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Reflective Piano Pedagogy: Improvisation and Composition in Classical and Contemporary Repertoires

image of Reflective Piano Pedagogy: Improvisation and Composition in Classical and Contemporary Repertoires
  • By Alethea de Villiers
  • Source: The Intellect Handbook of Popular Music Methodologies , pp 472-487
  • Publication Date: June 2025
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/9781835951033_30
  • Language: English
  • Accessibility Summary:  EPUB 3 and pdf file included; compatible with devices and software which can read these formats. Adjustable font size, spacing, contrast, text justification, number of columns (ePUB only). Alternative text for images. Tagged with a logical reading order to assist screen readers. Navigation between in-text citations and reference list, and endnotes and endnote markers.

In this study I explore the application of contemporary piano pedagogy to a selection of piano repertoire from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras, which, for the most part, have defined tonal centres and distinct chordal progressions. The term contemporary piano music is ambiguous. In this chapter, I refer to the repertoire of popular music, specifically post-1950, and the music of musicians such as Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Elton John and Alicia Keys. I used an auto-ethnographic approach in drawing upon my experiences in teaching classical and contemporary piano, and present a reflective approach to music pedagogy; examining ways in which classical and popular musicians may draw upon both genres as a means of music-making and improvisation. Central to this chapter is the application of method, unpacking ways in which the combination of traditional piano pedagogy and contemporary piano pedagogy can complement each other. Therefore, this chapter may be useful to offering new approaches towards the teaching of both classical and contemporary piano, alongside offering a reflective approach towards piano pedagogy.

Keywords: classical ; classical repertoire ; composition ; compositional techniques ; contemporary ; contemporary music ; improvisation ; pedagogy ; piano ; piano pedagogy ; repertoire

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References

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References

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     [Google Scholar]
  2. Bastien, James (1977), How to Teach Piano Successfully, Park Ridge, IL: Neil A. Kjos Jr Publishers.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Berle, Arnie (1998), Improvisation for the Contemporary Musician. New York: Amsco Music.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Billings, Rachel (2016), All in One to Grade 5: A Fast Track from Beginner to Grade 5 Music Theory, London: Boosey & Hawkes Publishers Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Bolton, Hetty (n.d.), How to Practice, London: Elkin & Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Bolton, Hetty (1954), On Teaching the Piano, London: Novello & Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Booth, Victor (1971), We Piano Teachers, London: Hutchinson & Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Brydson, John (1973), The Composition of Melody, London: Bosworth & Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Burstein, S. Claxton, M. , Wish, D. and Hale, S. (2021), Modern Band Method – Keyboard, Book 1: A Beginner's Guide for Group or Private Instruction, Hal Leonard.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Ching, James (1956), The Amateur Pianist's Companion, London: Keith Prowse Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Curwen, Annie (1913), Mrs Curwen's Pianoforte Method, London: J, Curwen & Sons Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Czerny, Carl (1983), Systematic Introduction to Improvisation on the Pianoforte (translated by Alice L. Mitchell), New York: Longman Inc.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Friskin, James and Freundlich, Irwin (1973), Music for the Piano, New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Green, Lucy (2002), How Popular Musicians Learn, London: Ashgate.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Haerle, Dan (1978), Jazz Improvisation for Keyboard Players, USA: StudioP/R.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Hinson, Maurice and Roberts, Wesley (2013), Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire, Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Hoffman, Preston (2018), Piano Chords for Beginners, Scotts Valley, CA: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Isacoff, Stuart (2012), A Natural History of the Piano, New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Jackson, Jake (2011), Piano and Keyboard Chords, London: Flame Tree Publishing.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Knapp, David , Bryan Powell and Gareth Dylan Smith (2022), ‘National profile of teacher perceptions of teaching and learning in modern band programs in the United States’, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 231, pp. 77–92.
     [Google Scholar]
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     [Google Scholar]
  22. Last, Joan (1967), Interpretation for the Piano Student, London: Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Last, Joan (1981), The Young Pianist, London: Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Leonard, Hal (2018), First 50 4-Chord Songs You Should Play on the Piano, Hal Leonard.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Lockwood, Steve (2011), Essential Techniques of Jazz and Contemporary Piano, Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Matthay, Tobias (1960), The Visible and Invisible in Pianoforte Technique, London: Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Merrick, Frank (1968), Practising the Piano, London: Barrie & Rockliff.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Mortensen, John (2020), The Pianist's Guide to Historic Improvisation, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Novello, John (1987), The Contemporary Keyboardist, Valley Village: Source Productions.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Pearson, Charles (1900), The Art of the Piano Teacher, London: Winthrop Rogers Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Powell, Bryan , Andrew Krikun and Joseph Michael Pignato (2015), ‘“Something's happening here!”: Popular music education in the United States’, Journal of the Association for the Study of Popular Music, 5:1, pp. 4–22.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Ross, Joshua (2023), ‘21 easy pop songs to play on piano’, https://joshuarosspiano.com/easy-pop-songs-to-play-on-piano/. Accessed 10 November 2023 .
  33. Shockley, Alan (2018), The Contemporary Piano. A Performer and Composer's Guide to Techniques and Resources, Washington D.C.: Rowman and Littlefield.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Simpson, Kenneth (1963), Keyboard Harmony and Improvisation, South Croydon and Surrey: Alfred Lengnick & Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Smith, Gareth Dylan , Bryan Powell and David Knapp (2023), ‘Little Kids Rock and modern band in US schools: A punk problematic’, Research in Education, 115:1, pp. 64–79.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Stoltzman, Peter (2014), ‘A class piano course of study for music industry majors based on popular music 487and jazz’, Ph.D. dissertation, Austin, TX: University of Texas.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Tayler, E. Douglas (n.d.), The Secret of Successful Practice, London: Bosworth & Co. Ltd.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Taylor, Kendall (1986), Principles of Piano Technique and Interpretation, Kent: Novello.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Thompson, Ellen (1976), Teaching and Understanding Contemporary Piano Music, San Diego, CA: Neil A. Kjos Jr. Publisher.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Williams, Pharell (2013), ‘Happy’, Girl, digital download, USA: i Am Other, Columbia Records.
  41. Woodhouse, George (1925), The Artist at the Piano, London: William Reeves.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Woodward, Martin (2015), Learn How to Play the Piano/Keyboard Chords, Morrisville, NC: Lulu Press
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Zimdars, Richard (ed.) (1993), The Piano Master Classes of Hans von Bülow, Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
     [Google Scholar]

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