Piano 101: Book 1

Contents

UNIT 1: Playing on Black Keys
Did You Know? The Power of Music
How to Sit at the Keyboard
Basic Note Values
The Keyboard
Dynamic Signs; Two by Three
UNIT 2: Playing on White Keys
Did You Know? History of the Piano
Naming White Keys
Octave
New Signs
Summer Night
Rests; Simple Elegance
Review Worksheet
UNIT 3: Exploring Positions on the Keyboard
Did You Know? Music Theory
Playing in Right Hand Middle C Position
Playing in Left Hand Middle C Position; First Waltz
Playing in C Position
Playing in G Position
Positions Using All White Keys Moving Up
Positions Using All White Keys Moving Down
UNIT 4: The Staff
Did You Know? Musical Style Periods
The Staff; The Treble Clef Sign; The Bass Clef Sign
The Grand Staff; Middle C on the Grand Staff; New Dynamic Signs
New Time Signature
F Below Middle C
G Above Middle C
3 Important Notes
Right Hand C Position and Right Hand Middle C Position
Left Hand Middle C Position
Slur & Legato Playing
Review Worksheet
UNIT 5: Intervals
Did You Know? The Baroque Period
Left Hand C Position
Intervals; Tempo Marks
2nds; Transposition
3rds; New Dynamic Sign
4ths
5ths; Tied Notes
Incomplete Measure
When the Saints Go Marching In
Review Worksheet
UNIT 6: Other Keyboard Basics
Did You Know? Johann Sebastian Bach
The Sharp Sign; Money Can't Buy Ev'rything!
The Flat Sign
The Natural Sign
Bright Lights Boogie
Right Hand C Position an Octave Higher
Staccato
New Time Signature; New Tempo Mark
Duet: Lyric Piece
UNIT 7: G Position
Did You Know? Church Music
G Position on the Staff; Accent Sign; Midnight Shadows
Left Hand G Position an Octave Higher
Intervals in G Position
New Dynamic Sign; Miniature Waltz
Review Worksheet
UNIT 8: Major Five-Finger Patterns
Did You Know? The Classical Period
Half Steps; The Chromatic Scale
Whole Steps
Major Five-Finger Patterns
Eighth Notes; Playing Major Five-Finger Patterns
Major Triads (Chords); Playing Major Five-Finger Patterns and Chords
Ensemble: Forty-Finger Ensemble
Unit 9: Key of C Major
Did You Know? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The C Major Scale; Tetrachords and the Major Scale
Playing the C Major Scale
C Major and G7 Chords in the Left Hand; Mary Ann
The F Major Chord
Playing C, F and G7 Chords in the Right Hand
Binary Form (AB); Morning Classic
UNIT 10: Key of G Major
Did You Know? Movies and Music
The G Major Scale; Playing the G Major Scale
Dotted Quarter Notes
Ternary Form (ABA); Dance
G Major and D7 Chords in the Left Hand; Du, du liegst mir im Herzen
A New Position of the C Major Chord in the Left Hand; Playing G, C and D7 Chords in the Right Hand
The Damper Pedal
Kum-Ba-Yah!
Review Worksheet
UNIT 11: Minor Five-Finger Patterns
Did You Know? The Romantic Period
Major and Minor Five-Finger Patterns; Playing Major and Minor Five-Finger Patterns
Minor Chords; Playing Minor Five-Finger Patterns and Chords
Duet: Galop
Master Mind
UNIT 12: Triads and Arpeggios
Did You Know? Frédéric François Chopin
Five C's
Playing Triads of the Key; Playing Major Chords (Hand-over-Hand)
Parallel Moves
Playing Hand-over-Hand Arpeggios
A New Day
Lead Sheet: Wooden Heart
UNIT 13: 6ths, 7ths and 8ths (Octaves)
Did You Know? The Piano Concerto
6ths
Waltzing in Sixths
7ths and 8ths (Octaves)
Summer Memories
Lead Sheet: Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis
Review Worksheet
Unit 14: Key of F Major
Did You Know? The Contemporary Period
Four F's
The F Major Scale; Playing the F Major Scale
Playing F, B-flat and C7 Chords in the Left Hand
Playing F, B-flat and C7 Chords in the Right Hand
A Classic Tale
Lead Sheet: Dona Nobis Pacem
Ensemble: Barcarolle
UNIT 15: 12-Bar Blues
Did You Know? George Gershwin
12-Bar Blues
A Little Blues
New Time Signature; Toccatina
Review Worksheet
SUPPLEMENTARY SOLO REPERTOIRE
Give My Regards to Broadway
You're a Grand Old Flag
Amazing Grace
March No. 1; March No. 2
Vivace
Canon
Für Elise
Jingle Bells
Celebration Boogie
Jacob's Ladder
APPENDIX A: Teacher's Examples (Ear Training)
APPENDIX B: Glossary
APPENDIX C: List of Compositions
INDEX