Levels Repertoire Technique Glossary
The technique ladder
The 302 technique items of the Method climb from five-finger patterns to concert technique, each step with its own tempo up to the target. Here each level’s lessons list the scales, arpeggios and exercises they practise, slowly first, right hand, left hand, then both.
F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 D L C
12 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique F.1 Find middle C C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.2 Keep a steady pulse C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.3 Count four beats C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.4 Read both staves C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.5 Steps, skips and three beats C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.6 Grow louder and softer C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.7 Short notes and smooth notes C major five-finger pattern, hands separately C major five-finger pattern, hands separately, staccato F.8 Five notes in C C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.9 Five notes in G G major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.10 Home and away chords C major root-position triad, hands separately F.11 Let a second voice enter C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.12 Shape three steps C major five-finger pattern, hands separately F.13 Carry sound and silence C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
12 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 1.1 Divide the beat C major five-finger pattern, hands separately C major root-position triad, hands separately 1.2 Lead into a strong beat C major root-position triad, hands separately C major five-finger pattern, hands separately 1.3 Join two tetrachords C major scale, hands separately, 1 octave C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major scale in contrary motion, hands together, 2 octaves 1.4 Read by interval C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 1.5 Find the key of F F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 1.6 Play every semitone Chromatic scale from C, hands separately, 2 octaves C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 1.7 Follow two voices C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 1.8 Hear two sections C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 1.9 Shape a motive C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major rotation, hands together 1.10 Harmonise with I and V7 C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major root-position triad, hands separately 1.11 Colour a melody with E flat C major five-finger pattern, hands separately 1.12 Find the key of G G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
22 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 2.1 Compare triads and their bass notes C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 1 octave 2.2 Meet the minor key D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves 2.3 Count long and short subdivisions G harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 2.4 Feel two groups of three G harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 2.5 Build a three-chord accompaniment C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 1 octave 2.6 Change pedal after the chord C major legato pedal: change the pedal just after each new chord, hands together G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 2.7 Read the tempo and phrase D major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 2 octaves 2.8 Fit three notes into a beat C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 1 octave 2.9 Keep four notes even F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 2.10 Return after the trio C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 1 octave
19 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 3.1 Group compound beats G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 3.2 Keep the beat through syncopation D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 3.3 Hear interval colour F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 3.4 Resolve the dominant seventh C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 3.5 Shape the melodic minor G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 3.6 Move by semitone F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves Chromatic scale from C in contrary motion, hands together, 2 octaves 3.7 Return to the opening D major scale, hands together, 2 octaves D major solid triad and inversions, hands together, 2 octaves 3.8 Balance melody and accompaniment C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 3.9 Answer a short phrase G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 3.10 Play from chord symbols G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
23 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 4.1 Place a trill D major trill, hands together C major mordent, hands separately: main note, the note above, main note, evenly before quicker C major turn, hands separately: the note above, the main note, the note below, the main note 4.2 Trill into a cadence A harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 4.3 Invert the dominant seventh G major scale, hands together, 2 octaves: crescendo up, diminuendo down G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 4.4 Ask and answer in a period C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 4.5 Hear the returning opening Chromatic scale from C in contrary motion, hands together, 2 octaves C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 4.6 Open the tonic arpeggio C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C minor broken triad, hands together, 2 octaves 4.7 Let the melody sing B major voicing: a singing top note over the chord, hands together C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 4.8 Shape Classical articulation B-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 4.9 Keep the dancing bass light D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves 4.10 Hear chords away from the score C major blues crushed notes, right hand C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
27 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 5.1 Travel around the circle G major pedal lifted at each rest: a clean stop, hands together A major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 5.2 Find a chord on each degree C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C minor broken triad, hands together, 2 octaves 5.3 Hear an unexpected cadence F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 5.4 Read the bass numbers G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 5.5 End on a question D major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 5.6 Follow each independent voice D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves 5.7 Recognise a sequence D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 5.8 Practise dominant sevenths F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 5.9 Carry a melody over broken harmony E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 5.10 Improvise an answering phrase C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
