(Courtesy of Simonland Music) Piano teacher and author Marcy Rubin has just released the first three books in the new Simonland Jewish Music Series. Written for beginning and intermediate piano students and their teachers, Books 1 through 3 are available now, and the full, six-book leveled series will be available by December 2021.
The Simonland Series not only builds competency in piano but serves another important objective as well. “Parents and students have often asked me to teach piano using Jewish music,” explained Rubin. “But there are few lesson books that include Jewish music. I decided to create something to fill the gap.”
All selections are arranged by renowned musician and arranger Avremi G. His professional arrangements change the entire learning experience. Piano students say that playing the Simon Jewish Music Series is like being part of the band.
Jewish music adds an important dimension to a Jewish upbringing; it links the past with the present, the traditional with the contemporary “Music is an influence that goes straight to the soul,” noted Rubin. “It stays with us throughout our lives.”
With selections not usually found in most lesson books, the first book includes “Modeh Ani,” “Eso Einai” and “Asher Boro.” Book 2 features familiar songs such as “Od Yishama,” “Yiboneh” and “Hamalach Hagoel.” Book 3 includes songs such as “Im Eshkohaych,” “Lecha Dodi” and “Hakol Mishamayim.” The series includes music by Mordechai Shapiro, Avraham Fried, Abie Rotenberg, Yehuda Green and R’ Shlomo Carlebach.
The Simon Jewish Music Series teaches sight reading and offers accompaniments for teachers, friends and family to play alongside the student. This approach is built on the understanding that students gain a great deal from playing with others. It builds rhythm, touch on the keys and performance skills.
The method teaches note-reading by progressively introducing new notes throughout the series. It teaches both the right and the left hands, enabling students to become proficient in reading music. This makes pieces livelier as students gain critical competencies. Perhaps most important to young students, this approach makes learning fun—even while practicing. Teachers and students using Rubin’s Toccata method are responding enthusiastically.
The series is dedicated to Rubin’s father, Ronald Simon, z”l. She recalled: “He took the time to teach me to play. He was committed to the belief that music should be a part of a person’s everyday life.” It’s this inspiration that guided the development of the Toccata method and the Simon Music Series as a whole. “I hope that students will come to learn and play the piano with the same attention and affection that I did,” Rubin said.
Books 1, 2 and 3 of the Simon series are available now at Eichlers Judaica in Brooklyn, Judaica House in Teaneck, Themusicalnote.com, or on www.Amazon.com. Find out more about the Simon Jewish Music Series and Marcy Rubin at [email protected].
