The Classical Piano Method: Method Book, Book 1
The basics of technique, playing and practicing + CD
The Classical Piano Method is for complete beginners or those returning to he piano. The volumes are clearly laid out, progressing in small, manageable steps, giving helpful tips on technique, playing and practising.
- Posture and Hand and Finger Positions
- The Keyboard with its two and three Black Keys
- The White Keys – The Musical Alphabet
- Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 Time
- Note values: Whole Note/Semibreve, Half Note/Minim, Quarter Note/Crotchet, Eight Note/Quaver, Dotted Half Note/Minim, Dotted Quarter
- Note/Crotchet
- Staves and Clefs
- Sharps and Flats
- Major and Minor 5-Note Patterns
- Major and Minor chords
- Intervals from a Second to a Fifth
- Right Pedal
Contents
LESSON 1
The Piano and its Precursors
How are Sounds Produced on the Piano?
How to Sit at the Piano
Hand and Finger Position
Fingering
LESSON 2
The Keyboard
The Black Keys
The Beat in Music
Two Black Keys
Take Two / Notation / Quarter Note (Crotchet)
Three Black Keys
Improvising on the Black Keys
Piano Dreams – Keyboard Diagram
Piano Dreams – Notated / Half Note (Minim), Repetition, Step, Skip
LESSON 3
The White Keys – The Musical Alphabet
Three White Keys
Finding Three Notes with Eyes Closed
Black and White / Measure (Bar), 4/4 Time, Whole Note (Semibreve), Bar Line, Double Bar Line (End)
Four White Keys
Finding Four Notes with Eyes Closed
Morning in the Countryside / Op., 3/4 Time, Quarter (Crotchet) Rest
LESSON 4
The System of Stave Lines / Lines, Spaces, Stave (Staff)
Bass Clef for the L. H. / Dynamics, forte, piano
Treble Clef for the R. H. / legato, Slurs, Phrase, Repeat Sign
LESSON 5
The Piano Notation System / Bracket (Brace/Accolade), Leger Lines
Rules of Notation
Take Five Fingers / Double Bar Line
Theory Check 1
Wedding March / mezzoforte
Theory Check 2
A Little Night Music / allegro
LESSON 6
Pastoral Song / dolce, Dotted Half Note / Dotted Minim Note, Tie
Finger Fitness 1
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star! / D. C. al Fine
Finger Fitness 2 / ABA, 2/4 Time
LESSON 7
Cancan
Sharp Sign
Theory Check 3
Surprise Symphony / andante, pianissimo, fortissimo, Articulation, staccato
Finger Fitness 3 / Symphony
LESSON 8
Longing for Spring / Upbeat (Anacrusis), Flat Sign, mezzo piano
Theory Check 4
LESSON 9
Playing with Hands together
Finger Fitness 4 / Contrary Motion
Barcarolle / allegretto
Sharps ’n’ Flats
Theory Check 5
Discovery Waltz / Metronome
LESSON 10
Eighth Note (Quaver), Rests, Accent, crescendo
Turkish March
Theory Check 6
Minuet / moderato, Minuet
Presto / Octave Transposition Sign, presto
Prelude / Dotted Quarter Note / Dotted Crotchet Note, rit.
Theory Check 7
LESSON 11
C Major 5-Note Pattern
Finger Fitness 5 / Parallel Motion, Lateral Motion
Musette
Spring
LESSON 12
Intervals / Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth
Finger Fitness 6
Scherzo / decrescendo
G Major 5-Note Pattern
Finger Fitness 7
Ode to Joy / Two Repeat Signs
LESSON 13
Triads / C Major Triad (Chord), G Major Triad (Chord)
Finger Fitness 8 / Transposing, simile
Air / Air
Theory Check 8
D Major 5-Note Pattern / D Major Triad (Chord)
Finger Fitness 9
Trumpet Tune / maestoso
F Major 5-Note Pattern / F Major Triad (Chord)
Finger Fitness 10
For Nannerl
Largo / largo
Theory Check 9
Composer Check
LESSON 14
A Minor 5-Note Pattern / A Minor Triad (Chord)
La Marmotte / First and Second Time Bars, Pause
Sentimental Dialog
E Minor 5-Note Pattern / E Minor Triad (Chord)
Finger Fitness 11
Bourrée / Natural Sign, Bourrée
Symphony No.1
Dance of the Little Swans
D Minor 5-Note Pattern / D Minor Triad (Chord)
Finger Fitness 12
Theory Check 10
Symphony No. 7
LESSON 15
The Right Pedal – Sustaining Pedal
Sound Painting
Longing For You / poco moto, Eighth (Quaver) Rest
Dream of Love
THEORY CHECK SOLUTIONS
THEORY REVIEW
GLOSSARY
FURTHER REPERTOIRE
CD TRACK-LISTING
KEYBOARD NOTATION SYSTEM
