Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Level 1A [Paperback]

Willard Palmer (Author), Morton Manus (Author), Amanda Vick Lethco (Author)

Book Description

Series: Alfred's Basic Piano Library | Publication Date: January 31, 1981

This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book Level 1A begins by teaching basic keyboard topography and fluent recognition of white key names in relation to black keys. It focuses on simple rhythms and prepares students for intervallic reading with entertaining songs that focus on "same," "stepping up" and "stepping down." It then introduces lines and space notes in treble and bass clefs, melodic and harmonic intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths, and graduates to reading on the grand staff. It also introduces the flat and sharp signs. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician. Songs Include: Balloons * Batter Up! * The Donkey * A Friend Like You * Hand-Bells * A Happy Song * Horse Sense * Indian Song * It's Halloween! * Jingle Bells! * Jolly Old Saint Nicholas * July the Fourth! * Just a Second! * Love Somebody * Merrily We Roll Along O'er the Deep Blue Sea * Mexican Hat Dance * My Clever Pup * My Fifth * My Robot * Old MacDonald * Old Uncle Bill * Play a Fourth * Raindrops * Rain, Rain! * Rockets * Rockin' Tune * Rock Song * Sailing * Sea Divers * See-Saws * Skating * Who's on Third? * Willie and Tillie * Wishing Well * The Zoo

Product Details

• Paperback: 63 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Pub Co; 3rd edition (January 31, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882847880
• ISBN-13: 978-0882847887
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Instruments & Performers > Percussion
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Instruments & Performers > Piano
  • #13 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Piano

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a young student, January 31, 2006

By 

Love to read (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Level 1A (Paperback)

I chose this book to teach a 6 year old new student. It's a wonderful book because it progresses slowly- each page introduces one new concept and has the child practise it in small steps. It is perfect because the child does not become overwhelmed. The illustrations are really nice too. And the print is big and spacious-looking. You can also get it with a CD that goes along with it for $1 more.
After ordering the Usborne book here and finding it crowded and confusing, I went to my local music store and picked this book out of all the beginning piano books. It's a really nice one.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alfred's Basic Piano Library Level 1A Gets FIVE STARS!, August 12, 2007

By 

Nona N. Lohr (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Level 1A (Paperback)

I have taught piano lessons for over 20 years. During that time, I have found that Alfred's Basic Piano Library Level 1A is great for young beginners. When children are about 5-6 years old, they have trouble controlling their hands, as well as multi-tasking. So, learning to use fingers correctly, count, and learn letter names can be very frustrating. In ABPL Level 1A, children do not have to learn the names of the notes at first. They merely play the notes according to the numbers of their fingers. The notes go up or down the scale, but they are not on a staff. So, they learn fingering and counting, but not letter names for the first several weeks.
Level 1A also introduces C D E first and then F in the bass. This is better for the children because they often mistake B below middle C for D above middle C. They also mistake A for E, and G for F, and vice versa. B A and G in the bass clef (right below middle C) are not introduced until later in the series.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for Young Beginners, June 14, 2006

By 

lammy07 (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Level 1A (Paperback)

I have been using this book with young students [...] for the past 8 years. It moves at a comfortable pace and introduces good musical concepts. I definitely recommend the accompanying Theory Book to reinforce the concepts over the time between lessons. My students have had good results and advanced quickly with this as their start. I have been very happy with it.