Piano Adventures Announces a New Approach to Scale and Chord Practice

3‑D Gesture and Precision Pattern Recognition Reveal a Unique Path to Musical Proficiency

Ann Arbor, MI – July 12, 2016 – With the new Piano Adventures Scale and Chord Books 1 and 2, Nancy and Randall Faber directly address the obsolete tradition of mindless drilling and instead encourage a lucid grasp of scale and chord practice. The series focuses on optimal pattern recognition by assigning meaning to each scale degree – fundamental to revealing melodic direction and harmonic intent. Through variations and specific transpositions among keys, students can now become truly proficient in the language of music. And, through alignment of the wrist and arm with each finger, students build a foundation of real virtuosity.

FF3024coverFor generations, piano study has been associated with hours of tedious scale practice. Repetition of fingerwork up and down the keyboard was thought to develop finger strength and thus a proficient technique. The Fabers advocate for a more three dimensional approach to piano technique, prescribing technical gestures for efficient and relaxed use of the wrist and body.

Scale and Chord Book 1 charts progress through all major and minor five-finger scales, with primary chords and transpositions of little classical pieces in all keys. Teacher duets support each major and minor scale lesson. Imagery and duets inspire student-teacher improvisation. There’s easy classic repertoire for five-finger transposition, plus opportunities to harmonize scale patterns.

FF3025coverScale and Chord Book 2 has seven sections for effective sequential presentation of major and minor scales. Variations emphasize the functions of tonic, dominant and leading tone, with exercises and technical tips added for fluency. One-Octave Arpeggios invite 3‑dimensional movement and transposable chord progressions engage the ear in a contemporary context.

Piano Adventures Scale and Chord Books thus reveal a more effective and inviting path than the traditional rehashing of scale fingerings and key signatures. For extended learning and teacher support, future plans include audio and video instruction to supplement the Scale and Chord books. These will be released on the Piano Adventures YouTube Channel and in the Piano Adventures Player App for iPhone and iPad later this year.

 

About Faber Piano Adventures

Nancy and Randall Faber have combined their backgrounds as composer and performer to become leading supporters of piano teachers and students. The husband and wife team has authored over 300 publications, including the bestselling Piano Adventures method and the PreTime® to BigTime® Piano Supplementary Library. Their innovative and exciting methods continue to enjoy an unprecedented response from teachers and students around the world, setting a new stan­dard for quality educational publications in print, audio and digital formats. Faber Piano Adventures has been translated into seven languages and is distributed by the Hal Leonard Corporation.