Pace Teaching Philosophy
RECITAL SERIES
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Piano Solos:
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Piano Ensemble:
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MAIN LINKS
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About Using
RECITAL SERIES SELECTIONS
REPERTOIRE:
From the playfully zigzagging eighth notes of Squirrels (Animal Land), to Sick On Saturday’s (Fanfare, etc.) melancholic dissonance, even absolute beginners find endless opportunities to explore musical expression in the Pace Recital Series. As students of every level polish a piece’s details through attention to feeling, structure, dynamics, technique, and their own imagination, they develop a rewarding musical performance to share with others at home and in the community.
LISTENING PRACTICE:
Guiding students in listening to music helps develop active musical awareness. For example, a teacher might play a composition new to students, asking that they listen for elements such as tonality, tempo, dynamics, touch, patterns and form without looking at the music. Students could then discuss what they heard and how these elements help create the musical “feel” of the piece.
ANALYSIS:
Students add an important dimension to their overall musicianship when they are able to analyze the music they play, by hearing, feeling, seeing and identifying musical elements and relationships. Music for Piano Theory Papers, and other Pace materials help students develop analytic skills and vocabulary that are basic to ongoing, independent learning.
SIGHTREADING:
Each solo and ensemble selection in the Pace Recital Series can be used as a valuable opportunity for sightreading and transposition practice additional to that already provided in Creative Music and Music for Piano.
IMPROVISATION:
One of many creative activities students will enjoy, is varying Recital Series selections that they play. To guide students, use the step-by-step variation procedures presented throughout Creative Music, Levels 1-4, adult students’ Piano Plain and Simple, and many other Pace Piano books.
Variation both heightens students’ attention to the original piece (they need to know what they are "taking off on”) and encourages them to practice and enjoy their creative skills.
TECHNIQUE:
The Finger Builders books of the Pace Piano Series promote a solid technique, that helps equip students to express themselves musically and accurately in playing Recital Series pieces or any other musical selection.