How to choose a beginning piano course? I need help!!! please!!!

[bach_ko]

I'm enrolled in a piano methods class that meets 3 hours each week. So far we have been having general lecturers on piano, piano pedagogy, and the history of piano literature. In the second half of the semester we are going to begin to study various piano courses available.

In preparation for this, I have been assigned to lead a discussion on how to choose a method and a piano course for beginning piano students. I am a pianist but have never taught and dont feel competend to lead such a discussion without some help. Would u be willing to give me some advice? thanks a lot..

[dan101]

The ones that are mainstream are fairly reliable; the Thompson series, ABC books (Boris Berlin), some of the many methods published by Alfred Music publishing, the L. Fletcher series.

Apart from some of the newer Alfred selections, the above books have withstood the test of time. They have clear notation and a they increase levels of difficulty gradually. Good luck.

[hyrst]

Consider such things as:
Student age and matching materials - cognitively, music style and visual lay out.
Clutter and layout.
Clarity of instructions for following up at home.
Logic of progression.
Introduction of various concepts: eg. when you think it appropriate to start on Middle C or vary position; using different fingers and/or different pentascales; how quickly various rhythms are introduced; notation versus aural skills, etc.

This is just a beginning.  Good luck.