A Study on Intermediate Piano Pedagogy Reflected in Mike Cornick's Latin Piano Duets, Book 1

This study analyzes three works-<Beguine>, <Slow Tango>, and<Conga>-from Mike Cornick’s Latin Piano Duets Book 1, and proposes effectiveteaching strategies for intermediate piano learners based on their musical characteristics. The analysis reveals that these pieces incorporate core rhythmic idioms of Latin music, such as syncopation and tresillo, and highlight ensemble interaction through roleexchanges between parts. These features are expected to yield positive educationaleffects by enhancing learners’ rhythmic sense, aural skills, and musical expressivenessthrough piano duo performance. Furthermore, body rhythm activities and inter-partinteractions that reflect the characteristics of Latin music provide creative teaching andlearning methods beyond traditional score-centered instruction, thereby maximizing thevalue of these works as educational repertoire. Accordingly, this study carries practicalsignificance as a foundation for expanding the repertoire of piano education in Koreaand for designing learner-centered, effective teaching and learning approaches.