6: The Key of Db

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor 7b5 Scale

Week 7: The Key of F#

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 8: The Key of B

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 9: The Key of E

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 10: The Key of A

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 11: The Key of D

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale

Week 12: The Key of G

• Major, Minor, Dim & Aug Pentachords
• Major, Minor, Dim, & Aug Triads
• Major 7 Scale
• Dominant 7 Scale
• Minor 7 Scale
• Minor7b5 Scale