Technique 6 continues and expands on the technical and artistic tools learned in Technique books 1A--5. Four new Technique Tools clearly present technical goals through appealing and descriptive exercises. Artistic Etudes showcase a student's technique in an expressive musical setting and Masterwork Etudes provide training to play standard masterworks. Each page in the Technique book correlates with a specific page in the Lesson book. Technique Tools: * Slur Gestures * Voicing the Melody * The Soft Pedal---Una Corda * Trills

In Alfred's Premier Piano Course Level 4, students will be playing interesting pieces that use triplets and sixteenth notes. Musical styles range from jazz and ragtime to original pieces by master composers. New concepts introduced include natural and harmonic minor scales, one octave arpeggios and chord inversions.

Technique 2A continues and expands on the technical and artistic tools learned in Technique books 1A and 1B. The seven new Technique Tools introduced are: dynamic shaping, crossing over the thumb, solid-sounding chords, two-note slurs, seamless melodies, balance between melody and accompaniment, and damper pedal footwork. Artistic Etudes showcase a student’s technique in an expressive musical setting, and Hands-Together Workshops focus on developing the skills necessary for coordinating hands-together playing. Each page in the Technique Book correlates with a specific page in the Lesson Book.

Technique 2B continues and expands on the technical and artistic tools learned in Technique books 1A, 1B, and 2A. The seven new Technique Tools introduced are: three-note slurs, preparing quickly for hand crossings, feel the downbeat, finger stretches, legato pedal, finger 1 under finger 3, and finger 3 over finger 1. Artistic Etudes showcase a studentäó»s technique in an expressive musical setting, and Hands-Together Workshops focus on developing the skills necessary for coordinating hands-together playing. Masterwork etudes provide training to play standard masterworks. Each page in the Technique Book correlates with a specific page in the Lesson Book.

Students are finding the Theory Books in Alfred's Premier Piano Course not only fun to do but very helpful in reinforcing new materials introduced in the Lesson Book. The Learning Links included in the Theory Book relate to learning more about important subjects found in the music and lyrics in the Lesson Book making for a more rounded education. Continued from previous Theory Books are Fun Zones, Now Hear This (ear training), and Now Play This (sight reading exercises), which add additional reinforcement to written theory. Students can explore composition and creative activities with the Imagination Stations.

The technical tools and artistic skills learned in Technique 1A are enhanced and expanded in Technique 1B. Four new technique tools are introduced that relate to smooth legato, crisp staccato, rising wrist and amazing phrasing. Patterned exercises provide repetitions that make technique feel natural and artistic etudes showcase a student’s technique in an expressive musical setting. New to this level are Hands-Together Workshops that focus on developing the skills necessary for coordinating hands-together playing. Each page in the Technique Book correlates with a specific page in the Lesson Book.

Premier Piano Course, Level 4 students explore the full range of the keyboard, playing motivating, fun pieces that use triplets and sixteenth notes. Styles range from jazz and ragtime to original pieces by master composers. New concepts including natural and harmonic minor scales, one octave arpeggios and chord inversions are skillfully woven into intriguing pieces. Each piece on the CD was recorded at a performance tempo and a slower practice tempo. 48 pages. To access the TNT recordings, visit: alfred.com/ppcdownloads.