Piano Adventures: Lesson Book Primer Level (Piano Adventures Library) [Paperback] Review

I've been teaching for over 12 years and I use the Faber Piano Adventure series, starting with Primer level for young students, usually 5-7 years old.For younger students, (preK/K), see Music for Little Mozarts by Alfred.For more information see piano and voice teacher drives 2 you web site.

The primer level starts slowly, but shows overall good use of the keyboard, even before the student starts learning the note names.Working on the black keys for a few weeks gives young fingers the opportunity to play sooner, and gain coordination.These books come in a system that you can self select, definitely start with the Lesson book.I always recommend the recital book for extra songs (no one wants to play or hear the same four to eight measure song over and over again for a week between lessons, too much repetition leads to boredom).I love the Popular Repertoire series in all the levels of the books.Just look at the covers for names of the songs.They are all well known tunes the students love.These have come and gone out of print, but have recently come back into print.

I use the Faber books as a bridge with another series called Alfred Basic Piano library.If students find Alfred's pace challenging, Faber helps fill in the gaps.It also teaches "Middle C position" where both thumbs are on middle C (the singing range of most young children), on the staff earlier in the primer level.This allows use of the fabulous set of Faber books in the Pre-time (primer), Playtime (level 1 five finger melodies), Showtime (level 2A-just outside the comfort zone), Chordtime (2B-wait for fingers to mature to play 3 note chord progressions-but are really the best in the series), Funtime (3-more challenging) and Big Time (usually used around level 4-5).These come in a variety of genres like Classical, Popular, Jazz, Ragtime, Rock, Children's Favorites, Hymns, (Hebrew Favorites only in Chordtime),I like to use as many as possible in the early years and then focus in on what student shows an interest in for later study.

Later versions of the Faber books teach higher notes on the treble staff that Alfred misses.But the Alfred books are very good at teaching intervals sight reading.My feeling about these books is that you want more books that keep the pace nice and even, if there are a few songs that seem too similar, and the student is ready to move on, move on, but more often than not, the extra songs give a student many opportunities for sight reading, which is really what I try to teach.Try starting 5 min per year old for the lesson and 1 song per year old per week, and see how it goes.A five year old can sit and play for 1/2 hour on about 5 short pieces, with some singing, clapping, and other activities.Whereas a nine year old can sit for about 45 minutes, and has no problem with 9-10 songs a week.

Give your child the gift of reading music as you would reading books.

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Product Description:
Piano AdventuresPrimer Level orients the student to the piano through black-key pieces that explore the range of the keyboard. This is followed by off-the-staff note reading, which teaches the keyboard letter names and basic rhythms.Contents include:All My Friends; Allegro; Alouette; Balloons; Bells of Great Britain; Best Friends; The Bugle Boys; C-D-E-F-G March; C Position Warm-Up; C Song; Come See the Parade!; Copy Cat; The Dance Band; Elephant Ride; The Escalator; Frogs on Logs; Gorilla in the Tree; Grandmother; Hey, Hey, Look at Me!; Hey, Mr. Half Note Dot!; Honking Cars; I Hear the Echo; The I Like Song; Into the Cave; Lemonade Stand; Let's Play Ball!; March on D-E-F; Men from Mars; Merrily We Roll Along; Middle C March; Mister Bluebird; My Invention; Ode to Joy; The Old Clock; Old MacDonald Had a Song; Once There Was a Princess; Our Team; Partners at C; Petite Minuet; Rodeo; Russian Sailor Dance; A Ten-Second Song; Three Little Kittens; Two Black Ants; Two Blackbirds; Two Questions; The Walking Song; Yankee Doodle.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course: Christmas Joy! Level C (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

this book comes from the Alfred's series and is similar to their other books. It is best for students that have been playing for a little while and and read music fairly easily.

