Piano Keyboard Skills Summer School

Program Overview

This comprehensive 5-day program offers aspiring pianists a practical approach to keyboard techniques, music theory, and songwriting. Led by industry veterans Phil Ramocon and Elena Alekseeva, students will develop essential skills in rhythm, harmony, and keyboard mastery, unlocking their potential for careers as session musicians, recording artists, or educators.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Content:
• Musicianship Fundamentals
• Keyboard Techniques
• Harmony & Theory
• Scales & Intervals
• Key Signatures & Transposing
• Melodies & Phrasing
• Rhythm & Tempo
• Sight-reading Notation
• Major & Minor Keys
• Interval & Chord Inversions
• Chord Types & Voicings
• Reading & Writing Chord Progressions
• Structure:
• 5-day course
• Small class sizes (12 students or less)
• Course Schedule:
• 11-13 years:
Monday, 19th August '24
• 14-17 years:
Monday, 26th August '24
• Individual Modules:
• Module 1: Musicianship Fundamentals:
Covers basic music theory concepts, including rhythm, tempo, and notation.
• Module 2: Keyboard Techniques: Teaches fundamental keyboard skills, such as finger placement, hand position, and basic chords.
• Module 3: Harmony & Theory: Explores music theory concepts like scales, intervals, and chords.
• Module 4: Scales & Intervals: Covers the construction and application of scales and intervals in music.
• Module 5: Key Signatures & Transposing: Teaches students how to read and understand key signatures and how to transpose music between keys.
• Module 6: Melodies & Phrasing: Explores techniques for creating melodic lines and phrasing in music.
• Module 7: Rhythm & Tempo: Covers the fundamentals of rhythm and tempo, including different time signatures and how to keep time.
• Module 8: Sight-reading Notation: Develops the ability to read music notation and play it on the keyboard.
• Module 9: Major & Minor Keys: Focuses on the characteristics and differences between major and minor keys.
• Module 10: Interval & Chord Inversions: Teaches students how to identify and use interval and chord inversions in music.
• Module 11: Chord Types & Voicings: Explores various chord types and voicings used in music.
• Module 12: Reading & Writing Chord Progressions: Develops skills in reading and writing chord progressions.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Hands-on experience
• Interactive lessons
• Supportive and creative environment
• Faculty:
• Phil Ramocon:
Ivor Novello & Grammy-winning musician/songwriter legend, known for his work with Steve Winwood, Jamelia, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and more. Co-wrote 'Buffalo Stance' with Neneh Cherry.
• Elena Alekseeva: Composer, producer, sound designer, and classically trained pianist.
She utilizes classical theory knowledge in contemporary musical styles and genres.
• Unique Approaches:
• Emphasis on practical skills and applying theory to real-world music creation.
• Focus on unlocking the keyboard techniques used by professional musicians, composers, and producers.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Session Pianist/Backing Pianist
• Library/Sync music creator
• Live artist
• Recording artist
• Piano teacher
• Function/Tribute band member

Other:

• Equipment: Keyboards are provided for all students.
• Accommodation: Students have various accommodation options near Point Blank London.
• Part-time Enrollment: Evening and weekend classes are available for working students.
• Facilities: Open to students seven days a week for practice and reinforcement of skills.