This is one of four level-one books in the American Popular Piano series - the educational piano course by Christopher Norton and Scott McBride Smith.

The series has 11 difficulty Levels, and each Level contains: Repertoire album with CD; Etudes album (including Improvisation); Skills book; Technic (technique) book.

Level One

For advanced beginners - Hands play together- Whole note, half note, quarter note, dotted half note- Whole rest, half rest, quarter rest, dotted-half rest- pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, crescendo and diminuendo- Slur, legato, staccato, accent- 3/4, 4/4, and 5/4 time signatures- Key signatures up to one sharp and one flat- Repeat, 8va, tie, fermata, ritardando, a tempo

Skills Books: round out the comprehensive course of study. Paced to enhance progress in the corresponding Repertoire and Etudes Albums, the module structure ensures a smooth integration of Ear-Training, Sight-Reading, and Technic. · Ear-training: reinforces the auraldevelopment already achieved through the repertoire and improvisation etudes; · Sight-reading: time-effective module structure leads to regular practice – the single most important contributing factor to success; · Technic: provides a structured and measured approach; prepares for the challenges ahead.

About the American Popular Piano series: “Why can’t I play more music like this?” asked a fourteen-year-old piano student. “My friends like to hear me play cool music.”

Why not, indeed. J.S. Bach taught his sons using the music of his time – popular dances, preludes and exercises by living composers. It would never have occurred to him to seek out pieces in styles and rhythms one hundred years old. He expected his boys to thrive in the musical world of their time.

American Popular Piano has been developed on the same principles. Students working in this series will… · develop traditional pianistic and musical skills through music in contemporary, popular styles; · be motivated to practice by working on music that is familiar, fun, and that they can’t wait to play; · nurture their creativity and spontaneity through a user-friendly modular approach to improvisation; · enjoy regular ensemble playing; … and find pleasure in a lifelong relationship with music!

Written entirely by Christopher Norton and Scott McBride Smith, American Popular Piano is an educational piano course which comprises 44 books, clearly divided into 11 difficulty levels. With 4 resources in each level from which people can pick and choose, the series provides a fuller curriculum, including important skills such as improvisation.

The integrated, comprehensive course of study provided by American Popular Piano ensures the development of well-rounded piano fundamentals using a combination of classical and popular styles. Each of the eleven levels – from Preparatory for the first year of study, then through the progressive levels 1-10 – includes a Repertoire Album with an Instrumental Backings CD, a supporting Etudes Album, a Skills Book, and a Technic (technique) book.