Exploring Effective Keyboard Performance Technique

Keyboard Skills Knowledge Organiser

Keyboard Skills - Cover and Homework Activities

Keyboard Skills - Music Theory

Keyboard Skills Music Theory 1 - Staves, Clefs and Notes

A 3-page worksheet introducing pupils to the lines and spaces of the Treble Clef in terms of staff notation to encourage pupils to learn the correct pitch note names.

Keyboard Skills Music Theory 2 - Sharps and Flats

A 2-page worksheet introducing or revising pupils to the names of black keys on a piano/keyboard and the symbols for sharps and flats. 

Keyboard Skills - Keyboard Rounds Activities

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This unit is all about effective keyboard performance technique including basic treble clef staff notation.

The unit begins with a general introduction and “Keyboard Treasure Hunt” around a standard classroom keyboard which is a good chance to navigate basic keyboard functions, establish good playing routines and rectify and troubleshoot any potential technical problems.

Pupils learn about other keyboard instruments such as the Harpsichord, Celesta, Accordion, Organ, Clavichord, Piano (upright and grand) and Synthesisers before establishing the importance of correct playing position and posture and the importance of keyboard warm-ups.

Pupils move on to learn about using keyboard fingering for better playing skills, built through a range of exercises such as scales and simple right-hand melodies in the key of C Major. 

Pupils explore the layout of the keyboard in terms of white and black keys and their note names; sharps and flats as enharmonic equivalents and explore how to “read music” in the form of simple melodies and melodies from popular songs from treble clef staff notation.  They then move on to add a second part of basic chords with the left hand.

Since this unit is primarily performance based, there are optional pathways to perform and compose either a round for keyboard ensemble or to explore short musical clichés.  

The final lesson(s) have been left as “Independent Practice” where, it is hopes, that through the skills, knowledge and understanding of ‘good keyboard practice and playing technique’, pupils will take responsibility for their own learning of either a solo, paired or small ensemble keyboard piece which can be performed at the end of the unit.  If the unit is being delivered prior to Christmas, then the final “Independent Practice” lesson(s) could be spent rehearsing and performing a keyboard arrangement of a Christmas song or arrangement. 

Keyboard Skills - Performing Resources

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Keyboard Skills - Scheme of Work and Lesson Pathways

Keyboard Skills - Scheme of Work and Lesson Pathways

Includes Scheme of Work Overview, Unit Learning Objectives, Learning Outcomes and Lesson Pathways.

Keyboard Skills - DOITNOW (Starters) and Plenary Activities

Keyboard Skills - “DOITNOW” Presentation

 

Cutting down on printables, file storage and media files, the “new look” Musical Contexts “DOITNOW” Keyboard Skills lesson openers Presentation contains  a wealth (only two samples shown here), of effective “DOITNOW’s” when delivering the Keyboard Skills unit in just one place - all audio and video files are embedded and there’s accompanying Teacher’s Notes in the “slide comments” section. 

Keyboard Skills - Plenary Review Activities

A series of lesson reviews where pupils review their learning and understanding.

Keyboard Skills - General Keyboard Skills Resources

Keyboard Skills - 5 Minutes Silent Reading

For teachers who prefer to begin their lessons with quiet, focused openers.  All contain “Questions to Think About” which can also be used as Cover or Homework tasks.

1. Early Keyboard Instruments

2. The Piano Part 1

3. The Piano Part 2

4. The Organ

5. The Accordion

6. Keyboards

Keyboard Skills Music Theory 3 - Treble Clef Staff Notation

Naming notes in the Treble Clef.  Contains Answers