This book presents figured harmony as a form of aural training. It seeks to make the student more keenly aware of chord-relationships as actual sound. It will increase the student's power to form an inward realization of what a page of music is going to sound like without having actually heard it.

David Rowland traces the history of piano pedalling from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to its first maturity in the middle of the nineteenth century and beyond. Pedalling technique was a major feature of nineteenth-century piano performance and, coupled with new developments in piano structure, inspired many composers to write innovative works for the literature. Rowland examines this through the technique and music of composer-pianists such as Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin. In addition, he follows the transition from harpsichord and clavichord to piano and outlines the physical properties of the various stops, levers, and pedals available at the different stages of the instrument's development. The book also includes an appendix of translated extracts from three well-known piano-pedalling tutors. It will be of interest to students and scholars of music history and performance practice, as well as to pianists.

Where to Place the Grace Note? offers a glimpse into the world of classical piano music through a series of conversations between Lin Li, an amateur pianist and English Literature scholar, and her piano teacher Yu Chun Yee, who was Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music for thirty years. Starting from the seemingly straightforward question in the book's title, their conversations meander through a series of general issues pertaining to phrasing, musical interpretation, teaching, technique, injury and performance anxiety. Supplemented with numerous musical examples, snippets from historical sources, and anecdotes that span Yu's teaching and performing career from the 1950s to the present, this book will delight both general music lovers and music professionals.

Hip piano solo arrangements with chord names of 23 swinging classics:

• Ain't That A Kick In The Head
• All Of Me
• Ballin' The Jack
• Beyond The Sea
• Bluesette
• Come Fly With Me
• Deed I Do
• The Frim Fram Sauce
• Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
• Girl Talk
• Gravy Waltz
• The Hucklebuck
• It's Only A Paper Moon
• Just In Time
• Like Young
• My Baby Just Cares For Me
• Route 66
• Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week)
• Steppin' Out With My Baby
• The Swingin' Shepherd Blues
• Teach Me Tonight
• When Lights Are Low
• Witchcraft

The traditions of piano teaching have remained virtually unchanged for generations, beginning with the influential technique of Muzio Clementi (1752-1832), the first composer-pedagogue of the instrument. His was followed by an explosion of sometimes bizarre teaching systems, perhaps most notably Hanon's "The Virtuoso Pianist"-exacting drills of reinforcement by repetition, often to the disillusionment of beginners. Some 150 years later, these methods-considered absurd or abusive by many students-have evolved and persevered as part of music curricula in higher education. Reflecting the author's belief that learning piano is both gratifying and exasperating, this book critically examines two centuries of teaching practices and encourages instructors to seek more efficient and inspiring exercises.

Gripping narrative nonfiction that tells the dramatic story of a remarkable young Texan pianist, Van Cliburn, who played his way through the wall of fear built by the Cold War, won the hearts of the American and Russian people, and eased tensions between two superpowers on the brink of nuclear war. In 1958, an unheralded twenty-three-year-old piano prodigy from Texas named Van Cliburn traveled to Moscow to compete in the First International Tchaikovsky Competition. The Soviets had no intention of bestowing their coveted prize on an unknown American; a Russian pianist had already been chosen to win. Yet when the gangly Texan with the shy grin took the stage and began to play, he instantly captivated an entire nation. The Soviet people were charmed by Van Cliburn's extraordinary talent, passion, and fresh-faced innocence, but it was his palpable love for the music that earned their devotion; for many, he played more like a Russian than their own musicians. As enraptured crowds mobbed Cliburn's performances, pressure mounted to award him the competition prize. "Is he the best?" Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev demanded of the judges. "In that case ...give him the prize!" Adored by millions in the USSR, Cliburn returned to a thunderous hero's welcome in the USA and became, for a time, an ambassador of hope for two dangerously hostile superpowers. In this thrilling, impeccably researched account, Nigel Cliff recreates the drama and tension of the Cold War era, and brings into focus the gifted musician and deeply compelling figure whose music would temporarily bridge the divide between two dangerously hostile powers.

