Does Sunshine Piano Studio offer online piano lessons, theory lessons, & composition lessons as well as in-studio music lessons?
Yes, piano lessons, music theory lessons, composition lessons, and music production lessons are available online with Zoom if you prefer not coming to in-studio lessons.
Special Covid Note: Starting September 2021, Piano lessons are now offered in-studio again in Combine, TX, and online Zoom lessons. Parents can decide what works best for their student. Please email sunshinepianostudio@gmail.com for inquiries, questions, and to schedule piano/music lessons.
Is Sunrise Music Piano curriculum a traditional approach or playing-based approach to learn piano or keyboard?
Sunrise Music Piano curriculum combines the best of both worlds. Until you realize you can play a familiar song, there is little motivation as to why go through the step by step Reading Music process, which takes awhile. The motivation comes when you first connect to the instrument through playing songs to realize “I can do it! I can create songs I hear!” Without that motivational spark, the engine won’t run long.
At the same time you begin playing songs, you begin to relate to the written music. As you learn to make the connection from the music page to what you are playing on the keys, you realize that this ability to read music yourself can be yours and will open up a library of music, even apart from a teacher. At this point, motivated by both playing & reading, you become an active participant in your piano or keyboard education.
What does each level contain & how long will a level last?
Typically, Sunrise Music Piano levels last a year or more, when supplemented with Christmas songs, etc. To eliminate the usual multiple books per level, Sunrise Music Piano curriculum has combined several components into one book for each level: Songs, Reading Music, Song Building Blocks, Song Tools, Accompaniment Skills, Improv/Comp. Each level progressively teaches these basic musical concepts: Pitch, Rhythm, Key Families, Touch, Improv & Comp. Assignment pages are included in the back of the book.
Basic Music Concepts – Sunrise Music Piano curriculum
Proficiency reading music – Ability to harmonize melodies – Creativity to improvise & compose
- Pitch – high or low sounds – direction & interval distance, note names, clefs, ledger lines
- Rhythm – long or short notes – pulse, measure, meter, tempo, simple, compound, & complex meter, rhythm relationships
- Key Families – organized sounds – with a “home” (pitch center) – scales, chords, chord progressions, cadences, tension/release, phrasing, voicing, form, patterns & relationships in music, texture, harmonizing melodies
- Touch – musical color sounds – articulation, pedal, dynamics, technique, style
- Improv/Comp – creating music spontaneously & writing music
*You must purchase a separate copy for each student who uses it. The only exception would be for an immediate family who shares the book
Is there anything you recommend to add to these levels?
Theory is the language of music. A suggestion is to add a theory workbook, which includes ear training & rhythm exercises, such as PianoProgram Music Theory or PrimoTheory which gives you extra practice to reinforce what you are learning. Also add supplemental songs – engage student participation in the choice to motivate them. A good choice of songs can be found at www.musicnotes.com or www.sheetmusicplus.com Search by title or composer or artist. Additional teaching tools for music can be found at Keys to Imagination and Music in Motion.
Which level do you recommend for transfer students?
A general recommendation, dependent on the student’s background, is Level 2 if they are reading. The accompaniment component starts in Level 1. If they have not had this in their music education, start with Level 1 to catch up.
Will there be other levels and music books coming?
Yes, check back periodically. Levels 5 – 6 are coming. Two Christmas books have been added, listed under Piano Books —> Shop Piano Books. The link is at the top of the pages.
How do you teach the beginning songs playing-based? Can I contact you for information?
Yes email info@sunrisemusic.biz or sunshinepianostudio@gmail.com to receive information to help you. If you are in the DFW or North Texas area, I would be happy to do a day workshop for a group at your location or an individual session in my studio. There would be a fee involved.
Can other people besides teachers use these books?
Yes, but you would need to have basic music knowledge. Parents, Adults, Teenagers, Home School Families, or anyone wanting to learn piano/keyboard or expand their piano education can use Sunrise Music Piano books. Not recommended for young children without parental or teacher guidance.
Can Sunrise Music Piano help me with my Worship Team lead sheets?
Absolutely! One of my passions is to equip anyone with this skill. I have had several students of traditional piano backgrounds come to me to learn the Accompaniment component of the books, which teaches chords, chord colors, chord progressions, and accompaniment tools. All look at me and ask – “Why weren’t we taught this traditionally?” I agree! This lead sheet knowledge is an important part of Sunrise Music Books that helps equip students to understand how to play piano/keyboard from a lead sheet, how to arrange and create their own music. Sunrise Music Piano connects the dots for you.
Does Sunrise Music & Sunshine Piano Studio Offer Other Music Classes?
Yes, Music Theory Lessons Levels 1 -12 for college preparation, Composition and Song-Writing using Finale, music notation software to write your sheet music, Music Production, using CuBase Pro, DAWS – digital audio workstation software.