OU

FOR THE YOUNG BEGINNER

Lesson Book • Level A

Willard A. Palmer • Morton Manus • Amanda Vick Lethco
 Alfred's Basic Piano Library

FOR THE YOUNG BEGINNER

Lesson Book • Level A

Willard A. Palmer • Morton Manus • Amanda Vick Lethco

Correlated materials to b e used with Prep Lesson Book, Level A:

Title Start on page

Prep ACTIVITY & EAR TRAINING BOOK, Level A .. .. . .......... 5
Prep FLASHCARDS, Levels A & B ... . ............. . . . ........ 8
Prep CHRISTMAS JOY, Level A ... . .. .. ........... ..... .... 12
Prep NOTESPELLER, Level A .. ................. .. .. . ..... 16
Prep SOLO BOOK, Level A ................................ 14
Prep TECHNIC BOOK, Level A ... ... .... .. .... .... ........ . 18
Prep THEORY BOOK, Level A .............................. 4

FOR TEACHERS ONLY: Teacher's Guide to Prep Lesson Book A

Illustrations by Christine Finn An Direction by Ted Engelban Production by Linda Lusk

A General MIDI disk ~ (5700) and a Compact Disc (§) (17159) are available, Copyright© MCMLXXXVlll by Alfred Publish ing Co., Inc. Alfred
All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
which include a full piano recording and background accompaniment.
ISBN 0-88284-816-X lti1
 2

.• Outline of
Basic Concepts
in Prep Book A
Pages 4- 5 Introduction to playing.

Note to Parents Pages 6-15 BLACK KEYS used for keyboard orientation and finger
number recognition, avoiding the assoc iation of an y

and Teachers finger number with any specific key. Elementary

rhythmic reading and development of finger sk ill s.
Introduction of basic dynamic signs .
Pages 16- 17 Introduction to the identification of white keys in relation
ALFRED'S BASIC PIANO PREP BOOKS, Levels A and B, were
to black keys.
written to answer the demand for a course of study designed
especially for students who are five years and up. Pages 18- 25 MIDDLE C POS ITION. Fluent recognition of key-names
through letter notes that move up or down on the page as
These books take into consideration the normal attention span as
if they were on the staff. This visual concept will lead
well as the small -si zed hands of the young beginner. The basics
smoothly into staff notations.
of music are introduced through the use of tuneful but simple
music that advances at the proper speed for small children to Pages 26- 30 C POS ITION in both hands. Tuneful pieces introduce new
comprehend and enjoy. rhythmic patterns and build technica l skills.
Each level contains a LESSON BOOK and a THEORY BOOK. Pages 31 - 35 BASS STAFF. Pieces for left hand alon e in bass clef.
After completion of the two levels, the student is ready to begin Letter-notes in bass c lef gradually phased out.
LEVEL 1B of the regular ALFRED'S BASIC PIANO LIBRARY. Pages 36 - 39 TREBL E STAFF. Pieces for right hand alone in treble clef.
It has been proven that students who begin at an early age Letter-notes in treb le c lef gradual ly phased out.
develop faster and more easily in ear training, finger technic, and Pages 40- 47 GRAND STAFF. Pieces in C position using the hands
in musicality than those who begin later. Just as children grasp alternately.
languages more rapidly than adults who study a foreign
language, they also seem to grasp certain elements of musical Most pieces have DUET parts that may be played by the teacher, parent, or
language more easily than most lat er beginners. Almost all of the another student.
great musical geniuses, such as Mozart, Beethoven,
Mendelssohn and Chopin, were playing well by the age of five.
Music is a languag e understood by people of all nations. It is one
of the most basic mediums of communication and expression.
Improved coord ination, a broadening of interests, a discovery of
the importance of self-discipline, the pride of achievement, and a
world of pleasure are only a few of the rewards pupils receive
from the study of music .
We offer our best wishes to you and your child or student in this
new adventure. It is certain to be richly rewarding!
THE PUBLISHERS
 3

