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Piano Board => Teaching => Topic started by: deirpg on January 13, 2004, 07:49:42 AM

Title: Theory books to use for students??
Post by: deirpg on January 13, 2004, 07:49:42 AM

Hi everyone!

I need some opinions from experienced teachers.  I would like to review some of my theory right from the beginning.  This way, I can refresh my memory before I teach the theory to my students.

I learned with the Lawless theory books, but I didn't find them to be great.  What theory books would you recommend to teach with?  Would anyone recommend the Vandenhool books?

Thanks!

Deirdre
:)

Title: Re: Theory books to use for students??
Post by: nvcc on January 13, 2004, 08:46:45 AM

Im not a certified piano teacher but Ive learned really well with the Barbara Wharram Theory For Beginners and Keyboard Theory series with Grace Vandendool are really good too. Both Grace Vandendool and Barbara Wharram concentrate on teaching the lesson and learning through a lot of repetition.

Title: Re: Theory books to use for students??
Post by: bernhard on January 13, 2004, 11:08:46 AM

I like the "AB guide to music theory" by Eric Taylor (ABRSM). It includes everything and it is well written.

I would complement it with "Understanding harmony" by Robert L. Jacobs (Oxford), while not exactly about theory, and certainly not starting from scratch, is one of the best books on how music works. It assumes the reader to be an informed layman, so you do not need to know much to start with. And unlike most testbooks on harmony, this one is not boring! :D

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Title: Re: Theory books to use for students??
Post by: eddie92099 on January 13, 2004, 11:16:07 PM

Quote

I like the "AB guide to music theory" by Eric Taylor (ABRSM). It includes everything and it is well written.

I would second that recommendation,
Ed