Ebook Steps for the Young Pianist

Sixth Steps for the Young Pianist is offered to the public with the hope that both teacher and pupil will find in it a collection of lovely little classics which will be a profitable continuation of the course of study outlined and developed in First Steps for the Young Pianist, Second Steps for the Young Pianist, Third Steps for the Young Pianist, Fourth Steps for the Young Pianist, and Fifth Steps for the Young Pianist; or useful and interesting as supplementary music to be studied during the completion of the Lessons contained in the first five Steps. The manner in which the music in Sixth Steps is presented is slightly different from that in which the Lessons in the first five Steps are presented. In the preceding Steps, lesson outlines have been arranged and followed, making possible a gradual and well-balanced develop ment, at the same time, of technic, and the understanding and interpretation of music. In Sixth Steps, however, each chapter or Lesson is given over to one special type or attribute of piano playing, such as the use of legato or staccato touch, rhythmic playing, or the playing of octaves and chords. In some instances, helpful technical preparation has been suggested. It has been the purpose of the writer, in these books — and in other material especially pre pared for the purpose of supplementing and providing for the special needs of each pupil — to develop logically, and in a well-balanced manner, the pupil's capacity and ability to read music as readily as he would read a story or article written in a language with which he is familiar; to lay solid foundations in matters of tone-shading, phrasing, and pedaling; to develop equal facility in the use of all Major keys and Minor keys; to bring the pupil, through the Historical Anecdotes, into a closer intimacy with the lives of great musicians; and, withal, to inspire him to desire, in his playing, not only mechanical accuracy, but also an expressive and artistic interpretation.