·'
Co e ts
How to Sit at the Piano .... ....... . ......... ... . . 4 ROLLER COASTER (F- G) . ... . ........... ... .. .. 24
Always Curve Your Fing ers ! ......... ... ...... . .. 4 THE ZO O (rnf ) . ....... .. . .................. ... 25
Fin gers Have Numbers .. ... .............. . . ..... 5 A New Pos it ion - C POS ITION ....... ... .. ...... 26
Piano Tones ...... .. .......... ... .. ... ... ... . . . 5 FOR MY TEACHER . ..... . ..................... 27
2 Blac l< Keys . . ....... .... .. ........ . ..... .. ... 6 SA ILIN G ( d., ~) ... ... ...... .... . ............. 28
3 Black Keys ... ....... ............ .. .......... 7 WI SH IN G W ELL . . ... . . .. .... ..... .. . . . . ..... . 30
LEFT HAND PLAYIN G ( J,Bar Line, Meas ure) .. .. . . 8 The Staff (Line Not es - Space Not es) ............. 31
RIGHT HAND PLAYING (Doub le Bar) .............. 9 The Bass Clef Sign .............. . ............. 32
SIN GALO NG !( d ) .... ..... .... . . ... .. . ... . ... 10 RA IN, RA IN! ......... .... ......... . ....... . .. 33
END OF SO NG ! . .. . .. ....... . . . ... ...... . ... .. 11 MRS. MU RPH Y' S HOUSE .. . .. ....... ........... 34
M ERR ILY W E ROLL ALONG .................... 12 LOOK AT M E! ..... . . .. .... . .. .. .............. 35
O'ER THE DEEP BLUE SEA ( o ) .................. 13 The Treb le Clef Sign ..... ...... .. . ........ ..... 36
HAND-BELLS for Left Hand ( p, f ) . .. .. . ... .. ... 14 A HAPPY SO NG ......... .. . .. . ... ... . ...... .. 37
HAND-BELLS for Right Hand (Repeat Sign) . . . ..... 15 GEE, W E'RE GLAD ! ........................... 38
A BCDEFG . .... ... ......................... 16 LITTLE BIRD ... . . . . .... . ......... .. .... . . . . . . 39
An Eas y Way to Fin d An y Whit e Key .. .. .... ..... . 17 The Grand Staf f . . .... .. .. .. ... . . .. . ... . ... . . . . 40
A M ELLOW M ELOD Y (A BC) .................... 18 C Pos iti on on the Grand Staff .. . . ......... . ..... 41
A HAPPY M ELODY (CD E) . ................. . ... 19 MOR N I NG PRA YER ..... . .... . . ....... ........ 42
CO M E AND PLAY! (Mi dd le C Pos ition) ............ 20 A FUNNY, SU NNY DAY (Stem Direc tion) . .. . .. . ... 43
TO NGU E-TW ISTER . .... .. . ............. . ...... 21 CO UNT VA SCO DA GAMA . . . ... .. .. ... . ..... ... 44
A .
MY CLEVER PUP (G- F, j )...... ...... .. ........ 22 WHAT A SO NG ! ... . .. . . . ... . ... . . .. .... ... . .. 45
KITTY CAT ... _
. . .. ..... . . ...... ....... . ... . .. . 23 GR ADUATI ON SO NG ...... . .. .. ... .. . ....... . . 46
 4

.• How to Sit at the Piano

SIT TALL!
Lean slightly forward.
Arms hang loose ly from shou ld ers.
Elbows a littl e high er than keys.
Bench facing piano sq uare ly.
Knees slightly under keyboard.
Feet flat on floor if possible. Right foot may be sli ght ly forward.
You may place a book or stoo l under your feet if they do not reach
the floor!

SIT HIGH ENOUGH!

If you do not have a piano stoo l that moves up and down, you may
need to use a book or a cush ion to have the correct pos it ion!

Always Curve Your Fingers!

Stra ight fingers have different lengths ! Curved fingers can have the same lengths! Pretend you have a bubb le in your hand.
Hold the bubb le gent ly, so it doesn't break!

You are now ready to begin Prep THEORY BOOK, Level A.

