Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book 1A: Piano Book
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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book 1A: Piano Book
By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
Level: 1A
Item: 00-2104
$9.99
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Description
This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book Level 1A begins by teaching basic keyboard topography and fluent recognition of white key names in relation to black keys. It focuses on simple rhythms and prepares students for intervallic reading with entertaining songs that focus on "same," "stepping up" and "stepping down." It then introduces lines and space notes in treble and bass clefs, melodic and harmonic intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths, and graduates to reading on the grand staff. It also introduces the flat and sharp signs. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician. Songs Include: Balloons * Batter Up! * The Donkey * A Friend Like You * Hand-Bells * A Happy Song * Horse Sense * Totem Pole Song * It's Halloween! * Jingle Bells! * Jolly Old Saint Nicholas * July the Fourth! * Just a Second! * Love Somebody * Merrily We Roll Along O'er the Deep Blue Sea * Mexican Hat Dance * My Clever Pup * My Fifth * My Robot * Old MacDonald * Old Uncle Bill * Play a Fourth * Raindrops * Rain, Rain! * Rockets * Rockin' Tune * Rock Song * Sailing * Sea Divers * See-Saws * Skating * Who's on Third? * Willie and Tillie * Wishing Well * The Zoo
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About the Authors
Dr. Willard Palmer stands as an internationally recognized musician, educator, and scholar who created 789 published compositions spanning multiple instruments and genres. His works include methods for accordion, piano, guitar, and Hammond Chord Organ, along with numerous solo pieces and choral arrangements. Many of these publications have been translated into German, Japanese, French, Dutch, and Spanish, extending his influence across the globe.
A child prodigy who performed piano on radio at age 13, Palmer studied under Mae Vardeman, whose instruction in proper technique and improvisation shaped his musical foundation. He attended Whitworth College and Millsaps College, where he continued performing on radio and in campus ensembles. Further study at the Conservatory of Leipzig on a two-year scholarship, followed by post-graduate work at the University of Houston, solidified his expertise. At the University of Houston, he served on the music faculty for 18 years and established the first successful college accordion courses.
Palmer's scholarly work earned him international recognition as a leading authority on Baroque music ornamentation. His research formed the foundation for the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series of publications. He received a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983 in recognition of his musicological contributions. Palmer also directed the Riemenschneider Bach Institute and served as choir director of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. He held membership in the American Federation of Musicians Local 65, the American Accordionists' Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
A child prodigy who performed piano on radio at age 13, Palmer studied under Mae Vardeman, whose instruction in proper technique and improvisation shaped his musical foundation. He attended Whitworth College and Millsaps College, where he continued performing on radio and in campus ensembles. Further study at the Conservatory of Leipzig on a two-year scholarship, followed by post-graduate work at the University of Houston, solidified his expertise. At the University of Houston, he served on the music faculty for 18 years and established the first successful college accordion courses.
Palmer's scholarly work earned him international recognition as a leading authority on Baroque music ornamentation. His research formed the foundation for the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series of publications. He received a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983 in recognition of his musicological contributions. Palmer also directed the Riemenschneider Bach Institute and served as choir director of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. He held membership in the American Federation of Musicians Local 65, the American Accordionists' Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Morton Manus served as president of Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. from 1952 to 2016. He joined the family business in the late 1940s, shortly after earning a business degree from City College of New York. His father, Sam Manus, had founded the company's predecessor in 1922 as Manus Music, a Tin Pan Alley publisher specializing in popular sheet music, before acquiring and merging with Alfred & Company in 1930.
Under Manus's leadership, Alfred Music transformed from a sheet music publisher into a comprehensive music education company. Drawing on his background as both a clarinetist and pianist, he championed the development of instructional series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder throughout the 1950s. This strategic shift positioned Alfred Music as a leader in music education materials. The company's growth necessitated significant expansion: the headquarters relocated to Los Angeles in 1975, while a distribution center opened in upstate New York.
Manus's sons continued the family legacy by joining the company. Ron came aboard in 1988 and Steve in 1992, and together they accelerated Alfred Music's international presence by establishing offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In 2005, the company purchased Warner Bros. Publications, securing rights to the EMI Catalogue Partnership and forging a lasting relationship with Warner/Chappell Music.
Under Manus's leadership, Alfred Music transformed from a sheet music publisher into a comprehensive music education company. Drawing on his background as both a clarinetist and pianist, he championed the development of instructional series for accordion, guitar, piano, and recorder throughout the 1950s. This strategic shift positioned Alfred Music as a leader in music education materials. The company's growth necessitated significant expansion: the headquarters relocated to Los Angeles in 1975, while a distribution center opened in upstate New York.
Manus's sons continued the family legacy by joining the company. Ron came aboard in 1988 and Steve in 1992, and together they accelerated Alfred Music's international presence by establishing offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In 2005, the company purchased Warner Bros. Publications, securing rights to the EMI Catalogue Partnership and forging a lasting relationship with Warner/Chappell Music.
Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco is a renowned piano pedagogue and co-creator of Alfred's Basic Piano Library, one of the world's most widely used piano method series. She developed this influential educational resource alongside Dr. Willard Palmer and Morton Manus. A Professor Emeritus of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Lethco brought decades of teaching expertise to her work in music education.
Her educational credentials span prestigious institutions including Northwestern University, where she earned degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education, plus a Master's degree in Piano Performance. She also studied piano with legendary teachers James Friskin at Juilliard, Rudolph Ganz at Chicago Musical College, Douglas Moore at Columbia University, and Ruth Barr in Houston. Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi honored her with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Beyond her method book legacy, Dr. Lethco collaborated with Dr. Palmer on Creating Music at the Piano. She maintained an active performance career, giving recitals across the United States and serving as a clinician at numerous national conventions. Her workshop and teaching experience spans multiple continents, including Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, and several Southeast Asian countries. Dr. Lethco is recognized in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.
Her educational credentials span prestigious institutions including Northwestern University, where she earned degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education, plus a Master's degree in Piano Performance. She also studied piano with legendary teachers James Friskin at Juilliard, Rudolph Ganz at Chicago Musical College, Douglas Moore at Columbia University, and Ruth Barr in Houston. Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi honored her with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Beyond her method book legacy, Dr. Lethco collaborated with Dr. Palmer on Creating Music at the Piano. She maintained an active performance career, giving recitals across the United States and serving as a clinician at numerous national conventions. Her workshop and teaching experience spans multiple continents, including Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, and several Southeast Asian countries. Dr. Lethco is recognized in the International Who's Who of Musicians and the World Who's Who of Women.