Piano Adventures Lesson Book

Book 1: The 2nd Edition Level 1 Lesson Book introduces all the notes of the grand staff elementary chord playing and the concept of tonic and dominant notes. Students play in varied positions reinforcing reading skills and recognizing intervals through the 5th. Musicianship is built with the introduction of legato and staccato touches. This level continues the interval orientation to reading across the full range of the Grand Staff. The 5-finger approach is presented here in a fresh musically appealing way.

Book 2A: The Level 2A Lesson Book follows Level 1 and continues an intervallic orientation to reading through a musically appealing multi-key approach. Includes C G D and A major and minor 5-finger positions. Eighth notes transposition and functional harmony skills are introduced.

Book 2B: The 2nd Edition Level 2B Lesson Book offers a systematic approach to scales primary chords (I IV V7) and transposition for the keys of C G and F major. This new edition features nine new songs plus enhanced arrangements of favorite pieces from the first edition. The new “Scale and Chord Adventures” appendix offers teachers the flexibility to explore major and minor scale and chord patterns in all twelve keys.

Book 3A: Level 3A introduces 3/8 and 6/8 time signatures and the triplet. Students learn the chromatic scale the 7th one-octave arpeggios and explore the key of D major. Contents include: Amazing Grace • Campbells are Coming • Cool Walkin’ Bass • Cossak Ride • Echoes of the Harp • Eine Kleine Nachtmusik • Ice Dancing • Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho • Land of the Silver Birch • Looking-Glass River • Lunar Eclipse • March Slav • and more.

Book 3B: The 2nd Edition of the Level 3B Lesson Book is a fresh dynamic update for early-intermediate students. This is the level of contrasts: fast fingerwork contrasted with sonorous tonal colors and traditional harmonies mingled with contemporary sounds. Compositions from Dvorak Rebikov and Liszt are included along with new Faber originals. Concepts include the octave A minor E minor and D minor scales (natural and harmonic minor) motive and sequence all 12 major and minor triads triad inversions syncopation and introduction to sixteenth notes.

Book 4: Level 4 stresses chord inversions sixteenth notes and minor keys. Attention to graceful touch and dynamics continues to focus the pianist on expression. Contents include: Bridal Chorus • Burlesca • Chanson • Drummer at the Keyboard • The Gondola • In the Hall of the Mountain King • Little Joke • Maple Leaf Rag • Right Ride • Prelude in C • Prelude in D Minor • Procession • The Sailor’s Story • and more.

Book 5: Level 5 continues to build musicianship with the circle of 5ths cadences flat key signatures and the three forms of the minor scale. The use of octaves arpeggios and dynamic playing across the range of the keyboard develops pianistic skills. Contents include: Autumn Ballad • Ballade (Burgmuller) • Blue Etude • Carillon Fantasia • The Chase (Burgmuller) • Coral Reef Etude • Fanfare on America • Hot Pursuit • Jazz Reflection • Pomp and Circumstance • Rhythm Flight • Risoluto • Rolling River Etude • and more.

Premier Book: The 2nd Edition Primer Lesson Book introduces the keyboard note values and the grand staff. Students play in C 5-finger scale patterns develop recognition of steps and skips and learn letter names independent of finger number. Musicianship is built through the use of dynamics and coloristic experimentation with the pedal. The book is organized into units which represent the major concepts and skills. As new units are introduced earlier concepts and skills are constantly reviewed.