 5

.• Fingers Have
Nunlbers 3 2
2 /q 4

~~~"'1·~.__\·\ \\ .[o~'\~ .-~ ~l 1 J(9

5
(("'Y·
.\.)\~r
1
1
\

VJ
(1 ·-·1 \1 ~
(THE THUMB>
THE FIRST
t . [Link]; HANDV !
/y
Fl~.!,"~R \ -v
'.. y
~j · 7
?J
jI fo
5

'· l ( · ~, ~: I
~ .z { \._). }J
/ .. )

\
·.._,_, I \

. ~ ~ ' ./
\ Left Hand -/~·~\· Right Han d
(RH)
\ (LH) .

l (

1. Your teacher will draw an outline of your hands on the in sid e cover of this boo k.
2. Number each finger of the outline. 3. Hold up both hand s with wri sts floppy.
• Wiggl e both 1's.
• Wiggl e both 2's.
• Wi gg le both 3's.
• Wiggl e both 4's.
• Wiggl e both 5's.
Your teacher will call out some fingers for
you to wiggl e.

Piano Tones Wh en you drop into the key with a LITTLE weight, you make a SOFT tone.
Wh en you use MOR E weight, you make a LO UD ER tone.

For the first pieces in this book, play with a MODERATELY LOUD tone.

You are now ready to begin Prep ACTIVITY & EAR TRAINING BOOK, Level A.
 6

,• 2 Black Keys
2 2 2
DOWN LOW IN TH E MIDDLE UP HI GH
/"-... /"-... /"-...

< DOWN (Low Notes) I UP (High Notes) >

rLH-, rRH-,
1. With LH 2 3, play 2 black keys 2. With RH 2 3, play 2 black keys
DOWN LOW (both keys at once UP HIGH (both keys at once
and then one at a time). and then one at a time).

TEACH ER: The student may now play ALL the 2 black key groups,
a) beginning with LH 2 3 on the MIDDLE group, and going (DOWN I the keyboard.
b) beginning with RH 2 3 on the MIDD LE group, and going I UP ) the keyboard.
 7

.• 3 Black Keys
3 3
DOWN LOW UP HIGH

----------- -----------

< DOWN (Low Notes) I UP (High Notes) >

r-LH----, r- RH ---,
1. With LH 2 3 4, play 3 black keys 2. With RH 2 3 4, play 3 black keys
DOWN LOW (al I 3 keys at once UP HIGH (all 3 keys at once
and then one at a time). and then one at a time).

TEACHER: The student may now play ALL the 3 black key groups,
a) beginning with LH 2 3 4 below the MIDDLE of the keyboard, and going < DOWN I the keyboard.
b) beginning with RH 2 3 4 above the MIDDLE of the keyboard, and going I UP ) the keyboard.
 8
Music is made up of short tones and long tones .
.• We write these tones in notes, and we measure BAR LINES divid e th e mu sic in to eq ual MEASUR ES.
the ir lengths by counting.
r
BAR BAR BAR
QUARTER NOTE
a short note.
J LINE
MEASURE
LINE
MEASURE
LINE

\.
COUNT: ''One"
OR: "Q uarter"
,J
i i i i i i i i
LEFT HAND POSITION
rLH-,

Left Hand Playing

1. Clap (or tap) ONCE for each note, counting aloud.
2. Play & say the f inger numbers.
3. Play & sing the words.

(Note-stems
DOWN for

r r r r r: r r r
LH notes)

LH Fin ge rs:

Left hand play ing , Hear the low notes!

You are now ready to begin Prep FLASH CARDS, Level A.

 9

·'
RIGHT HAND POSITION
r RH -,

Right Hand Playing

1. Clap (or tap) the rh yt hm, count ing aloud.
2. Play & say the finger numbers.
3. Play & s in g the words.

DO UBLE BAR
used at
the end .
RH Fingers:

(N ote-s tems
UP for
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I
RH notes) Right hand p lay ing, Hear t he hi gh notes !

IMPORTANT! "LEFT HA N D PLA YIN G" and "RIGH T HA N D PLA YIN G" comb ine to make one comp lete piece.
Play t he music on pages 8 & 9 as one song . Co un t aloud.
10
r

II11 HALF NOTE

II a long note.
11

COUNT: "One - two"

0 R: "Half - note"

LEFT HAN D POSITION

r-LH--,

Sing Along!
1. Clap (or tap) th e rhythm, counting aloud .
2. Play & say th e fing er numbers.
3. Play & sing th e word s.

LH Fingers:

Left hand plays; Sing a long!

 11

·'

RIGHT HAND POSITION

