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.

Foundation

12 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
F.1Find middle C	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.2Keep a steady pulse	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.3Count four beats	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.4Read both staves	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.5Steps, skips and three beats	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.6Grow louder and softer	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.7Short notes and smooth notes	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately C major five-finger pattern, hands separately, staccato
F.8Five notes in C	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.9Five notes in G	G major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.10Home and away chords	C major root-position triad, hands separately
F.11Let a second voice enter	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.12Shape three steps	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
F.13Carry sound and silence	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately

Level 1

12 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
1.1Divide the beat	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately C major root-position triad, hands separately
1.2Lead into a strong beat	C major root-position triad, hands separately C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
1.3Join 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
1.4Read by interval	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
1.5Find the key of F	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
1.6Play every semitone	Chromatic scale from C, hands separately, 2 octaves C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
1.7Follow two voices	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
1.8Hear two sections	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
1.9Shape a motive	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major rotation, hands together
1.10Harmonise with I and V7	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major root-position triad, hands separately
1.11Colour a melody with E flat	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
1.12Find the key of G	G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 2

22 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
2.1Compare triads and their bass notes	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 1 octave
2.2Meet the minor key	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves
2.3Count long and short subdivisions	G harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
2.4Feel two groups of three	G harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
2.5Build a three-chord accompaniment	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 1 octave
2.6Change 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
2.7Read the tempo and phrase	D major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 2 octaves
2.8Fit three notes into a beat	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C major solid triad and inversions, hands separately, 1 octave
2.9Keep four notes even	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
2.10Return after the trio	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves C harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 1 octave

Level 3

19 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
3.1Group compound beats	G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
3.2Keep the beat through syncopation	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
3.3Hear interval colour	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
3.4Resolve the dominant seventh	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
3.5Shape the melodic minor	G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
3.6Move by semitone	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves Chromatic scale from C in contrary motion, hands together, 2 octaves
3.7Return to the opening	D major scale, hands together, 2 octaves D major solid triad and inversions, hands together, 2 octaves
3.8Balance melody and accompaniment	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
3.9Answer a short phrase	G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
3.10Play from chord symbols	G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 4

23 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
4.1Place 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
4.2Trill into a cadence	A harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
4.3Invert the dominant seventh	G major scale, hands together, 2 octaves: crescendo up, diminuendo down G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
4.4Ask and answer in a period	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
4.5Hear the returning opening	Chromatic scale from C in contrary motion, hands together, 2 octaves C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
4.6Open the tonic arpeggio	C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C minor broken triad, hands together, 2 octaves
4.7Let the melody sing	B major voicing: a singing top note over the chord, hands together C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
4.8Shape Classical articulation	B-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves
4.9Keep the dancing bass light	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves
4.10Hear chords away from the score	C major blues crushed notes, right hand C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 5

27 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
5.1Travel around the circle	G major pedal lifted at each rest: a clean stop, hands together A major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
5.2Find a chord on each degree	C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves C minor broken triad, hands together, 2 octaves
5.3Hear an unexpected cadence	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
5.4Read the bass numbers	G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
5.5End on a question	D major scale, hands together, 2 octaves
5.6Follow each independent voice	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves
5.7Recognise a sequence	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
5.8Practise dominant sevenths	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
5.9Carry a melody over broken harmony	E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves
5.10Improvise an answering phrase	C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 6

20 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
6.1Compare seventh chords	C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C minor, hands together, 2 octaves
6.2Prepare the cadence	C major scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves
6.3Hear notes between the chords	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves D minor broken triad, hands separately, 2 octaves
6.4Explore a modal melody	C major scale, hands together, 2 octaves C major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves
6.5Try other scale colours	G major scale, hands together, 2 octaves, staccato
6.6Follow a theme through its variations	C major two against three, hands together F major scale, hands together, 2 octaves
6.7Phrase a minuet and its trio	E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves E-flat major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves
6.8Keep ragtime moving	E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves
6.9Clear 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
6.10Listen to the other part	E-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves E-flat major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 7

