Pedaling Colors in Sound: Lessons and Repertoire for Elementary Piano Students - Paperback

by James P. Callahan (Author), Katherine Faricy (Author)

Pedaling Colors In Sound: Lessons and Repertoire for Elementary Piano Students is a beautiful book of 40 pages of pieces using five pedaling techniques that can be easily mastered by beginning piano students - long damper pedals, simultaneous damper pedal, syncopated damper pedal, slow damper pedal releases, and also introduces use of the soft pedal (una corda). To help students acquire skills in each of these techniques, each lesson includes well-sequenced preparatory exercises. Because it is possible to teach several of the selections by rote, students are able to learn pedaling technique before they can read music. With the graded exercises and emphasis on tonal color, imagery and even improvisation, students develop a repertoire of appealing selections while adding the skill of pedaling. One of the underlying purposes of this book and the early teaching of pedaling is to place an emphasis on listening to the sonority of the instrument. The most important element in the use of the pedals is the development of a sharp and discerning ear, which will benefit all of one's playing. Just as visual artists must look at the canvas as they are painting, pianists must learn to listen to the quality and quantity of sound they create as they play. FEATURES Systematic approach
 - Preparatory exercises for each pedal technique
 - New short pieces that are fun and easy to learn
 - Graphic pedal notation
 - Charming illustrations
 - Can be used along with any pedagogical methods and materials. - Students of any level will find this helpful in developing a sound pedaling technique.

Author Biography

Katherine Faricy graduated from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a bachelor's degree in music education and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Minnesota. She also studied privately for four years with the renowned concert pianist, Madame Lili Kraus. It was during studies with Kraus and Dr. Duncan McNab at the U of M that she became very aware of the importance of pedaling in artistic performance and how few people are taught a methodical approach to learning its technique. Her unique book, "Artistic Pedal Technique-Lessons for Intermediate and Advanced Pianists" published by Frederick Harris Music Co., has become an international success. While on the piano faculty for many years at the University of St. Thomas in St Paul, MN, Faricy taught undergraduate and graduate piano and courses in performance practices and piano pedagogy. She currently is Artist-in-Residence at Mount Calvary Academy of Music in Excelsior, MN, where she teaches piano and gives seminars for piano teachers. A frequent recitalist and soloist with orchestras, she also performed with Dr. James Callahan as an acclaimed duo-piano team for 30 years. Katherine Faricy, a National Certified Teacher of Music, is in frequent demand as an adjudicator, and as a clinician giving workshops and lecture/demonstrations to many piano teachers' organizations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, California, Missouri, New Jersey as well as state MTA conventions in Nevada, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and at Music Teachers National Association national conventions.