Singing and Piano Course

Lesson 1 • Breath Support Fundamentals

Introduces diaphragmatic breathing as the engine of both tone and phrase. Consistent breath control links vocal projection to musical phrasing.

Lesson 2 • Vocal Warm-Up Routines

Introduces systematic vocal warm-ups that prepare the voice before playing. Students connect warm-up habits to long-term vocal health.

Lesson 3 • Posture for Singers and Pianists

Establishes aligned body position serving both disciplines. Correct stance prevents injury and enables free breath and arm movement at the keyboard.

Lesson 1 • Scales, Keys, and Key Signatures

Covers major and minor scale construction and their key signatures. Scale knowledge underpins melody recognition and vocal range planning.

Lesson 2 • Intervals and Basic Ear Training

Identifies melodic and harmonic intervals by sound and notation. Ear training accelerates sight-singing and chord recognition throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Reading Pitch on the Stave

Teaches note names in treble and bass clef using landmark notes. Accurate pitch reading is the gateway to all repertoire in this course.

Lesson 4 • Dynamics, Articulation, and Tempo Markings

Decodes standard performance markings found in vocal and piano scores. Students apply markings immediately in short pieces to reinforce meaning.

Lesson 1 • Five-Finger Patterns and Position

Establishes five-finger positions in multiple keys as the foundation of early piano playing. Consistent position reduces errors when attention shifts to singing.

Lesson 2 • Hands-Together Coordination

Trains simultaneous left- and right-hand movement through rhythmic and melodic exercises. Coordination frees cognitive resources needed for concurrent singing.

Lesson 3 • Playing Simple Melodic Pieces

Applies position, coordination, and chord skills to short musical pieces. Repertoire selection reinforces note reading and builds performance confidence.

Lesson 1 • Registers: Chest, Mixed, and Head Voice

Explains the three primary vocal registers and their acoustic properties. Understanding registers allows smooth transitions and prevents vocal strain.

Lesson 2 • Resonance and Placement

Teaches forward placement and resonating spaces to amplify tone naturally. Resonance work reduces effort and increases projection without microphone reliance.

Lesson 3 • Vowel Formation and Diction

Shapes the five core vowels for clarity and tonal consistency in singing. Clear diction ensures text intelligibility across all vocal styles covered later.

Lesson 1 • Transposing Songs to New Keys

Applies key signature and chord knowledge to move songs into comfortable vocal ranges. Transposition is an essential practical skill for singer-pianists.

Lesson 2 • Accompaniment Patterns and Textures

Teaches block chord, Alberti bass, and broken-chord patterns for the left hand. Pattern variety allows students to match accompaniment style to song character.

Lesson 3 • Seventh Chords and Extended Harmony

Adds dominant seventh and minor seventh chords to the harmonic palette. Richer harmony matches the expressive demands of intermediate vocal repertoire.

Lesson 4 • Harmonizing a Melody by Ear

Develops the skill of selecting chords to fit a given melody without written harmony. Ear-based harmonization strengthens both theory knowledge and musical intuition.

Lesson 1 • Rhythmic Independence of Voice and Hands

Trains the voice to sustain long notes while the hands play rhythmic patterns, and vice versa. Independence is the core technical challenge of the singer-pianist.

Lesson 2 • Performing Simple Songs Together

Applies all integration skills to complete short songs performed voice and piano simultaneously. Students record themselves to identify coordination gaps.

Lesson 3 • Memorization and Internalization

Teaches methods for memorizing both vocal and piano parts to reduce score dependence. Internalized music allows attention to shift to expression and audience.

Lesson 1 • Rubato and Expressive Timing

Introduces controlled flexibility of tempo to heighten emotional expression. Students learn when and how to use rubato without losing rhythmic coherence.

Lesson 2 • Score Marking and Practice Planning

Teaches systematic score annotation and structured weekly practice schedules. Organised practice maximises progress and prevents reinforcement of errors.

Lesson 3 • Stylistic Differences Across Genres

Contrasts classical, folk, pop, and musical theater vocal and piano styles. Style awareness guides appropriate tone, articulation, and accompaniment choices.

Lesson 4 • Building an Intermediate Repertoire Set

Guides selection of three to five contrasting pieces for a balanced performance set. Repertoire diversity demonstrates range of skill and stylistic versatility.

Lesson 1 • Recital Preparation and Presentation

Guides students through full recital preparation including programme notes and run-throughs. A complete recital set demonstrates mastery of all core course competencies.

Lesson 2 • Advanced Piano Accompaniment Skills

Develops complex accompaniment textures including pedaling, voicing, and colour. Advanced piano support elevates the vocal line and creates a unified performance.

Lesson 3 • Stage Presence and Audience Connection

Builds physical confidence, eye contact, and communicative energy on stage. Stage presence transforms a technically strong performance into a memorable experience.

Lesson 4 • Managing Performance Anxiety

Provides evidence-based strategies to regulate nerves before and during performance. Controlled anxiety becomes a source of energy rather than a barrier.