Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Reviewing David Hall’s superb music theory primer There’s More to Playing the Piano back in 2021, I noted that most theory publications are structured around the specific (and not always particularly useful) grade exam requirements, and suggested that:
“For those who simply want to understand notation and written music in a way that’s useful and relevant to today’s piano players, the market has long been wide open. Finally we can welcome a simple textbook which is clear, concise, and of practical benefit. “
That book has subsequently proved hugely useful to the various learners I have recommended it to, and I continue to receive messages of thanks from other teachers who discovered it through this site.
How brilliant, then, to tell you about Hall’s follow-up publication, There’s Even More to Playing the Piano, which is billed as:
“An introduction to advanced music theory with practical keyboard activities and video links for each topic”.
Indeed there’s more!
While Hall’s first book broadly covered the topics needed for the typical Grade 5 theory exam, but in a more fluid and musically relevant way that included practical piano activities in every chapter, the second book repeats the trick for much of the content expected for Grades 6-8, and useful for A’ Level music and first degree level.
But once again, the focus is not so much on jumping through test hoops, but on the far more positive, practical benefits for pianists. And to that end, the structure, content, and topics Hall focuses on are as follows:
- Melody
- Non-Chord Tones
- Cadences
- Chord Progressions
- Harmonisation
- Chord Qualities
- The Cycle of Fifths
- ii – V – I Cadences
- Motifs
- Modulation
- Counterpoint
- Chromatic Chords
- Figured Bass
- Analaysis
- Modes
- Jazz Scales
- Texture (Classical)
- Texture (Jazz)
- The Cycle of Fifths (part 2)
- Form and Structure
- Genres
- Advanced Notation
- A Bit of Science
Informed readers will immediately spot that within its 120 pages, this book not only covers essential content for classical grade theory exams, but goes more broadly into jazz theory and is aimed at helping players develop the working knowledge that pianists need in order to play with understanding and unleash their creativity across a range of genres.
That Hall is able to cover so much ground in such a relatively slight volume is due to the supreme clarity with which he succeeds in unpacking complex subjects. This really is theory teaching of the very highest order.
The author’s videos
The additional video content is superb, and considerably adds to the package. These explanations and musical demonstrations are excellently produced, clearly presently, and offer an appealing and accessible way for the learner to consolidate the information found in the publication itself.
Whereas the videos for the first book were hosted on YouTube, for the sequel Hall has switched to a platform called Informance, with each video accessed using an individual QR code. I found this worked on mobile devices so long as I accessed one at a time with its unique code; otherwise, the site asked for a pricy subscription payment. Don’t be put off or misled: these videos are all included in the publication purchase price.
On desktop computer, the video content does not seem to be accessible at present, which is worth noting if you don’t use a mobile device, and is a pity in a class or studio context.
For those with a suitable tablet or smartphone however, this excellent content could well be used as the primary learning medium, apt for the video age, with the book itself functioning as a supporting reference guide.
At the piano
Sealing the deal, and as with the first book, the activities At the Piano which conclude each chapter bring the information and explanations to life in an explorative and creative way, bridging the gap between theory and practice with aplomb.
The activities, it must be said, could seem daunting for those simply dipping in to learn about a particular topic. For example, ahem:
“Improvise some two-part counterpoint. Always “hear” the melodies and the intervals before you play.”
When approached systematically however, and including a thorough musical understanding and practical application of the first book’s content, these activities come alive as a comprehensive and rewarding journey into a proper understanding of music theory.
Indeed, the musical learning pathway offered here mirrors the practical approach used by keyboard players for centuries, and from the Baroque era to the jazz greats.
Closing Thoughts
There’s Even More to Playing the Piano is attractively presented with clean fonts, illustrations and music examples, spot colour throughout, and has once again been author-published on Amazon. This is certainly a worthy sequel to the first book in the series, and can be recommended without hesitation.
David Hall enthuses that the book has been written for those who would like to understand repertoire better, learn to improvise, compose, and appreciate the skills and techniques of the great composers. Few advanced pianists lack such ambitions, and given the success with which Hall tackles all these topics, the book undoubtedly deserves wide appeal. Bravo!
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