Succeeding at the Piano, Lesson & Technique Book - Grade 1A (2nd Edition): Piano Book

The progression from 1A to 1B feels natural rather than forced; students encounter dynamics and articulation in a sequence that doesn't overwhelm. Marlais balances technique building with pieces that actually sound musical, so students hear themselves improving week to week.

Clean, encouraging, and purposeful. Students move through material that feels fresh each lesson while recognizing patterns they've already mastered. The mix of folk and original compositions keeps practice time from feeling repetitive.

Early elementary pianists ready to expand beyond basic note reading, typically ages 6-8 or students in their second or third year of study. Teachers who want a method that grows with student interest rather than one that feels like a workbook.

• Introduce the Woodpecker and Push Off touch releases through isolated hand position work before connecting them to full pieces; let students feel the difference in arm weight and release.
• Separate legato and staccato practice into dedicated exercises before assigning pieces that combine both; this prevents the common mistake of rushing articulation changes.
• Build dynamic awareness by having students play a single phrase at different dynamic levels and listen for the change in tone quality, not just volume.
• Use the folk tunes and classical arrangements as listening models; hearing the piece sung or played by a more advanced student shifts focus from decoding notes to musical intent.

This works best as the primary method book for group piano classes or private lessons where consistent weekly progress matters. The expanded dynamics and articulation vocabulary also makes it ideal timing for students preparing to play in early ensemble settings or recitals where phrasing is expected.

• Reading and performing dynamic markings (p, mp, mf, f)
• Distinguishing legato and staccato articulation through hand position and touch
• Identifying and playing intervals beyond unison and octaves
• Understanding rest notation and applying it to rhythmic accuracy
• Executing controlled touch releases for tone color variation
• Recognizing and playing folk melodies and simple classical arrangements