Description
Classic Series: Volume 2 – Intermediate Basics for the Piano is a unique intermediate piano method book and continues the holistic approach of Volume 1 for the early-intermediate student.
- Five workshops introduce the student to subjects such as key signatures and accidentals, pedaling, ledger line notation and more complex rhythms.
- Music by classical and modern composers is arranged to demonstrate each subject, increasing in texture and complexity as the student progresses.
- Technical workouts develop strength and coordination, supplementing the technique found in Essential Piano and Keyboard Technique.
- Checkouts at the end of each chapter ensure understanding.
- Final Exam and Certificate of Award presented at the end of the book.
- 8.5 x 11 soft cover, 224 pages including 22 flashcard pages
“I have found that [Classic Series] Volume 2’s five workshops cover more complicated musical concepts [than Volume 1] in a comprehensive way that will help students’ positive progress. I would strongly recommend this Series to young teachers and self-study adults.”
Dr. Anna Krendel – Past President and District IX Coordinator, California Association of Professional Music Teachers.“This is an outstanding book. It is complete and clear in every way. It also could be used as a review book for all levels.”
Delores Rhoads – Owner, Musonia School of Music.“The Classic Series Volume 2 is an excellent continuation of Volume 1. It contains intuitive activities that quickly expand on one’s knowledge and ability to play the piano as well as arrangements of classic melodies that are extremely rewarding to play. Having personally completed both volumes of The Classic Series, I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about taking up the piano.”
Marlene K.
See what other professionals have to say on the back cover!
donnawk –
After six months of formal piano lessons I began to study piano on my own following the material in Intermediate Basics. As with Beginning Basics, this guide is skillfully written taking the student step by step through very understandable workshops that build on one another through each progressive lesson. I would highly recommend self-study utilizing Intermediate Basics for the student who is unable to take formal piano lessons or who prefers to set their own structure and pace of learning. I have made steady progress through self-study and remain as engaged in learning to play piano as the first day I began taking formal lessons.
Andrea McClain –
I purchased the Classic Series: Vol 2 Intermediate Basics book along with the Essential Piano and Keyboard Techniques book by Barry Michael Wehrli. I’ve used these books both for teaching and personal development. I love the organization of the exercises that include a checksheet at the end of each section. And the flash cards are fantastic and such a helpful tool! I’ve used a lot of different teaching materials over the years and Wehrli’s books are my favorite!
Sageous –
Barry & Linda Wehrli have put together a great book that has helped me with learning the fundamental skills of an intermediate piano player. The book was a perfect complement for my piano lessons and covers everything from harmonic intervals, tempo marks, pedaling, to understanding rhythm with tripleted notes. The included songs and rhythm activities greatly helped me practice and take my piano playing to the next level.
Amazon Customer –
I am an adult beginner with very little basic music reading knowledge. Only mid-way through this book, I have made good progress despite my hectic work schedule. Each theory project is followed with two practice songs, excellent selections of popular and classical songs arranged by the authors. The teaching tools in this book are well thought and it has a nice flow from easy to more complicated arrangements. The sequence of exercises is appropriate for technical progress and the included flashcards are very helpful. I would highly recommend this book to all music lovers who wants to embark on the challenge of learning to play the piano.
Danny –
Volume 2 is a good book to learn from as it gives the student the basic foundation for music study (harmony, music articulation symbols and how to play them, introduction to sharps and flats, key signatures, introduction to eighth notes, eighth rests, sixteenth notes, sixteenth rests, chords, tempo changes, and different rhythm exercises that include eighth and sixteenth notes and rests). The authors arranged all of this information in an orderly and progressive approach which allows for easy learning. The songs in this book, which are familiar songs, are specifically selected to emphasize the musical techniques that are taught to the learner just prior to the song. In addition, flash cards are used to not only help in learning the sharps and flats on the grand staff but also to learn the notes above and below the staff via ledger lines. Written exercises are also included to help in the learning process. Suggested key fingerings are offered that can be used or modified according to the student’s preference.
I think this is a great book to get if you are interested in learning the basics of piano technique and music theory, which is an important foundation toward learning more advanced music. After going through this book myself, I feel that I have a lot more tools in my musical suitcase to advance to the next level.
Leon H. –
For context, I’m an older student and began this book as an almost complete beginner. I could pick out notes on a keyboard and name notes on a staff if I counted the lines.
This book is the most well thought-out piano instructional book I have had the pleasure of completing. If you get this book, make sure to complete the exercises and music pieces in order. Each one builds upon the other, covering everything from technique to theory in an easily digestible yet thorough format. And while they are all initially challenging, the clear instructions, written exercises, and well-designed graphics will be more than enough to get you to the end. You’ll find yourself able to play many classics and original songs included in the book such as Washington Post March and Gymnopedie No 1 each arranged by the author to teach specific concepts. The pace and variety of songs is perfect.
Since finishing the book I feel comfortable looking at sheet music and tackling them on my own, something I couldn’t do a year ago.
Also it’s not clearly advertised but there are flashcards are included in the book to help you learn tempo markings, notes, etc … and it’s the reason I no longer have to count staff lines.
Jan M Sway –
I enjoyed working through Intermediate Basics for the Piano. I learned musical concepts one at a time as I worked through the book, reading a very clear explanation followed by examples. Then I’d complete a short practice and written activities on the same concept. Lastly, I’d practice a simple piece using that technique. I didn’t feel overwhelmed working on one piece for a long time. I could master each piece in 2 – 3 weeks. They were beautiful, easy pieces adapted from classic composers, such as Chopin or Mozart. The book has 5 quizzes, one for each section that were fun to complete and reminded me of being in school. They also forced me to go back and review the concepts which which was very helpful.
Some examples of the concepts I learned are: how to use the pedal and read pedal markings, gradual tempo changes, (e.g, accel, ritard, a tempo), memorizing key signature sharps and flats, playing staccato notes, holding down half notes while playing quarter notes.
Marlene –
The Classic Series Volume 2 is an excellent continuation of Volume 1. It contains intuitive activities that quickly expand on one’s knowledge and ability to play the piano as well as arrangements of classic melodies that are extremely rewarding to play. Having personally completed both volumes of The Classic Series, I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about taking up the piano.