Which Method?

[keynote88]

Fellow piano teachers, which piano method do you use (the most) the one that's your favorite? Please explain why you chose that method.

Thanks,
Keynote88
Piano Teacher

[ilovechopin]

I use the Music Tree series by Frances Clark.  I like this series because it teaches reading from an intervalic approach rather than a positional approach.  The student learns three landmark notes to begin, then learns other notes based on the interval from the landmark notes.  I think in the books that still use a postional approach the student is reading finger numbers, not notes, and I think it cripples them.  I have a transfer student who cannot play ANYTHING unless she puts her hand in C position first.  Drives me nuts!  And her reading is horrendous.  Just my two cents.

[musikgeek]

I use the Bon's-Way Fastrak Piano Course which utilize
the methods of the Great European Masters now  revived in the western world through  complete comprehensive program.  https://www.musikgeek.com/fastrak1.html

[pianomagic]

ilovechopin is so right.  It's very important that they not read by the finger numbers through position playing.  I don't teach much with an interval approach, but we do a lot of reading.

Flashcards are my greatest blessing in teaching!  One teacher once taught me "Cut C" for the middle c, "Dangling D" for the d above, and "Even E" for the e.  I've expanded a little to "First Space F" and "Ginny G."  (We call the G Clef "Ginny G Clef.")

For the left hand in middle C position, we have "Left-Hand C," "Bubbling B," "Top Line A," "Under Ground G," and "Freddie F."  (We call the F Clef "Freddie F Clef.")

I use "Very First Piano Book: Story of Tony" by Elizabeth Quaille.  This book, however, is slow-going for those that don't practice much.  If that's the case, then they don't learn much!  So I usually add "me and my piano: very first lessons for the young beginner" by Waterman-Harewood.  Although it uses English (as in British) terminology, it's proven to be extremely successful in teaching students to read.

I then go into Diller-Quaile's "25 First Grade Piano Pieces." and "Me and my piano:part 2, Piano Technique."  The first is not as easy as the title, and the second is not really a book of technique.  It's just the second level book of learning to play the piano.  

After that, we go into repertoire books like Gretchaninov, Kabalevsky, and Bach.  

What's nice about these books is that they're "teacher-dependent."  Unlike some method books which spoon feed everything to the student, these books need a teacher.  I find that when I teach out of books like that, I'm more likely to think of what a student needs to learn, then find a piece to match.  

In method books, it's easy to fall into the trap of just turning the page and assigning everything in order.  

But ilovechopin said it simply and correctly.  Avoiding the position and fingering heavy books is important!

[angelucci1]

Hi there,
If you're set on using a method book to begin with, it can be VERY challenging since there are so many out there to choose from (as you've undoubedly discovered!).  Personally, I think the Alfred books are some of the best out there, and I tend to use those most often.  Bastien is also very good, though they remain in 5-finger patterns longer than most other methods.  The Faber and Faber books get a student moving around more, but for some students it's a little too "jumpy".  A lot of people like the Francis Clarke "Learning Tree" series, but I don't think these books always engage children as well.

Try to mix and match books between your students if you can.  Not every book is right for every child.  It's also nice to be teaching different repertoire; this way it's more interesting for the students come recital time (not to mention more interesting for you).

Good luck!

[brotherben]

My favorite method books is Fabor and Fabor.  I feel that they truly get to the heart of the matter.  The students love the colors, pictures, etc., and teachers love the material that's being taught.

I also like the Alfred series.  I like the theory and performance books; they flow together.  I know many teachers don't like the Alfred series, but for a beginner teacher, Alfred helps a lot!

I sure hope this helped you out.

Take care,
Ben

[BoliverAllmon]

what do you think of John Thompson series?

boliver

[ahmedito]

On beginers I use mainly the NIkolayev.... some microcosmos thrown in and a bunch of excercise I write myself (The turtle song, the bunny song, the transformer mighty morphin power ranger song) for the kids... I use the beyer duets and some other stuff... depends on the student

[eddie92099]

I think we would all be delighted to see "The transformer mighty morphin power ranger song". Any chance of showing us?
Ed