Instructor: Mr. John P. Shoener
Period: 2nd Period (MP 1-4), 4th Period (MP 3 and 4)
Location: Piano Lab – Shenandoah Valley High School
Length: Half-Year (2 Marking Periods)
Credits: 0.5
Textbook: Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book 1
Level: Beginner (no experience required)
Course Description
This course is an introductory, self-paced piano class designed to build confidence and foundational music skills. Using Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book 1, students will learn how to read music, play with both hands, develop rhythm and technique, and experience the joy of learning piano at their own pace.
Students may progress ahead of the pacing guide once they demonstrate proficiency by checking off designated songs on their individual progress checklist. This flexible model ensures that all students work toward mastery while allowing motivated learners to move forward independently.
Course Objectives
Students will:
Identify and play notes on the treble and bass clefs
Use proper posture, hand position, and finger technique
Interpret and perform music using basic rhythms, dynamics, and articulations
Play beginner-level songs with hands separately and together
Demonstrate weekly progress through playing assessments
Weekly Pacing Overview (18 Weeks)
Weeks 1–2: Introduction to the Piano
Topics: Finger numbers, keyboard layout, posture, basic rhythm
Songs:
01. Tuning
02. Right Hand Warm-Up
03. Ode to Joy
04. Left Hand Warm-Up
05. Aura Lee
Weeks 3–4: Staff Reading & Simple Pieces
Topics: Treble and bass clef, C position, note names
Songs:
06. Playing on the Grand Staff
07. Rock-Along
08. Mexican Hat Dance
09. Au claire de la lune
Weeks 5–6: Rhythms & Interval Recognition
Songs:
10. Tisket a Tasket
11. Rockin' Intervals
12. Good King Wenceslas
13. My Fifth
Weeks 7–8: Two-Hand Coordination
Songs:
14. Jingle Bells
15. Brother John
16. Here's a Happy Song
17. Merrily We Roll Along
Weeks 9–10: Expression & Phrasing
Topics: Dynamics, phrasing, legato/staccato
Songs:
18. Largo
19. Mary Ann
20. Rockets
21. What Can I Share
Weeks 11–12: Melody in Both Hands
Songs:
22. When the Saints RH Melody
23. When the Saints LH Melody
24. Love Somebody
25. A Friend Like You
Weeks 13–14: Expanding Musical Style
Songs:
26. The Donkey
27. Money Can't Buy Ev'rything
28. The Cuckoo
29. Harp Song
30. Beautiful Brown Eyes
Weeks 15–16: Waltz & Folk Tunes
Songs:
31. Alpine Melody
32. Thumbs on C
33. Waltz Time
34. Good Morning to You
35. Happy Birthday to You
Weeks 17–18: Student Review or Acceleration
Students may:
Revisit previous songs for improvement
Advance to songs such as:
36. Standing in the Need of Prayer
The Gift to Be Simple
Alouette
Check in with teacher for progress feedback
Assessment
100% – Weekly Playing Exams
Students perform one assigned song each week
Graded on accuracy, rhythm, technique, and improvement
Students advancing faster will be evaluated on more advanced songs from the same book