The Three Month Course is also a OTC OCN full-time vocational course, specifically
created to start equipping keyboard players with the awareness and skills needed to
thrive in today’s music business.

It features the same innovative and cutting edge curriculum, the same outstanding
instructors and the same entrance requirements. And because it is the first term of
the One Year Diploma, students wishing to continue their studies with us can
seamlessly progress onto terms two and three.

There are no age limits or academic prerequisites, but students are required to take
an assessment prior to enrolling on the course.

The Certificate has four intakes – in January, April, July and October. Each course
runs for 10 weeks terms with mid term break.

COURSE OVERVIEW

• Keyboard Techniques focuses specifically upon the mechanical, physical and
  ergonomic principles of your playing technique. The course is designed to
  help you remove the technical barriers that most frequently prevent effective
  self-expression on the instrument. This is done by progressively developing
  aspects of your playing such as co-ordination, control, speed and endurance.
  You will concentrate specifically on scales, arpeggios, chords and their
  voicings, developing them to an advanced level for specific styles to solo over
  complex chord changes.
  

• Keyboard Concepts: Keyboard Accompaniment. Versatility equals Gigability!
  As a professional keyboard player you will need to be able to play a variety of
  styles effectively, whether part of a rhythm section or as a solo
  accompaniment. You will study rhythm, time and feel as well as both cutting
  edge and classic styles. The styles covered include pop, rock, R&B, fusion,
  Latin and jazz, as well as some of the less mainstream styles, techniques
  and vocabulary. You will also examine the prominent players to build a
  fundamental understanding and historical perspective.
  

• Keyboard Concepts: Vocabulary and Improvisation. The conceptual teaching
  at the core of this class will give you the tools to be totally creative in your own
  right. You will learn to develop vocabulary, create phrases, and improvise.
  

              Studying the improvisational approach and solos of the greats will build a
              fundamental understanding of each style. It will simultaneously develop your
              dexterity and co-ordination in any musical situation.

• General Musicianship: Harmony & Theory. We believe in the practical
  application of modern harmony and theory – off the page and onto the
  keyboard. You will study major and minor harmony (scales, chords, modes,
  arpeggios) and their application to all the key styles.
  
  

• General Musicianship: Aural. For your playing to fit musically, you need to train
  your ears to hear with great detail and accuracy. You will study the recognition
  of intervals, chords, arpeggios and harmonic progressions.
  

• General Musicianship: Transcribing, Arranging & Composing. Starting by
  transcribing keyboard, bass and drum parts, you will look at specific
  arrangements to identify the mechanisms that will enable you to write your
  own compositions. Transcribing, Arranging and Composing develops
  stylistically over the three terms and draws directly on both your aural ability
  and understanding of theory.
  

• Sight Reading: Notation. This class covers all the rudiments of sight-reading
  by breaking music down into pitch (note recognition, intervals, key signatures)
  and rhythm (note values, rests, time signatures).
  

• Sight Reading: Chart Reading. As well as being able to read standard
  notation, you need to be able to handle charts and make them come alive. The
  process of deconstructing music at sight is studied in detail so that you very
  quickly learn to interpret written music into songs and tunes.
  

              You will concentrate on structure, sections, signs, dynamics and how to
              interpret rhythm hits. You will also combine the reading of chord charts with
              rhythm skills in a variety of styles.

• Keyboard performance: Rhythm Section Skills. This class is the in-depth
  study of the interaction within the rhythm section. The lesson includes
  intensive performance with our top quality instructors, concentrating on the
  time, feel, groove and techniques of each performed piece.
  

              Using materials, concepts and styles studied in other classes we apply them
              in a pro playing environment.

• Keyboard performance: Live Performance Workshop + Live Performance
  Workshop Prep. Your ultimate goal is to be a performer. At Keyboardtech you
  will learn great techniques and develop your musical knowledge. The point
  where these two come together is on stage. Live performances unite students
  from Keyboardtech, Guitar-X, Drumtech and Vocaltech to build confidence and
  create that crucial interaction with the rest of the band. You will focus on
  performing, showmanship and the right mental approach.
  

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