Don’t LOOK at the Keys!
Play the piano by touch with this innovative, progressive series. Each of the first three
books offers user friendly instruction which accompanies enjoyable exercises and
inspirational practice pieces.
Book One
How to play the piano by touch is explained at the start, including a short section for
teachers suggesting how to use the book in lessons and for students at home.
Early pieces are played hands separately, later ones hands together, all within a five finger pattern which is illustrated at the top of each piece. The keys, all of which feature in early examination grades, are also stated. The music offers a wide variety of styles inspiring confidence to read the music, feel for the notes and listen to the performance!
Book Two
In Book 2, the range is extended to an octave in each hand. As in Book 1, at the start there is detailed explanation and suggested practice exercises to take this next step.
Book Three
The pieces in Book Three cover the whole keyboard. How to achieve this final step is explained and accompanied with more enjoyable exercises.
Book Four
The fourth book in the series contains more pieces at Book 1 level and like its
predecessor, is in two parts (hands separate and hands together), with the hand positions illustrated and keys shown above each piece. A small difference is that the last few pieces in particular encourage and practise greater co-ordination between the hands.
What our customers say:
‘Never before have I had (students) asking to do sight reading each week’ (Dawn
Wakefield, piano teacher, Norfolk)
‘The only (books) I have ever found that approach sight reading in this easy way.
Thank you Richard Smith!’ (Mrs. C, unsolicited Amazon review)
‘very welcome additional material to the standard sight reading books’ (‘Piano
Professional’ Magazine)
Crazy Crotchets & Quirky Quavers!
Wacky action piano duets, designed to enliven concerts and competitions!
Players swap places, stand up, stamp their feet, clap hands, play with a rag (Why else are pieces called ‘Rags’?)..and more, yet the music never stops!
Elementary & Beginner Grades; total 6 duets, 3 at Grade 1; 2 at Grade 2; 1 at Grade 3.
What our customers say:
‘This is such fun and an absolute delight to the audience….a real find’. (Piano Professional Magazine)
My Piano, My Body and Me
A guide to the basics for serious piano students in the early stages
With illustrated instruction and practice pieces for pedalling (all three pedals), dynamics, chords, balance between hands, melody with countermelodies and general independence of hands, compound time, less common time signatures and much more besides.
Book One
Sets much of the above in the context of how the piano works, how it developed and what makes it special.
Book Two
Places the piano’s development beside the evolution of playing technique, accordingly how to interpret Baroque, Classical, Romantic and modern music.
What our customers say:
‘This book is thoroughly recommended. Quite how he has fitted so much
information with wonderful accompanying pieces to demonstrate the
techniques etc in only 22 pages is astounding’. (Piano Professional
Magazine Review of Book One)
For young composers (& their teachers)
A practical guide to start writing music & reassuring reference for those supporting.
Students create their own music from the start, exploring rhythm, melody and expression. The book covers film and incidental music, simple harmony and musical form. Additional material supports teachers throughout, the whole written in easily accessible language, presented in an attractive format.
What our customers say:
‘I started one of my (students) on your composing book with spectacular results…it has stimulated her beyond measure…She has just presented me with a beautifully written out composition….I cannot begin to tell you the joy
she’s getting out of it.’ (Piano teacher, Gloucestershire)
‘How to start….also to KEEP composing with new and fresh ideas….Another excellent book by Richard’. (Piano Professional Magazine)
