Keyboard harmony and performance workshop

About this course

The workshop examines how harmony functions in tonal keyboard works from the common-practice period, using historical context and examples from core repertoire. Participants choose works to study, analyse passages with Extended Roman Numeral notation, and develop related chord progressions and exercises. Teaching combines lecture-demonstrations, guided listening, question-and-answer, music-manuscript study and practical workshop tasks. Participants may sight-read short passages, work on selected repertoire and complete preparation between classes, including learning or analysing new pieces and exercises.

What you'll learn

• Analyse substantial excerpts from selected keyboard repertoire using Extended Roman Numeral notation
• Explain how classical composers employ harmony in tonal compositions
• Read, write and play chord progressions derived from studied repertoire
• Develop repertoire-based technical exercises and apply them in performance preparation
• Perform a tonal keyboard work with technically secure and harmonically informed playing

Is this course right for you?

The workshop is intended for pianists working at around grade 6+ standard who want to connect practical playing with the theory of harmony. It requires grade 6 music theory knowledge, including recognising and naming diatonic chords, and confident sheet music reading. Participation includes sight-reading, short tasks between classes and demonstrating work in class.

• Requires a starting point of grade 6 music theory
• Includes sight-reading short passages in simple keys
• Involves homework involving new pieces and exercises
• Participants choose keyboard works from the common-practice period to study

Before you go

• Materials will be provided by the tutor.
• Participants need to bring their own sheet music, a pen or pencil, and blank manuscript paper.
• Google Classroom is used to share documents, audio and video files, messages, and homework submissions.