Method books

[jenilyn]

I am trying to find some new material because I am really tired of Alfred, Faber and Bastian.  What method books do you all use?  I only teach out of method books for the first 3 levels, depending on the student, but I am so tired of the ones I am using!  I would love to hear any ideas!

[jgallag]

I'm teaching out of the Keith Snell series published by the Neil A. Kjos company. There's a Baroque and Classical Book, Romantic and Modern Book, Fundamentals of Theory, Scales and Arpeggios, and Etudes for each level. I personally like that all material in the first two books (the Baroque & Classical and the Romantic & Modern) is actual repertoire worth not only studying but performing as well. However, these books were given to me by my advisor (I'm a performance major teaching lessons through the college), so I haven't really been able to look at other books. I myself was taught on Bastien and Alfred, but I think these books are more fun.

[penguinlover]

I think it depends upon the student too.  I had a student who really loved the John Thompson books.  I too feel a bit bored with Alfred and Bastien books after using them for years.  Check out some of the older discussions here on the forum about this subject.  I found it very enlightening.

[gremlokes]

Hi
There is a new Alfred's set out (well, new to me!) that is called the 'Premier Course'. It's a bit more up to date and I use it mainly with primary boys. But I hear your pain! If I have to hear 'Indian Song' one more time....

Josie

[CC]

I agree that method books are boring to both the student and teacher, and in fact may be responsible for why so many students quit.  However, they are necessary for the first few lessons for learning the beginnings of music notation, and later, for learning such things as scales, key and time signatures, etc., although these can also be taught using "real" music, which I believe should be started from the very beginning.  For more of my free opinions, go to my home page below.