Piano Keyboard Skills - Level 1

Program Overview

Course Overview

Gain confidence in the most fundamental techniques for writing and performing music at the piano keyboard, including scales, chords, melody, harmony, sight-reading, and more. Perform popular chord progressions from tracks in modern styles before writing your own keyboard parts with the help of an expert instructor. Improve your keyboard abilities, harmonic vocabulary, and skills for composing and producing. Develop a mental map for understanding and making music, visualized and realized on the keyboard.

Key Information

• Duration: 1 Term
• Start Dates: July 2025, October 2025, January 2026, April 2026, July 2026, October 2026, January 2027, April 2027, July 2027, October 2027
• Timetable: One weekday evening, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Terms are typically 9 to 10 weeks long.

Fees

• £695 payment in full (£45 saving over monthly instalments)
• £100 reg fee + balance of £595 (£45 saving over monthly instalments)
• £50 reg fee + £230 per month

Modules

Piano Keyboard Skills - Level 1

• Musicianship Fundamentals
• Keyboard Techniques
• Harmony & Theory
• Scales & Intervals
• Key Signatures & Transposing
• Melodies & Phrasing
• Rhythm & Tempo
• Sight-reading
• Notation
• Major & Minor Keys
• Interval & Chord Inversions
• Chord Types & Voicings
• Reading & Writing Chord Progressions

Expert Lecturers

• Elena Alekseeva: Music Composition
• Phil Ramocon: Singing

Career Opportunities

• Session Pianist
• LIVE ARTIST
• PIANO TEACHER
• LIBRARY/SYNC MUSIC CREATOR
• RECORDING ARTIST
• FUNCTION/TRIBUTE BAND MEMBER

FAQ

I am an International Student. How do I apply?

For courses longer than 6 months: you will be required to apply for a Student Visa. pointblank is able to sponsor you on a Student Visa for degree programmes. Please refer to our International Student Guidance section for more information on the application process.

For courses of 6 months or less: you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. All courses completed in less than 6 months can be possible without applying for a Student Visa. Please refer to our International Student Guidance section for more information on the application process.

Do I need to buy software & equipment to take the course?

Depending on your programme, certain hardware and software will be essential throughout your studies. To help with your independent learning and assessment work, you will need to have access to this equipment outside of the campus. However, if you are able to attend classes on campus, this equipment will be available to use either in class or by booking practice time. Note that you have access to our facilities 7 days a week during term time for the length of your course (excluding scheduled breaks). Please visit our software and hardware requirements for short courses page which lists the hardware and software you are required to own for each subject. Where you may choose to study online (distance learning), this equipment will be essential to your studies and assignment work. If you wish to buy equipment or software, pointblank students qualify for discounts from Apple Education, Ableton, Native Instruments, Serato, Pioneer DJ and other leading industry partners.

What is my weekly study schedule?

Each module requires your attendance at one class which will be 3 or 4 hours long depending on the module. You will also have two 30-minute tutorials with your lecturer per module per term for additional support. Your timetable will be confirmed a week before the start of each term. In addition to your classes, you are expected to schedule sufficient independent study and practice time each week. The school facilities are open 7 days a week during term time, allowing you to work on assignments and reinforce the knowledge and skills learned throughout the term.