Czerny Piano Primer: Works 599 (with CD)

Author: (Austrian) Carl Czerny
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: After students have formally completed the "Piano Basic Course" by Bülow, they can use Czerny's "Piano Elementary Course" (Op. 599) as a systematic exercise curriculum. If students have mastered the technique of scales and arpeggios within one to two octaves through the practice of Bülow's exercises, and have gained some understanding of basic finger-playing rules and the transition between I, IV, and V chord positions, then the purpose of studying Czerny's exercises is to further strengthen these various skills and techniques. Additionally, the book presents new demands to students in terms of different touch methods, accurate interpretation and skillful application of various expressive marks in the score, as well as the understanding of tonal changes and the ability to distinguish between different timbres.
In general, if students can play the last few pieces of Bülow's exercises (such as Nos. 88, 98, and 100) with high quality, there is no need to start from the beginning of Czerny's Op. 599 exercises. It is generally advisable to consider No. 19 as the starting point for this exercise book. At the same time, technically easier pieces should be used as sight-reading materials and interspersed throughout the practice process (e.g., from No. 11 to No. 18, as well as Nos. 23, 24, 28, 31, 53, 58, 59, 62, 63, and 67). The requirement for sight-reading is one to two pieces per week, with no more than three repetitions per day (or per session)—students who are younger may be allowed up to five repetitions. Excessive practice does not achieve the goal of sight-reading training, as it is important to see whether students can achieve highly perfect playing with the fewest repetitions in the shortest time.