Norton American Popular Etudes LVL2

This is one of four level-two books in the American Popular Piano series - the educational piano course by Christopher Norton and Scott McBride Smith. The series has 11 difficulty Levels, and each Level contains: Repertoire album with CD; Etudes album (including Improvisation); Skills book; Technic (technique) book. Level TwoFor students in their early years of study- Full triads and pedal- Whole note, half note, quarter note, dotted half note- Whole rest, half rest, quarter rest, dotted-half rest- pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, crescendo and diminuendo- Slur, legato, staccato, accent, tenuto, grace notes- 3/4, 4/4, and 5/4 time signatures- Key signatures up to two sharps and one flat- Repeat, 8va, 8vb, tie, fermata, ritardando, a tempo - Fine, DC al Fine, Coda, DS al Coda Etudes Albums: complement the corresponding Repertoire Album with traditional technical etudes in both classical and popular styles and through a revolutionary, module-based approach to improvisation.· Technical Etudes: builds solid fundamentals by focusing on specific technical and musical elements; offers an enjoyable approach to improving facility;· Improvisation Etudes: delivers a practical framework for learning improvisation; integrates effortlessly into traditional piano lessons; module structure provides intuitive, progressive development from the very first level; encourages creativity and spontaneity; trains critical active listening skills. The CD, which comes only with the Repertoire Album, contains accompanying instrumental backings both for the Repertoire Album's ensemble pieces, and the Etudes Album's Improvisation modules: · provides convenient practice and performance tempos for realistic support of the learning process; · stimulates daily ensemble playing; · creates a full band improvisation experience; · makes reaching a polished performance just plain fun! About the American Popular Piano series: “Why can’t I play more music like this?” asked a fourteen-year-old piano student. “My friends like to hear me play cool music.” Why not, indeed. J.S. Bach taught his sons using the music of his time – popular dances, preludes and exercises by living composers. It would never have occurred to him to seek out pieces in styles and rhythms one hundred years old. He expected his boys to thrive in the musical world of their time. American Popular Piano has been developed on the same principles. Students working in this series will… · develop traditional pianistic and musical skills through music in contemporary, popular styles; · be motivated to practice by working on music that is familiar, fun, and that they can’t wait to