20 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 6.1 Compare seventh chords C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C minor, hands together, 2 octaves 6.2 Prepare the cadence C major scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves 6.3 Hear notes between the chords D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves 6.4 Explore a modal melody C major scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves 6.5 Try other scale colours G major scale, hands together, 2 octaves, staccato 6.6 Follow a theme through its variations C major two against three, hands together F major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 6.7 Phrase a minuet and its trio E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves E-flat major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves 6.8 Keep ragtime moving E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 6.9 Clear the sound with half pedal F major half-pedal: let the sound thin without stopping, hands together A-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 6.10 Listen to the other part E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves E-flat major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves
26 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 7.1 Hear a change of key C major mordent, hands separately: main note, the note above, main note, evenly before quicker C major turn, hands separately: the note above, the main note, the note below, the main note D major scale, hands together, 2 octaves 7.2 Map a sonata exposition G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 7.3 Follow a subject and answer E harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 7.4 Resolve the diminished seventh A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves A melodic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 7.5 Keep the pulse under rubato E harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 7.6 Explore jazz harmony G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 7.7 Connect four-note chords G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves D major cadence in four-note chords (I–IV–V7–I), hands together 7.8 Read voices on separate staves F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 7.9 Harmonise a bass scale G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 7.10 Plan a polished performance B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 7.11 Keep a lullaby melody above its rocking accompaniment F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
23 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 8.1 Balance three independent lines C major five-finger pattern, hands separately 8.2 Harmonise a chorale phrase F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 8.3 Realise a numbered bass B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves B melodic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 8.4 Recognise a galant pattern G major scale, hands together, 2 octaves: soft, then loud, then soft 8.5 Borrow a chord from minor F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of F minor, hands together, 2 octaves 8.6 Read richer chord symbols F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 8.7 Plan a four-octave journey F major scale, hands together, 2 octaves A major scale, hands together, 4 octaves A major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves 8.8 Shape the bass and inner voices G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves 8.9 Keep a ragtime bass light C major stride bass: bass note, then chord, left hand, staccato C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 8.10 Bring the voices together F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 8.11 Build even speed in a finger study D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
21 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 9.1 Add ninths and upper extensions E major scale, hands together, 4 octaves E major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves 9.2 Leave space in a chord voicing F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 9.3 Map the entries of a fugue C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves 9.4 Hear a dominant of another chord G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves 9.5 Follow a distant key change A-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 9.6 Listen for Impressionist colour E major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 9.7 Move a scale in octaves A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major scale in octaves, hands together, 2 octaves, staccato 9.8 Balance three against four C major three against four, hands together F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves 9.9 Shape a long melodic line C-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves 9.10 Play with clear harmonic direction C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C minor, hands together, 2 octaves
35 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique 10.1 Hear an enharmonic key change C-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.2 Explore harmonic colour D-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.3 Hear three independent parts F major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.4 Trace a whole sonata movement C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves 10.5 Drive a boogie and stride bass C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.6 Compare an edition with its source A-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.7 Keep octaves light at speed F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major scale a third apart, hands together, 4 octaves A harmonic minor scale a sixth apart, hands together, 4 octaves 10.8 Shape the returning dance F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of F minor, hands together, 4 octaves 10.9 Improvise a short prelude A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves A melodic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.10 Prepare a complete performance A-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves 10.11 Keep a study’s running line clear and unhurried C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
