Piano Pronto 5: Mexican Folk Medley and Latin Music

 This post includes activities that correlate with Mexican Folk Medley in Piano Pronto 5.

Music Sample

As you listen to the music for Mexican Stamping Dance, stamp on the accents and clap on the quarter rests in your music.

Piano Pronto 5: Waltz by Brahms and A Flat Major

 This post includes activities that correlate with Waltz in A Flat by Brahms in Piano Pronto 5.

Music Sample

Listen for the waves of tension and resolution and rubato in this performance of Brahms' Waltz in A Flat Major.

Listen to Classics for Kids About Johannes Brahms  to learn more about this Romantic composer.

Theory

 A Flat Major Scale Reminder Video

Supplementary Music in A Flat Major

Piano Town 4 Balance, Trampoline and Sonata

Divine by Nik Day Free Printable Sheet Music

If You Believe by Nik Day Free Printable Sheet Music

Piano Pronto 5: Battle Hymn of the Republic and LH Stride

 This post includes activities that correlate with The Battle Hymn of the Republic in Piano Pronto 5.

Music Sample

Choose a version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic below to listen to and tap the rhythm of the melody.

Battle Hymn of the Republic Tabernacle Choir 

Battle Hymn of the Republic Piano Arrangement

Technique

This piece includes "Stride" bass where your left hand plays a root note low in the bass and then leaps up to grab a chord up higher with the same hand.

Watch the video to see these tips for playing left hand stride in action.

1. Anticipate and look at the left hand as you play.

2. Learn the right hand securely before adding left hand.

3. Form your hand in the chord shape in the air before you land.

Piano Pronto 5: Autumn Theme and Voicing Thirds

 This post includes activities that correlate with Autumn Theme by Vivaldi in Piano Pronto 5.

Music Sample

Vivaldi's Autumn Theme (Orchestra)

Vivaldi's Autumn Theme Piano Pronto Arrangement

Technique

Example of Voicing Chord Notes

Practice Exercise for Voicing the Top Melody Note

"Squeeze" the top note of the melody with firm fingertips and lean into the top melody notes with more arm weight.

Supplementary Music

Czerny Opus 599 #17 Free Printable Music

Piano Pronto 5: Victory Theme and E Flat Major

 This post includes activities that correlate with Victory Theme by Beethoven in Piano Pronto 5.

Music Sample

The Secret to Beethoven's Fifth

Piano Chords and Patterns Group Lesson

Can you spot the pattern?

Musical styles from around the world often have repeating chord and scale patterns that make them distinct. Most famous pieces include repeating musical ideas including repeating rhythms, chords and melodic sequences.

The Secret to Beethoven's Fifth

Bastian Lit 1 Waltz by Kabalevsky

 This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with Waltz by Kabalevsky in Bastian Lit Vol 1.

Music Samples and History

Waltz by Kabalevsky

Technique and Artistry

Watch (starting at 1:30) the piano tutorial for tips on shaping the melody with dynamics and wrist floats and a softer left hand accompaniment.