American Popular Piano

Level 6 is composed for the intermediate to late intermediate student. This level includes melodies that involve an increasing range of simple scale-type crossings and position changes. The melody is often found on the top of triads. Harmonies become more sophisticated but textures are still relatively uncomplicated with minimal inner voices. Rhythm includes syncopation involving ties, rests and shifting accents as well as minimal use of sixteenth notes. Technical requirements call for increasing speed, lightness and a broader range of dynamics, some pieces use octaves. Improvisation expands their skill set to include basic "vamping" skills; adds step-by-step building blocks ofr basic melodic and vamp construction; introduces terminology and labels for scales, modes, and jazz chord notation (charts.) Comparable pieces from classical repertoire include the easier pieces from Bartok's For Children, sz. 43; Clementi's Sonatina Op 36 No. 2 and No. 3; and selections from Bach's Anna Magdelena Collection.