Understanding Piano Safari
Compared to other methods, Piano Safari progresses deliberately in terms of reading, yet quickly in terms of playing. This builds foundational skills while developing a strong ear and technique in the student.
​If you learned to read music when you were younger, you may wonder why your child can play pieces more advanced than they can read, or how they can read pieces without knowing the names of every line and space first (they will - this comes later!). This is because they are learning the 'interval method' to read, and also learn to play exciting pieces by 'rote' immediately!
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What is the Interval Method?
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The interval method for reading music is a way to identify the distance between notes, or the relationship between one note and the next. Our students first learn the names of 2 key 'landmark notes' that they memorise, then they learn to read from that note using interval reading. They also learn to read from the Treble and Bass clef right from the start. By book 2, when they are introduced to all the names of the lines and spaces of the Grand Stave, they will have an incredible Sight-Reading tool box! We find that students are much stronger readers longterm, especially if they move on to the Grade system.
Pieces in Piano Safari Level 1 and Piano Safari for the Older Student Level 1 are split into the following categories:
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Reading - Learn to read musical notation
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Rote - Allows students to play more complicated pieces
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Technique - Master basic motions of beginning piano technique
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Improvisation - develop creativity and focus on technique
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Folk - Allows students to play pieces they recognise
This video explains how you can help your child to practice rote pieces:
Click the following link to access audio files and useful youtube reminder videos for rote pieces, and teacher backing tracks:
Skips Alphabet
The Piano Safari method introduces the lines and spaces using the Skips Alphabet method. If you've learned to read before, this replaces 'All Cows Eat Grass' and "Every Good Boy..." etc. View the video below to see how the Skips Alphabet is explained:
If you have any questions about the Piano Safari method please reach out to us.