If I take a look at my book and teaching; actually I did not invent anything new at all; all I did was streamline and innovate.
Maybe I could say, I contributed to update Czerny's school of teaching piano. Czerny was the master teacher of the 19th century. The great emphasis in teaching then was, to teach to read notes quickly and get a student to read difficult music in as quickly a time as possible. You must understand, at that time, there was no TV, no electricity, no telephone, no cars, no movies, no computers, no video games.
Playing piano was one of the main highlights of entertaining friends. Sheet music was quite expensive and difficult to purchase. Many of the operas were transcribed to be played on the piano and the more educated middle class and upper classes took piano lessons in order to be able to play and perform opera transcriptions of their favorite popular songs at the time.
The emphasis in performance and entertainment was not absolute note perfection; the emphasis then was entertaining, enjoyment and having a great time.
In today's times there are so many distractions, so many activities happening; school, sports, social obligations, community service, projects, computer, TV, video games, travel,... the times are moving amazingly fast. When children in present time learn to play piano, it needs to be fast paced; the results need to be there immediately. Parents (at least the parents of my students) want to see their children instructed efficiently, they want to work towards achievable goals and they want their children to play piano well, if in any way possible.
For that reason, I developed the Play Piano In All Keys Fingering Charts that I use with all my students from lesson one on. Before students are too busy learning new songs, we are taking advantage of the very beginning time and work scales patterns immediately while working on regular beginners method books.
I call my method the missing link in piano education I feel that passionate about the approach and results.
A few teachers are already using my fingering charts with their students with excellent results.
The fingering charts in their design allow a student to relax the mind and concentrate on pulse and finger technique while working the scales chords/cadences and arpeggios patterns. As simple as it is - a student can literally open up the book and start playing any Major or minor scales including black keys scales. And as you may know, black keys scales are quite tricky to master, but they are manageable with the Play Piano in All Keys Complete Workbook.
One of my very talented students starting teaching piano himself at age 16 using the Play Piano In All Keys Complete Workbook, also with excellent results. His student is now also entering piano recitals, festivals and auditions. he attributes his early teaching success to applying the logic principles in Play Piano In All Keys Complete Workbook. This Workbook is a summary of searching my entire life for answers first for resolving my own piano playing issues and then helping my students to streamline their progress and efficiency in practicing.
This is the book all my students purchase when they start taking lessons with me: Play Piano In All Keys Complete Workbook; it contains all the fingering charts plus practice logs and my theory and practice explanations. 1. If you are an adult beginner, this is the book I recommend.
2. If you are a teacher and would like to know what I put in front of my students, please pick up a copy of the Complete Workbook.
3. If you are a self taught composer or pianist in any style, this is the book I am recommending. Even if you never read any notes before in your life, you can immediately open this book and start playing. The instructions and charts are self explanatory.
4. If you would like to learn the scales correctly, purchase this book and use it daily for practice.
5. If you are a parent and would like to help your children succeed in piano playing, please purchase this book; it will greatly facilitate learning these patterns and speed up overall progress. What is typically learned in 8 years can be easily achieved in one or two years of piano lessons.
ISBN: 978-1-935967-02-6; 220 pages, coil bound, 8.5" x 11"
Good description of the contents of Play Piano In All Keys Complete Workbook. You can also purchase a copy here: http://playpianoinallkeys.com/complete-workbook/
Purchase here: http://playpianoinallkeys.com/products-page/
If you are a teacher and you have your successful ways of teaching scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios and would like to add the usefulness of fingering charts to streamline teaching piano playing basics, you can purchase the Play Piano In All Keys Scales, Chords/Cadences, Arpeggios Charts Only books. It is cut and dry all fingering charts for all keys including enharmonic keys. I know teachers who handwrite these scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios charts. Well, these charts are now in print and are useful for preparing all levels from Elementary through Advanced levels for scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios skills.This book is for you:
1. if you are a teacher or student and you know how to practice and you just need a reference book for solid and accurate fingering;
2. if you are a keyboardist or composer and need a reference book on fingering.
