Many of the technical ideas for Piano Safari are derived from my 2006 dissertation research for my PhD in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. I observed and interviewed four teachers (along with an additional eight teachers in my post-dissertation research) to learn how well known teachers teach technique to beginners.
I discovered that although the approaches of the teachers were varied, the basic components of beginning technique were similar. This led to the formation of the seven Animal Technique Exercises found in Piano Safari Level 1 and the Technical Exercises and Rote Pieces Book.
A summary of these seven Animal Techniques can be found in the video Animal Technical Exercises.
I have had several requests from teachers wanting to read my dissertation, so I have provided it here for your reading enjoyment!