Why use MMTA piano exams?

by Elaine Wipf

1. The Syllabus offers a well-rounded and progressive approach to piano pedagogy. When Paul Freed and Shirley Rediger created the first Syllabus, they envisioned the Syllabus as a pedagogical resource that would assist teachers in offering a balanced and musically complete training to piano students. The 2010 edition continues in that tradition. The Syllabus is designed to reflect a balanced, practical and progressive approach to piano pedagogy.

2. The Syllabus offers an extensive list of repertoire representing each of the historical musical styles, at each of the 12 levels (preparatory-11). This list can be a guide for selecting repertoire to suit a student’s needs, or help you evaluate the level of a newer student. While the repertoire list contains many familiar pieces, we have also added many newer pieces, reflecting that music is truly 20th century and beyond. Minnesota composers and editors are represented, and marked so you will know who they are. The Syllabus will increase your familiarity and knowledge of the ever expanding body of piano repertoire. Sources are listed so it will be easy for you to locate the repertoire.

3. Students are prepared in areas of musicianship. The keyboard skills testing, theory exams, and sight-playing exams ensure that the student is appropriately trained in supportive musicianship skills. These three areas follow a logical progression of skills throughout the levels, and will assist you in preparing your students to become complete musicians.

4. The Syllabus contains the needed information to help you prepare students for the Piano Exam! Requirements for each level are clearly stated. You will know how many pieces are required, what metronome speed is required for the scales, how to play the scale and chord sequences, and the required level of theory testing needed to receive a comprehensive award. New to the 2010 Syllabus, each level contains an opening page of Student Expectations to further help YOU prepare each student to test confidently and successfully.

5. The Syllabus is a wonderful economic value! For a very reasonable price, you have an extensive list of repertoire (including sources) and a balanced piano curriculum including keyboard skills. This saves you repeated trips to music stores (saves gas!) and also saves you time in finding suitable repertoire (time is money).

Purchase your MMTA Piano Syllabus and resources here.