Description

Pocket Piano Proficiency: a revolutionary way to learn the skills you need offers basic piano skills in a new way. Author and veteran piano instructor Deborah Rambo Sinn wanted to find a solution for getting students to learn these solidly and efficiently­–along with finding a way to combine this with developing excellent aural skills. Ultimately, she sought a way to quickly make these skills relevant to understanding larger concepts of music theory.

Traditionally, it takes a long time of learning individual skills before a student can grasp how they all work together. Pocket Piano Proficiency flips this model, introducing tasks in chunks of like material. The circle of fifths appears from the first pages, demonstrating connections between keys from the start. The book’s pedagogical organization moves students from the easiest to more complex skills, allowing them to scaffold successfully from one chapter to the next.

The eBook format allows for a new way of learning these skills that a black and white printed book does not afford. Each page contains several layers of helpful material that can be accessed by zooming in and out. Because only one level of information can be accessed at a time, students need to assimilate information from around the page to successfully complete each task (see video.) Additionally, the use of color cues for tasks further organizes each chapter. As an example, red is used for the simplest keys or most common concepts.

Pocket Piano Proficiency can be used by teachers and students of all ages and as a textbook for college piano and piano proficiency courses.

Skills covered: Major and minor triads, the chromatic scale, Major and minor one- and two- octave scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic minors), triads and inversions, chord progressions, and arpeggios (Major, minor, dominant 7^th, diminished 7^th.)

A website offers audio recordings of each skill and includes teaching resources and alternative fingerings.