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Product Description:
Charming collections of popular Christmas carols arranged for beginning piano students. Carols are arranged in order of difficulty. Each song includes an optional teacher/parent duet part which can be played on the same keyboard.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Prep Course Solo Level B [Paperback] Review

My neigbour is teaching my daughter piano. She herself started to learn when she was very little and so did her older sister. Both used Alfred's back then and she still uses it for my daughter today. We went through 2 books so far and I am amazed how wonderfully my daughter plays already. I had to order a bunch more as my neigbour is teaching 5 of my daughters friends now also. They all use the Alfred books at different levels and love their piano lessons :o)
The great thing is that you look at the age or level of the student and you pick the appropriate Alfred's book level. The next book builds on and so on. Great system!

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Product Description:
Each piece in the Solo Books coordinates page-by-page with the Lesson Books, reinforcing newly learned concepts presented at the lesson. Includes adorable full-color illustrations that enhance each piece.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Prep Course Theory Book Level B [Paperback] Review

I've been using this system (Alfred's Prep Course) with young and adult beginners alike. It's my preferred system!

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Product Description:
Designed to coordinate page-by-page with the Lesson Books. Contains enjoyable games and quizzes that reinforce the principles presented in the Lesson Books. Students can increase their musical understanding while they are away from the keyboard.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Top Hits Solo Book, Level 1B [Paperback] Review

I am a fan of the Alfred method and love the books for teaching my four beginner piano students.I was excited to see some alternate options for the solo/recital book, including this "Top Hits" book.

I currently have two students using this book, and they really seem to love it.I think it makes a difference for kids to be able to play tunes they know and enjoy.I would say that most of the songs were accessible to my 7-8 year old students, although a few are not as appealing to them ("My Heart Will Go On," for one).

My only complaint about the book is that it seems a little difficult compared to other books at this level.Many of the songs are played in the middle C position, which my students aren't as familiar with, and then many of the songs jump positions several times, which is something these kids aren't used to doing at this level.It doesn't correlate with the other 4 books as far as concepts go, although it does seem like the songs get harder as you progress through the book.Overall, it's fun, but I wouldn't use it for a struggling piano student.The very gifted ones will be fine, or perhaps when they are over half-way through the Lesson books at this level, they will be fine.

The kids really love it, and when practicing is fun, it makes a big difference.They are more willing to work hard on the songs because they enjoy them.Really, the challenge is probably good for them!

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Product Description:
Alfred's Top Hits series has overwhelmingly been accepted by students and teachers. This series combines justthe right combination of hits from Broadway, Hollywood, television and recordings! As you might expect from Alfred, this series offers a rare combination of great music arranged with care and creativity. Your beginning and intermediate students can savor the excitement of playing pop music and reap the benefits from making practicing more fun and rewarding.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Course: Lesson Book - Level 3 [Paperback] Review

The item took almost 3 weeks to arrive.Other than that, it was fine.

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Product Description:
This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 3 introduces ""overlapping pedal""; new time signatures 3/8 and 6/8; and the primary triads in Major and Minor keys. Concepts include: passing one under two and one under three; playing major scales in contrary motion; the chromatic scale; the minor scale.

For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 3 include: Classic Themes
* Composition
* Duet
* Ear Training
* Ensemble
* Fun
* Hymn
* Merry Christmas
* Merry Christmas Ensemble
* Musical Concepts
* Notespeller
* Patriotic Solo
* Recital
* Repertoire
* Sight Reading
* Technic
* Theory and Top Hits! Solo, Christmas and Duet Book.

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All-in-One Course for Children: Lesson, Theory, Solo, Book 3 (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

with the all-in-one you don't need to get the theory book because it is all included.

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Product Description:
The "All-in-One Course for Children" takes all of the pages from "Alfred's Basic Piano Library," Lesson Books 1A, 1B, and 2, plus selected pages from Theory, Recital and Fun Solo Books and combines them into part of a sequential five-book series. At the completion of Book 5, the student will be ready to continue into Level 3 of "Alfred's Basic Piano Library" or "Alfred's Premier Piano Course."

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