r-RH-,

End of Song!
1. Follow 1- 3 on pag e 10.

I
RH Fing ers:

Right hand plays; End of song!

2. Play the mu sic on pages 10 & 11 as on e song.

3. Play & sing the word s.
 12

.• .

1. Clap (or tap) & count.

2. Play & count.
3. Play & say the finger numbers.
4. Play & sing the words.
-----· .
LEFT HAND POSITION

1LH1

Merrily We Roll Along

(FOR LEFT HAND)

LH Fingers:

Mer - ri - ly we roll a - long, roll a - long, roll a - long,

DUET PART (Student uses black key group s A BOVE the middle of th e keyboard .)

f, ~ F IF F II
LH

Vn11 ~rP nnw rP~tiv tn hP-nin Pn:m CHRISTMAS .IOY. LPVPI A.

 ( ( rr;i ·f1, 13
r
.W HOLE NOTE
. ·/j r,'
..
a very long note.
0 ~~ /
'\::::: ; ,,, ,
COUNT: "One - t wo - three - four" ~~~ ' · __",,··), . '' _
OR: " Whole -note - hold - down" ~p: - ·
,J ' / ) J~ -.; H ~ RIGHT HAND POSITION
. ,·· . , -.- ~~.:;;;·
' ...JJ.J~
._j

r-RH--,
1. Follow 1- 4 on page 12. . v -- .. v . Jv-1" .
~ .'

O'er the Deep. Blue Sea

(FOR RIGHT HAND)

RH Fingers:

Me r - ri - ly we roll a - lon g, O'er t he deep blu e

2
0
sea!
I
2. Play th e mu sic _on pages 12 & 13 as on e so ng.
3. Play a du et wi t h your teac her. Use blac k key groups ABOVE t he middl e of t he keyboard.
14

Hand-Bells
PART 1 (FOR LEFT HAND)

1. Clap (or tap) & count.

2. Play & co un t. '\ '\

)
J
/•
' I
d

r-LH--,
"

DYNAMIC SIGNS te ll us how LOUD or SOFT to play.

I
f

p (PIANO) = SOFT (FORTE) = LOUD

p
r~ r r: r: fr
LH

1. Bel ls are
'4 ~
ri ng in g sweet and clear , Ding,
r:
dong,
12
ding,
14
dong!
2. Mer - ry mus ic f i I ls t he air , Ding, dong, ding, dong !

You are now ready to begin Prep SOLO BOOK, Level A.

 15

·' Hand-Bells ~
.
.
..
PART 2 (FOR RIGHT HAND)
•' .
\
\ ll.
1. Clap (or tap) & co unt. "
2. Play & co unt.
•
""

TWO DOTS
mean go back to
the beginning
(on page 14)
and play again.

RH

p
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0
2
=I
Hap PY sound s for all to hear , f o in g, dong, ding!
Joy f ul sounds are ev 'ry where. Din g, dong, ding !

3. Play & sin g t he words to the who le so ng, beg inn ing on page 14.
4. Play a duet wi t h your teacher.

DUET PART
sva ------------ - -- -,

4Pbp~p&ag 1 r 1f 1r tirif1{fff 1!r 1 ~ 11f 1 ~ tifir1ri~!~ :11

1
 16

.• A B c D E F G
Piano keys are named for the first seven letters of the alph abet , beginning with A.

To find A on the keyboard: Find any 3 black key group.

Play the white key between

,r;y·
( --'
·. .. .
the 2nd and 3rd black keys.
A

1. Look atthe A's on this keyboard:

--·. --- -- ···

A A A A

2. Find all the A's on the short keyboards below. Print an A on each one:

The lowest key on a full size piano is A.

You are now ready to begin

Prep NOTESPELLER, Level A.
 17

.• An Easy Way to Find any White Key

Play and name each of the following white keys. Play all the A's on your piano, then all the B's, etc.
Use LH 3 for keys below the middle of the keyboard. Use RH ·3 for keys above the middle of the keyboard.

A B

D E

F G

You can now name every white key on the piano. The key names are: A B C D E F G used over and over!

Play and name every white key going up the keyboard, beginning with bottom key A.
 18

1. Clap (or tap) & count.

·' ·-
2. Play & count.
3. Play & say the note names.
4. Play & sing the words.
Fo ll ow these steps for eac h ne w piece.

..

r ~~! I f( t0r

A Mellow Melody
p
LH
1.
2.
r r 11 r r 11 r r r r 111 r 13 I
"A
"A
B
B
C,
C,
A
A
B
B
c ,"
C,"
That 's
Play
a
it
me l
once
low
a
mel
ga in
0
wi t h
