Mastering Musical Literacy

Our Proven Curriculum to Build Your Piano-Playing Skills

Our piano lesson curriculum took us years to develop. We largely cultivated it to meet the goals we perceive as teachers to be most beneficial for our students, as well as give them multiple paths to achievement.

Music Literacy is defined as “the combined skills of reading and interpreting music notation and translating that through a musical instrument.”

At A Kopp Music, we prioritize Music Literacy. We believe that strong music reading skills provide a firm foundation to give our students lifelong access to making music. If you can read it, you can do it forever.

A Library of Classics

The following are the books from our collection that we use most often with our students.

Method Books

• Faber My First Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber. This book is exclusively for Early Learners ages 4–7 and students with Early Learner needs.
• Faber Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber. This book is where most students from ages 8 through adults will begin in their piano lessons. While there are several books to each level, we favor three books: Lesson, Technique & Artistry, and Performance.
• Faber Adult Piano by Nancy and Randall Faber. This book is reserved for advanced band students wishing to start piano or adults who have prior experience.

Supplemental Materials

• My First Folk Songs by Gayle Kowalchyk & E. L. Lancaster. A pre-reading book of recognizable songs used with Early Learners or students that need more time before beginning to learn to read music on the Grand Staff. Featuring songs we all know and love, including Bingo, London Bridge, Pop! Goes the Weasel, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star among others.
• Pre-Time to BigTime Library Levels by Nancy and Randall Faber. These collections coincide with the Faber Piano Adventures method books in between each level. The books are composed of songs that students may know or recognize. There are times when we might allow students a choice of one or two of the books. We tend to favor Classics, Popular, and Kids’ Songs for most students. Our students know them as the “Fun Books” when they complete a level. We find it is something to look forward to.
• Faber Adult Piano Books 1 & 2 by Nancy and Randall Faber: Classics, Popular, Disney. Because grownups need “Fun Books” too!

Developmental Literature

The following books are used after level-appropriate supplemental literature and before moving into the next level of a method book.

These books help students’ brains and fingers break out of the molds (positions) that method books set up. They contain music that requires more movement and unusual finger placements that their brains need to analyze and decode.

• The Bean Bag Zoo Collection by Catherine Rollin
• Just Imagine! Series by Martha Mier
• Five-Star Solos Series by Dennis Alexander
• A Perfect 10 Series by Melody Bober
• Piano Extravaganza Series by Robert D. Vandall
• Dancing on the Keys Series by Catherine Rollin
• Museum Masterpieces Series by Catherine Rollin
• Fanciful Waltzes by Carol Klose
• In the Key of Jazz Series by Kevin Olson & Edwin McLean
• Phillip Keveren Easy Piano by Phillip Keveren (Disney Songs for Easy Classical Piano)

Technical Supplements

These aids are for students that need help with finger dexterity, speed, and scale proficiency.

• Finger Power Series by Schaum
• Brown Scale Book: Scales, Chords and Arpeggios for Piano by Frederick Harris Music
• Hanon The Virtuoso Pianist – 16 Exercises for the Piano by Schirmer’s Library of Musical Classics

Literature

While we enjoy working with advanced piano students, we recognize that depending on the student’s goals, we may not be the best fit for their continued needs and may refer them to a colleague. When working with advanced piano students there may be more collaboration in selecting the music they want to work on. We have special ordered everything from Disney to Showtunes, Queen to Taylor Swift, Jazz to Video Games, and Movie Music.

• Bastien’s Piano Literature Collection by James Bastien
• Melodious Masterpieces Collection by Jane Magrath
• In Style! Collection By Timothy Brown
• Phillip Keveren Piano Solo by Phillip Keveren (Disney Songs for Classical Piano & More Disney Songs for Classical Piano.)

The Benefits of Music Literacy

A solid foundation in music literacy opens doors to numerous academic, performance, and professional opportunities such as:

• College Music Programs
  For students interested in pursuing music at the college level, strong music literacy is often a prerequisite. A strong foundation in music literacy will help college students with sight-reading at auditions, music theory, and the ability to read and analyze music notation, and participation in orchestras, bands, choirs, and other groups.
•  Ensemble Participation
  Whether in school, community, or professional settings, ensemble playing requires quick and precise music reading skills. Strong sight-reading skills enable students to quickly work through new material, communicate with other musicians, and expand their opportunities to perform with a variety of ensembles.
•  Professional Music Careers
  For those who wish to pursue a professional career in music, strong music literacy is critical to success. Whether you strive to become a performing musician, a composer or arranger, a music educator, a conductor, or take on a role in music production, music literacy is the foundation upon which you can build a long and prosperous musical career.

Music literacy goes beyond simply reading notes. It empowers a student to engage with the music, their instrument, and other musicians on a much deeper level. Contact us if you have questions about our curriculum or would like to know more.