20 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique D.1 Connect a complete prelude and fugue F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves D minor cantabile, hands separately: hold one voice while the inner fingers move D.2 Pace a complete three-movement sonata F major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together D.3 Keep figuration below a singing line B-flat harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together D.4 Let ornament and sequence direct the phrase F-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves G minor measured trill, hands separately: equal attacks before acceleration D.5 Connect two contrasting movements F-sharp major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together D.6 Vary a line over a continuing bass D-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves D-flat major arpeggio in second inversion, hands together, 4 octaves D.7 Keep a dense fugue intelligible B-flat harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves B-flat major broken octaves, hands separately: release and travel D.8 Keep dance metre through displaced accents F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major repeated notes, hands together D.9 Give each rondo return a purpose E major scale, hands together, 4 octaves E major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves D.10 Carry a barcarolle pulse through chromatic colour F-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves D minor cantabile, hands separately: hold one voice while the inner fingers move D.11 Keep clarity inside a compact modern sonata movement F-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves D minor cantabile, hands separately: hold one voice while the inner fingers move D.12 Carry inner connections into a complete performance A major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together D.13 Keep a concert study brilliant and relaxed G major scale, hands together, 4 octaves D.14 Enter after the orchestra C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C minor, hands together, 2 octaves
21 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique L.1 Build a five-voice argument across a complete pair C-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C-sharp minor, hands together, 4 octaves L.2 Connect recitative, motion and harmonic direction D minor cantabile, hands separately: hold one voice while the inner fingers move D minor arpeggio in first inversion, hands together, 4 octaves: connect the hand positions L.3 Transform a theme without losing the long span G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves A-flat major broken octaves, hands together: align the changes L.4 Read an enharmonic boundary accurately E-flat harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of E-flat minor, hands together, 4 octaves L.5 Keep chromatic return and ornament in proportion A harmonic minor scale in double thirds, hands together, 2 octaves (faster: Licentiate tempo) A harmonic minor scale in sixths, hands together, 2 octaves (faster: Licentiate tempo) L.6 Join violently contrasting sound worlds F major scale, hands together, 4 octaves A harmonic minor scale in double thirds, hands together, 2 octaves (faster: Licentiate tempo) L.7 Sustain direction through a long contrapuntal span B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves F-sharp minor held voices with moving inner parts, hands together L.8 Hear a slow dance through harmonic colour G-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Licentiate tempo) L.9 Trace thematic variation into a dense coda F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves F-sharp minor held voices with moving inner parts, hands together L.10 Keep the dance inside a large rondo F major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Licentiate tempo) L.11 Keep a perpetual motion transparent C major repeated notes, hands together (faster: Licentiate tempo) C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Licentiate tempo) L.12 Preserve musical direction at concert-study speed Chromatic scale from C, hands together, 4 octaves: even fingering at concert-study speed C-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Licentiate tempo) L.13 Keep double sixths light at speed C major scale in sixths, hands together, 2 octaves (faster: Licentiate tempo) D-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves L.14 Enter after the tutti E harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves: the runs of Chopin's E minor Concerto Chromatic scale from C, hands together, 4 octaves: even fingering at concert-study speed
21 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:
Lesson Technique C.1 Hear an entire variation cycle as one work C major hand crossing in semiquavers, hands together: land the crossing hand without looking G major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Concert tempo) C.2 Give a late-sonata movement structural weight C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Concert tempo) C.3 Pace a complete four-movement dramatic sonata A-flat major two-octave leaps from bass note to chord, hands separately, staccato B-flat harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C.4 Keep a theme audible beneath a storm of figuration A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Concert tempo) C.5 Make cyclic returns audible without announcing them Chromatic minor thirds from B, hands together, 2 octaves B melodic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C.6 Preserve contrast across a complete late sonata Chromatic minor thirds from B, hands together, 2 octaves B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C.7 Reveal an embedded line inside bilateral arpeggios C minor arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves: the sweep of Chopin's Op. 25 No. 12 C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Concert tempo) C.8 Carry a twenty-four-piece cycle as one programme identity F-sharp major scale in alternating thirds and sixths, hands separately, 2 octaves E-flat minor held voices over moving harmony, hands together B major chord tremolo, hands together: coordinate rotation and register C.9 Make a substantial toccata a musical argument C major scale in double thirds, hands together, 2 octaves (faster: Concert tempo) C major repeated notes across the octave, hands together C major octaves in groups, hands together (faster: Concert tempo) C.10 Keep volatile colour under complete concert control B major chord tremolo, hands together: coordinate rotation and register C major repeated notes across the octave, hands together G-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C.11 Carry a whole concerto from tutti to finale E harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves: the runs of Chopin's E minor Concerto C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together (faster: Concert tempo)
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