Level 1 — Initial Basic (Foundation Level)

Instrument fundamentals

• Parts of the piano / keyboard (keys, pedals, octave layout)
• Correct posture (bench height, sitting position, hand shape)
• Hand orientation and finger numbering (1–5 in each hand)

Notes and playing

• Identification of white and black keys and groups of two and three black keys
• Middle C concept and five-finger position exercises (hands separately)
• Simple melodic phrases using adjacent notes
• Scales (one octave, hands separately): C, G, D, A minor (natural), E minor (natural), F
• Major triads in root position: C, G, D, F
• Minor triads in root position: Am, Em, Dm
• Simple blocked chords and smooth chord transitions

Rhythm and coordination

• Whole, half and quarter notes
• Simple rhythmic patterns in 4/4 and 3/4 time
• Basic coordination of melody in the right hand with single notes or chords in the left hand

Repertoire

• Two pieces: one learner’s choice (any language / genre / style) and one technical or study piece (teacher / examiner guided)
• Optional self-composed melody (8–16 bars) for a single hand or hands separately

Music fundamentals

• What is music; sound vs silence
• Pitch and duration; high sounds vs low sounds

Notes and rhythm

• Musical alphabet (A–G)
• Naming notes on the keyboard
• Whole, half and quarter notes and rests

Intervals and scales

• Whole step / half step (distance between keys on the keyboard)
• Concept of major and minor scales; ascending and descending scales
• Structure of the major scale (W–W–H–W–W–W–H)

Chords and notation

• What is a chord; building a chord using three notes
• Basic major vs minor chord concept (happy vs sad sound)
• Staff basics or keyboard diagrams / note charts (optional)
• Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4