ISBN: 978-1-935967-03-3, 120 pages, coil bound, 8.5" x 11"
Purchase here: http://playpianoinallkeys.com/products-page/
This video gives a good description of the book; I still use it today to help my High Schoolers help prepare for their Piano Guild high School Diploma programs. This book is especially useful when a student in more advanced levels is not used to playing scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios. Many organizations do not require as many scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios skills; this book is extremely helpful for students to review and catch up on scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios skills. When a student can play through the entire book, I can tell you, they have a good foundation; if they actually also follow my practice instructions students acquire an excellent piano playing foundation. And as a teacher this book is a dream to work with. The little ones love playing through it! Love playing scales! - As a teacher I am in heaven - it's still difficult enough to get them through it; but they just read the charts and play one scale after another, one page after another. at least they are repeating correct notes and correct fingering; and eventually even with little practice, the scales patterns, chords/cadences and arpeggios patterns will stick!
The single books are excellent preparing the white keys scales and then the black keys scales or working the circle of fifths.These books are for you:
1. if you are a student practicing all white keys scales and then all black keys scales or if you are practicing in the circle of fifths.
2. if you are a teacher preparing the Piano Guild auditions, the Royal Conservatory of Music piano examinations, the MTAC Certificate of Merit(TM)
3. if you are a self taught pianist and simply need an easy way to learn scales, chords/cadences and arpeggios.
4. if you are a student, you are familiar with the scales and arpeggios and would like to speed them up securely, so you can practice playing speeds of 132 - 176 on the metronome, four notes per metronome click. These books are an excellent way to relax the mind, so you can pay attention to the physical motion and work out and speed up those scales and arpeggios.
ISBN: 978-1-935967-05-7; 44 pages; 8.5"x11" coil bound
Purchase here: http://playpianoinallkeys.com/products-page/
Take a quick look at the Scales Charts Only book, here is a short video:
This Primary Chords/Cadences Charts Only book evolved from how I wanted students to learn chords, inversions and cadences. Before I put the book together I had my level 4 and 5 students hand draw them. Well, then there were those students who did not draw them and did not learn them. Then I had to work ten times as hard still getting them to pass... So I sat down and started designing how I really wanted the charts too look like. There is a logic to it. First the I-IV-V chords are defined, then inverted (the lowest note goes to the top); now all chords that are used in the cadences have been warmed up - the fingers and ear are used to them; now the cadences can be played easily; the cadences are read from the bottom box to the top, like a tree. Play root position first, then first inversion and then second inversion; like a tree grows from the roots, then first year and then second year growth. You can see the chords pages in the first video above (scales, chords/cadences, arpeggios only fingering charts)ISBN: 978-1-935967-06-4; 44 pages; 8.5"x11" coil bound
If I would have had this book when I was little I would have been in heaven! It took me so many years to learn arpeggios and inversions and eventually get the fingering right. nowadays my 5-year old students can play arpeggios. I am jealous! But then I hear good music as a piano teacher and that makes up for all the trouble!
ISBN: 978-1-935967-04-0; 44 pages; 8.5"x11" coil bound
Here is another excellent book; it is a scales workbook. All scales fingering charts are included, all practice logs, practice instructions, theory instructions as pertaining to scales.
Purchase here: http://playpianoinallkeys.com/products-page/
ISBN: 978-1-935967-07-1; 112 pages; 8.5"x11" coil bound
I am often asked if the Dominant seventh and diminished seventh fingering charts are included and no, they are not. There is already an enormous amount of information included in these books and a student really needs to learn a solid playing foundation first before being required to play seventh chords. At least this is what I ask and expect from my own students. it is so easy to work scales with these books, my students actually have fun playing scales (I know, this is really hard to believe -- but TRUE!) and even my weakest students can easily learn all scales. Without these books, well first of all I certainly would have many more grey hairs and maybe fewer hairs from the stress... and I am absolutely certain my students would not fare half as well in their piano exams. Most of my students practice 20 - 30 minutes a day if I can squeeze that out of them. The more dedicated young pianists of course, practice more time.
Instructional videos for a one-time fee or monthly subscription are coming soon, please bookmark this page. Observe, how I am able to practice and shape and layer the details! Coming SOON! Promise!
Please, enjoy -- and Play Well!
Eva
