Standard course of repertoire for students to follow?

[sharmayelverton]

Hi,

Obviously every student has different strengths and progresses at different rates but do any of you have a standard course of repertoire that you will take your students progressively through? Are there any conventions of what's good to study in what order, what will progress onto what, technique development and so?

Sorry I know this a bit of hard question to answer specifically but any general recommendations would be appreciate.

Thanks!

[lilla]

Method materials are designed to meet the needs you suggest.  They are perfect for the teacher who is not experienced or trained in selecting sequenced lesson material, or who simply desires to leave the task to another.  Methods that I'm currently using include Faber Piano Adventures (was FJH publishing, is now Hal Leonard publishing), Alfred Premier Piano Course, Hal Leonard (especially nice for boys), Noona (but moves along a little faster), and I like the new method put out with Helen Marlais - Succeeding at Piano.  There are many more - Beanstalks, Music for Little Mozarts, Bastien, John Thompson, Kasschau (That's what I was taught from and I love it but it's fallen out of favor - too bad.)  Another method that comes with a detailed teacher's manual and is somewhat more aggressive is the Celebration Series (was called Oddysey, now called Perspectives).  The teacher's manual is invaluable. 

Some students are ready to move into traditional literature at about Level 3, some benefit by sticking with the method until it's completed.  Some can handle supplemental literature from the beginning of study.   If you study the literature explaining the use of each method, rehearse/ review/ study and understand what is being accomplished with the materials, and review to be sure there are no "holes", you should end up with a complete course of instruction. 

You can also refer to literature review and leveling books such as Jane McGrath's - I think Hinson has one - Bastien has one.  They are reference manuals describing the difficulty or nuances of any particular piece.  Put it all together, use your best judgement, supplement where needed, trust your instinct - and you should find yourself in a satisfactory positiion for effective teaching.

[sharmayelverton]

Thanks allot for the detailed reply. I've ordered the Jane McGrath book as I think it will be really useful, and I'll look further into the courses you recommend. The Celebration Series looks good, as it seems to have some more advanced material. I find some the others frustrating in how elementary they are. A number of my students a bit more advanced than that.

Thanks again anyway.

[quantum]

A note about the celebration series.  It is more an organized and graded collection of repertoire than a method.  There is a teachers guide and supplementary material for students including recordings of all the material in the series.  The lessons an explanations would have to come from the teacher during lesson. 

If you are considering it, my suggestion is to get the RCM Piano Syllabus.  It lists all music in the Celebration series, plus a lot more repertoire suggestions and technique for each grade. 

[drorperl]

all good notes, i'll just add that if you are looking for more contemporary (jazz/blues/modern) repertory for your beginner/intermediate students check the Sheer Piano website.


https://www.sheerpiano.com/

Good luck (:

[sonatainfsharp]

Thanks allot for the detailed reply. I've ordered the Jane McGrath book

I love this book, but she has a wide variety of difficulty set to levels 9 and 10, just so you know.

Also, she doesn't include Arvo Part's Fur Alina or Variations, which makes me sad.

[sharmayelverton]

Anyone used the piano adventures method books?

[cjp_piano]

Yes, I use the Piano Adventures method books, but I supplement with lots of other things.

I will echo what others have said and say that the Celebration Series is great, but there are many more pieces in the syllabus which is actually online now:

https://www.theachievementprogram.org/program/piano-program-details

click "complete syllabus"

[sharmayelverton]

Great thanks for the link. I generally supplement most of the theory and stuff myself, especially as I like to add some improvisational approaches in from an early age. Ideal for my teaching metod is really just a nice selection of repertoire at appropriate levels. I think kids respond well to having a book to work through as well. Gives them a clear indication of their progress.

[lukebar]

Anyone used the piano adventures method books?

I've used it extensively and think it is a great beginning method. I would probably stick to the lesson and performance books, and then supplement with other theory materials and supplemental pieces as they progress. My goal however is to get students out of the methods and into the Celebration Series as soon as they are able. Usually, this means I take them no further than completing book 1 or 2a in Faber Piano Adventures, and then make the switch to the introductory book in the Celebration Series.

And of course, when using the Celebration Series books, I don't feel the need to teach every piece in the book, because I too like to supplement with many other styles of music, and also work on musicianship skills with my students such as composing, improvising, sight-reading, etc. But for a basic course of study, I haven't found anything I like better than the RCM curriculum.