combining method books accelerated approach to teaching beginning and intermediate piano students
TRANSCRIPT
Presentation for MTNA National Conference
Las Vegas March 22, 2015
By Yiyi Ku
Combining Method Books
Accelerated Approach to Teaching
Beginning and Intermediate
Piano Students
Copyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
• Accelerate:
"To cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement."
• Students want to play "cool music."
• They want to play cool music as soon as possible!
Familiar tunes
Music that sounds impressive
Music that sounds beautiful
Standard repertoire
Popular and famous songs
High level competition stuff
Playing in an ensemble
• No definitive rate of acceleration - every student is different.
• Goals:
1. Play cool music!
2. Independent learners and creative musicians for life.
Accelerated Approach
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• Every student is different. One size does not fit all.
• Kids love variety.
• Every method has something different to offer.
• You can learn something from every method, even if it's what not to do.
• No one method is perfect.
• Most methods move too slowly.
• Some methods move too quickly.
• Keep students interested.
Why Combine?
• So I don't get bored!
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• Six case studies
• Examine methods and supplementary books used for each student:
• Performance & Demonstration
• How I combine different methods
• Tips
• Benefits of approach
• How to get started?
• List of my favorite methods and collections
• Q & A
Today's Format
Major Methods
Other Methods
Collections & Supplements
Contemporary Composers
Standard Repertoire
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• 4 years old
• Finalist - RCM Share the Celebration Video Countdown Preparatory A
• Performing Little Flower Girl of Paris by William Gillock - Classic Piano Repertoire William Gillock, Willis Music
Riley Neal
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Riley's Books
Major Methods
• Alfred Premier Piano Course
• Helen Marlais Succeeding at the Piano
Other Methods
• John Thompson Easiest Piano Course
• Accelerated Piano Adventures
Collections & Supplements
• Kevin and Julia Olsen The Perfect Start
• John Thompson Christmas Book
• John Thompson Disney Book
Contemporary Composers
• Timothy Brown Little Butterfly Garden
• William Gillock Classic Piano Repertoire
Standard Repertoire
• Helen Marlais with Suzanne Torkelson Etudes with Technique
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FJH Composers in Focus Timothy Brown The Butterfly Garden
FJH Helen Marlais Succeeding at the Piano
• "Perfect Piano Hands" • "Time to Compose" • Variety of composers
• Perfect transition from pre-reading to notation
• Beautiful duet parts • Imaginative titles
• Grandfather of modern methods
• Pedal introduced early on
• Doesn't get stuck in one position
Closer Look
Faber Nancy and Randall Faber
Piano Adventures
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• 6 years old
• Guild Audition National Program
• Performing Whispering Leaves by Kevin Costley - Succeeding at the Piano Recital Book Grade 2B, FJH
Kristen Law
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Kristen's Books
Major Methods
• Alfred Premier Piano Course
• Helen Marlais Succeeding at the Piano
• Hal Leonard Student Piano Library
Other Methods
• Accelerated Piano Adventures
• Bastien Older Beginner
Collections & Supplements
• Alfred First Book of Pop
• FJH Play Your Scales and Chords Everyday
• Carol Matz Famous and Fun Deluxe
Contemporary Composers
• Timothy Brown Little Butterfly Garden
• Christopher Goldston On Stage
• Melody Bober Grand Solos for Christmas
Standard Repertoire
• Jennifer Linn Journey Through The Classics
• FJH Festival CollectionCopyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
Hal Leonard Jennifer Linn Journey Through The Classics
Alfred Premier Piano Course
Alfred Kowalchyk/Lancaster/Barden First Book of Pop
• Piano Maestro Integration • Technique/Lesson/Theory/
Performance/Christmas/Jazz, Rags & Blues/Masterworks/Note Speller/Sight Reading
• Contemporary cool-sounding accompaniments
• Beautiful paper and engraving
• Thoughtfully edited • Elementary to Late
Intermediate
• Familiar tunes kids know and love
• Optional accompaniments
• Good value!
