MUSIC COURSES
Pop piano Improvisation
(Understudy Program)
The POP PIANO IMPROVISATION program is designed to be a long-term course
encompassing Levels 2 to 4 of the P.B.E.S. (Play by Ear Syllabus) to develop the
student's musical knowledge and improvisational technique with close understudy
under a Pop Piano instructor.  Students undergo one-to-one coaching under the
assigned instructor with optional supplementary group workshops.  
Students with a short-term focus can choose to undergo a crash course as well.

song, from the latest English/Chinese Pop hits, Worship/Hymn songs, Oldies etc.,
The course will be ideal for:
1) anyone with previous classical training, from Grade 3 to 8 or Diploma, or any
previous reasonable piano background (Able to play a piece with 2 hands)  

Students will ZERO music background, please click here for POP PIANO BEGINNERS
COURSE
The course contents can be customised to students' needs if required. Regular weekly lessons (conducted one-to-one) will be conducted according to
student's learning pace and level. * Choice of own songs (Student will learn different ways to improvise his/her chosen songs.) Understudying styles
of improvisation from assigned instructor. The 2-hr supplementary group workshops (max 6 pax in a class) are optional. PBE students can choose to
attend any workshop of $38 (for all levels) or in replacement of any regular one-to-one makeup lesson. For workshops, CLICK HERE
Title: Pop Piano Improvisation Demonstration
PBE video duration: 4mins 19 secs
PBE 2HRS Supplementary Workshops
Workshops are 'one-off' optional 2 hours supplementary workshops ($38 per pax) There will only be a maximum of 6
students in the master class studio. Each student is equipped with a full size 88key Digital Piano for hands on purpose.
For more details, CLICK HERE
Piano Techniques:
Designed for PBES Level 2

Rhythm and Accompaniment:
Able to play basic block chords variations  
Able to play basic broken chord variations
Able to play basic dotted rhythm
Able to play basic intervals on left hand
Able to play basic 4-note anticipation rhythm
Able to play basic 8 beat rock rhythm   


Musicianship:
Able to play in the key of G & F
Able to utilize LEVEL 2 rhythms for comping
Able to play basic slash chord patterns
Able to play with the usage of sustain pedal
Able to play both ‘Close playing’ & ‘Wide
Able to play in displacement style
Able to play using 10-finger theory
Able to end a song using chord progression
(F add9 to Cadd9)
To learn the formation of 24 major and minor triads  
To learn the formation of add 9 (or sus2) chords
To learn the formation of sus4 chords
To learn the formation of minor 7th & dominant 7th
To learn the formation of 4 basic triads
To learn the basics of chord inversions
To learn the concepts of relative major & minor
To learn the formation of diatonic triads


Right hand techniques:
Able to apply 2 note harmonization & octave playing
Able to apply basic block chord fills


PBES Level 2 Assessment:
Play any piece of music in any key
-        using add9th chords
-        using at least 2 notes harmonization on RH
-        using at least 3 variation patterns on LH
By the end of P.B.E.S. level 2, you will be able to interpret fake sheets with basic improvisational
techniques, primarily fills and rhythmic changes in the key of C, F and G. You will develop better finger
strength and agility. You will also be able to play a variety of extended chords and basic RH  techniques.
Piano Techniques:
Designed for PBES Level 3

Rhythm and Accompaniment:
Able to apply voice leading
Able to play basic 16 beat patterns
Able to play basic approach notes


Musicianship:
Able to play in the key of D & Bb
Able to utilize more rhythms for comping
Able to play in compound time (12/8)
Able to play with Glissando
Able to play with alternate chords (add9,
sus4, 7th, slash) liberally
Able to play basic Rock style
Able to play basic Bossa Nova style
Able to end a song using more complex chord
progression
Music Theory:
To learn the formation of maj 7th, half-diminished &
diminished 7th chords
To learn the applications of slash chords
To learn the formation of diatonic 7th chords
To understand and apply tension
To learn the applications of sus4 chords


Right hand techniques:
Able to apply 3-notes harmonization
Able to apply rhythmic anticipation to melodies
Able to apply ‘joining’ chords
Able to apply fills & embellishments (using 9th notes)
Able to apply running fills (using scale notes)


PBES Level 3 Assessment:
Play any piece of music in any key
-        using add9th chords
-        using 7th chords
-        using at least 3 notes harmonization on RH
-        using at least 3 variation patterns on LH
-        using basic right hand fill-ins
By the end of P.B.E.S. level 3, you will be able to interpret fake sheets with a wider range of
improvisational techniques. You will be able to play in 3 genres of Pop – Ballad, Rock & Bossa Nova. You
will also be able to play in basic 16 beat style.
Piano Techniques:
Designed for PBES Level 4

Rhythm and Accompaniment:
Able to master the reggae rhythm
Able to master the swing rhythm


Musicianship:
Able to use motifs as a source of
improvisation
Able to end songs with a wide variety of
chord progressions
Able to improvise with the blues scale
Able to improvise with the pentatonic scale
Able to improvise at will and play by ear
Music Theory:
Demonstrate mastery of all major, minor scales and
their key signatures
Able to apply Asian & other exotic scales in
improvisation
Able to understand & apply ii-V-I progressions in
improvisation
To appreciate the usage of voicings
Able to apply substitute triads in improvisation
Able to understand the formation of polychords
Able to understand & apply advanced forms of
reharmonization


Right hand techniques:
To learn the use of the octave jump  
Able to use right-hand approach notes
Able to use common notes
Able to apply more advanced forms of melody
harmonization
Able to apply melody anticipation
Able to apply melody displacement


PBES Level 4 Assessment:
Able to play multiple pieces in various keys using
varied improvisational techniques on both the left and
right hands, with appropriate rhythms and chord
substitutions.
By the end of P.B.E.S Level 4, you will demonstrate mastery of all 7th chords, chord progressions and
various genres of pop music and their rhythmic variations.  You will also develop the ability to improvise
at will and a good ear for picking up music by ear.
PLAY BY EAR MUSIC SCHOOL  (SINGAPORE) - SPECIALISING IN POP PIANO & JAZZ PIANO IMPROVISATION MUSIC COURSES FOR ADULTS
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: +65 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
for general administration matters (school fees, lesson duration, school policy, etc)