Michael Aaron Piano Course: Performance, Primer: Piano Book

Aaron's Performance books honor his original teaching philosophy by pairing technique with pieces students actually want to play. At the Primer level, this book delivers short, satisfying works that reinforce lesson concepts without feeling like obligatory exercises.

Inviting and approachable. Primer-level pieces offer clear melodies and rhythmic patterns that feel musical without overwhelming young hands or requiring advanced coordination.

Beginning pianists working through the Primer level of structured instruction. This book serves students who benefit from Aaron's methodical approach and want repertoire that directly supports what they're learning in their lessons.

• Coordinate hands independently by practicing each hand alone until the fingering pattern feels automatic, then bring them together slowly.
• Pay attention to dynamics marked in the score; even simple pieces gain character when you shape the phrases with subtle volume changes.
• Maintain steady tempo by tapping your foot or using a metronome, especially when both hands have different rhythmic patterns.

Assign pieces from this book as recital repertoire for young piano students, selecting pieces that complement the technical focus of their concurrent lesson assignments. The collection works well for studio recitals where beginners need material that sounds polished despite their early stage of development.

• Reading treble clef notation in simple meters
• Hand independence and coordination in elementary textures
• Articulation control (legato and staccato)
• Phrase shaping and dynamic contrast
• Rhythm accuracy in basic note values and patterns