Welcome—yes, you—age 15, to a year of piano study that is practical, theatrical, and oddly persuasive (think Ally McBeal: bright, sincere, a little dramatic). This Level 3A–3B course uses Faber Piano Adventures Teacher’s Atlas as our map, Hanon-Faber: The New Virtuoso Pianist for healthy, modern technique, and the Scale & Chord Books (Levels 1–3) for the musical grammar you actually use. Aligned to ACARA v9, you will develop technique, aural skills, notation literacy, improvisation, composition, performance and critical reflection.
How it works—weekly: one 45–60 minute lesson, targeted practice sequences from the Atlas, and a 30–45 minute daily practice plan. Each lesson pairs a repertoire piece with a technique page (Hanon-Faber warm-ups) and a Scale & Chord study that reinforces theory and transposition. Performance tasks, sight-reading slots and short improvisation exercises are built in.
What you’ll learn: healthy gesture and endurance; accurate scales, arpeggios and chordal patterns across keys; harmonic thinking for improvisation/composition; confident solo performance and reflective self-assessment. Assessments include two term recitals, a mid-year tech check, composition portfolio and written aural tasks — all using ACARA v9 criteria for progression.
Typical term progression follows Atlas milestones: Term 1 — posture, basic scales, two repertoire pieces; Term 2 — expanded keys, arpeggios, first composition draft; Term 3 — technical consolidation, sight‑reading exam and recital prep; Term 4 — performance polish, portfolio submission and reflective report. You’ll use metronome, recording apps and annotated practice logs; parents receive fortnightly updates. Expect measurable progress and lots of joyful, focused repetition. Always.
Why my teacher cares (and why you should): the Atlas is our recipe book—matching pieces (flavors) with technique (main), theory (side), and performance polish (garnish). Lessons stack, not scatter. By year’s end you’ll not only play cleaner and faster, you’ll think like a musician: creative, deliberate and ready for whatever stage beckons.