Level 4 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, Song Building Blocks, Song Tools, Accompaniment Skills, 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.  Level 4 is a transitional book to prepare for advanced music and is a valuable resource book for the student.

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 4:

• Pitch – intervalic relationships P, M, m, Aug, dim, Chromatic Scale fingering, minor keys & scales, harmonizing melodies + Key Modulations
• Rhythm – note relationships, syncopation, playing with “4” hands to create song rhythm, tempo, more LH Tools
• Key Families – C, G, D, A, E, B, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Am, Dm, Em,  Gm, Bm, F#m, Cm – 5 finger pattern scales, Primary & Secondary Chords + Inversions
• Patterns – recognizing & finding musical patterns, Major & minor key relationships, cadences, Circle of Fifths
• Improv/Comp – modulation, transposition, pentatonic improv, using scales & chord progressions for improv, Crafting Songs, Building Blues Songs

Songs you will learn in Level 4:

• Arabesque – Burgmuller
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Mozart
• Mountain Trekking Blues
• Shenandoah
• Bourree in Em – J.S. Bach
• Yankee Doodle Boy
• Little Prelude – J.S. Bach
• Dixie
• Morning Mood – Grieg
• G minor Humoresque – Dvorak
• Gymnopedies – Satie
• Canon in D – Pachelbel
• Song Building Blocks – Songwriting Journey
• Song Building Blocks – 3 Ways to Build Blues
• Song Tools – Key Scales & Chords
• Song Tools – Circle of Fifths + 15 Major Keys

Accompaniment Songs – Level 4:

• Go Tell It On the Mountain, Sing Noel
• The Huron Carol
• Singabahambayo
• We Gather Together
• Semper Fidelis
• America
• Hatikvah
• Ragtime Cowboy Joe
• How Great Thou Art – Battle Hymn
• This Little Light – Shine Each Day!