- dy .
me !
•
•

DUET PART l1. 112.

'i rfiJ I(Fi] Irffi IFiA =Im

mf
II
You are now ready to begin
Prep TECHNIC BOOK, Level A.
 19

.• ..

A Happy Melody

1. "C D E, c D E," mel 0 - dy!

2. "C D E, c D E," Lots of fun for you and me!
 20

.• .
MIDDLE C POSITION

BOTH THUMBS on MIDDLE C

Conte and Playl

RH = Notes with st ems UP LH = Notes wi t h stems DOWN

RH ~ JJ JJJ
~
©
f
1. Come and play ! Come and play!
LH

Let
i i i
the game be gin!
=I
2. Come and p lay ! Corne and pl ay ! T ry your best to win!

DUET PART
 21

Tongue-Twister
MI DDLE C POSITION

RH~ JJJ JJJJ JJJJ J J

f "Rub - ber ba - by bug - gy uump - ers," How fas t can you sa y it?

I I
"Rub - ber ba - by bug - gy bump - ers," How fast can you play it?

DUET PART (Stud ent play s 1 octave high er.)

 22
MIDDLE C POSITION , ~

.• .. Music has numbers at the beginning

call ed the TIME SIGNATURE.
4 means 4 beats to eac h--measure-.
4 a quarter note J gets one beat.

t
BOTH THUMBS on MI DDLE C

My Clever Pup

1. My dog's fun! My dog's neat! He's a ver y elev er pup!

2. He stands on his front feet, When I hold his hind legs up!

DUET PART (Stud ent plays 1 octave higher.)

(bark) 1-1 -.- - -1 12.
 23

Kitty Cat
MIDDLE C POSITION

=I
1. Kit - ty cat! Kit ty cat! t hink you 're a pret ty cat .
2. When you sat in Dad 's hat , sa id , " T hat 's a wit - ty cat]"

==
DUET PART r J

~ 2nd t;me8~ @ ~ 0
i Er
p 3
Ir r EtR-3
IE f rr I c f ~ 3E3" E :II
c::::::::: ::::::=:::=- c::::::::::: ::::::=- < ::::::==-
 24
MIDDLE C POSITION
.. .

' +
BOTH THUMBS on MIDDLE C

Roller Coaster

1. Up the keys to G, and then 'way down I go to F and back to C!

2. Like a roll - er coast - er I zoom down, and then I zoom back up, you see!

DUET PART (Student plays 1 octave higher.) 11 112

~ . .

2) "if~ ~ r r I r .L r r I r ~ f r I r = r .L I r ~ ~ ~ :II r ~ ; II
 The Zoo New ovNAM1c s10N

MI DDLE C POSITION mf (MEZZO FORTE) = MODERATELY LOUD

mf
RH 1 I JJJ
LH
i s
.I 1. Let's go to the zoo, and you can see the tall gi raffe .
2. We wi ll see the chim - pan zee, and bears and ti gers too.

RH

~ J J
JJ J J J
LH i1 iii
©
I
=
Mon - keys play ing, swing - ing, sway - ing, al - way s make us laugh!
There is fun for ev - 'ry on e when we go to the zoo!
'\
j
 26

,• -·
A New Position

C Position -----·
"------· - - --

!RH~ J J J. J J J J ©

mf C po - si - tion's ver - y E - zy, "C D E F G. "

LH '1 i I I I i i i i i i i © I
Gee, I'm play - ing "C D E F G," as you can see!"
 27

For My Teacher!
C POS ITION

1H~ J J J
mf
If play the way you say and prac - tice ev - 'ry day,

LH ~ I I I ©
=I
Ev - 'ry - one will say play the way they'd like to play!
 28
,
.• --
A NEW TIM E SIGNATURE DOTTED HALF NOTE
11

IL_ 3
4
means 3 beats to eac h measure.
a quarter note gets one beat.
a longer note.
J
COUNT: " 1 - 2 - 3"

C POSITION

Sailing
3 RH

4 mf ~. J. J.
1. Come , com e, com e to t he sea!
2. Sea gulls 'round us . will pl ay.

DUET PART (Stud ent pl ays 1 octave high er.)

Ii. I 12. I

fl:~ t.. • r. ••1 1,. J.J. 1~-- • 1 ,J.,J. 1ttP. J..J. 1F

r. .i.p 1t.. •=II ~= 11
 29

,•

LH
'1. I r· I I I i I r· :JI
Come, come, sail ing with me!
We'll go sai I ing a w ay!
 30

·'
Wishing Well
C POSITION

Be sure to cl ap th e rhythm before you pl ay.

3 RH ~
4! J J J J .J J.
p
1. Oh, what sto ries could tell,
2. If you made a wi sh or two,

LH 13 I I r r r· I •
•

If were a wi sh ing well!

I would make them all come true!

DUET PART (Stud ent pl ays 1 octave hi gher.)

RH p

LH t t r t t t r r
