Catherine Rollin

Offers pieces to reinforce the technical skills presented in the corresponding Technique Book. Used together, the two books can replace the method books once a student learns basic reading skills. These books are very helpful in establishing solid technique, and the pieces are interesting enough to use as recital repertoire. I particularly like 2 things about this book: 1) the inclusion of a variety of key signatures and 2) the "tagging" of each piece as stylistically representing a period of music history - baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary. Rollin even includes notes such as "inspired by the jazz and blues harmonies used by American composer George Gershwin."… (meer)

Technique Book correlates with the Repertoire Book and offers discussions and exercises to promote confident technique. The two books together can replace the method books once a student acquires basic reading ability. I like the way Book 2 includes a review of the skills covered in Book 1, including a very good page showing photos of good piano posture and hand position. Very helpful for transfer students. Skills covered in Book 2: Scale Skills using major scales C, G, D, A, and E(thumb rolls, thumb and finger pivots, thumb under, legato arm), overlapping pedal, under-over wrist rolls, portato, wrist staccato, trills, voicing, Major Triads and inversions, and Primary Chord Progressions.… (meer)