Ease of use for teachers: Clear explanations and a logical pedagogical progression make it easy to teach. Fewer finger numbers are used to help assure good music reading habits. Built-in finger workouts provide preparatory technic. Rhythmic preparatory drills precede pieces with new rhythms and new time signatures. Benefits for students: Very gradual learning steps are easily grasped, increasing the likelihood of success. Student interest is maintained by use of assignments that are short and easy to learn. An appealing variety of musical styles provide motivation. This primer edition features new explanations and directions that are easier to teach and make more efficient use of lesson time. Note reading proficiency is promoted by an emphasis on training the eyes to recognize various melodic intervals, up and down. Rudimentary form and analysis is introduced by identifying various melodic and rhythmic patterns.