Keys at Play, Book 1

THE MUSIC: Keys at Play, Book 1 contains 88 short, tuneful pieces with imaginative, descriptive titles. A variety of tonalities beyond major and minor are used (mixolydian, dorian, etc.), providing rich acculturation and appealing music for piano students and teachers.

PACING: If the student learns 2-4 pieces per week, they will complete the book in 6-12 months.

FLEXIBILITY: Keys at Play can function as a stand-alone resource or a supplement alongside another piano method. For MLT-trained (Music Learning Theory) piano teachers, Keys at Play can function as a source for supplemental rote/reading pieces for students using Marilyn Lowe’s Music Moves for Piano method (especially students in Book 2 or 3). For teachers new to MLT or interested in a blended approach, Keys at Play provides an easy way to introduce certain concepts (especially rhythm concepts) to students in an audiation-friendly way. Alternatively, try it as a remedial “rhythm book” or “sight-reading book” for any student of any age, and watch their skills improve!

NOTE VS. ROTE: The early pieces in Book 1 are best taught largely by ear/rote, with a healthy amount of ear training activities to support the careful rhythm sequencing in the book (e.g., echoing, discussing, demonstrating how to read rhythm patterns). After that, you can use a mixture of both note and rote learning, gradually guiding students towards reading and audiating independently.

METER AND RHYTHM: Duple meter and triple meter are introduced side-by-side and reinforced equally, so students have sufficient opportunity to master both. The time signatures used are “two quarter time” and “two dotted-quarter time” (essentially, 2/4 and 6/8 time). Although this may seem like an unusual way to start, it is quite effective. Many students are already accustomed to seeing eighth note rhythms in music class at school and will find the beaming helps them easily recognize familiar rhythm patterns in both duple and triple. I recommend using the Gordon-Froseth rhythm syllables: DU DE (“doo day”) for duple meter and DU DA DI (“doo dah dee”) for triple meter, but you may use any counting system of your preference. Especially when accompanied by movement and aural activities, Keys at Play produces strong rhythm skills in students.

RHYTHM PATTERNS: Rhythm patterns used in the pieces are carefully sequenced according to aural difficulty and playing difficulty, so students build rhythm skill naturally and with less struggle.

CREATIVITY: “Comparison pieces” are interspersed to enable students to learn rhythm concepts through recognizing differences. By applying similar rhythmic alterations to subsequent pieces, students have opportunity to achieve deep mastery of rhythm skills and flex their creative muscles. Through learning to make small changes to pieces – especially using concepts they are learning – students will experience the beginnings of true creativity and improvisation at the piano.

TECHNIQUE: Technique skills are sequenced carefully, beginning with the middle finger (Finger 3) of each hand and a non-legato touch. Gradually, use of other fingers is added. This avoids stretching and allows time to ensure the student develops natural poise in the whole body and comfortable large-motor movements at the piano.

MUSIC NOTATION AND READING: All pieces are notated on the grand staff. A keyboard graphic is provided for the first 16 pages to train students how to find their starting hand positions for each piece. Starting notes/fingers vary, so students become comfortable with their hands placed anywhere on the keyboard. By the end of the book, the pieces utilize pitches from Bass F through Treble G. Students intuitively learn to recognize the intervals step, skip, and unison.

MINIMALIST PAGE LAYOUT: Pages are clean and clutter-free, embodying a minimalist aesthetic and minimizing visual distractions for students. As new concepts are introduced throughout the book, you’ll notice a subtle graphic or bit of text in the upper left-hand corner of the page. This alerts both teacher and student when a new concept is presented in a given piece. Other than that, the page margins are clean and uncluttered and the teaching is left up to you!

WHAT'S NEXT: Stay tuned for Keys at Play, Book 2. Students who complete both books will have a wonderful foundation preparing for mid- to late-elementary pedagogical and classical repertoire, such as RCM Celebration Series, Level Preparatory A.

Hardcopy Book (shipped to your address)

U.S. Letter (8.5" x 11" / 21.6 x 27.9 cm)

95

Beginner and Early Elementary