John Thompson's Easy Piano Course 2

Author: John Thompson (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: When learning new notes, it is very important for students to practice with only one hand. At the same time, completing the oral and written exercises in the practice drills will ensure that students become familiar with these new concepts before playing with both hands. The accompaniments for teachers and parents not only make these examples sound more complete but also greatly help in establishing good rhythm and tempo, and even in encouraging students to play expressively. Short four-measure finger exercises in five-finger positions precede most examples. Since the five-finger group is the precursor to scales, the importance of these small exercises cannot be underestimated. The latter part of the book introduces very simple two-note and three-note chords, including both vertical combinations and broken forms. This allows students to develop a sense of harmonic accompaniment before learning the principles and evolution of chords. Of course, this can only be done after students have acquired a certain level of knowledge about scales and intervals.