Comments on: How to Choose a Method Book http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/ Relax, Share, and Laugh! Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:53:47 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Will Hay http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/comment-page-1/#comment-4610 Will Hay Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:04:00 +0000 http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/?p=705#comment-4610 I tend to vary my method books with each student though I tend to have preference for Pauline Hall's Tunes for Ten and Piano Time. Whilst Tunes for Ten moves at a slower pace than John Thompson, this tends to be beneficial to the younger students at which it is aimed. The extra online resources for the Piano Time series are useful particularly if a student is struggling with one particular concept and you should start a new piece based on that concept rather than labouring the current piece or moving swiftly on! I tend to vary my method books with each student though I tend to have preference for Pauline Hall’s Tunes for Ten and Piano Time. Whilst Tunes for Ten moves at a slower pace than John Thompson, this tends to be beneficial to the younger students at which it is aimed.

The extra online resources for the Piano Time series are useful particularly if a student is struggling with one particular concept and you should start a new piece based on that concept rather than labouring the current piece or moving swiftly on!

]]> By: Dan the Music Master http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/comment-page-1/#comment-4482 Dan the Music Master Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:30:10 +0000 http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/?p=705#comment-4482 I vary my method books, depending on whom and where I'm teaching. I think the teacher's disposition is quite a bit more important then the method book of choice. I vary my method books, depending on whom and where I’m teaching. I think the teacher’s disposition is quite a bit more important then the method book of choice.

]]> By: Faye http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/comment-page-1/#comment-4466 Faye Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:36:16 +0000 http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/?p=705#comment-4466 I am another big fan of the Faber series. I've been teaching for well over 20 years and have found nothing better. But, I love to supplement. Sheet music, Halloween pieces, Christmas pieces, Classical Repertoire, Pop, Jazz, Duets, Duos, etc. - different pieces for each student. All of the extra material motivates the student (& it is fun for the teacher too!) I am another big fan of the Faber series. I’ve been teaching for well over 20 years and have found nothing better. But, I love to supplement. Sheet music, Halloween pieces, Christmas pieces, Classical Repertoire, Pop, Jazz, Duets, Duos, etc. – different pieces for each student. All of the extra material motivates the student (& it is fun for the teacher too!)

]]> By: Laura http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/comment-page-1/#comment-4465 Laura Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:12:31 +0000 http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/?p=705#comment-4465 I like the Faber series very much, but it's not the only one I use. I also like the Alfred Premiere, and Keith Snell's Piano Town. I also sometimes use the Noona Comprehensive Piano Library. It depends on the student. I'm probably ADD or something, but I begin to get bored if I have to listen to the same pieces from everyone! I like the Faber series very much, but it’s not the only one I use. I also like the Alfred Premiere, and Keith Snell’s Piano Town. I also sometimes use the Noona Comprehensive Piano Library. It depends on the student. I’m probably ADD or something, but I begin to get bored if I have to listen to the same pieces from everyone!

]]> By: Dana http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/comment-page-1/#comment-4461 Dana Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:29:49 +0000 http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/?p=705#comment-4461 I agree with you -- it doesn't do the student any good to hear you muttering under your breath, "Well, they could have figured out a better way to teach THIS concept!" The Faber series is my preferred method, too; when I get transfer students who come in with another series, I gradually work them out of it. Part of the justification for this is that I know the Faber series so well that I know what the objectives are for each piece, and how important -- or unimportant -- each piece is in the overall plan. Some we spend a lot of time with -- others we pass quickly through. Dana I agree with you — it doesn’t do the student any good to hear you muttering under your breath, “Well, they could have figured out a better way to teach THIS concept!”

The Faber series is my preferred method, too; when I get transfer students who come in with another series, I gradually work them out of it. Part of the justification for this is that I know the Faber series so well that I know what the objectives are for each piece, and how important — or unimportant — each piece is in the overall plan. Some we spend a lot of time with — others we pass quickly through.

Dana

]]> By: Kristi http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/03/how-to-choose-a-method-book/comment-page-1/#comment-4454 Kristi Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:24:15 +0000 http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/?p=705#comment-4454 I'm a fan (and believer in!) the Piano Adventures Series as well. I've only been teaching for just under a year now, and with my first students I just continued teaching with whatever method book they were currently using. Now I start all of my students in Piano Adventures. I’m a fan (and believer in!) the Piano Adventures Series as well. I’ve only been teaching for just under a year now, and with my first students I just continued teaching with whatever method book they were currently using. Now I start all of my students in Piano Adventures.

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