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Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course, Book 1: Piano Wire-O Book

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Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course, Book 1 Cover Image

Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course, Book 1: Piano Wire-O Book

Lesson * Theory * Technic

By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco

Item: 00-5753

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Description
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for use with a piano instructor for the beginning student looking for a truly complete piano course. It is a greatly expanded version of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course that will include lesson, theory, and technique in a convenient, "all-in-one" format. This comprehensive course adds such features as isometric hand exercises, finger strengthening drills, and written assignments that reinforce each lesson's concepts. There is a smooth, logical progression between each lesson, a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and outstanding extra songs, including folk, classical, and contemporary selections. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a good understanding of basic musical concepts and styles. Titles: Alouette * Alpine Melody * Amazing Grace * Au Claire de la Lune * Aunt Rhody * Auld Lang Syne * Aura Lee * The Bandleader * Beautiful Brown Eyes * Blow the Man Down! * Blues for Wynton Marsalis * Brother John * Café Vienna * The Can-Can * Chasing the Blues Away * Chiapanecas * Cockles and Mussels * The Cuckoo * Day is Done * Dueling Harmonics * The Entertainer * A Friend Like You * Go Down, Moses * Good King Wenceslas * Good Morning to You! * Good People * Got Those Blues * Greensleeves * Happy Birthday to You! * Harmonica Rock * Harp Song * Here's a Happy Song! * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * I'm Gonna Lay My Burden Down * Jericho * Jingle Bells * Joy to the World! * Kum-ba-yah! * Largo (Dvorak) * Lavender's Blue * Lightly Row * Little Brown Jug * Liza Jane * London Bridge * Lone Star Waltz * Love Somebody * Lullaby * The Marine's Hymn * Mary Ann * Merrily We Roll Along * Mexican Hat Dance * Michael, Row the Boat Ashore * Money Can't Buy Everything * My Fifth * Ode to Joy * On Top of Old Smoky * O Sole Mio * Raisins and Almonds * Rock Along * Rockets * Rockin' Intervals * Rock It Away! * Scarborough Fair * Shoo, Fly, Shoo! * Skip to My Lou! * Standing in the Need of Prayer * The Stranger * Tisket, a Tasket * Waltzing Chords * Waltz Time * What Can I Share * When the Saints Go Marching In * Why Am I Blue? The wire-o binding creates a lay-flat book that is perfect for study and performance.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 160
ISBN10: 0-88284-818-6
ISBN13: 978-0-88284-818-1
UPC: 038081114415
SKU: 00-5753

More about this title

About the Author: Willard A. Palmer

Willard A. Palmer

Willard A. Palmer built his reputation across multiple keyboard disciplines, composing and arranging over 789 published works that span piano methods, accordion repertoire, guitar instruction, and choral music. His scholarly approach to music education was shaped by early training under Mae Vardeman, who emphasized technical precision alongside improvisation, and deepened through his two-year fellowship at the Leipzig Conservatory and eighteen years teaching accordion at the University of Houston.

Palmer's later career focused on historical musicology, particularly Baroque ornamentation and performance practice, earning him international recognition and appointments including director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute. This combination of practical teaching experience and rigorous musicological research defines his pedagogical philosophy: thorough technical foundations paired with genuine musical understanding.

Why we love this

This book merges what adult learners actually need with what keeps them engaged. The pairing of classical folk repertoire alongside blues, ragtime, and contemporary songs prevents the sterile feeling of many beginner methods, while the integrated theory and technique work prevents students from stalling when they hit common pedagogical bottlenecks.

What to expect

Opening this book feels like having a patient mentor who respects your intelligence. The writing is clear and unhurried, the repertoire spans from "Amazing Grace" to Scott Joplin, and the progression builds confidence without overwhelming.

Who it's for

Adult students beginning piano study with a teacher, particularly those who tried self-teaching and need structured progression, or mature learners who appreciate understanding the why behind technique and theory rather than just following fingerings.

How to get the most out of it

  • Assign the written reinforcement exercises after each lesson rather than front-loading them; students retain concepts better when theory connects immediately to what they just learned on the keys.
  • Incorporate the isometric hand and finger drills into warm-up routines, not as homework. Five minutes of these exercises before the lesson itself builds strength without feeling like busywork.
  • Encourage students to choose which folk or contemporary songs they tackle first. Ownership of the repertoire accelerates progress and keeps motivation high through the early weeks.

How to use it

Assign this as the core text for any community music school or church adult piano program. The wire-o binding lies flat and survives heavy use, making it ideal for weekly lessons where students reference multiple sections in a single session.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading treble clef with steady rhythm and basic note values
  • Understanding major and minor keys through chord theory and progressions
  • Proper hand position, posture, and foundational technique
  • Sight-reading at the beginner level across multiple musical styles
  • Developing finger independence and strength through targeted drills
  • Playing chord-based accompaniments and basic improvisation

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