 31

The Staff

- - - -SPACES- - -
Music is written
on a STAFF 4
3
of 5 lines 2
and 4 spaces:

. - - - - - - LINE NOTES - - - - - - - . .----SPACE NOTES-----.

Some notes Some notes ()
are written are written ()
()
on LIN ES: in SPAC ES: ()

In th e boxes below this staff, print an L below eac h LIN E NOTE and an S below each SPACE NOTE.

() 0 ()
() 0 0 ()
() 0 0 ()
() 0 0 ()
0 0

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
 32
locates the F
·' below the middle

The Bass Clef Sign of the keyboard .

Th is is the F li ne. • The F Ii ne passes between

• the two dots of the F clef sign!

By moving up or down from this F, you can name any note on the bass staff.

M
I
D
D
L
E

C D E F G

REPEAT ED Notes Notes stepping DOWN Notes stepp ing UP

I \ I \ I \

LH 2
F, same,
1r
still
rr
the same; Then step down and up a - gain.
II
 33

Rain, Rain! /

"if
')= i r r rrr rrr
LH 2
Rain, rain,
I
go a - way !
I
Come a gain
~ I
a
r r
no th - er
E
day!
I

')= r r
2
Rain, rain ,
I rrr
go a - way!
I r r r r Ir r r
My friend, wants to play!
I
(add nam e)
34

Mrs. Murphy's House

f
1:rJ: F F EIF r F rIF r F rIF r I
LH 2
Dear old Mis - sus Mur - phy's house was six - teen sto - ries high, Oh!

Ev - 'ry sto - ry in that house was filled with ap - pie pie, Oh!

DUET PART · . >- ::;--

1 l l l l l j 1j l l l l 1 1 j ~
r-
*"~j~ TF~F I f r r r Ir i r r I e- 1F F FPF I F r r r I r r f FI r- i ~ II
RH
 35

Look at Mel

"if
'}j
LH 1
1. Look
r f
at
w
me!
I r
Look
F F
at me!
I rF
I think
F
this
ris
()

fun!
2 . Look at me! Look at me! What a great left hand!

~: rrr
Some fo lks need
f
two
I rf r
hands to play,
f
but
I rrr
watch me use just
F I I)

one!
:II
Look at me and you'll a - gree it's real - ly some - thing grand!

DUET PART (Student plays 1 octave higher.)

LH only

tJ UrJJ rJJa JJJr rJrJ r rJr rrJr raJJ JJJ

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 :11
 36

! . locates the G
The Treble Clef Sign above the midd le
of the keyboard.

D
Thi s is t he G lin e. The c lef sign c urls
around the G li ne.

By mov ing up or down from thi s G, you can name any note on th e treble staff .

-- -- -- ------ - M
I
D
D
L
E
""

c D E F G

RH 5

:~ ~ ~ ~ ~
mf G, down, down ,
J
down ,
I~
up,
~ ~
up, G,
I~
G,
~ ~
down, down ,
J
to
-©-
C.
~
 37

.; A Happy Song

RH 5

! i
f
~
Here's
~
a
J J
ver - y
I J J J
hap - PY song!
I
Play
J J J J
and sing a
()
long!

@ ~- ~ J J IJ J J ~ I ~ ~ J J 11
©-
When you're sad it makes you glad to play this hap - PY song!

DU ET PART

9-:i J 1 J t I J 1 J t I r t Jt I f 1
~ s~~
re If 1 J 1 I f 1 J 1 I f 1 J 1 1J J J I
 38

· · Gee, We're Gladi

j~ RH 5
.," -
)

fn-,
'-'V •
,
-- -- -- -- -- - -- ... ...... -- - ,..
~

tJ • _
• •
Gee, we're glad you came to see us! Come back an - y time you can !

~ 5

.....
•
-- -- -- -
\

tJ
~
v -.... -.... -- • ...... • -- • -e-
Gee, we love to have you vis - it ! Please come back a gain!

DUET PART

~JHrtI rprti r~ ~ J. IfrrrIrtrrI r#FI r~ f J. Irri II

 / 39

Little Bird

,.,.
j'\
-'
RH 1

-
I \
~
'-.'V •
J

- -- r -- • --
"""
~

.; p
1.
~-
Lit -
•
tie
~

bird,
•
lit tie bird, high up in the tree !
2. Lit - t ie bird, li t t ie bird, please don't fly a way!

.j~
,,
,.,
5

--
•
~
'-.'V
.;
Lit
-
tie
~

bird,
-
lit
-
-
t ie
L
bird,
....
sing
•
your
--
song
•
for
-e-
me!
•

Lit tie bird, lit t ie bird, sing you r song and sta y!

DUET PART

LH ______. j f f fd_/ .
11. I 12. I

&
> > > >
MJJ
• 1r-- --:11 s~~ta
>>> >>> >>> >J

& : ~ J~ 1 = ~.
~ EU fr U_~J r
