International Studio of Music

Music Publications

Course Textbooks

Sheet Music Vendors:

PianoatPepper.com

Alfred's Basic Piano Courses

Age group: 7-9:
Alfred's Premier Piano Course
Supplemental sheet music books

For other ages:
Link to all Alfred's piano courses at Sheet Music Plus vendor
Piano Lane vendor
Supplemental sheet music books at Alfred's website

Literature for parents of piano students:

* Highly Recommended - "How to Get Your Child to Practice... Without Resorting to Violence!!" by Cynthia V. Richards

* Learning Strategies For Musical Success Paperback by Michael Griffin
Should parents force their children to practise? On the one hand, parental pressure can destroy a child's sense of motivation: if the child takes the initiative, it is best not to interfere. On the other hand, commitment is fundamental to character. Commitment perseveres through low times and high times and helps individuals overcome difficulties. Children only can learn about commitment by being committed. As children grow, they learn about responsibilities, such as the requirement to complete school homework and the expectation to assist with household chores. Just as parents and teachers sometimes must encourage children with these obligations, so it is with music. The expectation of a commitment underpins the regard attributed to an activity. If there are household expectations in some areas, but not regarding music practice, it could imply to the child that music learning is not that important. Children always will be tempted to neglect their practice responsibility, just as with any other commitment. There were times in my childhood when my mother vehemently threatened courses of action if I refused to get back into a practice routine. The most effective of these was when she threatened to sell the piano. "Very well," she said. "We're selling the piano. It's just taking up space!" I'm not sure what other threat would have worked, but this one caused some serious thinking on my part. You cannot learn to play the piano without one, so did I really want to learn or not? Yes! An excerpt from 'Learning Strategies for Musical Success' by Michael Griffin "A must buy for every music teacher and music student" - William Bruce, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, UK. "A must read for all music educators" - Robert Adams, Music Educator, New Haven, USA. Source: http://mdgriffin63.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/should-parents-force-their-children-to-practise/

* When I started to write about talent, geniuses and musicality, I was amazed to discover how much these subjects attract people. However, on the contrary, it is not so surprising because almost every one of us has tried or would like to try a musical instrument. The reason is not coincidental. There are a lot of researchers that connect the strong relationship between children's cognitive abilities and their musical experiences.

One of the most famous books on this subject is "Mozart Effect" by Don Kemble. Although almost every serious musicologist tried to criticize Kemble, for the first time in history the public understood and learned about the connection between music, creativity and therapy through. This approach became widespread and the book became a best seller. Soon enough Kemble's theory was adapted the commercial market, and "Baby Einstein" was born. As a result of watching the videos, every family with children under 12, like me, can recognize the famous music by Mozart, Vivaldi and Beethoven.
Source: Maya Liberman's Blog http://www.mymusicaltalent.com/

* A parent's guide to music lessons by Vera G. Wills and Ande Manners

* Remember Beethoven..."I am who I am through my own efforts". On the subject of expertise, I'd like to recommend the research of Anders Ericcson, 'Genius Explained' by Michael Howe, and 'Mindset' by Carol Dweck.
Posted by Michael Griffin, Music Teaching Forum, Linkedin groups, August 2012

Literature for children:

Highly Recommended - Not Until You've Done Your Practice: The classic survival guide for kids who are learning a musical instrument, but hate practicing (Paperback) by Philip Johnston (Author), David Sutton (Contributor)

* Molly and the Sword, by Robert Shlasko
"It teaches young kids they should never, ever, give up.", The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television

* For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart by Elizabeth Rusch, Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson (Feb 8, 2011)

* Now I Love Music Practice

* The Body Atlas, by Steve Parker (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, l993). A big, beautifully illustrated guide to the human anatomy, it includes colorful drawings that are large, clear and interesting. Explanations are simple and nontechnical. This is a powerful visual tool in building awareness of the "body map" that is suitable for all ages and levels, but especially enjoyable for children.

* What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body: The Practical Application of Body Mapping and the Alexander Technique to Making Music, by Barbara and Benjamin Conable (Andover, 1998). This is a charming but powerfully informative book with humorous and helpful cartoon illustrations and is easy to understand and readable for young musicians.

Literature for intermediate students

Fundamentals of Piano Practice Mr. Chang outlines his process on line and it truly amazed me at the speed you can master new repertoire. This methodology allows you to practice without a piano ie; while on a bus, or waiting for the doctor. Cheers....
Dan Corrigall

The Art Of Piano Performance - Perfect Practice (Chunks, Clumps, Hunks, CLods, Blocks, Slivers, Slices and Globs) Illustrated by Jon J Murakami, written by Peter Coraggio. Instructional comic book. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (KJ.GP414)

Practiceopedia: The Music Student's Illustrated Guide to Practicing - Philip Johnston

Literature for adult students:

-"The art of piano playing" Neuhaus
Here are some recommendations from our membership of books that could be given to adult students wanting to read more about music study.
-The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart by Madeline Bruser
-The Performer Prepares by Robert Caldwell
-The Young Person's Guide to Playing the Piano by Sidney Harrison
-The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green and Timothy Gallwey
The approach teaches strategies to overcome self-doubt and fear, to eliminate mental interference in order to free up performance.
- Piano Mastery by Harriette Brower
- Great Pianists on Piano Playing by James Francis Cooke
-A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances by Eloise Ristad
Eloise Ristad deals here with complex problems which torment and cripple so many of our most creative and talented people, and she does so with compassion, wisdom, and wit. The problem of stage fright, for instance, is a suffering of epidemic proportions in our society, and involves modalities of thought and projections that rob spontaneity and enthusiasm in artistic performance.
-The Great Pianists by Harold Schonberg
-Just Being at the Piano by Mildred Portney Chase
-Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
-Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique by Pedro de Alcantara
-What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body: The Practical Application of Body Mapping to Making Music by Barbara Conable
-The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory by Michael Miller. Comes with a CD, too.

* Psychology for Musicians: Understanding and Acquiring the Skills by Andreas C. Lehmann, John A. Sloboda, Robert H. Woody

* "Playing (Less) Hurt: An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians" by Janet Horvath.

* What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body, by Thomas Mark (GIA Publications, Inc., 2003). This book and video are excellent for all musicians, but are most appropriate for serious students and adult keyboardists.

* Somatics: Reawakening the Mind's Control of Movement, Flexibility and Health, by Thomas Hanna (Harper Collins Publishers, 1988). This gives specific, effective exercises for understanding, releasing and relieving chronic muscle tension throughout the body. This book is suitable only for teachers, performers and mature students.

* How to Learn the Alexander Technique: A Manual for Students, by Barbara Conable (Andover Press, 1995). This is one of the best books for self-instruction in Body Mapping, as well as the Alexander Technique. It is appropriate for mature students, teachers and performers.

The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, by Davis, Eshelman and McKay (New Harbinger Publications, Inc. l995). This is a comprehensive and practical guide to various relaxation and stress-reduction techniques. Clearly written and well formatted, it is a valuable resource for all performing and teaching musicians.

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Spring Symphony

Vitus

Pride and Prejudice

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