10 Astonishing Facts on the 4th of July
The 4th of July has a rich history of astonishing facts, and I’m sure practically everyone will be celebrating in some fashion on that day. Here are some things that are not well known at all, so you can amaze your friends with your patriotic knowledge over hotdogs and fireworks!
1. Some copies of the Declaration of Independence have the signature of a woman!
Congress hired Mary Katharine Goddard to print copies of the historic document, and she added her own signature to those of the official signers in 1776.
2. We waited until July 4, 1960 for the 50th star to be added to the flag!
It symbolized Hawaii’s admission as the 50th state to our country.
3. Independence Day is really July 2!
The Continental Congress declared freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776 – but the official document explaining this to the public was published on July 4, 1776.
4. How much is spent on fireworks…?!
The total is over $2 billion every 4th of July.
5. The Star-Spangled Banner took awhile to catch on!
Francis Scott Key wrote the poem in 1814 after seeing the British attack Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It took 117 years to be recognized by the federal government as the words to our national anthem – in 1931.
6. You had to be special to ring the Liberty Bell!
Every year on July 4, only the children who were descendants of the Declaration signers would strike the Liberty Bell 13 times – to honor the original 13 colonies. The last time was in February 1846 because the bell suffered a large crack.
7. Only two congressmen originally signed the document!
Only Charles Thompson and John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The other 54 delegates signed over the course of the next month.
8. Three U.S. presidents have died on the 4th of July!
They were James Monroe, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
9. When did we start celebrating with fireworks?
The tradition of fireworks on the 4th of July began on the first anniversary in 1777.
10. The governmental wheels move slowly. . .
The 4th of July was not determined to be a federal holiday until 1870, nearly 100 years after the nation was founded.
By the way . . .
The second edition title heading for all the book series (age 4 to 5; age 6 to Early Teen; Older Teen to Adult; Improvise with Chords) is now PIANO Revolution. You may still see a book or two around of the first edition, Revolutionary Piano Method, which does not have the updates.
Any and all comments are welcome about the topics that are published on this website. I will try to accommodate as many as possible in future articles – and thank you for your input!
This content will be of most interest to:
- Parents who homeschool
- Professional piano instructors
- Individuals desiring piano books for beginners
- Educators of Instructional Design for piano
- Adults desiring a self-teaching piano book
- Parents wondering the best age to start piano lessons for a child
What Would the First Lesson for a Young Student Look Like?
What Would the First Lesson for a 6 to Teen Look Like (video)?
View sample pages of all the books for students
ages 6 to teen:
View sample pages of all the books for students
4 to 5 years old:
View sample pages of all the books for older
teens and adults:
View the books on Amazon:
Why I Created Piano Revolution,
Teaching Beginners to Read Music
Personal Reflection by Leslie M. Young, author of Piano Revolution
Leveled Piano Instruction Books in Four Series
Why It Matters
The writing and proving of the Piano Revolution books has been a decades-long journey for me. The longer I used the method as a teacher, the more frequently I saw the lasting benefits for students of various ages. This approach truly teaches learners—proven with ages 5 to 65—how to actually read and play written music from the very first lesson. It’s not just about pressing keys. It’s about unlocking literacy in music and having independence.
Backstory: The Power of Instructional Design
In 1982 I observed a course at the University of North Texas that was about how Instructional Design principles can be used to teach anyone anything in a way that should practically guarantee successful learning. That one experience reshaped how I thought about teaching. It showed me that learning doesn’t have to be rote copying tied to hand positions and finger numbers—it can be logical, clear, and empowering. That’s exactly how Piano Revolution is structured – now.
I realized in the 1980s that just marking out most of the printed finger numbers in songs would not solve the root problem. Those songs were purposefully written in “hand positions” so that only certain notes would be read and certain piano keys played. A student has 10 fingers. A piano has 88 keys. Instant problem.
To alleviate this problem in the beginner’s first book, I searched for recognizable songs in the public domain that would fit my new “thinking process” strategy. This also meant new songs would have to be written to provide enough sequential progress for the student. There were years spent writing and rewriting.
Then something fantastic was created . . . the Internet! . . . and with it the capability for self-publishing books! New notation software – print on demand – no inventory – the book in your hand three days from ordering – amazing! This new “thinking process” method could be in the hands of teachers, students, and parents – all over the world.
