Alfred’s Premier Piano Course is an excellent choice for a comprehensive approach to piano instruction for beginner students. The series is comprised of a series of books:

•    Lesson – Lesson books are the core of Alfred’s PPC. Lesson books introduce all the new musical concepts: note reading, rhythm and technique exercises, and sight-reading. Lesson books are available with CD to enhance the learning experience. The recordings provide examples at performance tempos as well as slower speeds for practice.

•    Theory – The Theory books correlate page-by-page with the Lesson Books. They are an invaluable resource for the beginning students. Each new musical concept is reinforced with written exercises, listening exercises, composition, games, and puzzles.

•    Performance – The Performance books provide skill-appropriate and exciting repertoire in a wide variety of styles.

•    Technique – The Technique books contain exercises to help students achieve technical aptitude. Skills addressed in the Technique books include arm weight, finger weight and independence, strong fingertips, thumb position, and overall hand position.

Level 4

Level 4 continues to increase the student’s note reading ability and technical skills with pieces that incorporate triplets and sixteenth notes. Other musical concepts introduced in level 4 include natural and harmonic minor scales, one-octave arpeggios, and basic chord inversions.

Contents of Level 4 Christmas:

• Away in a Manger
• Deck the Halls
• The First Noel
• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
• Joy to the World
• Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
• Russian Dance (Trepak) (from The Nutcracker)
• Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
• Silent Night
• Ukrainian Bell Carol