John Thompson's Easy Piano Course (3)

Author: Thompson (USA), translated by Zhou Yongda
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The book emphasizes from the beginning that music should be thought of and felt in phrases, not in individual notes. This is very important. Teachers should draw students' attention: playing each phrase with different musical treatments (according to personal understanding of the piece) is one of the basic techniques of piano performance. Touching the keys is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of piano playing. The arrangement of examples such as staccato, legato, and tied notes in this book is progressive and logical. To develop various touch techniques comprehensively, the author's Hanon Exercises serves as an excellent guide. Currently, this book is used as one of the standard teaching materials by most piano teachers and music schools.
Scales and Chords: After learning about semitones and whole tones, the next step is the construction of scales, along with examples where scales are used as melodies and accompaniment patterns. Then, small pieces composed of chords in vertical combinations and broken forms introduce students to triads and their inversions. Seventh chords (and their inversions) are not analyzed from a harmonic perspective but simply taught as chord forms. Students should memorize this chord because it frequently appears in sheet music at this stage.
Range: In terms of key signatures, this book only uses up to three flats and three sharps. The remaining key signatures will be introduced in the proper order in the fourth volume. A list of the scales and chords used in this book is provided on page 44 for reference. A compilation of musical terms and expressive marks (with abbreviations and explanations) can be found on page 46.
The last few lessons of this book introduce 6/8 time, which is a new time signature up to this point. Like the other volumes of this tutorial, the curriculum is specifically designed for short-term training courses for contemporary students.