What We Offer | Rock School Keys

What Does "Rock School Keys" Offer?

ROCK SCHOOL KEYS offers a structured program of group and individual teaching, aimed at giving young people (and adults) the skills and confidence to play keyboards/piano in a band/small group. Playing music with other people is one of the best activities in the world. As well as the basic theory and technique associated with traditional piano lessons, you will learn timing, communication, listening, consideration, teamwork and empathy. Of course these skills can also be used for playing solo pieces.

Main Principles of "Rock School Keys"

Have Fun!

It's ok to show off! Keyboards can be fun and sometimes very silly. You can do sounds effects, mimick kids TV music, or video game music. We will do many creative exercises that will get even the youngest students having fun on the piano/keyboard. For example: What does a Hippo sound like on the piano keys? Can you play thunder and rain on the piano?

Constant Positive Feedback

Positive feedback for even the smallest of improvements is essential, especially for younger students. Small steps are rewarded with the 12 "ROCK SCHOOL KEYS" certificates.

Contemporary Music

We will use modern pop, rock, jazz and even boogie woogie music. 80s music is especially good for teaching keyboard/piano technique. A typical taster session will start with the question "what music do you like listening to?". In most cases we can build that song into the student's learning. Contemporary songs will be split into different part that each student a learn. Bass (single note line, played with 1 finger. ideal of beginners) Rhythm (Chords) Lead (Melody) Drums can be played by the student, or we can use a drum machine to keep time. Each song will be arranged so that the “band” can perform a full piece, according to their ability. Typical Songs Still Dre (Dr Dre) Jump (Van Halen) Blinding Lights (The Weekend) Green Onions (Booker T and the MGs) All of me (John Legend) The pink panther As it was (harry styles) All of me (John legend ) Da Funk (daft punk) I just can’t get enough (Depeche Mode). My baby just cares for me

Understand Rhythm

Keyboards are rhythmic/percussion instruments. When playing with others, keeping time is essential. Did you know a keyboard player can also play drums! We will use this to learn rhythms and timing.

Learn music theory through Songs

From day 1 you are aiming towards a song performance. The theory and exercises we do will be focussed in that direction.

Aim towards a performance

Rock School Keys is a performance based program. No exams/testing: youngsters have enough of that at school. The final goal will be a group/band (or individual) performance of contemporary songs, with friends family attending. This is strongly recommended, although not mandatory! There will be some students who would not enjoy this experience, and would rather concentrate on learning for themselves.

Whole Body Learning

We won’t just use the piano keyboard to learn rhythms and tunes. Drum sticks, clapping, stomping feet are all ways to learn. We can play keyboards standing up. Move about, swap to a different keyboard or piano. If a child is doing this during or after school, it will be fun, kinetic, physical and rewarding.

Form a band

If you choose group lessons, the group will be up to 3 students. These students can form a “band”. This will be the first band they have been in. They can name the band and learn to play the different parts of the songs on the curriculum. Individual lessons will follow the same curriculum.

Innovative and fun group exercises

Repetitive practice is boring. Many young kids will not do it. I have borrowed principles from other disciples (for example: sports training), to devise a structured program of competitive group challenges that will be fun and interactive.

How are Lessons Structured?

30% Theory/Technique

30% Fun games/Excersices

30% Song Based learning

... oh and 10% listening (and copying) to what students are into on youtube/spotify

What are the "Rock School Keys" Certificates?

Recognising progress, and setting goals/targets is essential to keep students focussed and interested. There are 12 "Rock School Keys" certificates. These are a series of assessed exercises (like "grades"). Each student will know what they are targeting for the next level. We make as much fuss as when a student passes each assessment!

Level C
Level C#
Level D (Exercises equivalent to ABRSM Initial Grade)
Level D#
Level E
Level F
Level F# ((Exercises equivalent to ABRSM Grade 1)
Level G
Level G#
Level A
Level A#
Level B

What Songs will we Learn?

Lesson 1 will be asking what you are interested in, and what you are listening to. If these songs are suitable as a way of teaching Piano/Keyboards, then we could incorporate these song into the lessons.

For example:

Lots of current pop songs (i.e. Tailor Swift) songs can be reduced to simple 4 chord piano arrangements.
Many very well known 80s songs are very well known by gen Z. Many of these songs are ideal for teaching keyboards (individually or in groups). For example : "I just cant get enough" by Depeche Mode
Heavy Rock songs can also be taught on keyboards! For example: Smoke on the Water, Satisfaction. Seven Nation Army. These song have simple riffs that are relatively quick to learn.

Teaching Structure:

Contemporary songs will be split into different part that each student a learn.
- Bass (single note line, played with 1 finger. ideal of beginners)
- Rhythm (Chords)
- Lead (Melody)
- Drums can be played by the student, or we can use a drum machine to keep time.
Each song will be arranged so that the “band” can perform a full piece, according to their ability.

Example songs

Still Dre (Dr Dre)
Jump (Van Halen)
Blinding Lights (The Weekend)
Green Onions (Booker T and the MGs)
All of me (John Legend)
The pink panther
As it was (harry styles)
All of me (John legend )
Da Funk (daft punk)
I just can’t get enough (Depeche Mode).
My baby just cares for me (in C - just the piano intro)