Teaching Little Fingers to Play Hymns: a Hymn Book for the Earliest Beginner.

by Mary K. Sallee. The Willis Music Company (P.O. Box 548, Florence, KY 41022), 2003. 23 pp. $14.90.

John Thompson's Teaching Little Fingers to Play has been a standard method book for piano teachers since 1936. Over the years, the supplementary materials have grown and the packaging has changed, but the essential pedagogic value has not. In Teaching Little Fingers to Play Hymns, Mary K. Sallee has carried on the tradition admirably. In addition to adhering to the past, she has embraced the present, adding an accompanimental CD with MIDI files. There are two tracks per arrangement, with two contrasting tempi.

Each arrangement encompasses two pages--the left-hand page contains new concepts, optional teacher accompaniments and hand position diagrams, both on a partial keyboard and on either treble, bass or the grand staff; the right-hand page contains solely the student's hymn arrangement. All student texts are published on the grand staff, although the student is not asked to play outside given five-finger positions. Fingerings are limited to starting positions and position shifts. There are only three tunes requiring the student to move positions. Each position is diagrammed, and the first new finger number is circled on the staff.

Other than phrase indications, there are no articulation markings. Dynamics are indicated by the words "loud" and "soft." Concepts covered include rhythmic values (the dotted half note, eighth notes and ties), pitch alterations (sharps, flats and naturals) and key signatures (G and F major). There are no pictures and no color, but the arrangements are probably challenging enough to hold student interest. One positive item is that "all the rhythms are simple yet "correct;" they conform to the most Familiar versions of the hymns. There would be no confusion between what students are used to hearing and what they are being asked to play. This is a common frustration with early hymn arrangements, contributing to many tear-filled lessons. Sallee's arrangements are simple, singable and make it easy to teach adherence to the printed page. Overall, this is a fine, usable, pedagogically sound volume.

Carolyn True, San Antonio, Texas.