Ontario Registered Music Teachers
Association (ORMTA)
Article featured in Notes magazine — Winter 2005 issue
This is an excellent series designed to help students supplement their technical training. The first book, My First Step, is meant to partner with method books, while the remaining Piano Exam Preparations are geared to Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) technical requirements.
The first book, My First Step, is in large print and incorporates scales, triads, sight-reading, finger drills, theory and ear training. It also gives the student the opportunity to chord to a single melodic line. In addition, it is presented with appealing visual aids. The graphics are appropriate for the age level. The other books focus on RCM requirements from grades I through V. The technical requirements are presented on a visual keyboard as well as a staff and again ear, sight and theory are an integral part of the program. These books also include mock exams.
The first three levels also have a CD available with CD's for the fourth and fifth levels available within the next few months. In addition to regular drills, the student has the opportunity to practice technical requirements with fun rhythms. These books are delightfully prepared with graphic appropriate to the specific level. They make an excellent companion to any teaching program and especially the RCM program. I look forward to incorporating these books, into my own teaching program.
-Judy Jackson
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MY FIRST STEP TO TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
$8.00 
A First step VISUAL approach to leaning scales. All the technical requirements for Preparatory A and B for the Royal Conservatory of Music and the National Music Certificate Program are included with addendums.
- Pentascales
- One octave scales
- Quick Finger Drills
- Theory Pages
- Site reading
- Ear training
- Preparatory B mock exam
- Kids Can Chord, notes are in the treble clef, with visual lingers for Left hand chords.
- ...and more. A must have supplement to all method books.
BOOK1
$8.00
The Royal Conservatory of Music and the National Music Certificate Program are included with addendums. All the technical requirements for grade 1.
- All Scales are 2 Octaves, with visual fingers under and over.
- Triads, one octave, big notes, full chord names.
- Quick Finger Drills
- Theory Pages
- Sight Reading
- Ear Training
- Tests
- Songs, Lullaby and Deck the Hall.
- Mock Exams ... 3 mock exams prepare a student to be graded (according to the RCM and NMCP syllabus grading requirements, but also serve as evaluation sheets.
BOOK 2
Sold Out
The Royal Conservatory of Music and the National Music Certificate Program are included with addendums. All the technical requirements for grade 2. *SOLD OUT (please check back later)
- All Scales are 2 Octaves, with visual fingers under and over.
- Triads, one octave, big notes, full chord names.
- Quick Finger Drills
- Theory Pages
- Sight Reading
- Ear Training
- Tests
- Songs, Fur Elise and Greensleeves
- Mock Exams ... 3 mock exams prepare a student to be graded (according to the Royal
- Conservatory of Music grading requirements, but also serve as evaluation sheets.
BOOK 3
$8.00
The Royal Conservatory of Music and the National Music Certificate Program are included with addendums. All the technical requirements for grade 3.
- All Scales are 2 Octaves, with visual fingers under and over.
- Overview features scales on an actual keyboard with mapped out fingers.
- Triads, one octave, big notes, full chord names.
- Quick Finger Drills
- Theory Pages
- Sight Reading
- Ear Training
- Tests
- I Can Analyze score
- Mock Exams ... 3 mock exams prepare a student to be graded (according to the RCM and NMCP syllabus grading requirements, but also serve as evaluation sheets.
BOOK 4
$8.00
The Royal Conservatory of Music and the National Music Certificate Program are included with addendums. All the technical requirements for grade 4.
- All Scales are 2 Octaves, with visual fingers mapped on an actual keyboard. The student then writes out the scale to be played.
- Overview features scales on an actual keyboard with mapped out fingers.
- Triads, one octave, big notes, full chord names.
- Practice Makes Perfect Sheets
- Quick Finger Drills
- Theory Pages
- Sight Reading
- Ear Training
- Tests
- Song, Hallelujah Chorus
- Mock Exams ... 3 mock exams prepare a student to be graded (according to the RCM and NMCP syllabus grading requirements, but also serve as evaluation sheets.
BOOK 5
$8.00
The Royal Conservatory of Music and the National Music Certificate Program are included with addendums. All the technical requirements for grade 5.
- All Scales are 2 Octaves, with visual fingers mapped on an actual keyboard. The student then writes out the scale to be played.
- Overview features scales on an actual keyboard with mapped out fingers.
- Triads, two octaves, big notes, full chord names.
- Visual presentation and understanding of Dominant 7th chords
- Quick Finger Drills
- Theory Pages
- Sight Reading
- Ear Training
- Tests
- Sight Reading Analysis Sheets
- Mock Exams ... 3 mock exams prepare a student to be graded (according to the RCM and NMCP syllabus grading requirements, but also serve as evaluation sheets.