26 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
7.1Hear 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
7.2Map a sonata exposition	G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
7.3Follow a subject and answer	E harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
7.4Resolve the diminished seventh	A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves A melodic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
7.5Keep the pulse under rubato	E harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
7.6Explore jazz harmony	G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
7.7Connect four-note chords	G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves D major cadence in four-note chords (I–IV–V7–I), hands together
7.8Read voices on separate staves	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
7.9Harmonise a bass scale	G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
7.10Plan a polished performance	B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
7.11Keep a lullaby melody above its rocking accompaniment	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 8

23 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
8.1Balance three independent lines	C major five-finger pattern, hands separately
8.2Harmonise a chorale phrase	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
8.3Realise a numbered bass	B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves B melodic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
8.4Recognise a galant pattern	G major scale, hands together, 2 octaves: soft, then loud, then soft
8.5Borrow a chord from minor	F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of F minor, hands together, 2 octaves
8.6Read richer chord symbols	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
8.7Plan 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
8.8Shape the bass and inner voices	G harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
8.9Keep a ragtime bass light	C major stride bass: bass note, then chord, left hand, staccato C major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
8.10Bring the voices together	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
8.11Build even speed in a finger study	D harmonic minor scale, hands separately, 2 octaves

Level 9

21 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
9.1Add ninths and upper extensions	E major scale, hands together, 4 octaves E major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves
9.2Leave space in a chord voicing	F major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
9.3Map the entries of a fugue	C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves
9.4Hear a dominant of another chord	G major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves
9.5Follow a distant key change	A-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
9.6Listen for Impressionist colour	E major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
9.7Move a scale in octaves	A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major scale in octaves, hands together, 2 octaves, staccato
9.8Balance three against four	C major three against four, hands together F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves
9.9Shape a long melodic line	C-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves
9.10Play with clear harmonic direction	C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C minor, hands together, 2 octaves

Level 10

35 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
10.1Hear an enharmonic key change	C-sharp harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.2Explore harmonic colour	D-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.3Hear three independent parts	F major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.4Trace a whole sonata movement	C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves
10.5Drive a boogie and stride bass	C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.6Compare an edition with its source	A-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.7Keep 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
10.8Shape the returning dance	F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of F minor, hands together, 4 octaves
10.9Improvise a short prelude	A harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves A melodic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.10Prepare a complete performance	A-flat major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
10.11Keep a study’s running line clear and unhurried	C major scale, hands together, 4 octaves

Diploma

20 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
D.1Connect 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.2Pace a complete three-movement sonata	F major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together
D.3Keep 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.4Let 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.5Connect two contrasting movements	F-sharp major scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major moving top voice above held chordal voices, hands together
D.6Vary 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.7Keep a dense fugue intelligible	B-flat harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves B-flat major broken octaves, hands separately: release and travel
D.8Keep dance metre through displaced accents	F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves C major repeated notes, hands together
D.9Give each rondo return a purpose	E major scale, hands together, 4 octaves E major arpeggio, hands together, 4 octaves
D.10Carry 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.11Keep 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.12Carry 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.13Keep a concert study brilliant and relaxed	G major scale, hands together, 4 octaves
D.14Enter after the orchestra	C harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves Leading-note diminished-seventh arpeggio of C minor, hands together, 2 octaves

Licentiate

21 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
L.1Build 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.2Connect 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.3Transform 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.4Read 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.5Keep 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.6Join 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.7Sustain 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.8Hear 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.9Trace 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.10Keep 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.11Keep 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.12Preserve 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.13Keep 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.14Enter 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

Fellowship and Concert

21 technique items at this level. The lessons’ warm-ups and exercises:

Lesson	Technique
C.1Hear 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.2Give 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.3Pace 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.4Keep 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.5Make cyclic returns audible without announcing them	Chromatic minor thirds from B, hands together, 2 octaves B melodic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
C.6Preserve contrast across a complete late sonata	Chromatic minor thirds from B, hands together, 2 octaves B harmonic minor scale, hands together, 2 octaves
C.7Reveal 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.8Carry 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.9Make 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.10Keep 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.11Carry 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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