Vision and aim
It is Pimba´s aim to help and support children in their first attempts to play a piano or keyboard. Pimba does this by offering practical information and providing a bridge between the world of the child and the traditional western system of musical notation. The Pimba system does not offer just bare theoretical information. It focuses on the bigger picture: playing, experiencing, feeling and understanding music in its entirety.
Teaching materials
Pimba tries to achieve these aims by offering for free a website with songs, information and games. The songs are notated in a way that is easy for a child to understand. Fundamental to the Pimba system is a clear rhythm-free notation (see below). For all sheet music there is always at least one link to an audible example.
Learning while playing
With Pimba, playing and learning go hand in hand. It is true that theory is offered in the section ‘How to’, but it is the availability of playing material to get the child started that lies at the heart of the Pimba system. The Pimba system is very easy to use. The pupil will not encounter any serious obstacles in the rhythm-free musical notation. He or she can easily judge whether a song at a certain level is worth the effort or not.
Notation
The songs are sorted into several ‘levels’. The first level consists of playing material that is notated in letters. The second and following levels use a rhythm-free notation. This means that the sheet music only shows which notes have to be played. All other information about timing and rhythm has been left out. The layout has also been altered. Pick-up notes (upbeats) are not shown at the end of a line, but in a position which for a child is more logical. To create order, phrase marks (slurs) are used which link the individual notes to make the whole thing comprehensible.
Levels
There is no rigid division between the levels of the Pimba system. At each level there are songs which may be ‘too difficult’, thereby providing a challenge as well as giving insight into the effort needed for the next level. The songs become progressively more difficult as the levels go up. The general approach is: from simple melody to a melody with chords. In levels one and two sharps and flats only occur occasionally. In the third and fourth level sharps and flats are introduced. In the fifth level, chord symbols are gradually added to the scores, allowing children to play a basic accompaniment (root notes, fifths or complete triads).
Genre-free
Pimba does not favour any type of music, style, period or culture. It offers something which is familiar, which will inspire, and which is within the capability of the child.
Playing technique
There are tips with each song to help the child play it well, such as suggestions for fingering and method of study. These tips are not intended to be the only way to play the piece properly. The child’s own psyche and motor skills are more important.
Singing
Lyrics are added to almost all arrangements in Pimba. Singing is often the most direct and intimate expression of our musicality. Lyrics are often helpful when learning to play melodies. When a child sings them to himself, rhythmic or playing difficulties not only often disappear but may not even occur!
In conclusion
Pimba wants to facilitate. Pimba does not wish to be an alternative for regular music lessons. And … yes, with Pimba you can get a long way, even without a teacher. Pimba is just happy with every child, pupil or teacher who may benefit from using it.
The Pimba Foundation (Stichting Pimba) was established on July 10, 2020. More information can be found on the page 'About the Pimba Foundation'.