Piano Discovery Exam

★ Module 1 Exam — Proving What You’ve Learned ★

You have completed the first module of your piano journey. In just 6 lessons, you have learned: how the piano works, the layout of 88 keys, how to find every note using the black key pattern, correct posture and hand position, finger numbers and C position for BOTH hands, legato touch, 3-note patterns, your first complete melodies, and the basics of musical expression. That is EXTRAORDINARY progress. Now let’s verify it with a simple, encouraging exam.

Exam — 5 Tasks (50 points)

Task 1: Note Finding (10 points)

On the Virtual Piano, find these notes as quickly as possible (10 seconds maximum per note): Middle C, E, G, F, A, B, D, then find C one octave ABOVE Middle C, then find C one octave BELOW. All 7 note names on the first try = 10 points.

Task 2: Right Hand C-D-E-F-G (10 points)

Play the ascending pattern C–D–E–F–G then descending G–F–E–D–C with correct fingering (1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1), legato, and even volume. Record on Virtual Recorder. Scored on: correct notes (4), correct fingers (2), legato connection (2), evenness (2).

Task 3: Left Hand C-D-E-F-G (10 points)

Same pattern with LEFT hand in C position (C3–G3). Fingering: 5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5. Record on Virtual Recorder. Same scoring criteria.

Task 4: Play a Melody (10 points)

Play “Mary Had a Little Lamb” OR “Hot Cross Buns” on Piano Hero with right hand. Scored on: correct notes (5), rhythm accuracy (3), musical expression — phrase emphasis and breathing (2).

Task 5: Ear Training (10 points)

Listen to 5 note pairs. For each pair, identify: is the second note HIGHER, LOWER, or the SAME as the first? 2 points per correct answer.

Total: 50 points. Pass: 35 (70%).

You do NOT need to be perfect. 35 out of 50 means you have a solid foundation. If you score below 35, review the lessons where you feel least confident and retake. There is no limit on retakes — the goal is LEARNING, not passing.

What You Have Accomplished in Module 1

• You understand how the piano makes sound — hammers, strings, dampers
• You can find ANY of the 7 notes (C through B) on the keyboard using the black key pattern
• You sit with correct posture that prevents tension and pain
• You play with curved fingers, level wrists, and proper hand position
• You know finger numbers 1-5 and use them consistently for both hands
• You play C position patterns with BOTH hands — ascending, descending, and round trip
• You play legato (connected) and understand the difference from staccato (detached)
• You have played your first COMPLETE MELODIES — Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb
• You play with MUSICAL INTENTION — phrase emphasis, breathing, gentle endings
• You can distinguish high from low notes by ear

This is MORE than many people learn in their first month of piano lessons. You did it in 6 lessons. Be proud.

What Comes Next — Module 2: Your First Notes

Module 2 expands your world: you will learn to read basic music notation (the staff, treble clef, note values), play longer melodies with BOTH hands, and start understanding rhythm — how long each note lasts. The keyboard is no longer a mystery; now it becomes your instrument for expressing music that you can READ from a page. The adventure continues.