Basic Library
This comprehensive written theory series is both versatile and effective. It presents music theory with a step-by-step approach that is fun and straightforward. Students may go as fast as desired since the materials are self-explanatory, a particularly appealing feature for older or more experienced students. The series features clear explanations, a variety of activities, and a flexible, moderate pace. Each book is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and 83 pages.

Editors' Choice
Comprehensive Ear Training is a progressively leveled series of ear-training practice sessions on CD. Each CD offers a variety of formats for training the ear, all of which are recorded on an acoustic piano. The series includes rhythm, melody, interval, cadence, chord and meter exercises. Each CD comes with an answer booklet for immediate feedback. The Grade 1 CD includes 32 practice sessions, appropriate for the late elementary-level piano student. Each practice session on the Grade 1 CD includes two rhythm clapback exercises in 2/4 or 3/4 time and three melody playback exercises of just four notes. The series progresses gradually to the final, "Diploma" CD, at the advanced level. The "Diploma" CD includes 24 practice sessions: two meter identification exercises in 2/4, 3/4, 6/8 or 9/8; six interval identification exercises of any interval within a major 9th above a given note and any interval within an octave below a given note; one chord identification exercise of chords in root position on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th degrees of the scale; and two melody playback exercises. The series may be used with any piano method and is based on the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME) and Royal American Conservatory (RACE) standards.

Counting Time is a great supplement for students of any age looking for extra help or a brush-up on rhythm. It provides students with a visual and aural opportunity to focus only on rhythm. Counting Time covers whole notes through 32nd notes and rests; 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 time signatures; syncopation; and much more. The book starts off with very basic rhythms (whole, half, quarter notes and rests) and advances carefully to the more advanced rhythms. By the end of the book, students are working with sixteenth, thirty-second notes and rests, dotted rhythms, and syncopation. May be used with any method of instruction. It's a unique approach in that empty boxes/diagrams are provided under each rhythm for the smallest note-value represented, to be filled in by the student. Students are also expected to tap, sing, and/or play each rhythm.

Editors' Choice
This wonderful series is a step-by-step guide that teaches students how to compose. Book 1 is written at the early elementary level and introduces students to the art of original composition. It features the following composition tools: range, damper pedal, dynamics, tempo, melody, harmony, repeated patterns, conversations, meter, and grand staff. Book 2 is written at the elementary level. It features the following: melodic shaping, phrasing, octave displacement, accidentals, major chords, minor chords, articulation, tempo changes, motif, and form. Book 3 is written at the late elementary level. It features the following: eighth notes, syncopation, sequences, phrasing, crescendo and diminuendo, musical high point, primary chords, pandiatonicism, upbeats and downbeats, and song lyrics.

Basic Library
This superb series provides piano students with an organized course for the study of music theory. Each volume contains essential rudiments of theory particularly relevant to the study of piano music. The appropriately graded levels present concepts in a clear, systematic manner to ensure steady and thorough progress. The Preparatory Level begins at the elementary to late elementary level with clearly outlined, progressive activities involving note values; the staff; note naming; time signature and rhythm; sharps, flats, and naturals; half steps and whole steps; 5-finger patterns and triads; tetrachords and major scales; key signatures; and signs and terms. Each level progresses gradually and leads to Level Ten, covering such advanced topics as seventh chords; secondary dominants; modulation; cadences; Neapolitan sixth and augmented sixth chords; fugue; sonata-allegro form; tonality in the twentieth century; and more. Highly recommended.

This series is designed to help students develop the skills needed to become more comfortable with sight-reading. The author, Paul Harris, provides rhythmic and melodic exercises throughout the series to support and develop excellent sight-reading skills.

These workbooks, created for students ages six and up, help beginners read music faster. A unique miniature keyboard diagram is found below each printed measure, giving a visual image of the keyboard location of every note. The student writes in the letter name of each note on the staff and also indicates the respective keyboard location. Pages are perforated for individual assignments. Primer Level covers the elementary to late elementary reading level, including steps and skips, sharps and flats. Level One covers the early intermediate reading level, including sharps, flats, and naturals; ledger lines; larger intervals and triads.

Editors' Choice
Basic Library
Music by Me is a progressive series for young pianists in individual or group settings, introducing them to the joy of composing their own music. Books One through Three contain seven units, designed for the elementary student who has a fundamental understanding of notes and basic rhythms. Each unit in Books One through Three is divided into four parts: "Tool of the Trade" (an important element or tool of composition), "Let's Explore" (a fun activity to further understand this tool), "Improvise!" (improvisation and experimentation), and "Compose on Your Own" (writing an inspiring, original composition). The six units of Book Four include an additional part, "Scanning the Score," where students are given the opportunity to analyze a piece of music literature.

Basic Library
These workbooks allow students to learn by doing one-page-lessons away from the piano, with their Note Speller and a pencil. Book 1 begins with identifying line notes versus space notes. Then, letter names on both the treble and bass staves are taught with slogans such as "Every Good Bird Does Fly" and "F-A-C-E." Accidentals, rhythmic values, ledger lines, enharmonic notes and more are also taught in Book 1. Book 2 carries on where Book 1 left off. Students are required to spell notes on the staff according to tonality (G, F, D, Bb, A, Eb Major), identify accidentals, ties versus slurs, inner and outer ledger lines, intervals and much more. Various rhythmic exercises on such subjects as the use of dots after a note and triplets are also included in Book Two.

Schaum's Rhythm Workbook series helps the student develop an understanding and feeling for fundamental rhythms and is appropriate for students of all ages. This practical, step-by-step course correlates note and rest recognition with counting, rhythmic drills, various time signatures, and measure construction. Although these books are primarily intended to reinforce the teaching of rhythms, extra benefits can be derived by having the student use them as note reading exercises since rhythms are placed on various notes of the treble or bass staff. The Primer Level can be used with beginners at their very first lesson. Each book starts where the last left off. Level Four reaches the late intermediate level.