Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Book 1: Piano & Keyboard 101 5
Chapter 1: Warming Up to the Piano and Keyboard 7
Chapter 2: Looking at the Different Keyboard Options 21
Chapter 3: Choosing and Buying Your Keyboard 39
Chapter 4: The Setup and Care of Your Instrument 61
Chapter 5: Getting Comfy at the Keyboard 79
Book 2: Understanding Theory and the Language of Music 93
Chapter 1: Looking at Notes and Beats 95
Chapter 2: Stopping for a Rest 105
Chapter 3: Tempo, Measures, and Time Signatures 111
Chapter 4: Navigating Sheet Music 121
Chapter 5: Varying Beats and Rhythms 133
Book 3: Beginning to Play 149
Chapter 1: Playing a Melody 151
Chapter 2: Working with Scales 167
Chapter 3: Adding the Left Hand 183
Chapter 4: Examining Form: Melody, Harmony, and Song Form 205
Chapter 5: Keys, Key Signatures, and the Circle of Fifths 229
Chapter 6: Building Chords to Accompany Melodies 249
Book 4: Refining Your Technique and Exploring Styles 273
Chapter 1: Adding Effects and Flair to Your Piano Playing 275
Chapter 2: Getting into the Groove 297
Chapter 3: Going Classical 317
Chapter 4: Perusing Popular Genres and Forms 327
Book 5: Exercises: Practice, Practice, Practice 347
Chapter 1: Developing Hand Technique 349
Chapter 2: Extending Your Scales 377
Chapter 3: Improving Finger Coordination and Footwork 399
Chapter 4: Jumping Across the Keyboard 419
Chapter 5: Exercising with Arpeggios and Alternating Hands 433
Chapter 6: Stepping Up to Octaves and Chord Progressions 453
Book 6: Exploring Electronic Keyboard Technology 469
Chapter 1: Choosing Sounds and Effects 471
Chapter 2: Adding Accompaniment, Rhythm Patterns, and Arpeggiation 489
Chapter 3: Recording and Editing Your Sounds 515
Chapter 4: Using Onboard Learning Systems 543
Chapter 5: Playing Along with Recordings and Using Music Software 557
Appendix: Accessing the Audio Tracks 583
Index 591