Teaching "In-between"

[amp]

I will have a student over the summer who is 11 years old. I would like use John Thompson. Any opinions, on using that method for an older beginner. This may sound her silly, but I'm wondering if a student that age would be "insulted" by the really "kid-oriented" nature of the first few level books. Anybody encountered a reation like that? Or am I'm overthinking this? (which is plenty possible)

Also, this method has no supplementary books...do teachers out there teach with out an supplement book? In the past have used Bastein, with the supplement book. Alot of music, but the progress was slow. Also, I thought about using some finger excersizes so they can concetrate on the sound they are producing. I found a book, Burnham.

Thanks.....

[BuyBuy]

I have had students that did not like the kid looks of some young beginners books. Usually, I try avoiding that, or if I believe that the book is really necessary (that does not happen, cause I do not believe so much in books), I'd try expplaining the teenager that the pictures or the kid songs are not so important as long as they develop their practice.

Now, the Thompson level I, I never use because of the fingering virtually on every single note, which discourages the best efforts to teach music reading. The students always look at the fingers and play in "position", which is very destructive for learning music properly. I use the Thompson from level II and on only.

For a 11 years old kid, depending on the level of understanding and dedication of the person, you could just use none of these method books, teach theory yourself and give little pieces of music that you would find here and there. If the student can't take that or that you don't have time for that (method books are always more comfortable and easy to use), you can use Michael Aaron method level I (not to kidish) or adult learning if the student is smart and quick to grasp ideas.

All the Bastien, F&F, Alfred... are very for kids, so... it's for you to see.

[amp]

Thanks, just to clarfy, when you say level I, do you mean "Teaching little Figners to play," I actually do not remember finger numbers everywhere, just beginning of phrases. I have heard good things about the Thompson method.

Heard anything about Schuam method? Quite a few teachers use that, and there is nothing kid about it (now that I think of it).

[glamfolk]

I used Schaum and Thompson as a kid,  and even now as a teacher I don't see the need add supplements to them--I usually start my older beginners with Thompson, and let them know that it's a bit more accelerated than other methods (and a bit more like music that people really play!), and I think they appreciate it.  I've had kids hate it though, because the pictures aren't in color, so who knows?  You may even be able to skip through the "little fingers" book, but if you're worried about too much fingering being written out, just use white-out.

I'm thinking about getting back into the Schaum method.  Any comments?

[Jo]

Does anyone still use John Thompson?? There are much better methods out there than that. I'd rather see you use Alfreds or Bastien before that (I'm in Australia, we have other methods I prefer over these).