Time Traveller's Guide to Music History, Book 2: Piano Book & General MIDI Disk

A playful time machine that makes you a musical detective. Each piece opens a window into how composers thought, wrote, and what they valued, all while your fingers discover melodies and rhythms that shaped music itself.

Young pianists (typically ages 8-13) who are reading at early to intermediate levels and benefit from narrative motivation alongside technical work. Students who learn better when music has a story and clear historical context will engage deeply with both the pieces and the learning process.

• Explore the MIDI sounds before rehearsal so you understand how each piece is meant to be heard. This grounds your interpretation in historical accuracy rather than modern piano technique alone.
• Pay attention to the illustrations as you learn each piece. They're not decoration; they anchor the musical style to its era and help you internalize the aesthetic choices you're making.
• Use the General MIDI disk to hear the pieces at performance tempo first, then work your own version at a comfortable speed. This prevents getting stuck on finger patterns before you've absorbed the character.

Weave this into music appreciation units or general music classes where piano students can demonstrate different historical periods to their peers. The engaging story and visual elements make it ideal for spring recitals organized by era, or as a supplement to any curriculum exploring Western music tradition.

• Recognizing stylistic differences across musical periods
• Reading period-appropriate notation and articulation markings
• Connecting historical context to musical choices (tempo, dynamics, texture)
• Using MIDI accompaniment to develop rhythmic independence and confidence
• Building repertoire that spans from early music through classical and romantic traditions