(Educational Piano Library). From the very first lessons in Book 1, students are making music as they explore the piano keyboard through fun improvisation pieces called My Own Song . The beginning of the book introduces finger numbers, the black-key and white-key groups, and basic rhythm patterns. Directional reading is taught first by finger number, then by note name, and then by interval (stop, skip, and repeat). Once the students are introduced to the staff, they learn reading guides Bass F and Treble G and read by interval in several different hand positions.

(Educational Piano Library). Book 2 opens with a new My Own Song improvisation on CDEFG. Unit 1 introduces phrasing and legato touch, and also presents harmonic 2nds and 3rds with staccato touch. The following two units are dedicated to the introduction of 4ths and 5ths. Also in Unit 3, sharps are introduced in a diatonic setting starting on D, and flats are introduced as blues notes. Most pieces in the second half of Book 2 coordinate hands playing together. This book works very well for transfer students.

(Educational Piano Library). Unit 1 of Book 3 begins by introducing eighth notes in 4/4 and 2/4 time. Swing eighths are also presented in the first half of the book. Folk, jazz, classical, and contemporary selections provide students with an interesting variety of repertoire. The second half of Book 3, teaches relative and parallel major/minor five-finger patterns, and students learn to improvise their own songs using these basic patterns.

Hal Leonard Student Piano Library mascots Spike, Party Cat and friends guide students through fun and creative assignments that introduce the language of music and its symbols for sound, silence and rhythm. Ear training and basic theory exercises help students learn to write and play the music they are learning, as well as music they create themselves. Now updated to correlate with the newly revised Piano Lessons Book 3!