Help / advice needed regarding John Thompsons books

[runemeyer]

Hello,
I am an adult piano student, not a teacher.  Tried to post on the student page, but did not get any help.  I have been playing the piano for 2.5 years, with a teacher.  use the JT Modern course piano books.  For the grades from AMRSM / Trinity and so on - they have 8 grades. Can you say that 3rd grade JT is grade 3+4, JT 4th grade is grade 5+6 and JT 5th grade is grade 7+8? I also have his Hanon books, studie books, velocity and so on.  My teacher thinks this iscorrect - but she does not seem convinsing.  Wonder what you, experienced teachers have to say about this.  I thank you so very much in advance. Rune

[asiantraveller101]

My teacher thinks this is correct - but she does not seem convinsing.  Wonder what you, experienced teachers have to say about this. 

Gotta TRUST your teacher, Rune. Many method books' levels do not coincide with standardized testing such as ABRSM and Trinity. Even among standardized testing alone the levels are not the same. Moreover, many pieces in JT are either paraphrased or simplified versions of the actual music. If I recall correctly, I have seen Chopin C minor Prelude in its actual form, but Liszt Hungarian in paraphrased form.
Best wishes, and trust your teacher! 

[runemeyer]

Dear Asiantraveller, thank you so very, very much.  My problem is that it was my suggestion / idea regarding the JT books and the ABRSM / Trinity grades and she more or less just wet along with my ideas.  That is what made me come here.  Shenever comes with much suggestions, so this is the only place where I feel I can get some guidance.
Best regards
Rune

[asiantraveller101]

No problem Rune. Your teacher should have explained better and put you at ease regarding the level and repertoire. Anyhow, don't just stick to JT. There are many good collections out there, and more up-to-date. JT, in my opinion, is a little out-dated, especially the higher levels.
Ask your teacher to recommend some good collections.
Best of luck in your music learning.

[runemeyer]

Dear Asiantraveller, thank you so much.  However, she wants me to continue the JT.  I asked if we should change books - and she said no, even though she has never used JT before.  She uses whatever the student comes with.  No guidance in the book - field there.  I can not change her either, because there is no other teacher available around here.  I am at least improving and I am at the end of the 3rd book, done some grade 3 exam pieces, and have started towards grade 4. Rune