Classics For the Developing Pianist
Core Repertoire for Study and Performance
Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, and Book 5
These are the first three books in a five book series that present 100 pieces the editors believe developing pianists should study and perform. Each book contains 20 pieces selected from the four main style periods. The editors have provided alternate fingerings and redistributions to assist students with smaller hands and facilitate musicality. In addition, the editors include additional dynamics to aid with proper balance and achieve greater musical expression. There are also editorial suggestions for pedaling, ornamentation and articulation as well as metronome markings within a tempo range to assist pianists of all levels in finding a comfortable yet artistic tempo.
Selected and Edited by Ingrid Clarfield and Phyllis Alpert Lehrer
Book 1 - Early Intermediate
Book 2 - Intermediate
Book 3 - Late Intermediate
Book 4 - Early Advanced
Book 5 - Advanced
"I first came across the name Ingrid Clarfield a few years ago in the series Keys to Artistic Performance, edited by Ingrid Clarfield and Dennis Alexander. That series, together with Keys to Stylistic Mastery, is absolutely indispensable and shares the secrets that professional pianists use for artistic and stylistic performances. In my opinion, every piano pedagogy class should use them as textbooks!
— Yiyi Ku (Music Teachers Blog)
INTRODUCING STUDY GUIDES BOOKS 1-4
Companion Books to the CLASSICS FOR THE DEVELOPING PIANIST Repertoire Series
Learn how to Prepare, Practice, and Polish the TOP 100 pieces every pianist should know how to play! Includes study guides for each of the 20 pieces in the CLASSICS FOR THE DEVELOPING PIANIST repertoire books.
Features Include:
Background about each piece
Preliminary Activities: Pencil Points and Preparatory Exercises
General Practice Pointers
Creative Practice Techniques
Finishing Touches
Selected and Edited by Ingrid Clarfield and Phyllis Alpert Lehrer
STUDY GUIDE: Book 1 - Early Intermediate
STUDY GUIDE: Book 2 - Intermediate
STUDY GUIDE: Book 3 - Late Intermediate
STUDY GUIDE: Book 4 - Early Advanced
STUDY GUIDE: Book 5 - Advanced
Rare Recital Treasures
Rare Recital Treasures, selected and edited by Ingrid Jacobson Clarfield and Kevin Chance, is a three-book anthology showcasing lesser-known piano repertoire from all style periods. This series features works by both renowned and newly discovered composers, enriching the standard teaching literature with a diverse array of hidden gems.
Keys to Artistic Performance, Book 1, Book 2, & Book 3
This series is designed to teach students the skills that will transform average performances into polished, artistic ones. These skills are used by professional pianists to make their performances more expressive and dramatic. They are the "keys to artistic performance". The five "keys" for achieving performance artistry are: Color, Pedaling, Rubato, Characterization, Choreography. The authors have selected repertoire that showcases the five "keys" highlighted in this series. Several familiar favorites have been included, as well as some less-familiar pieces. Dennis Alexander has composed pieces especially for this series that feature and highlight the "keys" to artistic performance.
“Thank you to both Clarfield and Alexander for taking the time to guide our students through performance choreography. So many students have trouble with this and now we have a place to go. I am also thrilled by the choice of repertoire. Amy Beach is a wonderful addition.”
“A continuation from the first book, Clarfield and Alexander have done it again. I especially enjoyed having an easy Liszt and Amy Beach is there again! I do hope that with Alfred’s newest method books, Premier Piano Course, that there is consideration for this type of information in their upper levels.”
“Clarfield sets out to illuminate 5 essential ingredients of piano performance. Her directions concerning pedaling, color and teaching of rubato will be helpful to a new teacher while her comments on body choreography and technique are controversial. The short “reminder keys” to the student given before each piece will definitely be helpful in home practice. The choice of music in both books 1 and 2 is outstanding and is taken from Romantic and 20th to 21st century repertoire.”
Keys to Stylistic Mastery, Book 1, Book 2 & Book 3
Keys to Stylistic Mastery teaches the basic principles of the five stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist and Contemporary) to piano students. The 28 late-elementary to early-intermediate pieces were chosen to provide a helpful transition from method books to the classics. Composer Dennis Alexander has written at least one piece in the style of each period. Information about each style period, listing selected composers, keyboard instruments and typical forms, precedes the music from that period. Brief biographies of all composers represented are included.
Piano Etudes for Developing Musicality
These collections of etudes encourage the pianist to achieve greater musical expression through the practical application of technique. Insightful music editing and practice suggestions are provided for each piece. A variety of composers’ works are presented in order of difficulty within units, ending with recital etudes by Tom Gerou.
Artistic performance starts with artistic preparation. The purpose of this series is to guide you through the three learning stages that lead to an artistic performance: "Preparatory and Introductory Practice," "Creative and Efficient Practice" and "Polishing for an Artistic Performance." Background information and history are given for each piece, as well as practice techniques that will teach students how to practice more efficiently.
Golliwog's Cakewalk - Debussy
Moonlight Sonata, 1st Movement - Beethoven
Nocturne in E-flat - Chopin
Artistic Preparation and Performance Series
Carefully selected for technique and musicality, the piano studies are organized into 4 units according to difficulty. Each etude emphasizes different aspects of technique and musicianship. Hanon exercises are included within each unit to reinforce the need for finger strength, independence, and agility. Information about each composer's life, music, and books is also provided. Book 2 and Book 3 also include works by Heller.
Burgmüller, Czerny and Hanon: Book 1, Book 2 & Book 3