Face First

Ever wanted to play country piano, but weren't sure where to start? Country Piano will teach you the basic skills you need! From comping to soloing, you'll learn the theory, tools and tricks used by the pros to get that authentic country sound. At the end of the book, you'll get seven complete tunes to jam on. Listen to the CD, and start playing along! Covers: scales and chords; walkup and walkdown patterns; comping in traditional and modern country; bluegrass arpeggio styles; Nashville fretted piano techniques; and more.

From the very first lessons in Book 1, students are making music as they explore the piano keyboard through fun improvisation pieces called My Own Song. The beginning of the book introduces finger numbers, the black-key and white-key groups, and basic rhythm patterns. Directional reading is taught first by finger number, then by note name, and then by interval (stop, skip, and repeat). Once the students are introduced to the staff, they learn reading guides Bass F and Treble G and read by interval in several different hand positions. This value pack includes the Lessons Book plus an accompaniment CD featuring beautiful background tracks to accompany the student during practice or performance.

12 favorite carols arranged for students complete with lyrics, fingerings, delightful color illustrations, and teacher accompaniment parts. Each book also includes a CD with three play-along tracks for each song: melody and accompaniment played together at performance tempo, melody and accompaniment played together at practice tempo, and accompaniment part only at performance tempo. Songs include: Deck the Halls • Jingle Bells • Joy to the World! • Up on the House-top • Silent Night • We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Also includes an original, Red-Toed Reindeer Blues.

Book 2 opens with a new My Own Song improvisation on CDEFG. Unit 1 introduces phrasing and legato touch, and also presents harmonic 2nds and 3rds with staccato touch. The following two units are dedicated to the introduction of 4ths and 5ths. Also in Unit 3, sharps are introduced in a diatonic setting starting on D, and flats are introduced as blues notes. Most pieces in the second half of Book 2 coordinate hands playing together. This book works very well for transfer students. This value pack includes both the Lessons Book plus the accompaniment CD with wonderful backing tracks for students to play along with.