Pathways to Artistry

After acquiring basic reading skills, students at the late elementary level are ready to begin this innovative series designed to emphasize artistry in the early stages of piano study. The series introduces basic technical skills and expands the student's knowledge of style, form and artistic ideas. The Technique books give students a verbal vocabulary by describing 12 basic technical skills and accompaniment patterns needed to play music artistically and with technical assurance. They also explain these skills in detail (i.e. elastic wrist, two-note slurs, finger independence) and offer exercises to master them. Most of the technical skills in Level 1 involve the use of arm weight. The twelve basic technical skills covered in Level 2 are elastic wrist, strong fingers, wrist rotation, two-note slurs, balancing torso and forearm, finger independence, slurs, forearm staccato, push-off staccato, rolling wrist, arm-to-arm independence and damper pedal technique. Most of the skills in Level 2 involve pivoting the arm. Among other things, Level 3 covers distribution of arm weight and opening/closing the hand in Hanon exercises, arpeggios, and scales. The Repertoire books provide original music by Catherine Rollin, and employ the technical skills taught in the Technique books.