Piano teachers, what's your opinion on the best piano teaching series?
I've been teaching piano out of the old Bastien series for beginners for a long time. I wanted to see if I should switch to something more appealing to younger children (I still like Alfred or Bastien the best for older ones). Someone suggested Fabor piano books or the Beanstalk series. Has anyone used those and how do you like them? Which out of the 3 are the best in your opinion?
I haven't been in answers in so long, much has changed. LOL!
Guy F2011-03-21T09:34:22Z
Favorite Answer
I use the Piano Adventure series by Faber & Faber and continue to have great success with it. The students love the pictures, and believe it or not, that makes a huge difference...especially for my younger students between the ages of 5 and 10.
As for the actual teaching techniques, the Primer Book eases students into reading standard music notation, and the Lesson Book, Level 1 handles sharps and flats very nicely. Each level offers a number of separate books that deal with music theory, technique, artistry and performance. When teaching the traditional piano method, I wouldn't use any other method.
For younger children, you simply cannot beat the Alfred's Prep A and Prep B series - but use ALL the books (Lesson, Technic, Solo, Notespeller, Theory and Activity/Ear Training) for a full balanced program. Once a young child has finished Prep B, I either advance them to Piano Adventures (Faber) Level One (adding the Ultimate Music Theory Prep 1 Rudiments workbook as a supplement as the theory is not as complete as it should be) or continue with Alfred's 1B or Prep C.
I also introduce pentascales early on using the FJH Technique sheet #1 - 5 Finger pentascales and cross-hand arpeggios. Students in mid Prep A are then able to transpose using pentascales (and they LOVE it!).
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