Succeeding at the Piano, Lesson and Technique Book - Preparatory

Helen Marlais

ISBN 10: 1569396655 ISBN 13: 9781569396650

Publisher: The FJH Music Company Inc., 2010

Synopsis

The Preparatory level Lesson and Technique Book provides students with material that is uniquely balanced musically and pedagogically, while providing a perfect introduction to the piano by laying a strong foundation to build upon. Reading, rhythm, technique, theory, ear training, playing by ear, music history, composition, and wonderful music by multiple composers are seamlessly integrated for a well-balanced music curriculum.

Some of the concepts covered in the Preparatory level Lesson and Technique Book include: a natural and perfect hand position; a steady beat; pre-reading and staff reading of notes from Bass C to Treble G; Guide Notes Bass F, Middle C, and Treble G; quarter, half, dotted half, and whole notes; intervals of a 2nd to a 5th; repeat sign; forte and piano dynamics; two-note slurs; phrases; 8va; tie; Middle C and C position.

In addition to these concepts students learn six basic techniques in this level:

1. ) Finger, hand, and arm position, correct body alignment, posture, and a general well-being at the piano

The feeling of arm weight -being able to feel the arm letting go and relaxing

Flexible wrists

Two-note slurs

Weight transfer from one finger to the next

Rotation in the hands, wrists, and arms

About this title

About the Author

Helen Marlais active performance schedule includes collaborative concerts in North America, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Marlais is one of the most prolific authors in the field of educational piano books. Her critically acclaimed and award-winning piano series, Succeeding with the Masters, The Festival Collection, In Recital, Sight Reading and Rhythm, Write, Play, and Hear Your Theory, and The FJH Contemporary Keyboard Editions, among others, are exclusively published by The FJH Music Company. As well as being the Director of Keyboard Publications for The FJH Music Company, she is also an Associate Professor of Music at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she teaches piano majors, directs the piano pedagogy program, and coordinates all of the group piano programs, which includes the young beginner piano program.

She performs and gives workshops throughout the country and at all of the national music teachers conventions. Her articles can be read in Keyboard Companion, The American Music Teacher, and Clavier magazines. Her more than 60 educational piano CD s are recorded on Stargrass Records.

Dr. Marlais has performed with members of the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Grand Rapids, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Beijing National Symphony Orchestras to name a few, and has recorded on Gasparo and Centaur record labels with her husband, concert clarinetist Arthur Campbell. They have had numerous collaborative performances broadcast regionally, nationally, and internationally, on radio, television, and the Internet. Her travels abroad have included performing and teaching at the leading conservatories and festivals in Italy, France, Hungary, Turkey, Lithuania, Estonia, and China. She has premiered many new contemporary works by composers from the Unites States, Canada, and Europe and is also the pianist for the chamber music group Trio Nuovo. This group specializes in playing both new and well-known music for clarinet, bass clarinet, and piano.

She received her DM in piano performance and pedagogy from Northwestern University and her MM in piano performance from Carnegie Mellon University.

Edition details

• Publisher: The FJH Music Company Inc.
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1569396655
• ISBN 13: 9781569396650
• Binding: Sheet music
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 88
• Editor: Helen Marlais