A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book

A Dozen A Day, Preparatory Book by Edna-Mae Burman

Short, focused exercises that slowly expands the reading range typical of the very beginner student. The exercises are all very short; 4 measures repeated, or 8 measures with no repeat. Technique is introduced, and revisited as students progress through the book. The book is divided into 5 groups of a dozen exercises.

This book is appropriate as a follow-up technique book from A Dozen a Day (Mini Book) for the very beginning pianist, or a pianist without significant technical training. The gentle and simple note reading range keep the focus on technique. Edna-Mae Burman authored this set of books in the early 1940's. Many of the descriptions she used to describe the movement of technique to be utilized are antiquated, even misleading. Even with these minor flaws, the materials are excellent, and highly recommended. Many advances have been made in learning and teaching the execution of technique with consideration to human anatomy and physiology. With the guidance of a professional music teacher, better descriptions of each exercise's technique is recommended. Without the guidance of a professional music educator, you won't be far off the mark when using the published descriptions.