Jackie Sharp, author of Purrfect Practice: Technique Trainer 1 has published an e-book that I promise you will want to to use with your students. When Jackie sent me the book to review, I mentioned to her before I looked at it that I just had a dream about her book and I have never dreamt about something I was going to review before actually seeing it so that had to be a good sign. After going through her book, to say that it is “good” would be a drastic understatement. Technique Trainer is an absolute must own.
As stated inside the book, “Technique Trainer 1 is the first in a 3-part series of books of technical and musical exercises that develop the many skills necessary for achieving excellence at the piano.”
Inside Technique Trainer 1 you will find:
Engaging Content: In this level, Jackie explains the focus is on maintaining joint stability, appropriate hand position and understanding the involvement of wrist and arm in piano playing. Beautiful illustrations by Suping Xu are found at the beginning, showing correct and incorrect positions and movements. Following the helpful illustrations the exercise and activities begin.
Exercises: There are 25 technical exercises including in this book. The layout of the exercises are clean and include clear instructions on how they should be played.
Self Assessment: As we know, self assessment is an important part of engaged learning. As students are accomplishing and ticking of clicking goals they become more efficient in their learning and practicing skills.
Bonus Learning Activities: In addition to the exercises, there are 25 bonus learning activities. Students are given activities to increase their awareness and apply the technique to their practice.
Video Demonstrations: One of my personal favorites. Each exercise page includes video links, with a total of 62 videos in the book. In the video clips, Jackie explains the technique and how to achieve them. These are especially helpful for students to watch when they are not with their teacher at lessons. Because most of us our visual, I really LOVE that Jackie has taken the extra time to make these videos. Having this helpful tool, is a big part of what sets this book apart from other technique books.
Jackie has spent a lot of time and careful planning, providing excellent material and techniques for students while making it easy for the teacher. Whether you are a brand new teacher or a novice in teaching technique this book is chock full of goodies for your students! Now I can’t wait until book 2 and 3 in the series are released!
You can purchase and view samples of every page including the table of contents of Technique Trainer 1 here. Technique Trainer is available for $25.00 (Australian, which converts to approx. $19.08 US). Jackie has offered to give a copy of Technique Trainer to a very lucky teacher! To enter to win, just leave a comment below by Friday, April 10th; 10:00pm (AZ MST). Good luck! GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED.
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Just working this morning with a student who is only 75 days out from her grade 6 exam & she’s completely neglecting her technique — I could so use this!
This looks FANTASTIC! I would love to win this!
I can really use this with some adult students who are having finger and hand technique problems. (Going to try and dream that I’ve won this!!)
This looks like a very useful book for several of my students. Fingers crossed!
Yippee! Checking it out right now!!
I’ve never seen such a thorough compilation! This is a gold mine–thanks, Jackie!
This sounds like a perfect combination of written and visual instruction!
This looks incredibly useful! Thank you for offering such great advice!
This looks fantastic!
This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a technique book! Can’t wait to try it with my students.
I would love to have this book!
I heard about this and was looking forward to checking it out. Thanks for the review, Jennifer! I’d love to win a copy!
I would love a copy!
Looks like a good resource
This looks awesome! I would love to try it.
Sounds like a valuable asset for my studio. Would love to have it!
I would love to win this, it looks great!
This would be a wonderful addition to my studio!
I would definitely use this to correct my technique and with students.
I would love to have a copy of this,it looks amazing
Sounds like a fantastic resource!
I would love one of these! Been waiting keenly for it.
This sounds like a fantastic resource!
This looks really thorough. I’m impressed.
amazing!
This sounds like a wonderful resource that every teacher needs!
Need this!
This looks like a fabulous resource to add to my library (though winning a copy would be great too 😉 )!
I’ve been looking at these since Jackie announced them on Facebook! I can’t wait until I can add her technique books to my music library!
This is for sure a book to use everyday with piano practice!
These look fabulous!! I am looking for technic material that is current. Who wouldn’t benefit from the videos? I can’t wait to get a better look!
I’ve been keeping my eye on Jackie since she started sharing snippets of her book! I’m really interested to try this book out with my students 🙂
Wow! I’m excited to explore this new resource with my students. Love that there are accompanying videos!
I’m so excited to see that the Technique Trainer is finally finished (I’ve been seeing teasers on Facebook for a while)! This looks like a fantastic resource – so clear and easy to understand, especially with the support videos.
Always looking for new resources. Videos would be especially useful.
Oh, I wish I hadn’t looked at the samples. Now I am craving this book for my students! I absolutely love the illustrations, with the joints so easily labeled. Thank you for making this book…it will be part of my studio regardless of the contest. Going to the Facebook page now!
WOW!!!! This is definitely a must have, great explanations without saying a word! I want it!
Excited to see it & use it!
I am interested to get a copy to try the material out!!
This looks great! I could certainly use it with my students!
Sounds like something I need for several of my students
Wow! This looks like just what I’m looking for with some of my students!
I really need this book. The videos are going to be so helpful too! Jackie, thanks for your work in putting this together for us!
She is so creative!!!! I’m totally interested.
I am very interested in this! I am always in pursuit of good material to use in lessons. Love your reviews Jennifer! They are so helpful to me and many other teachers 🙂
Thanks for reviewing this. I have been dying to get a peek at it! Having seen some of Jackie’s videos, I knew it would be fabulous!
I am really looking forward to adding this to my studio – to supplement and as a core resource!
This sounds like a wonderful teaching resource. Thanks for the review.
This looks really good! Thank you so much for your review, and bringing this to our attention. I would be thrilled to win a copy of this e-book!
Could use the exercises that help with technique. Looks like a great book. Thanks.
Teaching technique is not my strongest point as a piano teacher. Would love the ideas in this book!!
This looks great! I would LOVE to try this out with my students!
This sounds great!
This would be very useful.
I’ve been looking forward to this book — would love to win it!