This creative series contains a variety of materials for developing musicianship—reading, theory, technique, rhythm, ear training, and creativity. Unit 1 begins with a page of sight-singing followed by instructions on playing three-note slurs and operating the damper pedal. There are exercises which teach students to complete V7 chords, also to arrange dynamic markings in proper order. Students are asked to learn a piece, then transpose it to a new key every day.
The music in volume 3 is a combination of classics by Gurlitt, Berens, Schytte, etc., American folksongs, and contemporary pieces by Linda Niamith, Elvina Pearce, Susan Ogiivy, and Mark Mrozinski. The accompanying Solos Book 3 & 4 (48 pages) includes music by Bartok, Kabalevsky, Diabelli, Turk, Hook, Dale Reubart, Pierre Gallant,
Stephen Chatman and others. Both volumes include music in many keys and with a great deal of rhythmic variety and interest. One of the pieces is Linda Niamith's March of the Terrible Trolls, a favorite of many teachers and students.
The use of art work and color is striking in this series. Not only are units color-coded but many pages have colored borders filled with attractive and appealing illustrations of animal characters. A safari and travel theme is used with music titles of Camel Ride, On a Greek Island, and Erie Canal. Flash-cards are available, also accompaniment tracks on CD and MIDI disk. This series would work well for either private or class lessons.
Celebrate Piano! Lesson and Musicianship, Vol. 3
Albergo, Kolar, and Mrozinski, publ. by Frederick Harris Co. 96 pages, $16.50
Published on February 10, 2003 in The Clarion