Parent User Guide
Getting the most out of the
Diamond Piano Method
Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Contents
Welcome to the Diamond Piano Method! .......................................................................... 3
Getting started ................................................................................................................. 3
Add student ..................................................................................................................... 3
Purchasing materials ....................................................................................................... 3
Add Portal access for another student ............................................................................. 4
Checking out ................................................................................................................... 4
Accessing your account in the Diamond Piano Method Portal .......................................... 4
Main menu ...................................................................................................................... 5
Edit account .................................................................................................................... 5
Add Student (independent teacher neighborhood only) ................................................ 5
“Your child’s name” ....................................................................................................... 5
Pod list ............................................................................................................................ 5
View ............................................................................................................................ 5
Assignment list................................................................................................................ 6
Activity log ..................................................................................................................... 6
Contact DPM .................................................................................................................. 6
Parent discussion board................................................................................................... 6
DPM overview video ...................................................................................................... 7
Overview of DPM Core Concepts by Book ....................................................................... 7
BOOK 1 (Pods 1-8) ........................................................................................................ 7
Pod 1: G Clef Gets Going… ....................................................................................... 7
Pod 2: F Clef Gets Going… ........................................................................................ 7
Pod 3: Two Hands ....................................................................................................... 7
Pod 4: Three-Four Time.............................................................................................. 7
Pod 5: Sharps and Flats ............................................................................................... 7
Pod 6: Harmony .......................................................................................................... 7
Pod 7: Tempos and Dynamics .................................................................................... 7
Pod 8: Incomplete Measures and Ties ........................................................................ 8
BOOK 2 (Pods 9-15) ...................................................................................................... 8
Pod 9: G Clef Up to High C ........................................................................................ 8
Pod 10: F Clef Down to Low C .................................................................................. 8
Pod 11: Eighth Notes and Eighth Rests ...................................................................... 8
Pod 12: Dotted Quarter Notes ..................................................................................... 8
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Pod 13: Articulation: Legato and Staccato ................................................................ 8
Pod 14: Crescendo and Diminuendo.......................................................................... 8
Pod 15: Pedaling ........................................................................................................ 8
BOOK 3 (Pods 16-23) .................................................................................................... 8
Pod 16: G Clef Anchor Points .................................................................................... 8
Pod 17: F Clef Anchor Points ..................................................................................... 8
Pod 18: Major Scales and Key Signatures .................................................................. 9
Pod 19: The I Chord .................................................................................................... 9
Pod 20: Minor Scales, Key Signatures and the i Chord .............................................. 9
Pod 21: Relative Major and Minor ............................................................................. 9
Pod 22: Triads in Close Position Inversions ............................................................... 9
Pod 23: Arpeggios and Broken Chords ...................................................................... 9
BOOK 4 (Pods 24-30) .................................................................................................... 9
Pod 24: More Anchor Points....................................................................................... 9
Pod 25: New Time Signatures .................................................................................... 9
Pod 26: Sixteenth Notes and Rests ........................................................................... 10
Pod 27: Eighth Note Triplets and Swinging Eighth Notes ....................................... 10
Pod 28: Chord Families and Major Keys .................................................................. 10
Pod 29: Chord Families in Minor Keys .................................................................... 10
Pod 30: Harmonic Minor .......................................................................................... 10
Pod Group 4: Technique Section .............................................................................. 10
BOOK 5 (Pods 31-37) .................................................................................................. 10
Pod 31: Common Accompaniment Styles ................................................................ 10
Pod 32: Lead Sheets .................................................................................................. 10
Pod 33: Seventh Chords ............................................................................................ 10
Pod 34: The Circle of Keys ....................................................................................... 10
Pod 35: Pentatonic Scales ......................................................................................... 11
Pod 36: The Blues ..................................................................................................... 11
Pod 37: You Write the Songs.................................................................................... 11
Pod Group 5: Technique Section .............................................................................. 11
Why I Wrote the Diamond Piano Method ........................................................................ 12
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Welcome to the Diamond Piano Method!
The Diamond Piano Method is a dynamic, comprehensive
and fun piano curriculum for students of all ages! The
methodology itself is an outstanding way to learn piano,
but with the addition of the online practice Portal, piano
practice becomes fun and engaging and progress is
achieved more rapidly.