(NOVUS VIA MUSIC GROUP). This course of study for piano, published by Novus Via Music Group, is now distributed by Hal Leonard. It features eleven progressive levels, with four different books at each level: repertoire, etudes, skills, and technic. It starts with a preparatory level for first year students, and then includes levels 1-10 for ten years of study. These books provide comprehensive curriculum in diverse musical styles, with instrumental backing tracks on CD with the repertoire books. Students who use the books in this series will learn how to: develop traditional pianistic and musical skills through music in contemporary, popular styles; be motivated to practice by working on music that is familiar, fun and that they can't wait to play; nurture their creativity and spontaneity through a user-friendly modular approach to improvisation; and enjoy regular ensemble playing, finding pleasure in a lifelong relationship with music.

(NOVUS VIA MUSIC GROUP). This course of study for piano, published by Novus Via Music Group, is now distributed by Hal Leonard. It features eleven progressive levels, with four different books at each level: repertoire, etudes, skills, and technic. It starts with a preparatory level for first year students, and then includes levels 1-10 for ten years of study. These books provide comprehensive curriculum in diverse musical styles, with instrumental backing tracks on CD with the repertoire books. Students who use the books in this series will learn how to: develop traditional pianistic and musical skills through music in contemporary, popular styles; be motivated to practice by working on music that is familiar, fun and that they can't wait to play; nurture their creativity and spontaneity through a user-friendly modular approach to improvisation; and enjoy regular ensemble playing, finding pleasure in a lifelong relationship with music.

This book contains valuable material to help players strengthen their sight-reading skills in preparation for the ABRSM Grade 7 exam. Featuring preparatory exercises that gradually introduce key new elements encountered at Grade 7, along with a comprehensive selection of sample sight-reading pieces, More Piano Sight-Reading supports students with the transition between grades, and encourages them to integrate sight-reading into their daily practice. More Piano Sight-Reading is available for ABRSM Grades 1 to 8, offering additional support for the sight-reading requirements of the current syllabus.

This book contains valuable material to help players strengthen their sight-reading skills in preparation for the ABRSM Grade 6 exam. Featuring preparatory exercises that gradually introduce key new elements encountered at Grade 6, along with a comprehensive selection of sample sight-reading pieces, More Piano Sight-Reading supports students with the transition between grades, and encourages them to integrate sight-reading into their daily practice. More Piano Sight-Reading is available for ABRSM Grades 1 to 8, offering additional support for the sight-reading requirements of the current syllabus.

Matching folio to the debut CD from this Denver-based modern rock band. 12 songs, including: All at Once * Dead Wrong * Fall Away * Heaven Forbid * How to Save a Life * Hundred * Little House * Look After You * Over My Head (Cable Car) * She Is * Trust Me * Vienna.

Lang Lang Piano Academy: mastering the piano level 1 (approximately equivalent to Grade 1/Early Intermediate) looks at techniques such as playing legato and staccato and the left hand. Units in Level 1: Exploring the keyboard Feeling the beat Legato playing Staccato playing Developing dexterity Playing chords The left hand Playing with dynamics Mastering the piano is the first series of books to be launched in the Lang Lang Piano Academy. Comprising five progressive books, mastering the piano captures Lang Lang's passion, drive and extraordinary mastery of the piano. Each book gives students the chance to learn from this exceptional talent, with: 8 units that develop key aspects of piano technique; specially devised exercises & studies; a diverse selection of repertoire including Lang Lang's favourite works; and inspirational commentary & guidance from Lang Lang himself. Level 1 is also available as an iPad App! Listen to Lang Lang playing Mo li hua (Jasmine Flower) Download Scales & Arpeggios chart for Level 1

Notes Become Music: A Guidebook from the Viennese Piano Tradition addresses the many unwritten nuances of dynamics, articulation and agogics as an expression of fundamental principles of a common European musical language. It treats the score as an incomplete musical shorthand that outlines the compositional and interpretive imperatives implicit within it, drawing on historical records from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and detailed comparisons of works to underline the author's presentation of Viennese tradition. This book is not primarily concerned with questions of style or interpretation. Rather, it explains the many facets of musical notation that were taken for granted by composers who assumed a knowledge of the piano tradition of their day. Notes Become Music informs not only those students in countries where the central European music tradition is still unfamiliar, but also a younger generation of Europeans who have grown up without a living connection to their musical past.

