Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Solo Book 1: Piano Book
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Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Solo Book 1: Piano Book
A Piano Method for the Later Beginner
By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
Level: 1
Item: 00-2650
$8.99
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Coordinated page-by-page with the Lesson Books, the student is provided with fun pieces while reviewing newly learned concepts.
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About the Authors
Dr. Willard Palmer stands as an internationally recognized musician, educator, and scholar whose prolific career spanned multiple instruments and genres. Beginning as a child prodigy who performed piano on radio at age 13, he built his foundation under the mentorship of pianist Mae Vardeman, whose instruction in proper technique and improvisation proved formative. His early musical training encompassed both piano and accordion, instruments that would define his life's work.
Palmer's compositional output proved remarkably extensive, encompassing 789 published works across accordion methods, piano methods, Hammond Chord Organ instruction, guitar methods, solo pieces, and choral compositions. Many of these publications reached global audiences through translations into German, Japanese, French, Dutch, and Spanish. His scholarly expertise in Baroque music ornamentation gained worldwide recognition and became the foundation for the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series.
Throughout his career, Palmer contributed significantly to music education at multiple institutions. He taught accordion at the University of Houston for 18 years, establishing the first successful college-level accordion curriculum, and directed the choir at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston for many years. His distinguished academic credentials included a Doctor of Humanities degree (1971) and a Doctor of Music degree (1983). Palmer also served as director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute and maintained active memberships in the American Federation of Musicians, American Accordionists' Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Palmer's compositional output proved remarkably extensive, encompassing 789 published works across accordion methods, piano methods, Hammond Chord Organ instruction, guitar methods, solo pieces, and choral compositions. Many of these publications reached global audiences through translations into German, Japanese, French, Dutch, and Spanish. His scholarly expertise in Baroque music ornamentation gained worldwide recognition and became the foundation for the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series.
Throughout his career, Palmer contributed significantly to music education at multiple institutions. He taught accordion at the University of Houston for 18 years, establishing the first successful college-level accordion curriculum, and directed the choir at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston for many years. His distinguished academic credentials included a Doctor of Humanities degree (1971) and a Doctor of Music degree (1983). Palmer also served as director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute and maintained active memberships in the American Federation of Musicians, American Accordionists' Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Morton Manus led Alfred Music Publishing as president from 1952 to 2016, guiding the company through its most transformative decades. His father, Sam Manus, had founded Manus Music in 1922 during New York's Tin Pan Alley era as a purveyor of popular sheet music. In 1930, Sam merged his company with Alfred & Company, creating Alfred Music, the name that endures today. Morton joined the family business in the late 1940s after earning his business degree from City College of New York and eventually assumed the presidency when his father retired.
Under Morton's leadership, Alfred Music underwent a complete reinvention. As both a clarinetist and pianist, he recognized the market's demand for quality educational materials and spearheaded the creation of instructional series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder. This shift transformed Alfred Music from a sheet music publisher into a leader in music education publishing. The company's remarkable growth necessitated major operational changes in 1975, when the headquarters relocated to Los Angeles and distribution moved to upstate New York.
Morton's sons continued the family legacy by joining the company: Ron in 1988 and Steve in 1992. Together they expanded Alfred Music's global reach by opening international offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. The company further strengthened its position in 2005 by acquiring Warner Bros. Publications, gaining access to the EMI Catalogue Partnership and establishing a significant long-term relationship with Warner/Chappell Music.
Under Morton's leadership, Alfred Music underwent a complete reinvention. As both a clarinetist and pianist, he recognized the market's demand for quality educational materials and spearheaded the creation of instructional series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder. This shift transformed Alfred Music from a sheet music publisher into a leader in music education publishing. The company's remarkable growth necessitated major operational changes in 1975, when the headquarters relocated to Los Angeles and distribution moved to upstate New York.
Morton's sons continued the family legacy by joining the company: Ron in 1988 and Steve in 1992. Together they expanded Alfred Music's global reach by opening international offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. The company further strengthened its position in 2005 by acquiring Warner Bros. Publications, gaining access to the EMI Catalogue Partnership and establishing a significant long-term relationship with Warner/Chappell Music.
Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco is best known for co-authoring Alfred's Basic Piano Library, one of the most widely used piano methods in the world. Working alongside Dr. Willard Palmer and Morton Manus, she shaped music education for countless students. Her distinguished teaching career culminated in her role as Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin.
Her educational credentials span some of America's most prestigious conservatories. She earned degrees from Northwestern University in both piano performance and music education, plus a master's degree in piano performance. Her studies also included work with renowned musicians James Friskin at Juilliard, Rudolph Ganz at Chicago Musical College, and Douglas Moore at Columbia University. Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi presented her with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Beyond her authored works, Dr. Lethco maintained an active presence as both performer and educator. She gave recitals across the United States and served as clinician at numerous national conventions. Her workshops and teaching extended far beyond America's borders, reaching Europe, Canada, and countries throughout Asia and the Pacific region including Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, and others. She also co-authored Creating Music at the Piano with Dr. Palmer and maintained private teaching studios in New York City, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Her achievements earned her recognition in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.
Her educational credentials span some of America's most prestigious conservatories. She earned degrees from Northwestern University in both piano performance and music education, plus a master's degree in piano performance. Her studies also included work with renowned musicians James Friskin at Juilliard, Rudolph Ganz at Chicago Musical College, and Douglas Moore at Columbia University. Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi presented her with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Beyond her authored works, Dr. Lethco maintained an active presence as both performer and educator. She gave recitals across the United States and served as clinician at numerous national conventions. Her workshops and teaching extended far beyond America's borders, reaching Europe, Canada, and countries throughout Asia and the Pacific region including Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, and others. She also co-authored Creating Music at the Piano with Dr. Palmer and maintained private teaching studios in New York City, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Her achievements earned her recognition in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.