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'Nancy Litten has established herself as an authority in electronic keyboard practice. These are keyboard tutor books that can be used by any age group and by any number of students. There are lovely arrangements which everyone will enjoy playing'  - Music Teacher Magazine  (The series was chosen as one of the ten best new products of 2012)
​‘Brilliant books to inspire all those starting to learn the keyboard. Play on your own or in a group. Everything you need to get going and enjoy yourself.’  - Marion Stretch
'I recently started using Keyed Up book 1 with three Year 2 beginner pupils at one of my primary schools. They love it!'  - Steven Watts
'Progression is well thought out with much useful repetition in the early stages to ensure that everyone understands' - Glynis Dickinson
'The CD saves considerable time finding appropriate backings. This gives the teacher time to focus on the pupils’ - Kristin Mclaughlin

Details of the Keyed Up tutor books

BLUE BOOK Early Elementary/Pre-Initial

Notes covered are C, D, E, F and G, with a new chapter incorporating each one. 
Note values encompass crotchets (quarter notes), minims (half notes) and semibreves (whole notes), including rests and some simple syncopation; time signatures are in simple time in crotchet or minim beats.
In each chapter opportunities will be found for pupils to improvise to backings provided by the CD or the teacher, and to improve their grasp of notation by writing down their compositions. By the end of the book they will have encountered the left hand chords of C, G, F, Am and Dm, along with advice on how to improvise freely at home.
On the 69-track CD, ensembles are generally played twice, in both solo and full format.
Sunshine Through the Leaves, p 48, is on the solo syllabus for ABRSM Music Medals (Copper)

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THE BLUE BOOK
TEACHER EDITION
20102UK Alfred Music Publishing
Master scores with all parts shown


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RED BOOK Elementary/Initial

This book brings students up to the standard for Trinity College London's Initial examination. The following pieces from the book are listed under Alternative Pieces in the 2011 syllabus: 
Over the Sea to Skye, Titanic theme, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Jolene.
ABRSM lists the following pieces on the solo syllabus for Music Medals:  
Wonderful p 12, Hill-Billy Prayer p 14 (Bronze), Over the Sea to Skye p 37, and Titanic Theme  p 38 (Silver)
Notes extend from the G below middle C to the A two octaves higher; a couple of sharps are used in passing. The thumb begins to be tucked under the fingers in order to extend the range. Sometimes the hand is required to stretch a 6th, particularly in pentatonic groupings.
Dotted crotchets (dotted quarter notes) are added, and quavers both straight and swung. There is some use of straightforward ties and syncopation. Phrasing is introduced, Fills, and a few scales, arpeggios and triads. New LH chords are C7, D7, E7, Em and Fm.

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THE BLUE BOOK
PUPIL EDITION
20101UK Alfred Music Publishing
Large print
Pupil part only

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​Example pages

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THE RED BOOK
20103UK Alfred Music Publishing
(One edition for both pupil and teacher)

Beethoven, Prokofiev, 
Kings of Leon, ABBA, Queen 

and many more .....

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​Example pages


YELLOW BOOK Late Elementary/Grade 1

This book brings students up to the standard for Trinity College London's grade 1 examination. The following pieces from the book are listed under Alternative Pieces in the 2011 syllabus:
Mango Walk, Summer Nights, and I Want to be Free
ABRSM lists the following pieces on the solo syllabus for Music Medals:  
I Want to be Free p 34, Mango Walk p 40 (Gold)

Notes extend from the G below middle C to the B two octaves higher. The keys of G and F major are introduced, and their relative minors.
Compound time is added, and semi-quavers (16th notes) appear in the final chapter. Tempi become more rapid, and changes of chord more frequent. Occasionally the right hand is required to play more than one note at a time. New LH chords are D, E, A, A7, Gm and B7.

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THE YELLOW BOOK
20104UK Alfred Music Publishing

Rachmaninov, Handel, Stravinsky, Michael Jackson, Muse, Green Day 

and many more ....

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​Example pages
GREEN BOOK Early Intermediate/Grade 2 
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THE GREEN BOOK
20157UK Alfred Music Publishing

Schubert, Purcell, Sibelius, Johnny Cash, Guns N'Roses, The Doors, and many more ...

This book brings students up to the standard for Trinity College London's
 grade 2 examination. 
The material is suitable for individual or group tuition. Most of the ensembles can also be played as solos. Students will find opportunities for improvising in every chapter and, as in the previous books, each chapter contains a short study concentrating on a different aspect of technique.
Dual Voice, Rhythm pause, melodic and natural minor modes are covered. There is increased chromaticism and the introduction of 'blue' notes and 12-bar blues. Keys go up to two sharps and two flats and more minor 7th chords are added to the repertoire.. Semiquaver (16th note) patterns become more complex and syncopation more frequent. Knowledge of the bass clef is extended and some ledger lines are added at the top of the treble stave.


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​Example pages

ORANGE BOOK Intermediate/Grade 3

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THE ORANGE BOOK
20158UK Alfred Music Publishing

Couperin, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Mick Jagger, John Williams, Dolly Parton, and many more ...

This book brings students up to the standard for Trinity College London's grade 3 examination. 

Keys expand to the majors and minors of three flats or sharps and chords include diminished ones. Touch sensitivity is now required, and Registration Memory makes quick changes easier. RH technique is further developed, with grace notes, glissando, arpeggiated chords and 3-note chords. There are more pieces using both clefs, piano style. 

On the musicianship front, there are pieces to encourage recognition of intervals and opportunities for composition, improvisation and accompanying, including 'tritones' for jazz vamping, 12/8 and 3/8 make an appearance, and some cross-rhythms.
As in all the books, the material aims to provide enjoyment, experience of ensemble, and a gentle gradient of new skills and knowledge.


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Example pages

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