Closer LookCopyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
• 10 years old
• Certificate of Merit Level 4
• Performing Bluebird by Timothy Brown - Timothy Brown Lyric Expressions, FJH
Kaitlyn Hetsko
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Kaitlyn's Books
Major Methods
• Helen Marlais Succeeding at the Piano
Other Methods
• John Thompson Modern Piano Course
• Piano Adventures Popular Repertoire
Collections & Supplements
• Kevin and Julia Olsen The Perfect Start • Hal Leonard Christmas Classics 5 Finger Piano • Tom Gerou Christmas Solos For Students Bk 2
Contemporary Composers
• Glenda Austin Original Solos • Timothy Brown Lyric Expressions • Kowalchyk and Lancaster's Favorite Solos • B. J. Rosco Images - Original Piano Repertoire
Standard Repertoire
• Alfred Classics for the Developing Pianist Bk 1 & 2 • Keith Snell Master Composer Library - Lichner
Sonatinas • Alfred Premier Masterworks 5
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Alfred Ingrid Clarfield/ Phyllis Lehrer
Classics for the Developing Pianist
• Sequential reading - One or two notes at a time
• Lots of repetition • Alternate fingerings
• Pedagogy Textbook • Early Intermediate to
Advanced • Extensively edited
• Beautiful pieces chosen by the composer
• Colorful imaginative sounds
Closer Look
Willis Music Composer's Choice Glenda Austin
FJH Kevin & Julia Olson The Perfect Start
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• 10 years old
• RCM Level 4
• Performing Away in a Manger by Robert D. Vandall - What Can We Play on Sunday Book 6, Alfred
Claire HowardCopyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
Claire's Books
Methods
• Heritage Music Press Piano Discoveries
• John Thompson Modern Course For The Piano
Collections & Supplements
• Edna-Mae Burnam A Dozen A Day • Primo Light, for one piano, four hands - Weekley
& Arganbright
Contemporary Composers
• Jane Hergo Finger Rolics • FJH In Recital with Christmas Favorites Bk 5 • FJH In Recital with Popular Christmas Music Bk 6 • FJH In Recital Duets Vol 1 Bk 6 • Robert D. Vandall What Can We Play on Sunday
Bk 6
Standard Repertoire
• Notebook for Anna Magdalene Bach - C.F.Peters • Keith Snell Master Composer Library - Kabalevsky
Op. 39, Diabelli Sonatinas Op. 168, Haydn 6 Easy Sonatas
• Alfred Masterwork Edition - Chopin 14 Easiest Piano Selections, Haydn 12 Short Piano Pieces
• Denes Agay - More Easy Classics to Moderns • Dover Classical Music - Bach, Favorite Piano
Classics • Amsco Publications - Mozart Six Viennese
Sonatinas, Mozart Masterpieces of Piano Music • Carl Rischer Music Library - Burgmuller Rondo Alla
Turca Op. 68 • RCM Celebration Series Perspectives Level 4
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Neil A. Kjos Keith Snell Master Composer Library
Heritage Music Press Piano Discoveries
FJH In Recital Series
• Colorful and beautiful illustrations
• All-in-one Lesson/Performance/Technique
• Introduces standard repertoire early on
• Most comprehensive collection for students
• Single composer/graded repertoire
• Different periods/etudes
• High quality, contemporary arrangements
• Tips for practice and performance
• Comes with CD
Closer LookCopyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
• 9 years old
• Certificate of Merit Level 4
• Performing Titanium Toccata by Dennis Alexander - A Splash of Color Book 3, Alfred
Shania JinCopyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
Shania's Books
Methods
• Heritage Music Press Piano Discoveries
• John Thompson Easiest Piano Course
• Robert Pace Music for Piano
• Michael Aaron Piano Course
Contemporary Composers
• Dennis Alexander Splash of Color • Jennifer Linn - Christmas Impressions
Standard Repertoire
• Keith Snell Master Composer Library - Diabelli, Chopin, Grieg, Bach, Tchaikovsky
• Denes Agay - More Easy Classics to Moderns
• Alfred Classics for Developing Pianist • Faber Developing Artist Series - Grieg • Schirmer - Sonatina Album, Chopin • Peters - Bach Short Preludes and Fugues
Collections & Supplements
• FJH In Recital with Christmas Favorites • Piano Guild The Allison Contemporary
Piano Collection
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• Under appreciated musical gems
• Huge variety of styles and technical skills
• Literature/Sonatinas • Elementary to Early
Advanced • Gradual transition
to harder repertoire
• Rare gems • Lots of contemporary
composers • Scales and cadences
included
Closer Look
Faber Developing Artist Series
Willis Music John Thompson Easiest Piano Course
Piano Guild The Allison Contemporary Piano Collection
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• 9 years old
• Hal Leonard Carol Klose Composition Competition Silver Medal
• Performing Arabesque by Jennifer Linn - Piano Recital Showcase Romantic Inspirations, Hal Leonard
Emma Erickson
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Emma's BooksMethods
• Leila Fletcher Music Lessons Have Begun
• Heritage Music Press Piano Discoveries
• Helen Marlais Succeeding at the Piano
Collections & Supplements
• Piano Guild The Allison Contemporary Piano Collection
• FJH In Recital Throughout the Year
Contemporary Composers
• Hal Leonard Piano Recital Showcase • Wynn-Anne Rossi Surprising Solos • William Gillock Accent on Solos • Eugenie Rocherolle Christmas Time is Here (duet) • Randall Hartsell The Best Of Dreams • Timothy Brown In Style Bk 4 • Christos Tsitsaros Throughout The Year (duet)
Standard Repertoire
• Alfred Masterwork Edition - Chopin 14 Easiest Piano Selections
• Alfred Classics for the Developing Pianist • Denes Agay Classics to Moderns • Burgmuller 25 Progressive Studies • Schirmer Performance Edition - Bach 2 part
Inventions • Faber Developing Artist - Bach Notebook for Anna
Magdalene • Keith Snell - Piano Repertoire Level 4, Chopin, Bach
Short Preludes, Bach Short Fugues • Mozart Selected Piano Works • Mozart Concerto No. 23 in A Major Copyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
• Artistic, imaginative original duets
• Detailed articulation, phrasing, focus on variety of sounds
• Beautiful paper • Authorative editors • Comes with CD
• Best of Hal Leonard composers
• High quality original music
Closer Look
Hal Leonard Christos Tsitsaros Throughout the Year
Hal Leonard Piano Recital Showcase
Schirmer Performance Editions
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How I Combine• There are no rules!
