Alfred's Premier Piano Course - Lesson Book

These Premier Piano Course Lesson Book versions do not include download/CD recordings.

By Dennis Alexander, Gayle Kowalchyk, E. L. Lancaster, Victoria McArthur, and Martha Mier

Beautifully presented and intelligently paced, the Lesson Book combines unusually attractive music and lyrics. The book features note reading, rhythm reading, sight-reading and technical workouts.

The Level 2B Lesson Book of Premier Piano Course continues the expansion of note-reading skills begun in Levels 1A, 1B and 2A and includes melodic and harmonic 7ths and octaves to aid the student with moving freely around the keyboard. New items include the introduction of C and G major scales as well as three-note V7 chords in C and G. Dotted quarter and eighth-note rhythm patterns are added to other rhythms of gradually increasing complexity.

Premier Piano Course Level 3 students will be playing syncopated, dotted, and swing rhythms with ease. Up-tempo, original pieces with clever twists smoothly incorporate new concepts including: pass-under and cross-over scale fingerings; the chromatic scale; IV chords in C, G, F, D; 1st and 2nd endings; and ledger lines above and below the staff.

Premier Piano Course, Level 4 students will be playing interesting pieces that use triplets and sixteenth notes. Musical styles range from jazz and ragtime to original pieces by master composers. New concepts introduced include natural and harmonic minor scales, one octave arpeggios and chord inversions.

Premier Piano Course Level 5 students develop their rhythm skills using sixteenth notes in 3/8 and 6/8 time. A special focus is a stylistic introduction to the Baroque and Classical masterworks. Additional pieces range from lyrical ballads and jazz styles to arrangements of familiar classic and folk themes. New concepts introduced include augmented triads, grace notes and additional scales and keys.

Premier Piano Course Level 6 lets students develop their rhythm skills using mixed meter. A special focus is a stylistic introduction to the Romantic and Contemporary masterworks, as well as popular music. Additional pieces range from lyrical ballads and jazz styles to arrangements of familiar classic and folk themes. New concepts introduced include diminished triads, the ii-V7-I chord progression, and additional scales and keys.