Keyboard Skills for the Practical Musician, Second Edition, provides undergraduate music majors in class piano courses with the techniques and fundamentals they need to flourish into independent, versatile musicians who play with confidence and sensitivity. Organized by skill (rather than level), the topics sequenced in this textbook offer endless flexibility for instructors while guiding students in a step-by-step approach through the development of essential keyboard skills – such as reading, harmonization, improvisation, and accompaniment – supporting concepts learned in music theory, ear training, private lessons, methods classes, and ensemble courses. One can draw from many sections of the book in any given class or semester, covering a wide range of piano skills that foster abilities frequently used in a myriad of musical professions.

Features:

• Over 400 sightreading, transposition, and score reading examples, along with 125 harmonization melodies
• Project assignments that promote independent learning, expose students to new musical styles, and encourage collaboration
• A concluding Repertoire section with lists of solo and duet music, 15 ensemble arrangements, 6 duets, and additional pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Post-Romantic eras, as well as new music composed by the author
• Music examples include numerous works by composers from marginalized backgrounds and from global folk music
• No prior piano background knowledge needed

This second edition has been revised throughout with streamlined explanations, additional introductory exercises, and new music in the sightreading, chorale, and repertoire sections.

Explaining the core elements of keyboard learning in an accessible and responsive format while accentuating the importance of learning how to learn, Keyboard Skills for the Practical Musician offers an essential resource for all class piano students and instructors.

Preface

This book strives to build thoughtful, independent, and versatile musicians who enjoy using the piano confidently and sensitively in most situations they will encounter, regardless of their musical background. The primary intended audience is non-piano music majors in undergraduate group piano courses, though piano teachers will find the material valuable in other situations as well.

This book features:

• Introductions to each section featuring “whys,” “whats,” and “hows.” The “why's” explain the values of each section. The “whats” include section objectives and a brief overview of the material itself. The “hows” outline specific teaching and practicing tips.

• Flexibility for teachers and fewer distractions for students through its organization. Rather than progressing in sequential chapters, the book contains sections devoted to specific keyboard skills, each of which generally increase in difficulty. Additionally, much of the pedagogical text is separate from the musical material. This allows teachers to use the music in multiple ways, and creates fewer distractions on the page, helping students better focus on the music.

• Extensive instruction in the chorale, score reading, and accompaniment sections in developing students’ ability to “fake;” that is, to reduce difficult music into something more manageable.

• More than 400 sightreading, transposition, and score reading examples and 125 harmonization melodies composed, arranged, and organized by the author.

• A wide range of music not seen in similar textbooks.

Expanded in the second edition:

• Introductory materials in:

• Sightreading

• Harmonization

• Improvisation

• Solo, Duet, and Ensemble Repertoire

• Connections to “non-classical” music through:

• Resources for playing by ear

• Pop harmonization

• Improvisation in a range of styles

• Contemporary repertoire