Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Theory Book 2 Cover Image

Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Theory Book 2: Piano Book

$8.99 USD
Sale price  $8.99 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Theory Book 2 Cover Image

Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Theory Book 2: Piano Book

A Piano Method for the Later Beginner

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

Level: 2

Item: 00-2647

$8.99
Shipped

One moment…

Description
The Theory Books are coordinated page-by-page with the Lesson Books, and reinforce the concepts through theory games and drills that are fun to complete.

Alfred's Basic Piano: Chord Approach Theory Book 2: Piano Book isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Pages

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred's Basic Piano Library
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 48
ISBN10: 0-7390-1768-3
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-1768-5
UPC: 038081002699
SKU: 00-2647

More about this title

About the Authors

Willard A. Palmer
Dr. Willard Palmer stands as an internationally recognized musician, scholar, and educator who shaped music instruction through an extraordinary output of 789 published compositions. His works span accordion methods, piano instruction books, Hammond Chord Organ guides, guitar methods, numerous solo pieces, and choral compositions. Many of his publications have been translated into German, Japanese, French, Dutch, and Spanish, extending his influence across the globe.

Palmer's scholarly achievements earned him particular distinction in Baroque music ornamentation, establishing him as a worldwide authority in this specialized field. His research formed the foundation for the highly acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series. These accomplishments were formally recognized through a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983. He served as a director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute and maintained membership in the American Federation of Musicians (Local #65), the American Accordionists' Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Palmer's musical journey began as a child prodigy who performed piano on radio at age 13, studying with mentor Mae Vardeman, who developed his improvisational skills through rigorous technique training. He attended Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he continued performing accordion and piano in campus and radio ensembles. Following his Bachelor's degree, he studied at the Conservatory of Leipzig, Germany, on a two-year scholarship. At the University of Houston, where he completed post-graduate work and joined the faculty, Palmer taught the first successful college-level accordion courses for 18 years. He also served as choir director of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas for an extended period.
Morton Manus
Morton Manus served as president of Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. for over six decades, beginning in the early 1950s. He inherited the company from his father Sam, who had founded it in 1922 as Manus Music in New York's Tin Pan Alley before merging with Alfred & Company in 1930. A clarinetist and pianist with a business degree from City College of New York, Morty joined the family firm in the late 1940s and met his future wife Iris there through a coworker's introduction.

Recognizing the market's demand for quality music education materials, Manus transformed Alfred Music from a popular sheet music publisher into an instructional leader. He spearheaded the development of educational series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder that established the company's reputation in music pedagogy. Under his leadership, the company expanded dramatically, requiring a relocation of its headquarters to Los Angeles in 1975 and the establishment of a separate distribution center in upstate New York.

Manus's sons Ron and Steve later joined the company, carrying forward the family legacy. Together they expanded Alfred Music's global footprint by opening international offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In 2005, the company acquired Warner Bros. Publications, significantly broadening its catalog and market position in the music publishing industry.
Amanda Vick Lethco
Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco is a renowned piano pedagogue who co-created Alfred's Basic Piano Library, one of the world's most influential piano methods, alongside Dr. Willard Palmer and Morton Manus. She earned degrees from Northwestern University in piano performance and music education, plus a Master of Music degree in piano performance. Her advanced training included study with celebrated teachers James Friskin at Juilliard, Rudolph Ganz at Chicago Musical College, Douglas Moore at Columbia University, and Ruth Barr in Houston.

Throughout her career, Dr. Lethco served as Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin and maintained a private teaching practice in major cities including New York, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. She also co-authored Creating Music at the Piano with Dr. Willard Palmer. Her recognition includes an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, as well as listings in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.

Beyond her academic work, Dr. Lethco built an international reputation as a clinician and workshop leader. She performed recitals across the United States and conducted educational workshops on numerous college and university campuses as well as internationally in Europe, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Why we love this

This theory book moves in perfect lockstep with the Lesson Book, so students never encounter unfamiliar concepts on the page. The games and drills keep practice engaging without feeling like busywork, which is especially valuable when reinforcing chord theory that can feel abstract to young pianists.

What to expect

Clear, approachable, and purposeful. The theory drills feel like natural extensions of the music being played, not separate academic work. The games invite playfulness while building solid harmonic literacy.

Who it's for

Elementary-level piano students progressing through Alfred's Basic Chord Approach who need reinforcement of harmonic concepts and music theory fundamentals. Teachers who want coordinated theory and lesson materials that reduce planning time while keeping students engaged.

How to get the most out of it

  • Complete one page of theory work after every lesson, while the concepts from the Lesson Book are still fresh in the student's hands and ears.
  • Use the theory games as a reward or change-of-pace activity during the lesson, not as homework to rush through at home.
  • Have students write out chord symbols and progressions aloud as they work through the drills to strengthen the connection between written notation and harmonic thinking.

How to use it

Pair this with the corresponding Lesson Book for a cohesive piano curriculum that covers both performance and theory simultaneously. The 48-page format fits naturally into a year of weekly lessons without overwhelming students or creating a gap between what they play and what they understand.

Skills your students will build

  • Chord identification and function (major, minor, dominant seventh)
  • Roman numeral chord analysis
  • Lead sheet notation and chord symbols
  • Harmonic progression recognition and writing
  • Music reading in treble clef with chord accompaniment patterns

You May Also Like