Lessons in Composition

Imitation Series

Imitation Series

Piano Teacher Press presents IMITATION SOLOS. An “Imitation Solo” takes a Classic Piece (or an imitation of a Classic Piece) and arranges a Folk Song (or a common public domain song) imitating the similar compositional techniques.

Both the Classic Piece and the Folk Piece demonstrate “imitation” of some sort. Each Imitation Solo also contains a written assignment where the student gets a chance to write out and/or complete an assignment by imitating the featured compositional technique.

The final part of the assignment has students playing their written assignment and composition.

Finally, for all the students hard efforts there are certificates included to award the student for their hard work in completing all the assigned work. IMITATION SOLOS are designed to expand musical understanding by giving focused attention to important concepts in piano study.

Lesson: Melodic Imitation

Hello Hello and Are You Sleeping?

This IMITATION SOLO explores the idea of MELODIC IMITATION at an elementary level. The written part of the assignment has students "imitating" the phrases of the familiar Folk Song - THREE BLIND MICE. A handsome certificate is included in the FOLIO to award the student for completion of his work.

Lesson: Equality Between Hands

Bartok: Simon Says

and

Bartok: Simon Says (transposed)

This IMITATION SOLO explores the idea of Equality between Hands at an mid elementary early intermediate level. The written part of the assignment has students "transfering melodies and accompaniments to opposing hands" using the familiar Folk Song - Row Row Row Your Boat. A handsome certificate is included in the FOLIO to award the student for completion of his work.

Lesson: Rhythmic Imitation

Severino: I've Got A Gimp in My Step

and

The More We Get Together

This IMITATION SOLO explores the idea of Rhythmic Imitation at an mid to late elementary level. The written part of the assignment has students "copy rhythmic ideas from the right hand to the left hand" using the familiar Beethoven Theme - Ode to Joy. A handsome certificate is included in the FOLIO to award the student for completion of his work.

This IMITATION SOLO explores the idea of Stride Piano at an intermediate level. Stride Piano is used by Bartok in My Doll is Dressed in White and in the Christmas Carol - What Child is This. The written part of the assignment has students "writing stride piano parts" to the German folk tune - Home. A handsome certificate is included in the FOLIO to award the student for completion of his work.

Lesson: Stride Piano

Bartok: My Doll Is Dressed in White

and

What Child is This?

Lesson: Waltz Rhythm

Tchaikovsky: The New Doll

and

We Three Kings of Orient Are

This IMITATION SOLO explores the idea of Waltz Rhythms and Eighth Notes tied over barlines. Our repertoire examples are at the mid intermediate level.. The written part of the assignment has students "writing out simple waltz rhythms" using the familiar American Folk Song - Goodbye Old Paint. A handsome certificate is included in the FOLIO to award the student for completion of his work.