Getting started
Your child’s teacher will have invited you to join the Diamond Piano Method site via an
email. It will have a link to the site, the name(s) of the student(s) and will direct you to
the correct materials to purchase.
Click on the link embedded in the email to create your account and enter the required
information in each field. Create a password for your account. Passwords need to be 6
characters long and contain at least one digit.
You will then be directed to a Welcome page.
Add student
Click “Add Student” from the menu on the left and enter the required information in
each field.
Choose a username and password for the student account. Passwords need to be 6
characters long and contain at least one digit.
Purchasing materials
At this point you will be directed to a page which will invite you to purchase (or
download) the materials. Materials include all of the sheet music, work sheets and
instructional theory in the curriculum. See the Diamond Piano Method Pricing Schedule
for pricing information.
You will have 2 options – you may choose to purchase a download of the curriculum for
printing or you can choose to purchase the curriculum in a spiral-bound book.
Make your selection and click “add to cart”.
Next, you will be directed to a page inviting you to purchase Portal access for your child
or children. See the Diamond Piano Method Pricing Schedule for pricing information.
Make your selection and click “add to cart”.
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Add Portal access for another student
This is where you would add Portal Access for another child/ student.
To add materials for an additional child, choose the appropriate button and follow the
directions as per above.
Checking out
At this point you are ready to check out. Your items will be individually listed in your
‘cart’.
When your order is complete, click on the button ‘process order’ and enter your
payment information onto our secure payment site.
If you have opted to print your own materials, you can choose to download your book
or save it to an auxiliary device.
Now your child is ready to experience a fun and engaging way to learn piano!
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Accessing your account in the Diamond Piano Method Portal
Within the Diamond Piano Method Portal, there are several actions that you can take.
Main menu
You will see a listing of all the students currently under your account. The student’s
Status will be listed (Active or Inactive) and there are options for you to Edit the
student’s account or to View the student’s account.
Edit account
This option allows you to update or change your personal information at any time.
Add Student (independent teacher neighborhood only)
This option allows you to add an additional child or children to your account
“Your child’s name”
Clicking on this option gives you a summary of the student’s last login, whether the
student is an active (current) student in the system and allows you an alternative
location to edit your account. It also informs you of the current book and Pod level your
child is working in as well as how many Pod Points he/ she has earned by using the
Diamond Piano Method Portal.
Pod list
‘Pod’ is the name that we have given to encompass the chapter being taught and
all the materials that are associated with that chapter – worksheets, games,
tests, videos and audio files. Whenever you see the word, ‘Pod’, know that it
refers to a chapter in the Diamond Piano Method books and also the additional
materials available through the Diamond Piano Method Portal.
Selecting the word ‘Pod’ will take you to the list of all Pods and the current status
your child has within that Pod (‘Done’ or ‘Open’) as well as the current score
your child has earned. Within this section you can choose from the following
options:
View – This allows you to view or access:
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Pod Status (Done/ Open)
Pod Points (out of 100 possible)
o 70-89=standard certificate, 90 or more points= deluxe
certificate
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
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Test Scores History will show you the date, time and score of each
attempt for the Pod Test, the Note Finder Test, Rhythm Tester,
Solfege Builder* and Chord Builder** (*available in Pod 5/
**available in Pod 19)
o If you click on the word “View” on this page, you will see
the test that your child took, the answers for each
question and whether your child selected the correct
answer.
Pod Audio Downloads will show you which of the songs from that
particular Pod have been downloaded and how often.
Pod Video Views will take you to a listing of all the videos
available in that Pod and how often your child viewed each.
Songs will list the songs your child has performed and what score
the instructor has awarded out of 30 possible points. A comment
section is also provided for the instructor to share
encouragement, support or provide feedback.
Assignment list
This will give you a history of all the assignments made by your child’s teacher,
the dates the assignment was made and any instructions that were given.
Activity log
This page will give you a history of all the times and dates that your child has
used the Portal and which activities he/she has worked on along with the score
achieved. Here is where you will also find a Progress Report for your child for
each Pod, along with the Pod’s Status and the student’s Score. You can click on
each individual Pod and it will take you back to the Pod View where you can
access the information outlined above.
Contact DPM
This will take you to an email message form where you can submit questions or
comments to the support staff at Diamond Piano Method. All fields need to be filled in
before the form can be submitted. When you have finished making your comments,
click “Send Email.”
