Hal Leonard Method Books

[ame]

Has anyone used the Hal Leonard method? 
I'd appreciate any feedback about how it works. 
I recently acquired the books for level one, and have been perusing them, and it's one of the few methods I've seen that uses intervalic recognition and DOESN'T use the five-finger positions, which I liked.

Are the CD accompaniments any good?  Has anyone used the "Piano Practice Games"?

Thanks for some info.

[ptmidwest]

A lot of teachers appreciated the HL books when they first came out because it was different from the series books we all were getting tired of, even though they were perfectly fine.  The teacher accompaniments were new, pictures were new, kids liked the HL, and the teaching method was sound. 

Sometimes teachers without as much teaching experience have trouble having "fun" while they teach from HL, but I suspect that much of that could be remedied by adequate prep time and increased familiarity with the book.  Also, some of those teachers have less experience with teaching pre-staff notation, or younger beginners, or both.  The series is not made to start with the very youngest beginners, but seems to be fine for kids who are reading--unfortunately, they may think the pictures are too "babyish".

Many kids do the Prep level and are tired of HL by then.  Others continue with Book 1, but are want to change before they are done with it.  If they are just wanting a change of style/appearance/routine, supplemental books could provide that.

Of the teachers I've heard from,  by the time students are into Book 3 or 4 it commonly happens that the method must be supplemented, because it progresses too quickly.  I have had to supplement frequently at even earlier levels because of this, even with especially capable kids, and even when using HL's own supplemental pieces book.

As for the Games books, some students love them, some are okay with them, and some just don't like them.  Familiar story there.

The CDs:  I am surprised how many teachers report that their students really get into the CD accompaniments, and I see my own students who are in HL series really enjoying it, as well.  For the parents who do not want the expense, I have the CDs of my own, and students can play along at their lessons;  all of them seem to enjoy this.

Hope this helps.

[ame]

Thanks, PTMidwest.  I appreciate your taking the time to write that out for me.  It was quite helpful!

[ptmidwest]

You're welcome!