From a pedagogic perspective, all bases are covered well, and the well-established approach has much to commend it. Overall this is a gentle, well-structured and consolidated approach, and the music used throughout is adult-appropriate and very attractive. Finally in Unit 5, the hands start to gradually break away from five note positions.
![hal leonard music library hal leonard music library](https://s3.amazonaws.com/halleonard-closerlook/00296006/P03.jpg)
The RH remains in the Middle C five note position until Unit 4 however, at which point the G position (and new treble clef notes) appears. In the third Unit, sharps, flats and naturals are introduced, and the LH increases its range down to C. This means that the LH little finger doesn’t play until later in the book than expected. Tunes here are all centred around Middle C, but with the LH thumb on B rather than sharing Middle C itself. Here the Bass “F” Clef appears first, using F as a landmark note, and then the Treble “G” Clef follows suit.
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In the second Unit, staff notation makes a full appearance.
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On the plus side, articulations of staccato and legato are nicely introduced, along with note and rest values. With adult students I would anticipate largely skipping over this Unit, or quickly covering it in the first lesson.
![hal leonard music library hal leonard music library](https://halleonard-closerlook.s3.amazonaws.com/00287155/00287155_Coverz.jpg)
The presentation is in fairly large print, and I must admit I think this Unit more resembles a child-oriented method than an adult one. Improvisation on the black keys is also featured. In the first Unit, reading is introduced without the use of staff notation, but using a mixture of floating note shapes, finger numbers and note names. it creates a sense of accomplishment, with teacher duets and richly orchestrated audio and MIDI files all providing a rewarding musical experience.Įxploring the first book, the material is split into five Units, each including considerable material.it encourages creativity, with opportunities for improvisation.it’s easy-to-grasp, with well-planned material free of technical jargon.it’s a hands-on approach, encouraging the beginner to become immediately engaged in playing the instrument.it’s well-paced, moving comfortably through new concepts and material.The books are written by a team comprising Fred Kern, Phillip Beveren, Barbara Kreader and Mona Rejino, and Hal Leonard publishers explain why adults will particularly love their approach with the following points: