Review- Purrfect Practice: Technique Trainer 1

Contest, Lesson resources, Reviews

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.

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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.

Be sure to like Purrfect Practice on Facebook and join the Mastering Piano Technique with Technique Trainer on Facebook!


Be sure to ‘Like’ FPSResources on Facebook and follow FPSResources on TpT to stay up to date on giveaways, discounts, reviews and other music resources!

55 Comments

  1. mycgrimsby

    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!

    Reply
  2. Lori

    This looks FANTASTIC! I would love to win this!

    Reply
  3. Dorothy

    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!!)

    Reply
  4. Carla Quelhas

    This looks like a very useful book for several of my students. Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  5. Kate

    Yippee! Checking it out right now!!

    Reply
  6. Marie

    I’ve never seen such a thorough compilation! This is a gold mine–thanks, Jackie!

    Reply
  7. Susan

    This sounds like a perfect combination of written and visual instruction!

    Reply
  8. Angie

    This looks incredibly useful! Thank you for offering such great advice!

    Reply
  9. Marilyn

    This looks fantastic!

    Reply
  10. Karin Amann

    This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a technique book! Can’t wait to try it with my students.

    Reply
  11. Julia

    I would love to have this book!

    Reply
  12. Julia T.

    I heard about this and was looking forward to checking it out. Thanks for the review, Jennifer! I’d love to win a copy!

    Reply
  13. Amy Sadler

    I would love a copy!

    Reply
  14. (R) Jeannie

    Looks like a good resource

    Reply
  15. Anita B.

    This looks awesome! I would love to try it.

    Reply
  16. Karen C

    Sounds like a valuable asset for my studio. Would love to have it!

    Reply
  17. Lisa Smith

    This would be a wonderful addition to my studio!

    Reply
  18. Cecilia

    I would definitely use this to correct my technique and with students.

    Reply
  19. Beverley Haley

    I would love to have a copy of this,it looks amazing

    Reply
  20. wandablog

    Sounds like a fantastic resource!

    Reply
  21. Kylie Grayston

    I would love one of these! Been waiting keenly for it.

    Reply
  22. Valerie

    This sounds like a fantastic resource!

    Reply
  23. heleneager

    This looks really thorough. I’m impressed.

    Reply
  24. ivan

    amazing!

    Reply
  25. Leigh Stringfield

    This sounds like a wonderful resource that every teacher needs!

    Reply
  26. Brad Garner

    Need this!

    Reply
  27. Sarah Coley

    This looks like a fabulous resource to add to my library (though winning a copy would be great too 😉 )!

    Reply
  28. Orlia

    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!

    Reply
  29. Ria Aucamp

    This is for sure a book to use everyday with piano practice!

    Reply
  30. Tifany Hoecherl

    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!

    Reply
  31. Laura Brothers

    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 🙂

    Reply
  32. rmepham

    Wow! I’m excited to explore this new resource with my students. Love that there are accompanying videos!

    Reply
  33. Kate

    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.

    Reply
  34. Lena

    Always looking for new resources. Videos would be especially useful.

    Reply
  35. Kelly Koch

    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!

    Reply
  36. Cathy Morabito

    WOW!!!! This is definitely a must have, great explanations without saying a word! I want it!

    Reply
  37. holora

    I am interested to get a copy to try the material out!!

    Reply
  38. Dixie

    This looks great! I could certainly use it with my students!

    Reply
  39. Carla Faye

    Sounds like something I need for several of my students

    Reply
  40. Dru Beesley

    Wow! This looks like just what I’m looking for with some of my students!

    Reply
  41. April Wilson

    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!

    Reply
  42. Sue

    She is so creative!!!! I’m totally interested.

    Reply
  43. Barbara G

    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 🙂

    Reply
  44. Christine Bookman

    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!

    Reply
  45. helveypod

    I am really looking forward to adding this to my studio – to supplement and as a core resource!

    Reply
  46. Elaine

    This sounds like a wonderful teaching resource. Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  47. Janelle Bracken

    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!

    Reply
  48. ahjacobahjacob

    Could use the exercises that help with technique. Looks like a great book. Thanks.

    Reply
  49. Emily

    Teaching technique is not my strongest point as a piano teacher. Would love the ideas in this book!!

    Reply
  50. Carla

    This looks great! I would LOVE to try this out with my students!

    Reply
  51. Svetlana

    This would be very useful.

    Reply
  52. annafagan

    I’ve been looking forward to this book — would love to win it!

    Reply

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