Method books

[mbandera]

What method books do you prefer? Do you use more than one method? Does the method book depend on the student?

[alpacinator1]

Method books (except for use with absolute beginners) are terrible. I say students should learn on real pieces of music.

[db05]

Method books (except for use with absolute beginners) are terrible. I say students should learn on real pieces of music.

Only an absolute beginner would ask this sort of question.

Okay. If you have a good teacher, any easy piece will do. If you don't, buy a method. Buy one with lots of pieces, and scales and arpeggios. It's the cheapest way to get something easy to practice. That's the value of a method for me. Once you can play real pieces, you'll never look back. Except maybe for sight reading easier stuff.

[mbandera]

Maybe my question wasn't clear, I meant to ask, as teachers, what (if any) method books do you start beginning piano students on? I'm talking about students with no to little prior knowledge of music or the piano.

[Bob]

I'm all for method books.  I don't see anything wrong with them.

Really, any of them are ok.  They all cover about the same thing.  They all end up in about the same place.  You can always add your own stuff to them and tailor them that way.

Alfred, Bastien, Faber.  I think it was Yamaha that I just didn't like the layout of the book. 

I've never really had a strong preference.  I don't think the book adapts much to the student, but the teacher will change for the student.  You have to.

[a-sharp]

Personally - I can't recommend any one of them. I tend to use Faber's PA, or Aflrend Premier - but, I have issues with both of these, and almost all of them, the more I study them. In the end, you need to know what you are going to set out to teach, and then choose the book, and the particular parts of those books that fit your own program.

If you don't yet have a program, you probably couldn't go wrong with one of the above mentioned ones - BUT, it would behoove you to enroll in a pedagogy course, if you aren't already.... Or haven't yet taken any of those classes....

Good luck!

[mbandera]

Thank you for your responses. I am actually taking a piano pedagogy course this semester, and we just finished talking about all the different method books (Alfred, John Thompson, Frances Clark, Bastien, ect.). I thought it would be interesting to get other teacher's opinions. Thanks!

[prins]

I have three students in the age of 7-10. All three are in the Hal Leonard series, 2 in Level 1 and one student in level 3. They are enjoying the pieces very much, and the accompaniment cd, and the teacher duets. They are doing quite well with this series.

[db05]

Maybe my question wasn't clear, I meant to ask, as teachers, what (if any) method books do you start beginning piano students on? I'm talking about students with no to little prior knowledge of music or the piano.

Then ignore my post as I am still a student. 

[keyofc]

I use different method books based on the student - and of course, incorporate my own method along with it.
For slow learners who love playing - I use Alfred - Alfred repeats constantly the same concepts.  And as boring as I may find the songs, the kids love them.  That's what counts!

For quicker learners I used Faber.  I don't use their theory books - since they have so much theory in the lesson anyway.

For kids who I know will practice an hour a day - and who like a challenge - I use
Michael Aaron.  Their music is more complex -better variety and better to listen to, I think.

I also use Music tree activitie book for every student - as it helps them learn
intervals in a fun way - and constantly builds upon them

I intersperse all of this with different handouts - playing by ear, etc.

[morningstar]

I generally use books associated with the syllabes in taught in Australia. I generally find that apart from being useful because they teach the student what is required in exams, they are quite good just for any students.

[nanabush]

I use Michael Aaron too; I started using Faber with a few students...

Method books are useless unless the kids practice... well lesson are useless if the kid doesn't practice

[a-sharp]

This might be controversial, but I have come to the conclusion that music lessons can actually be harmful is kids don't practice.

I think what that ends up teaching them is - a. to hate music lessons, and b. that they are failures and have no talent - when this is very likely not the case - and more, I don't think it even requires a ton of talent. I didn't used to think this way, but I believe everyone is capable of learning music - the same as learning how to read, speak, think, do math... etc. But - you can't learn how to read without practicing it - nor how to think, without reading, and practicing critical thinking or writing, or learn math without doing your homework. But, if you don't practice stuff, it's *impossible* to improve at anything.

What I see more than anything is parents not taking an active role in the process.... It ends up ensuring their failure. (for young kids I mean) I'm not sure why this happens... I've had parents say to me - "well, we are busy and you should know there isnt' going to be a lot of practicing - we don't want him/her to be a concert pianist etc" ... Why would you want to set limits on your children right from the start? How does that benefit them in any way for anything?

LOL - sorry -this topic was about method books... 

[hyrst]

I know, again, this is off topic - sorry...
However, I completely agree with yoiu, a-sharp, on all your points.

I have  actually terminated a few young students exactly because they have come to a stand still due to lack of practice.  I have felt unsure about doing it, but it was clear the situation was not going to change and we had done exactly the same thing for a number of weeks with no possibility of moving on.  I think it is better to stop, once many options have been tried out, and give them the  chance to return with equal passion when they are older.  I always tell them I enjoyed teaching them and they were doing a good job but that I think it would be better for them to have a break. 

I was very upset for one girl.  When she started her mother said she wanted to give her a try for a month before getting a piano.  To me, that is a tolerable option.  Two months later I convinced the mother the girl needed at least a keyboard to play in the short term.  Her mother bought her a cheap toy with little keys.  At 6 months I begged the mother to buy something because the little girl was showing problems from playing on the toy.  Her mother said she didn't want to invest in something yet because her girls "always give up" their activities.  After more time and begging the mother agreed.  6 weeks later, still nothing.  Well,  the little girl didn't give up - I terminated the lessons when it was obviously heading into discouragement.  However, I think the mother's beliefs would not have been too much longer before they were fulfilled.  It makes me quite angry that parents do that kind of thing to their children - and it was by no means lack of money in this case. 

[a-sharp]

Thing is - someone needs to say to the parents - they are KIDS - you have to help them to do stuff ... Ask them, do they brush their teeth without you reminding them? Would you let them "give up" brushing their teeth? When they say no, then we shou'd correct them by saying - it's not the KIDS who are giving up - it's the parents. I mean, that's what it is, isn't it?? Aaargh - I'm a parent (6 YO boy) and I hate seeing parents who don't *parent.*

Off my soapbox now!

[hyrst]

   Yay!! You have a cheer squad in the audience!

Seriously though, I tried to talk to this girl's parents.  I warned them several times that the girl just wasn't getting the support she neded from home.  After that, the closest thing she got to family involvement was being unable to practice because her parents said she had to let her siblings play - she had to share the keyboard when she was 'practicing'.  Also subsequently, the teenage nanny turned up to lessons with a carload of 5 preschoolers.  I hated terminating with this girl - she wanted to learn and I think this was a case of a rich family with a neglected child.  But, leaving with a desire to learn still in place still seemed like a better option. 

Stay on your soap-box, a-sharp. 

[gyzzzmo]

If i have a new (15+) student, i usually lend them a couple of thomson books and some papers with music theory to read and learn. For me it works perfectly since the 'older' students are quite enthusiastic when they start, and willing to learn those pretty dry basics. Then quite soon i start working on easy sonatines, some silly czerny or other things i think that is suited for that student.

Young children also do good with the thomsons but ofcourse at much slower learning speed than older ones. I havent tried other than thomson, basicly because these seem to work, and the kids enjoy them.

gyzzzmo