~ 1: ~ ~ ~
EE U t F~
4 4
..________.... ~ "-----------
40

The Grand Staff

The BASS STAFF and TREBLE STA FF together make t he GRAND STAFF.
A short l in e is used in bet w een them for M IDDLE C.

The T REBL E A B c D E F G A B c D E F G A B c D E F G
and BASS
staffs are j o in ed together
wi th a BRAC E

\ , ,•
... " .. , -
.. , - .. , -
~

""'
~·v
E C: F'
$.
.; -©- ®

~-..,..·
-
, I
.. .. , -
~
Tc'
D
C: E'
F
C:G"'
- ~

IM PORTA NT! Only LH & RH C D E F G need be learn ed now!

 41

C Position on the
Grand Staff

. .
''Position C''

I
I
.,'
'-"V
j~
~

~
-
•
1 9)
I
mf
.. -
"C D E F G" That's "PO SI - TION C."
.,'
I
\ ,.
~,.

- I
•
~

Utl'
-
- - -
- - -- - -- c. '
·-

LH 5

ri RH 1

,. •
~

"""
'\."V
tJ ~"'" •to - - __,
~

--
- -- • -0-

'~·
\ ,,
- I
.. UP tre - ble G DOWN to mid - die C.
 42

. Morning P ayer
C POSITION

Moderately slow
j~
...
, ],

' .,., •
,
RH 1

-
'"'•) lJ ..

p -(§;,
1. Fa -
.......
ther,
...-
we
~
thank
•
you
•
for
-
..........

this
(,

fine
"-JI"

day.

- ....
2. Help us to love and to give and share .
,,. ·-
.....
I
..
'

~
..
I'
~

' •
•
~-v """'
-.-;
Help us to grow as we work and play.

-
c.. , .

,,,. I
.. In
G)
- -
Thy dear name
~

,_...
now

--
we

--
make

·~
our

-
,_...
prayer!

&. ,.
•
•
LH 1

0 PTl 0 NA L: Add "AM ENS."

r
-5..s..):=--+--_____..'----+-ff--~r----+t
2
A-
F
men,
I rr
a - men.
11
DUET PART (Student plays 1 octave higher.)

')~l fi ~ ~ I fi J. pI frfrIpr rr f i ~ ~ I , i ~ ~ I f i ti I , i i r=II 11

Optional ending: ~

II~ f I r~ II
A - men, a - men.
 43
FOR THE REST OF TH IS BOOK, Notes BE LOW the
Notes ABOVE or ON the midd le midd le line have
line have stems po int ing DOWN. stems point ing UP.

Brightly
j~ RH 1

....,,•,__,. -,
'-.'V

.;mt;
•

1.
-E-
On a
• --
fun -
•
ny
--
sun - ny
- -
'-J

day, Gee, what fun to run and play!

...
,~.

-
- . I
2.
'
'
In the shin - ing morn - ing sun , We
,... can

--
have

-
a

--
lot

- - -
of fun !

LH 1

I~ 1
•
,,"-, •

-
ll
- •
'-' v
-- -
- '-'

tJ -.i-
We
•
will have
•
such fun to - day
Play - ing in the sun - shine!

..
You can have a fun time !
,,.
-,, I
We can jump and skip and run,
- -- - . -
,_ r r
•
•
1 I

DUET PART

@i~! Lf r f I F f r I F a Ef ,l;&r Ur r f Fr I I F
 44
,•
c n
s a a

f\ Moderately fa st 1

,,. "Tit •
\

"""' v • -- --
,_..
eJ 1. Back
2. That
in
great
four
voy -
teen
age
nine
brought
ty
him
eight,
fame, f ~""'""
count
-41 ...
Vas -
•
co
•
da
'-"

Ga - ma!

- .. .. - -- -
,c-,.. '

7
-1
' -- 1111
-- .J

mf 1

~ 3
I
.. 1
i f mi
"' &
e
' '\._' v
- -
-
f- a

' - tJ (fl
He sailed o'er the 0 cean blue. -6 '- -6--
That's why we still say his name. Count Vas - co da Ga - ma!

\
.c -.... e
-....

7"
7
1110

1
-- - -- - -- ~ e
0

DU ET PART (St ud ent plays 1 octave higher.)

 45

What a Song!
Happily

., . j~
• J
3

-, ,,..,
'-'V '"
9)
1.f w:at
- -
a
~

'-.J'

song !
-
What
-a- ~
song!
-- --
What a
-
hap -
-PY- u
song!
2. What a tune! What a tune! What a mel - - dy!
......
0

-
I ~ '·

I
_,

~
.•
I'
\
.,.., •
•
' v
91 What a song! What a song! Dance and sing a - long!

-
1 ~ -,,. .

,, I
.. - What a

--
tune!

J
What

-
a

--
tune!
..)
Sing and dance with

- -
,_
- --
me !

.. , •
•
5

DU ET PART (Student plays 2 octaves higher th an writt en.)

I
-,
~
f'i

tJ
- ~Lil:

- T.
r

. .. .
... -
.;;;:r

• 4-d .......... • -# u -
~

- -
~

...... ...J

'"' -~~~~ -&

..
-a.

-.
'I mf lf lf
\
I-·.
---.7
.... --. 7

-.
-
T.
- -
-
-..... - - - I

....
-
- ...J

I
..J
-;
I

-
i-
-_, .... - - - ....
-
I