Parent discussion board
This will take you to our online bulletin board, Diamond
Piano Method Community. Here is where you will find
topics of interest to parents of piano students and we
encourage comments and suggestions to the discussion.
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
DPM overview video
Clicking here will take you to an informational video from the creator and founder of the
Diamond Piano Method, Gerry Diamond, detailing the benefits of the Method and how
best to support your child’s efforts.
Overview of DPM Core Concepts by Book
BOOK 1 (Pods 1-8)
Pod 1: G Clef Gets Going…
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G Clef Hand introduced in Middle C Position*
Quarter Notes, Half Notes, Whole Notes
G Clef (Treble Clef) Staff reading
Finger Number System
4-4 Time Signature and Counting
Repeat Signs with and without endings
Solfege – one hand (major – Do, Re, Mi)
* The Diamond Piano Method has found that a beginner student’s note reading ability progresses best in Middle C
Position and the Diamond Piano Method’s emphasis on solfege transpositions addresses any hand position issues that
may arise when students begin their study in Middle C Position.
Pod 2: F Clef Gets Going…
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F Clef Hand introduced in Middle C Position
F Clef (Treble Clef) Staff reading
Pod 3: Two Hands
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Two Hand Middle C Position Melodies
Quarter Rests, Half Rests, Whole Rests
Grand Staff reading
Solfege – one hand (major – Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So)
Pod 4: Three-Four Time
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Dotted Half Notes (Dotted Note Rule)
3-4 Time Signature
Pod 5: Sharps and Flats
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Sharps and Flats introduced
Pod 6: Harmony
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Harmony
Pod 7: Tempos and Dynamics
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Tempos and Dynamics
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Pod 8: Incomplete Measures and Ties
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Incomplete Measures
Ties
BOOK 2 (Pods 9-15)
Pod 9: G Clef Up to High C
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G Clef Reading expands up to High C
Intervals 2nd – 5th (Melodic and Harmonic) Introduced
Two Handed Unison Solfege (Major – Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So)
Pod 10: F Clef Down to Low C
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F Clef Reading expands to Low C
Mirror Image Cs Introduced
Pod 11: Eighth Notes and Eighth Rests
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Eighth Notes
Counting with “ands”
Pod 12: Dotted Quarter Notes
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Dotted Quarter Notes
Pod 13: Articulation: Legato and Staccato
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Articulation – legato and staccato
Pod 14: Crescendo and Diminuendo
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Crescendo and Diminuendo
Pod 15: Pedaling
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Sustain Pedal
BOOK 3 (Pods 16-23)
Pod 16: G Clef Anchor Points
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G Clef Reading Expands to High G
Anchor Points in G Clef (FACE)
Two Part – Two Hand Solfege (Major)
Pod 17: F Clef Anchor Points
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F Clef Reading Expands to Low F
Anchor Points in F Clef (All Cows Eat Grass)
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Pod 18: Major Scales and Key Signatures
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Major Scale Formula and Tetrachords
Key Signatures (Major)
Full Major Scale Solfege in Two Hand Tetrachord Position
Pod 19: The I Chord
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Major Triad Formula
The “I” chord in Major Keys
Transposing with One Hand Major Solfege Melody and Other Hand “I” Chord
Pod 20: Minor Scales, Key Signatures and the i Chord
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Minor Scale Formula
Key Signatures (Minor)
The “i” Chord
Minor Scale Solfege and Transposing a Full Minor Scale Melody
Pod 21: Relative Major and Minor
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Relative Major and Minor
Transposing with One Hand Minor Solfege Melody and Other Hand “i” Chord
Pod 22: Triads in Close Position Inversions
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Triad Inversions
Identifying Triad use in Songs
Looking for the “V” Chord
Transposing with “I” and “V” Accompanying Solfege Melody
Pod 23: Arpeggios and Broken Chords
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Arpeggios and Broken Chords
“IV” Chord – and Transposing with “I” and “IV” Accompanying Solfege Melody
BOOK 4 (Pods 24-30)
Pod 24: More Anchor Points
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Expanded Grand Staff Reading (Double Low C to Double High C)
Fermata
Technique section with all major and minor scales (one octave), inverted triads, and “IIV-V” cadences
Pod 25: New Time Signatures
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2-2 Time Signature
6-8 Time Signature
Counting with “e-and-a”
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Pod 26: Sixteenth Notes and Rests
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Sixteenth Notes and Rests
Transposing with “I-IV-V” Accompanying Solfege Melody
Pod 27: Eighth Note Triplets and Swinging Eighth Notes
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Eighth Note Triplets
Swinging Eighth Notes
Counting with “and-a”
Pod 28: Chord Families and Major Keys
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Diatonic Triads in Major Keys
8-measure major key chord progression improvisation
Pod 29: Chord Families in Minor Keys
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Diatonic Triads in Minor Keys
8-measure minor key chord progression improvisation
Pod 30: Harmonic Minor
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Harmonic Minor Scale and Resulting Diatonic Triads
8-measure improvisation - minor key progression with “V” from harmonic minor
Pod Group 4: Technique Section
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All 12 major and minor scales (one octave), triad inversions,”I-IV-V” cadences.