(Schirmer Performance Editions). Schirmer Performance Editions are designed for piano students and their teachers as well as professional pianists. Pedagogical in nature, these editions offer insightful interpretive suggestions, pertinent fingering, and historical and stylistic commentary. Prepared by renowned artists/teachers, these publicatons provide an accurate, well-informed score resource for pianists. Ludwig van Beethoven is renowned for his large-scale, innovative piano sonatas and concertos, and these works hold a prominent and lasting place in the concert repertoire. Presented in this volume is the beloved "Moonlight" Sonata (1801), edited and recorded by noted Beethoven scholar and concert pianist, Robert Taub.

It's never too late to play Pam Wedgwood gives players the chance to explore 16 favourite songs by composer Pam Wedgwood of various music genres in easy-to-play arrangements for piano solo and duet. The pieces are suitable for those who have learnt for approximately one year, or have reached Level 14 of the It's never too late to play piano tutor, by Pam Wedgwood. Pam Wedgwood is one of the UK's favourite composers of popular piano music and creator of Jazzin' About, After Hours and Up-Grade. The ground-breaking It's never too late... Series gives adults the opportunity to learn the piano with a method devised especially for them. This best-selling tutor breaks the learning into manageable chunks, features accompanying CDs, and is packed with irresistible music and fascinating information - all the motivation needed to make learning fun!

Five superb albums of graded pieces provide a wealth of jazz repertoire for you to play. Throughout, there is a huge range of styles, from bebop blues to calypsos, boogie-woogie to ballads, jazz waltzes to free jazz. There are classic tunes by the jazz greats, including Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. And there are brand-new pieces specially commissioned from professional British jazz musicians and educators. Each album presents 15 pieces in three lists: blues, standards and contemporary jazz. The head of each piece is set out with all the characteristic voicings, phrasing and rhythmic patterns you need for a stylish performance. The improvised section gives guideline pitches and left-hand voicings as a practical starting-point. Accessible, student-centred and of the highest musical standards, these pieces will get you playing jazz confidently and creatively.

Even in Beethoven's day the 'Moonlight' Sonata was a popular favourite. This 1999 book provides an accessible introduction to the Sonatas Opp. 27 and 31 (including The 'Moonlight' and 'The Tempest'), aimed at pianists, students, and music lovers. It begins with the works' historical background - the emergence of a 'piano culture' at the end of the eighteenth century, Beethoven's aristocratic milieu in Vienna, and his oft-quoted intention to follow a new compositional path. An account of the sonatas' genesis is followed by a discussion of their reception history, including a survey of changing performing styles since the mid-nineteenth century. The concept of the Sonata quasi una Fantasia is examined in relation to the cult of artistic sensibility in early-nineteenth-century Vienna. The study concludes with a critical introduction to each sonata.

176 Tage verbrachte Wolfgang Amade Mozart in der kurpfalzischen Residenz Mannheim. Von den insgesamt vier Aufenthalten war der zwischen November 1777 und Marz 1778 der langste und fur sein weiteres Leben zugleich entscheidende. Ohne Vater Leopold, der von Salzburg aus die Geschicke seines Sohnes zu lenken versuchte, fand der damals gerade 21jahrige in Begleitung seiner Mutter Maria Anna rasch Anschluss an den Hof des Kurfursten Carl Theodor sowie zu den Musikern der Hofkapelle und deren Familien. Doch die ersehnte Anstellung als Kapellmeister und Compositeur zerschlug sich. Auch die Liebe zu Aloysia Weber, einer 16jahrigen talentierten Sangerin, zerbrach; Mozart heiratete spater in Wien deren Schwester Konstanze. Mannheim - eine Kette von Enttauschungen, von begrabenen Hoffnungen, von Niederlagen? Gewiss! Doch Mozart wuchs an ihnen und durch sie als Mensch, als Kunstler und als Komponist: notwendige Stationen des Reifens und des Erwachsenwerdens fur ein zukunftiges musikalisches Genie. Der Tagungsband versammelt Beitrage zu Kunst und Kultur des Hofes und seines beruhmten Orchesters, zu Analyse, Deutung und Auffuhrungspraxis der in Mannheim entstandenen Werke, zur Korrespondenz als wesentliche musikhistorische Quelle des Aufenthaltes, zur kompositorischen Rezeption sowie zwei Aufsatze zu Mozarts Prager Beziehungen.