-
- - -- -I

-'
,..-
-
-
-=r
-
-
-
I

.... _,
..
-
I

_,
I I ~- -~
simile
 46 GJ \:--y
. . )0 0 0

<D
Q
·'

Gradua ion Song

--- -
j~
." .,
1

- -
\
Im -•
--
.A
'-"'V
-- -
~ '..JI'
.._...
.; f -4- • •
.- .,.... .
T h is is a ver - y im - por - tant date.

,I
-
~

~~
,,"
In°'
'"-' v
.;

... -
This is the day that I grad - u - ate!
""" .,.
-
.... I
-- - -- - -- ')
-- r •
1

DUET PART (Student plays 1 octave higher.)

 47
0
)
,• Q

~ 1
•
-
.. l_

''-' ""'v
tJ .... • -- • -- - -
~
-
.,_..,,, •

...
This is a day I will eel - e - brate!
,,
...
I
,,..

I~
IL • ·-
r"""
'\..'V
tJ .......
.. -
Now I will get a new book! How great!

-
L. , .

,, I

1
-- - -- - -- r r •
 •ficote of Pr0111
e1~ Olio
C This Certifies that ~

has successfully completed

Prep Course Level A
and is hereby promoted to
Prep Course Level B.

Date Teach er
 Alfred's Basic Piano Library
Willard A. Palmer· Morton Manus· Amanda Vick Lethco

A PIANO COURSE FOR BEGINNERS OF ALL AGES

Alfred's Basic Piano Library offers 4 complete beginning piano methods that use the same
eclectic reading approach (with a focus on intervals). However, the grading, songs, illustrations,
covers and names of the courses are all different.

• Young Beginners-Alfred's Basic Prep Course, Levels A, B, C, D, E, F

• Beginners-Alfred's Basic Piano Course, Levels 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Alfred's Basic All-in-One Course, Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
•Later Beginners-Alfred's Basic Complete Level 1, Levels 2/3

These choices allow the teacher to design a personalized cu rricu lu m for each student. No longer
does one method have to fit everyone. This is especially helpful when there are two students
within one family.
At the discretion of the teacher, students may smoothly switch from one course to another
(see below).* This allows the teacher to match the student's rate of progress with the
appropriately graded course. On completion of the Basic Course, the student is ready to
begin playing the great piano masterworks.

*To switch between courses:

~EBEa5JEBEB
Young Beginner After Prep B, you may go to Basic 1B.
Prep After Prep D, you may go to Basic 2.

·- ·-
Course
After Prep F, you may go to Basic 3.
:'' - - '
-
-:----"
' :''
---- -- ---- -----. -- -----·----
.' ----- -'
' '

Beginner
Alfred's
Basic
~
~
m ·ILev~l 1 tm4 I ~Level I I 11 r I I
1B ·-----
Level
2
m

3
Level
4
Level
5
Level
6
Aft" ,.,;, 1A yoo ~ygo to ,,., c
After Basic 1B, you may go to Prep E.
--t -r
'
-- -· '
~r~
'

Beginner
All-In-One
Course ~' ~ ~ ' IB~okl 1..::+ m•-Ooe yoo m'Y to ,.,;"
4 5
Aftec 3 go
After All -in-One 5, you may go to Basic 3.
'
'
,_ __ __________________,'
·----- -- -------- --- ---·
Later Beginner
Alfred's Complet e Complet e After Complete 1, you may go to Basic 2.
Basic Lev el 1 Lev el 2/3 After Complete 2/3, you may go to Basic 4.
--
Alfred's Basic Piano Library offers two adult piano courses.

•Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course-Levels 1, 2, 3

Written for the adult beginner who .wishes to learn the piano by playing chords quickly.

•Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course-Levels 1, 2, 3

Written for the adult beginner who wishes to learn the piano by playing chords quickly,
this course adds selected pages of Theory, Technic, and Popular Repertoire.

ISBN-10: 0-88284-816-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-88284-816-7

9 11~l'~~l'~"'l'!'l 'J'~'J1111111111l11r11r1