By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco.

Lesson: This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book Level 1A begins by teaching basic keyboard topography and fluent recognition of white key names in relation to black keys. It focuses on simple rhythms and prepares students for intervallic reading with entertaining songs that focus on "same," "stepping up" and "stepping down." It then introduces lines and space notes in treble and bass clefs, melodic and harmonic intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths, and graduates to reading on the grand staff. It also introduces the flat and sharp signs. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician.

 

Theory: Designed to coordinate page-by-page with the Lesson Books. Contains enjoyable games and quizzes that reinforce the principles presented in the Lesson Books. Students can increase their musical understanding while they are away from the keyboard.

The Universal Edition is designed for all English-speaking countries outside of the United States, including Canada, the U. K., and Australia. This edition uses the British system of terminology for rhythmic values such as "crotchet" for quarter note. Designed to coordinate page-by-page with the Lesson Books. Contains enjoyable games and quizzes that reinforce the principles presented in the Lesson Books. Students can increase their musical understanding while they are away from the keyboard.

 

Technic: The Technic Books provide reading and rhythm drills and exercises perfectly paced with each Lesson Book in Alfreds Basic Piano Library to improve musicianship and develop coordination of the hands.

 

Recital: The Recital Books congratulate students for a job well done by providing correlated repertoire to their Lesson Books that are based on concepts theyve already learned. As a result, the pieces are quickly mastered. Included in Recital 1A are familiar favorites such as "Lost My Partner" and "Tumbalalaika," and fun originals like "Charlie the Chimp!" and "My Secret Place."

 

Ear Training: The Ear Training Books reinforce each concept presented in the Lesson Books and specifically focus on the training and development of the ear. Rhythmic, melodic and intervallic concepts are drilled throughout each book and each page is designed to be completed using approximately five minutes of the lesson time.

The Universal Edition is designed for all English-speaking countries outside of the United States, including Canada, the U. K., and Australia. This edition uses the British system of terminology for rhythmic values such as "crotchet" for quarter note.

 

Sight Reading: The Sight Reading Books teach sight reading in a systematic way by creating exercises based on the same concepts that students are studying in the Lesson Books. Also includes rhythm sight reading drills and improvisation exercises to develop tactile freedom on the keyboard. Exercises are short and the music is generally easier than the corresponding pages in the Lesson Book.

 

Notespeller: Students needing to review and improve their note-naming and interval-naming skills will benefit greatly from these well-prepared Notespeller Books. Each book provides a variety of written activities that reinforce note reading concepts presented in the Lesson Books. Correlates page-by-page with the Lesson Books, but may also serve as an effective supplement to other piano methods.

 

Fun: The Fun Books provide additional recital pieces designed for students who require more solo material and are particularly useful when two students are from the same family (Recital Book for one, Fun Book for the other).

 

Composition: The Composition Book encourages the development of creativity and compositional skills, while reinforcing important musical concepts including music reading and notation. Although these books are correlated page-by-page with the Lesson Books, they can be used with any piano method.

 

Solo: Alfreds Top Hits series has overwhelmingly been accepted by students and teachers. This series combines just the right combination of hits from Broadway, Hollywood, television and recordings! As you might expect from Alfred, this series offers a rare combination of great music arranged with care and creativity. Your beginning and intermediate students can savor the excitement of playing pop music and reap the benefits from making practicing more fun and rewarding. Titles: The Brady Bunch * "C" Is for Cookie * Climb Evry Mountain * Happy Days * Its a Small World * Mickey Mouse March * My Heart Will Go On * The Siamese Cat Song * A Teenager in Love * Winnie the Pooh * Youll Be in My Heart.

 

Popular Hits: Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Popular Hits answers the often expressed need for popular music to be used as supplementary music for students. Soon after beginning piano study, students can play attractive versions of the best-known melodies of today. This book is correlated page-by-page with Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book 1A. When pieces from the Popular Hits book are assigned in conjunction with the material in the Lesson Book, new concepts are reinforced in a fun and motivating way, increasing the student's interest in piano study. Titles: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) * Cool Kids (Echosmith) * Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (from Walt Disney's Frozen) * I'll Stand by You (The Pretenders) * Iron Man (from Iron Man) * Jeepers Creepers (Johnny Mercer) * Just the Way You Are (Amazing) (Bruno Mars) * Minecraft (from Minecraft) * The Quidditch World Cup (from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) * Theme from Superman * Wreck It, Wreck-It Ralph (from Wreck-It Ralph).

 

Ensemble: The Ensemble Books contain eight 4-part ensembles, carefully coordinated with material in the Lesson Books. Part 1 is a selected favorite from the Fun Book or the Recital Book. Parts 2, 3 and 4 use the same concepts and hand positions at the same level of difficulty. Includes suggested electronic sounds for those ensembles using electronic instruments.

 

Merry Christmas! Carefully graded carols are placed in order of difficulty within each book. Every carol has a duet part for the teacher or parent. May be used with any method. Titles: Away in a Manger * Christmas Day * The Coventry Carol * Good King Wenceslas * Joy to the World * O Come, All Ye Faithful * Silent Night * The Snow Lay on the Ground * Up on the Housetop * We Three Kings of Orient Are.

 

Top Hits! Christmas: This book may be used by students in Level 1A or the Complete Level 1 of Alfreds Basic Piano Library or in the first or second book of any method. Titles: The Christmas Song * Frosty the Snowman * Happy Holiday * (Theres No Place Like) Home for the Holidays * Ill Be Home for Christmas * Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! * Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer * We Need a Little Christmas.