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Forevvord
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1 A PIANO COURSE FOR ADULT,is designed for
non-keyboard music majors with little or no
Reading Approach: The reading approach is
eclectic, combining the best elements of intervallic

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keyboard experience. It also may be used and multi-key reading. Reading exercises are
successfully by independent teachers seeking designed to promote movement over the entire
creative ways to develop functional skills in their keyboard while maintaining the advantages of

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adult students. Upon completion of this book,
students will have a strong grasp of functional
skills, keyboard technique and musical styles.
playing in familiar positions. Reading examples
are a mixture of standard repertoire and newly
composed pieces.

1 Importance of Piano Study: Most music educa­

tors agree that the piano is indispensable for all
Rhythm Approach: Suggestions for counting are
given, but the approach used is left to the discretion

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musicians. Piano study helps students gain a better
of the teacher. Rhythms and note values are intro­
understanding of music theory as theoretical
duced systematically, and specially designed
concepts are applied to the keyboard. Many music
rhythm-reading exercises promote rhythmic security.

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majors who have had no previous piano experience
find the first piano classes challenging. Experience Technical Approach: Technique is developed in
has proven that with the proper approach and a systematic way throughout the entire book.

1 consistent practice, anyone can grasp the skills

necessary to fonction and perform at the keyboard.
Repertoire, harmonization melodies, technical
exercises and sight-reading examples are carefully

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General Features: The text is easy to use. It fingered to aid the student in developing good
contains 26 units, each designed to be covered in technique.
one week, thus filling two semesters or three quar­ Repertoire: The student begins to play music

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ters of study. Schools that have longer semesters or immediately. Each unit has at least one repertoire
quarters can use additional weeks for reinforce­ piece that may be used for performance or study. A
ment, review and testing. Theory, technique, sight

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reading, repertoire, harmonization, improvisation
and ensemble activities are taught thoroughly and
section of supplementary repertoire is contained in
the back of the book for those students who need
additional music or for teachers who like a wider

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consistently throughout the text. Descriptions of
choice of music for students. The supplementary
other general features follow:
repertoire was chosen to represent a variety of
levels and can be used throughout the book.

1 • Each unit contains a balance of new informa­

Harmonization: Harmonization skills are devel­
oped using single tones, open fifths, full chords

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tion with materials that reinforce concepts and various accompaniment styles. Harmonization
presented in previous units. examples use a mixture of Roman numerals, letter
symbols and melodies with no symbols given.

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• The title page of each unit contains the objec­
tives for the unit and a space to record Accompaniments and Score Reading: Two-hand
assignments for the week. accompaniments and multiple-line ensembles help

1 • Measures are numbered in all examples (reper­

toire, reading, harmonization, improvisation) to
students develop beginning skills in accompanying
and score reading.

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promote ease of use in the classroom. Ensembles: Duets and ensembles for multiple
• Written review worksheets, designed to be pianos are included throughout. In addition, four­
submitted to the teacher for feedback, appear part ensembles are created from analysis of

1 periodically throughout the text. repertoire.