Done with Alfred's Adult All in one courses, now where to next?

[musicsphere]

I am learning to play the piano by myself right now but intend to hire a piano when I am more financially able to. In the mean time, I am doing everything I can to prepare myself for classical pieces.  I have just finished all three levels of Alfred's Adult all in one courses and not too sure what materials I should tackle next. (I am assuming that the Alfred basic Adult courses are really nothing but primers in the world of classical music.) Should I find another series to help polish my piano techniques or should I dig into easier classical pieces? What series or pieces should I try? I didn't realize that there were Piano grade levels until recently. What grade level should a student be after finishing the Alfred Basic Adult courses? In general, how should I precede with my learning while I save money to hire a teacher?

I am a little lost now in this vast sea of information and any help or suggestions would be greatly, extremely appreciated. Thanks.

[pianotanten]

First of all, well done to work so diligently all by yourself! Great self-discipline;)

You should have reached an early intermediate level, depending on how you play, so I would recommend you to follow an exam system like RCM, which have excellent repertoire helping you to develop step by step. Start with grade 3, which might seem easy to you, but when switching methods it is usually a good idea to start a bit easier. Get the Celebration series repertoire and etudes books and get the CD's as well. If this is too costly, I would recommend the Festival Collection by FJH Music Company book 3 (grade 3-4) which includes cd.

I would also recommend you to get the DVDs: Anthology of Keyboard Music with Performance Practices in Keyboard Music by Alfred Music Publishing to give you an idea of how to interpret different genres of piano music.

Now, even if you cant afford piano lessons- it is well advised that you at least set up a few lessons with a good piano teacher. Even one lesson could do miracles! You can also ask at a local University if there are any piano pedagogy students who need a student to "practice" on. This could even be for free or at least to a low cost, and they are themselves tutored by good pedagogues.

Good luck!

https://www.play-the-piano.org

[music32]

I tend to be a repertoire based teacher. The method book route is unavoidable at the start of piano study, but in my opinion, after my adult students, for example wade through Piano Adventures, Accelerated Older Beginner I just can't wait to transition them to minuets, sonatinas, dances, etc of the great composers. And looking back, these adults appreciate the quality of the music they have the opportunity to study after they had the patience to learn basic symbols, notation, meters, structure etc. Just some examples of great music that could follow Adult primer (James Hook Minuet, Menuet en Rondeau, Mozart's Dance in F Major, etc) Then as one moves along, the Kabalevsky collection of Children's pieces are very pleasing because of their programs, moods, perky harmonies, rhythms etc. But by all means work with a sensitive and qualified teacher. (for the pieces I mentioned, one is in the Celebration series, Canadian series) the others in Faber's repertoire series.
Shirley Kirsten
https://arioso7.wordpress.com

[musicsphere]

Thanks Pianotanten and music32 for all your awesome suggestions and advice.

Funny thing: speaking of patience, after I finished my adult primer books, I thought "now I have the skills to play chopin." I couldn't wait to dig my hands into those pieces, but as soon as I looked at the sheet music I was like, "NO WAY!". That was when I figured that i still have a long way to go. But nevermind that, I'm having so much fun at the piano.

And thanks for the suggestion about the Celebration Series. Nobody ever talks about the better series like Celebration and FJH. Normally when I search the net, most people talk about Alfred's Publishing, Music Tree, or Bastien. I will take your advice and order the Celebration Series Grade 3 repertoire/etudes/cd since it is aligned with the RCM standards, and I'm pretty sure the RCM can guide me to playing Chopin one of these days. 

Btw, very nice websites you both have.