Piano Basics: Mastering the Basics in March

Author: Liu Tianli
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-05-01
Features: This is a highly practical piano playing textbook. It features selected popular songs of the time, making it simple and practical. It helps beginners quickly master the basic techniques of piano playing and learn to play pleasant pieces in the shortest time, enabling them to achieve the goal of self-entertainment as soon as possible. Over the years, I have received numerous letters from friends in various places, hoping me to write a beginner-friendly and concise piano self-teaching textbook. Due to my busy teaching schedule in other areas, I couldn’t finish this book until now. I sincerely apologize to my friends for the delay. This is a piano textbook written for beginners. When learning this textbook, please note the following tips:
This is a rapid-learning textbook, aiming for a more effective learning outcome. It allows beginners to play pieces in the shortest time and build confidence. The principle of this textbook’s arrangement is to achieve ideal musical effects with the simplest techniques, avoiding continuous difficulties or complications for beginners during the learning process. To master the skills of improvisational accompaniment, all pieces in this textbook use only two accompaniment techniques: flowing chords (playing chord tones in sequence) and non-flowing chords (playing chord tones simultaneously). Mastering these two techniques means mastering the rules of improvisational accompaniment. To facilitate memorization, this textbook does not mark pedal indications. When playing flowing chord accompaniment, press the sustain pedal once for each chord change, such as in "Long Lasting Friendship"; when playing non-flowing chords, do not press the sustain pedal, such as in "Dance of Youth." Except for pieces with tempo markings, all others should be played at a moderate speed. During the practice phase, all pieces should be played slowly, with both hands’ fingers and wrists relaxed and natural. On the piano, the finger numbering for both hands is the same: the thumb is 1, the index finger is 2, the middle finger is 3, the ring finger is 4, and the little finger is 5, all marked with Arabic numerals. When practicing, follow the fingerings strictly. Only by fixing the fingerings can you become proficient; changing fingerings each time will hinder proficiency. The order of pieces in this textbook is basically arranged according to their technical difficulty. During practice, you can make minor adjustments based on the pieces you are familiar with or enjoy. The first three or four pieces should be practiced to a high level of proficiency before moving on. For example, spend ten days refining each of the first three pieces, while subsequent pieces may take only one day to master. If you have any questions, suggestions, or requests during the learning process, please feel free to write to me to improve teaching.