The Thinking Process: Step-by-Step
The beginner learns each hand’s staff separately. This makes sense because each staff represents different portions of the piano keyboard—so that the lines and spaces of each staff have different letter names. After the spaces are gradually learned (and the location of their piano keys), the spaces are used to name and locate the line letter names and key locations, in a gradual and logical sequence.
This “thinking process” that the student acquires within a short time of repeated practice is exciting for a teacher to see in action and self-motivating for the students because they can self-correct any errors. I’ve had a student say, “I can figure this out myself, so why do I need a teacher?” That was very satisfying for me to hear!
Though the process can be used by anyone and everyone, the only real hindrances are a low level of maturity in young children and a lack of sufficient practice time for most everyone. To overcome these issues, an uninterrupted nearly-daily session of about 10 minutes of practice (that follows the guidelines) is all that is required for substantial and continued progression. Any parent knows that an immature child can use up 10 minutes making excuses not to be involved. Close personal supervision usually prevents wasted time for young students.
In some cases it takes a bit of time to discover that piano is not the instrument of choice. Some instruments use the same clefs as the piano, and if so, then the “thinking process” of Piano Revolution would be essential in learning to actually read the music for a different instrument. Greatest satisfaction results from learning to play the most preferred instrument, and that may take some time to determine since there are many choices.
The Method that Empowers Students to Teach Themselves
The evolution of structured teaching to read written music and perform it has spanned about 150 years. The Bertini Pianoforte Method of the 1880s was more like an encyclopedia of everything piano rather than a graduated method for beginners to learn to read and play – but it was a start. In the years after Bertini’s book appeared, other method books were published, including Beginners’ Book of the Oxford Piano Course in 1928 and John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano in 1942.
There are certainly more that followed, but modern piano method books seem to be organized in the same general way as that of the 1880s: Systematically gathering beginner concepts together, leading to more difficult, and then the even more difficult – this IS the methodology.
It would take a determined effort for a professional teacher to make a thorough comparison of the books available today. To break away from the popular methods that are generally accepted – and instead consider the logical benefits of Piano Revolution – this may seem revolutionary! A “thinking process” instead of rote-copy hand positions . . .
Piano Revolution gives students independence. It teaches them not just to play by rote-copying, but to understand. Not just to perform, but to logically think.
What Makes Piano Revolution the Best Beginner Piano Book?
Here’s how it works:
✅ First Lesson:
Students begin by identifying the first space on the staff (middle F) and associating it directly with its piano key. They see the space, say the letter, and play the key. That’s not guessing or copying—it’s learning.
✅ No Shortcuts, No Gimmicks:
Piano Revolution doesn’t rely on mnemonics, finger numbers, or playing by pattern. It’s built on a logical thinking process that builds real musicianship. After all staff spaces are learned, they are used to identify lines and their key locations. This unique thinking process of using the space to find the line produces faster retention in long-term memory and the ability to self-correct by the student! It is so rewarding to witness when the student realizes this personal ability and achievement!
✅ Level 2 Introduces Rhythm:
When students have first mastered staff space and line reading for each hand (first treble then bass), both hands coordinate playing together, which requires multiple lessons. Note values and time signatures are introduced next. This layered approach builds confidence, clarity, and consistency.
Looking for a Homeschool Piano Method?
If you’re homeschooling and want a method that actually teaches your child how to read and play music, Piano Revolution is for you.
🎵 Ideal for:
- Homeschool families
- Busy parents
- Private piano teachers
- Self-taught piano learners
- College music major students needing fast, accurate piano skills
🎹 With Piano Revolution, students:
- Build true sight-reading skills
- Progress efficiently and confidently
- Develop real musical independence—no more relying on memory mnemonics, hand position fingering, or videos
Ready to Start?
🎥 Watch this short YouTube video about how Piano Revolution works and see the difference from other methods.
Free Lesson
Get a FREE lesson and discover how Piano Revolution can transform your playing.
🎹 View now at pianorev.com
View sample pages of all the books for students
ages 6 to teen:
View sample pages of all the books for students
4 to 5 years old:
View sample pages of all the books for older
teens and adults:
View the books on Amazon:
About the Author, Composer,
Illustrator, Educator, and
Eternal Optimist
Leslie Young is the author/composer/illustrator of the PIANO Revolution method books (originally titled as the Revolutionary Piano Method). She co-founded a
K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for over 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students.
Young believes that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence
and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is
the method that is used, the pattern of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.
She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the PIANO Revolution method with students. It’s an easy and effective way to learn piano.”
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