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Improve Your Sight-Reading! Piano Grade 1


Synopsis


Improve your sight-reading! Piano Grade 1 (Early Elementary) is part of the best-selling series by Paul Harris, guaranteed to improve your sight-reading! This workbook helps the player overcome problems by building up a complete picture of each piece, through rhythmic and melodic exercises related to specific technical issues, then by studying prepared pieces with associated questions, and finally by 'going solo' with a series of meticulously graded sight-reading pieces. This edition now includes supporting audio available online for students to check their performances against.

The Improve your sight-reading! series will help you improve your reading ability, and with numerous practice tests included, will ensure sight-reading success in graded exams.

Summary

Chapter 1: Note Recognition and Finger Numbers

* Summary: Introduces the seven notes on the treble clef and their corresponding finger numbers.
* Example: The note "C" is located on the first line of the treble clef and is played with finger number 1.

Chapter 2: Reading Rhythms

* Summary: Explains basic rhythmic symbols, including quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, and rests.
* Example: A quarter note is a black dot with a stem, and it is played for one beat.

Chapter 3: Simple Melodies

* Summary: Presents easy melodies that reinforce note recognition and rhythmic concepts.
* Example: The melody "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is played in quarter notes and sixteenth notes.

Chapter 4: Finger Patterns

* Summary: Introduces finger patterns that improve coordination and fluency.
* Example: The "5-finger pattern" involves playing the notes "C, D, E, F, G" with the thumb, index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers.

Chapter 5: Hands Together

* Summary: Guides students through playing simple pieces with both hands.
* Example: The piece "The Farmer in the Dell" is played in parallel motion, where both hands play the same melody.

Chapter 6: Dynamics and Articulation

* Summary: Introduces dynamic markings (loudness) and articulation (how notes are played).
* Example: The dynamic marking "f" indicates "forte" (loud), while the articulation marking ">" indicates "accent" (emphasize a note).

Chapter 7: Black Keys

* Summary: Teaches students to read and play notes on the black keys, expanding their range.
* Example: The note "F sharp" is located on the first black key to the right of "F" and is played with finger number 3.

Chapter 8: Triads

* Summary: Introduces basic three-note chords called "triads."
* Example: The C major triad consists of the notes C, E, and G.

Chapter 9: Scales

* Summary: Presents the C major scale, a fundamental pattern for sight-reading.
* Example: The C major scale starts on the note "C" and ascends to "C" an octave higher, using only white keys.

Chapter 10: Sight-Reading Exercises

* Summary: Provides a series of graded sight-reading exercises to apply the concepts covered in previous chapters.
* Example: Exercise 1 consists of short melodies in various keys and rhythmic patterns, promoting accuracy and fluency.