Books for a beginner

[agnor]

Hi, I'm a 19 year old who wants to learn the piano.

I'm not a beginner musician, I had violin lessons (around 5 years as a kid on a private school plus 3 years at Oporto Music Conservatory) and musical education (3 years at Oporto Music Conservatory).

I'm planning on entering a private conservatory next (or the following) year, to study piano and musical education. However, I would like to know how to play something before I get there.

My sister studied the piano when she was young (for 5 years) and she agreed to tutor me. However, we don't have much time together, so I've decided to study for myself, and my sister would only need to stop by sometimes to see how I'm doing (correcting my position and offering some advice).

I would like to know what books do you recommend to help me. I've investigated some of them, but I don't have a clue if they are any good:

First Lessons in Bach - https://www.amazon.com/First-Lessons-Bach-Alfred-Masterwork/dp/0739013505/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227292159&sr=1-3

The Piano Handbook - https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Handbook-Complete-Guide-Mastering/dp/0879307277/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227295685&sr=1-1

Virtuoso Pianist (Hanon) - https://www.amazon.com/Virtuoso-Pianist-60-Exercises-Technique/dp/0793525446/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227295723&sr=1-1

Thanks!

[dan101]

The Alfred book looks pretty good, although I would use a simple method book that has repertoire from diverse composers. This edition: https://www.musicmasterstudios.com/piano-method-books.html
has been around for ages, but I like it, and so do my students.

I have an e-book that I've written at https://www.pianolessons101.com, but you may know some of the theory information in that already, as you have some violin skills. Still, the pdf download comes with thirty plus flash videos that demonstrate hand position, some scales, wrist movement...

As for the Hanon, many pianists swear by it. I prefer 51 exercises written by Brahms (it's probably at amazon or sheetmusicplus).

Good luck on your music journey! 

[agnor]

Hi, thanks for your advise.

Unfortunately, I'm from Portugal and I can't buy anything outside the European Union (the taxes are very expensive!). Usually, amazon.co.uk has every book from amazon.com, but I can't find the John Thompson's books (I can find some scattered grades, but not all of them)

I've also looked into Alfred's Adult Piano Course - https://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Basic-Adult-Piano-Course/dp/0882846167

It looks like it has a good method, for someone who already knows some music theory.

Still looking for recommendations...

[agnor]

Well, I've already ordered my books.

I was able to find the Thompson's books on a uk store (Grades 1-4 only, but that should be enough for me ). I've also ordered studies and exercises from Hanon, Burgmuller, plus two easy books on Bach and The Piano Handbook. That should keep me busy for quite a while.

Also, my sister found some studies from Czerny, they look really good (I managed to play with my right hand almost at the first try! My left hand is a disaster, even with simple chords...)

Thanks for your help (especially in pointing the Thompson's books, they look really good, from the excerpts I've seen).