Level 1 of our Piano Curriculum uses songs to bring life to musical concepts one simple step at a time. Each level has multiple components, which include Songs, Reading Music, Accompaniment Tools, Comp & Improv, and Assignment pages. This eliminates the typical need for multiple books. Each level is progressively harder moving you forward in gaining musical skills. On the average, a level will last a year or more when supplemental Christmas songs, etc., are added. A suggestion is to add a theory workbook, which includes ear training & rhythm exercises, such as “Just the Facts” or “Primo Theory” to give you extra practice to reinforce what you are learning. Your ability to problem solve through understanding musical concepts equals productive practice & advancement. Empower yourself to hear, play, read, write, & perform in musical language!
Covered in Level 1:
- Pitch – direction, intervals to 8th, staff note names, Low C & High C, Clefs, Sharps & Flats
- Rhythm – pulse of song, basic rhythms, measures, Time Signature, note relationships
- Key Families – C, F, G, Chords: Major & minor, Major Chord progression I, IV, V, Blues Scale
- Touch – Loud/Soft, Legato/Staccato
- Improv/Comp – pick out melody by ear & harmonize, 12 Bar Blues chord progression + Blues Scale for improv
Songs you will learn in Level 1:
- Beethoven’s Ode to Joy
- Good Morning To All (Happy Birthday Song)
- Johnny Comes Marching Home
- 12 Bar Blues
- Pachelbel’s Canon
- Botany Bay
- Bach’s Minuet in G
- 7th Street Blues
- Beethoven’s Fur Elise
- Liberty’s Call
- Song Building Blocks – Blues
- Song Tools – Scales & Chords: Keys C, F, G
- Song Tools – Circle of Fifths
Accompaniment Songs – Level 1:
- A New Day
- Basic Chord Progression
- When the Saints Go Marching In
- Amazing Grace
- Muffin Man
- The Yellow Rose of Texas
- Peace Like a River
- America the Beautiful
- Ride Ol’ Paint
- This Little Light of Mine
- Itsy-Bitsy Spider