BOOK 5 (Pods 31-37)
Pod 31: Common Accompaniment Styles
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Accompaniment – stride bass
Accompaniment – Root-Fifth-Root and Root-Fifth-Tenth
Accompaniment – Rhythmic Block Chords (close position voicings)
Harmonizing a Melody (choosing diatonic triads to support melody)
Pod 32: Lead Sheets
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Reading Lead Sheets and Arranging Accompaniment
Improvisation with “Student Chosen” Diatonic Chord Progression
Pod 33: Seventh Chords
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Seventh Chord Formulas (Major Seven, Minor Seven, Dominant Seven)
Improvisation with Diatonic Seventh Chords
Pod 34: The Circle of Keys
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The Circle of Fifths
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
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Quadrant Chord Families
Parallel Keys
Neighbor Keys
Improvisation with neighbors and parallels
Pod 35: Pentatonic Scales
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Pentatonic Scales (formulas for major and minor)
Pentatonic Improvisation with guided “licks”
Pod 36: The Blues
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Blues Scale Formula
12-Bar Blues Standard Progression
Common Blues Accompaniment Styles
Melody Writing Using Blues Scale
Pod 37: You Write the Songs
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Creating Original Music Using Key Signature and Time Signature of Pod Songs
Pod Group 5: Technique Section
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All 12 major and minor scales (two octaves), triad inversions, “I- IV-V” cadences,
diatonic triad families, and five finger scale positions from every scale tone
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Diamond Piano Method Parent Guide
Why I Wrote the Diamond Piano Method
Why did I write the Diamond Piano Method and why do I
continually update it? It’s simple: I want everyone taking piano
lessons to develop the skills they need to become lifelong
musicians playing the music they love.
I had ten enjoyable years of classical piano lessons as a child. But
throughout this decade, there was a disconnect between the
piano music I practiced and the popular music of the day. I loved
that pop music; it spoke to my heart in a way that my classical
piano repertoire didn’t. Sadly, my studies hadn’t taught me that the harmonic building
blocks of both genres were the same.
As a teen, some of my friends started a garage band. Seeing my
peers actively participating in pop music was transformational.
Suddenly, I knew that I wanted to create and play music with
others, but, despite my thorough technical background, I had no
idea how to play without written music. Still, I joined that band, and
thanks to a lot of trial and error, I slowly taught myself a little about
improvisation, and I loved it. It was magical for me.
I enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, graduating
summa cum laude with a BA in songwriting in 1989. The music theory I learned at
Berklee made it so much easier for me to read music, learn pieces by ear, improvise, and
write music. And, the theory was so simple that I wondered why these basics hadn’t
been an integral part of my study when I was a child first learning piano.
After graduating from Berklee, I began teaching piano lessons and discovered how much
I loved sharing music with others. I could not find a curriculum that made a sustained,
progressive effort to develop a piano student’s arranging and improvising skills, so I
created handouts and songs to supplement my students’ lesson books. In 1995, I
organized these supplements into a series of lesson books, and my Diamond Piano
Method (DPM) was born.
Since then, I have been continually developing the
Diamond Piano Method, most recently, harnessing the
full force of available technology to create the DPM
Online Practice Portal at DiamondPiano.com. I remain
committed to sharing my love of music with all piano
students and to giving them the opportunity to truly
understand music so that they can take their own
music wherever their hearts desire.
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