First Piano Book (Progressive Beginner Pieces)

[klavieronin]

Now that I've posted all my lesson videos, I'd like to share my collection of beginner pieces.
So far, there are 3 volumes, divided into 12 parts (and a 4th volume planned). Each part consists of 16 pieces composed within a specific constraint. The 16 pieces in Part I of Volume 1 have been composed using only whole notes. The idea is to allow students to focus on their pitch reading and to make it easier for them to develop a habit of counting out the beats as they play. Naturally, students won't be expected to learn all sixteen pieces but rather choose a few favourites then when they feel ready, move on to Part II.

[klavieronin]

Next, I introduce half notes, so these 16 pieces use only whole notes and half notes.

[klavieronin]

In the next part of volume 1, I introduce quarter notes.

[klavieronin]

The final part of Volume 1 introduces eighth notes.

[klavieronin]

Now for Volume 2. The 16 little pieces in Part I are made up of a five note melody in one hand and a single repeated not in the other. The melody alternates between the left and right hands from one piece to the next so each hand has equal opportunity to play the melody.

[klavieronin]

Part II of Volume 2 is similar to Part I in that one hand will play a five note melody, but here the hand not playing the melody, instead of a single repeated note, plays a repeated chord.

[klavieronin]

In Part III of Vol. 2, the student plays parallel five note melodies at different intervals.

[klavieronin]

In the final part of volume 2 the student moves out of the five note limit and begins playing freely moving melodies. This part of First Piano Book serves both as a review of previous parts and as preparation for Volume 3. Here, the student plays a melody in one hand while the other hand is limited to just two notes, either alternating or played as a chord.

[klavieronin]

And now Part I of Volume 3. These simple "Inventions" are to get the student to start moving their hands a little more independently. These aren't Bach style two part inventions. I wanted to keep one hand relatively simple here and usually somewhat repetitive to allow the student to learn the piece more quickly.

[klavieronin]

Part II of Volume 3 has the student play a melodic line one hand and two note chords in the other.

[klavieronin]

Part III of Volume 3 consists of 16 3 part chorales. In each of these pieces one hand will play single notes while the other plays 2 note chords.

[klavieronin]

The final part for now. In these 16 pieces one hand plays a repeated pattern while the other hand plays freely around it.

Here are the timestamps:

No. 1 - 0:22
No. 2 - 1:38
No. 3 - 4:00
No. 4 - 4:56
No. 5 - 6:34
No. 6 - 7:57
No. 7 - 9:51
No. 8 - 12:21
No. 9 - 14:12
No. 10 - 16:16
No. 11 - 17:50
No. 12 - 19:49
No. 13 - 21:27
No. 14 - 24:08
No. 15 - 25:44
No. 16 - 29:09

I am planning a forth volume but my schedule will be a little full for the next little while so it probably won't be coming any time soon.