What to do?

[TicTacDuck]

Hello everyone! I am just starting my own music studio and I am very excited. I'm only  15 but great with kids and music. I'm trying to decide which method to use. I used the Alfred and i love it, so I plan on using it, however, I hear about the fifty million books they have and I'm overwhelmed. Do I start with level 1, level 1a, little mozart, prep course? I don't know where to begin. And also does anyone know where there is a listing for each of the books offered at each level of Alfred so I can have it handy? I really appreciate any input.

[MzrtMusic]

Good luck with your studio!!!

I use the alfred prep course with almost all of my students... If I have a 13+ student, I generally use the "plain" Alfred books. If you go to www.pattimusic.com they have all of the alfred books, and it's also a great place to order from!!! They have EVERYTHING you could ever want for piano music, from begining lesson books to classical music!!! It's also wholesale prices, with no minimums to order, and a flat shipping rate!!!

Love,

Sarah

P.S. If you have a child that's under the age of 7, I would reccomend the Little Mozart's, or Beanstalks Basic... Kids love the stickers in that!!!

[princess]

first off, CONGRATS and GOOD LUCK!

i've used John Thompson's series! teaching little fingers to play then the grade books.  these books teach all you need to know.  i've also used these to teach my students

[kateb]

I cannot recommend the Faber and Faber series enough. I recently switched to it, and
1. kids like the music more so they practice more...and
2. it doesn't keep students in one hand position for any length of time, so they learn the notes as notes, not as finger numbers

I really really love it. I also have gotten a lot of positive feedback from parents.

[glamfolk]

I like the Faber series and Thompson.  Fletcher is good, too.  I try to stay away from Alfred's and Bastien because they treat everything as though it's supposed to be in C, and make such a huge deal out of playing black notes.  There's also too much attention paid to finger numbers, which gets a little hairy for little kids when they have to move their hands.  Thompson is good for getting away from the 5-finger position trap.  Don't be afraid to try your own method.  If something outside of a method book had a profound effect on you as a student, chances are it will on your students, as well, so try it.
Good luck!

[rach17]

I agree with kateb and glamfolk.  Alfred does put way too much emphasis on C position, and Faber does a wonderful job moving around.  I was taught with Bastien and remember having untrain that in the RH, D was 2, E was 3, etc.   Faber is wonderful and students love it!

[TicTacDuck]

You've all convinced me. I officialy went out yesterday and "turned my back" on the Alfred series and bought Faber and Faber for my students. I must admit, that after looking at it I do find it very nice, however, it seems that at the end of book one you are not playing as complex music as you would at the end of Alfred level 1. No need to worry, I trust in all of you and figure that in the long run Faber and Faber wil give the greater benifit. I still have the entier serious of Alfred and will refer to it and look to it for suggestions and such. THank you for all your support. Wish me luck for tomorrow! My first piano student!!! I'm very glad I joined this forum!

[glamfolk]

Good ideas.  Don't completely count Alfred out--it's good at illustrating the cadence chords and chromatics.  It's just that it doesnt really ever break out of them much in the first 4-5 books(!).  Have fun!

[TicTacDuck]

One more thing.... has anyone had any experience wit hthe Clark books? (the music tree) They have been highly reccommended and if they are so much better than what i am using now I may consider buying it for my incoming students.