Add a dash of syncopation to your scales and you’ll soon have a really cool cat! Right-hand scales scurry down to dissolve into a snappy motive. Harmonies add just the right spunky touch. Ingrid’s left hand tops her right-hand skills by climbing in longer scale passages, followed by swirling hops and…
Video of the Week
These four missions are a great way to blast off into Level 1! Charlotte practices naming and singing the treble clef line notes with the help of E-G-B, the mouse. These missions can be repeated and reviewed throughout the level to develop confident note readers. From Piano Adventures Level 1, Lesson…
“Hey diddle diddle, D’s in the middle!” This piece, “Magic Rhyme for Bass,” not only helps the student remember where Bass D lives on the staff, but also packs in six other learning points in its six short measures. Watch as Charlotte and Soleil practice the use of arm weight,…
In this video, Randy explains the nuances of the “Weighted Tone and Empty Fingers” technique secret from Technique and Artistry Level 4. While arm weight is a technique taught from the very first lessons, Randy makes note of balancing the use of arm weight and when to take it out of the keys.…
The musical focus is on how the composer repeats and extends phrases to build to the “heroic” ending. Sam’s body language shows his involvement and how quickly he catches on as he tries out the dynamic scheme. The accompaniment adds to the “con forza” entrance as the hero struts right…
This piece introduces Middle C and reading on the Grand Staff. From the start, Kai learns that any finger in either hand can play Middle C. After the teacher’s dynamic performance, Kai tries out the piece, feeling the rhythm and checking the music and her hands. Alexis first practices changing…
In My First Piano Adventure Book B, students are taught how to recognize and memorize short patterns at a young age. Using colored shapes to symbolize rhythmic and melodic patterns, the student is able to visually grasp the concept of reoccurring notes as a group. Grouping and pattern recognition allows for…
Watch as Randy presents a teaching demonstration of the first technique secret, “Finger Fireworks,” from Level 3B. Randy starts by having Ian experience the cupped hand shape off the piano, with the hand upside down. With practice, Ian is able to master the closed-hand technique which gives ease and speed…
In Level 2A, subdivision of quarter notes into eighth notes are introduced. Counting eighth notes is taught in stages as Nancy guides Charlotte through a progression of singing, tapping, and chanting. This progressive approach allows the student to feel the pulse and understand the rhythmic subdivisions without being encumbered with…
Tapping on the fallboard helps Philip establish a 4/4 meter presented on this page. By tapping softer and faster he hears and feels rhythmic patterns, not just single pulses. Learning to tap on the off beats happens naturally, without fuss or explanation. He discovers how to learn a piece by…