John Thompson's Easy Piano Course 5

Author: Thompson
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Sixteenth notes in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, and 6/8 time signatures. Ledger lines above the treble clef. Ledger lines below the bass clef. Ornamentation. Use of staccato pedaling in chord playing. Thumb passing under the second and third fingers. Second and third fingers crossing over the thumb. Transposition.
Like the previous volumes, this book provides students with ample review material, allowing them to have sufficient opportunities to develop each newly learned skill. Review is particularly important for technical aspects, such as the thumb passing under the hand and the hand crossing over the thumb, which are key technical elements. This book also includes review pieces for the staccato and legato touch techniques learned in the previous volumes. It is crucial to apply these touch techniques as required by the score, as they are an integral part of refining performance.
Staccato pedaling is used sparingly in the score, only where it is effective. For students with special talent in this area, teachers may use their discretion to increase its use. The main purpose of this book is to teach students to play as musically as possible. All efforts should be directed toward this ultimate goal. It is also necessary to try to play with a faster overall tempo, but accuracy must not be compromised as a result.