text includes 16 one-hour lessons with
cal expression is developed through the RMM, this book will get you started.
a “celebration” at the end of every body. Next is the “Musical Language” Included are group teaching ideas and
eight weeks. The included CD is inte-
section, which presents music nomen- a section on RMM philosophy, as well
gral in the learning process. clature. Most lessons include an as student recruiting suggestions.
The Student Handbook is well “Explore” section, which gives the Lesson plans form the core of the
designed. Each lesson starts with opportunity to get deeper into the book.
“Music Wellness.” Here is where musi-
pieces. Each lesson includes repertoire. Reflective Moments is a supplemental
Off staff nota- text for reinforcing the Student
tion is used first, Handbook’s concepts. The authors, who
E xpertise
Piano Expertise but the grand
staff is presented
wrote most of the pieces, include a
nice version of “Santa Lucia.” Sacred
at your fingertips
fingertips quite soon.
I particularly
Moments and Christmas Moments pro-
vide more reinforcement.
like the use of The Student Handbook contains 35
chord “shells” in pages of pieces, concepts and exercises.
the left hand. The pages are sparse, but the knowl-
These shells can edge contained on the pages is dense.
be expanded to For the novice, this approach may
full chords in seem a bit unusual. I taught on a
the “Explore” cruise using a similar program called
portion of the “Passport to Music.” I was thrilled at
lesson. Symbols the results the program produced. I
always come predict similar satisfaction and success
after the con- for your beginning adult recreational
cept. For exam- pianists. ––Reviewed by Michelle
ple, students Conda, University of Cincinnati
w w w. p t g . o r g learn to play
broken chords
before they are
8 The Musical Playground: Global
Tradition and Change in Children’s
presented the Songs and Games, by Kathryn Marsh.
symbol (nota- Oxford University Press, 2009.
tion). www.us.oup.com; (800) 451-7556; 431
The Teacher’s pp. $99.