New Etudes, Book 1: Elementary Piano Book

Each piece is an invitation rather than a test. The modest length of most etudes (eight measures to two pages) makes the work feel achievable, while the thoughtful technical design and accompanying art create a sense that you're exploring something crafted with genuine care for the learning process.

Elementary piano students who benefit from clear, focused technical work and teachers who want to build foundational skills without overwhelming their students. This book works equally well in private lessons and group settings.

• Establish the technical focus before playing. Read the listed goal under the title and demonstrate it separately so students know exactly what they're listening for in their own playing.
• Let the imaginative artwork guide interpretation. These illustrations offer visual clues about character and mood that can inform tempo and tone choices.
• Keep wrist tension minimal during crossover passages. Have students practice the hand position away from the keyboard first, emphasizing the loose, flowing motion the etudes demand.

Assign etudes sequentially as technical foundations deepen throughout the year, or pull individual pieces to address specific technique challenges as they arise in other repertoire. Students preparing for recitals will find these particularly useful for warming up since they're substantial enough to matter but short enough not to fatigue.

• Bouncing both hands with a loose wrist
• Right-hand broken chord patterns
• Three-note slurs
• Left-hand crossovers
• Hand independence and coordination
• Artistic interpretation of small forms