• Lesson/Technique/Recital/Performance/Theory: You don't have to use every book in every method.
• Generally, Lesson books are too "wordy" and tedious. I use mostly Performance/Recital books. Students like to play entire songs, not one-or-two line exercises.
• On-staff and off-staff at the same time. Get out of off-staff quickly. For some students it is not necessary to start with off-staff.
• You don't have to use a book for its intended purpose - for example, I use Faber Accelerated Piano Adventures for my young students, too.
• It's ok to use multiple levels at the same time, especially for transfer students who may need a lot of review work. Copyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
More Tips• It's ok to overlap different levels - start new level before the previous
one is finished (new level usually starts with review anyway).
• It's ok to skip levels.
• Try different method when advancing to next level.
• Don't judge a book by its cover, or name.
• Not every piece has to be "perfect." Change expectations depending on the piece.
• Find a use for everything - sight reading, ear training, theory.
• Give students more books than the lesson time allows - It's ok if not everything is heard in a single lesson. Rotate the books.
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Benefits of Approach• Keep students interested and motivated. Students love new things!
• Younger students get used to reading in different fonts, sizes, page orientation.
• Reinforce concepts - "we just learned about that in a different book!"
• Important skills developed:
1. Keyboard geography - not stuck at same position
2. Good sight readers
3. Use of pedal introduced early on
4. Musicianship skills - lots of duetsCopyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
More Benefits
• Different methods advance to the next level at different pace -
Provides sense of progress and "moving on" while reviewing similar materials
Provides exceptional students sense of challenge
• Traditional repertoire build strong technical foundation.
• Contemporary composers inspire creativity and imaginative playing.
Copyright © Yiyi Ku Piano Studio
FJH Helen Marlais Succeeding at the Piano
Heritage Music Press Piano Discoveries
Faber Piano Adventures
Alfred Premier Piano Course Music for Little Mozarts
Kjos Keith Snell & Diane Hidy
Piano Town
Francis Clark
The Music Tree
Hal Leonard Student Piano Library
Belwin Music Michael Aaron Piano Course
Methods
Willis John Thompson Easiest Piano Course Modern Course for Piano
Frederick Harris Celebrate Piano!
Jennifer Ekland Piano Pronto
Willis Edna Mae Burnam Step by Step Piano Course
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Carol Matz Famous and Fun
Collections & Supplements
Edna Mae Burnam A Dozen A Day
Catherine Rollin
Pathways to Artistry
Carolyn Miller Sportacular
Hal Leonard Piano Recital Showcase
Kevin and Julia Olson The Perfect Start
Faber Playtime/Showtime/Funtime Accelerated Piano Adventures
Various Publishers Sheet music
Christmas music Duet music
FJH In Recital Series
Hal Leonard Popular Piano Solos
Melody Bober A Perfect 10
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Timothy Brown
Dennis Alexander
Focus on Contemporary Composers
FJH Composer in Focus
Willis Music Composer's Choice
Piano Guild The Allison Contemporary Piano Collection
Robert D. Vandall Jennifer Linn
Eric Baumgartner
Randall HartsellChristos Tsitsaros
Phillip Keveren
Wynn-Anne Rossi
Martha Mier
Alfred
Recital Suite SeriesHal Leonard Composer Showcase
Catherine Rollin
Glenda Austin
William Gillock
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FJH Helen Marlais Succeeding with the Masters
Festival Collection Etudes with Technique
Alfred Masterworks Editions
Kjos Keith Snell Master Composer Library Essential Piano Repertoire
Jennifer Linn Journey Through the Classics
Standard Repertoire (Collections for Students)
Faber Developing Artist Literature
Frederick Harris Celebration Series Perspectives
G. Schirmer Performance Editions
Denes Agay Classics to Moderns
Ingrid Clarfield/ Phyllis Lehrer Classics for Developing Pianist
Nancy Bachus Exploring Piano Classics
Jane Magrath Masterwork Classics/Duets Masterpieces with Flair!
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• Start Shopping!
• Try something new! Experiment!
• Join publisher mailing list. Visit their booths!
• Get automatic shipments of new releases at significant discount: Hal Leonard First Choice New Release Club, Willis Teacher Advantage, FJH New Release Club.
• Take advantage of publisher monthly email special offers.
• Conference discounts!
• Explore various assessment and exam programs. Study their syllabus.
How to get started?
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Join my Facebook page for ideas! https://www.facebook.com/Yiyikupiano
• Too many to list and include in today's session.
• Still lots of methods and composers for me to explore.
• You are the method!
• It's important to know what's out there, what's available.
• You prescribe what each student needs.
Coda
• Have fun, play cool music!
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Thank you for coming!www.yiyiku.com
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