PRESENTATION- INTRODUCTION TO CPM Contemporary Popular Music – Piano
General Information:
- The syllabus allows flexibility: students are able to choose their preferred styles and artists and include their own original compositions.
- Technical work 1-4 : a Technical Piece based on common chord progressions. No scales in the exam until Grade 5 (Suggest students begin scales right from Preliminary – this removes the focus from the performance- technique of scales, but allows time to develop the relationships within keys and making chords and improvising.)
- Technical work 5- 8 Scales: From grade 5 students will cover more than just Major, and Minor (harmonic and melodic) as per other syllabus but modes as they complement chords. Only 1 scale required for the exam however new modes added as the grades progress .
- Choose either Sight reading or Aural (Suggest students cover both topics to give a rounded education. ) Many contemporary students desire to play-by-ear and most come to the lessons with tunes from CD or radio that they are attempting to play. Reading from chord charts is useful for musical groups as is the ability to read any music just like traditional syllabus.
- Introduces improvisation (Some teachers are reluctant to try this because of their own fear of improvisation. ) From the early levels this is a basic level required – students are encouraged to play one handed at first with very simple 5 – finger patterns explored at first. Utilise popular music and “scored music” as a guide to get the students going. Often there is no wrong notes (as there is no score to follow, only chord patterns – of course playing a swing instead of a rock would be incorrect!!). To get you started try the simple I-IV-V-I and branch into “Heart and Soul” I – V-IV-V, or I-Vi- ii-V patterns. Backings are provided in the course books. Improvisation is encouraged, and not written out. (At times some written guidelines don’t hurt, but encourage variety each time it is played.
- CPM KEYBOARD Music books – NOTE: The blue Keyboard books are still in use, however, the syllabus content has been REVISED . Set works in the CPM books has now been divided into list A and B with list C (up to Grade 4 – or C and D in grade 5 and above) a free choice .
- Free choice: can be any piece of a similar standard i.e. this can be the most current music straight from the top Pops or as old as early musical theatre, even arrangements of pieces – in fact a student’s arrangement with fills and additions is encouraged, as is music accurate to the score. Other pieces from Lists A and B can also be used as free choices.
- Repertoire: The suggested repertoire in the syllabus gives any students well known and original music of a variety of styles which have proven popular and in many cases financially viable through the use of albums.
- BACKINGS: Used as optional and/ or compulsory in some levels – These are readily available along with many popular series (e.g. Hal Leonard, Alfred etc.). Students are able to present with a soundtrack from their favourite movies, CD’s musicals , Bands, own hand made backings, or keyboard, synth, midi etc.
- LIVE Backings: Students are able to bring along friends, fellow band members, additional artists e.g. a singer, saxophone, violin and so on to add interest. Of course in some cases a CD, Keyboard synth backings, drum beats, or Midi are easy options.
- Instrument: Students may present with their own keyboard or their teacher’s keyboard. Setting up this and associate artists is part of the time frame of the exam. Check the current syllabus for keyboard requirements. These can have pre-arranged backings, or sounds.
- Standard repertoire: Included from
- Grade 5 (e.g. Happy Birthday)
- Gr 6 ( For He’s a Jolly Good fellow)
- Gr 7 ( Auld Lang Syne)
- Gr 8 (Advance Australia Fair)
General knowledge:
As per syllabus – based on understanding notation, words signs, chords, general information about pieces .