Piano book suggestions

[scrapper4life]

We were given a piano and I would like to start a basic intro "teach yourself piano" book with my son before formal lessons. Any suggestions? He's 4 and asking me to teach him.

[Julie Smith]

I would go with pianaimals .

 

 

It is great for that age, and can also be used with a very inexperienced teacher. (As in, if you don't know piano that is okay)

 

Both my boys started at a young age with those books.

[musicianmom]

My First Piano Adventures by Faber.

[scrapper4life]

I looked at Faber and was wondering if I should get both the writing and practice books. What's the writing book?

[Hobbes]

I looked at Faber and was wondering if I should get both the writing and practice books. What's the writing book?

The writing book has written exercises and more technique practice. I've found that it is the equivalent to what would be called a theory book in higher levels. In fact, higher level Piano Adventure books switch to separate theory and technique books and drop the 'writing' book.

 

The writing book definitely helps to cement in theory concepts as they are introduced in the lesson book.

[WahM]

You may also want to look into Hoffman Academy.

 

Online and free!

[Lawana]

I used Music for Little Mozarts with mine when they were turning 5. It went well with the prereading part, but they were not ready for the switch to reading from the staff until they about 7. The series is comprised of 4 books: they were able to complete 2 at that age. It is a full music program if you get all the parts. Even comes with little stuffed animal characters that go with the story. If you decide to use the program and want the animals, let me know and I will send ours to you;)

[scrapper4life]

For those that do Hoffman's academy, do you do a lesson each week? The intro video said there were practice goals so we'd know when to move on. I haven't found these goals. Are they part of the download for $19?

[MeaganS]

For those that do Hoffman's academy, do you do a lesson each week? The intro video said there were practice goals so we'd know when to move on. I haven't found these goals. Are they part of the download for $19?

We are several lesson in and my dd7 and dd5 adore it. He tells you at the end of the lesson what to practice.

[musicianmom]

*

Edited May 22, 2022 by musicianmom

[WahM]

For those that do Hoffman's academy, do you do a lesson each week? The intro video said there were practice goals so we'd know when to move on. I haven't found these goals. Are they part of the download for $19?

We do anywhere from 1-3 lessons per week depending on how quickly she masters something or if something she's already familiar with or something that is brand new.

[Sarah0000]

We also use My First Piano Adventures. We've used the writing book a few weeks behind the lesson book as a form of review. What I like best about the series is that many of the songs are explicitly instructional (versus just something to play along with) so that listening to them is also a review of necessary skills and concepts.

[tm919]

My daughters like the Piano K books -- more game than lessons though.

[basketcase]

Another vote for My First Piano Adventures. I've never started one quite that young, but it's such a gentle introduction that it should work. My kids love the CD.

 

ETA: yes to the writing book!

Edited January 24, 2016 by basketcase

[scrapper4life]

Thank you again for all your help! We've been watching Hoffman lessons and I found out what piano series our preferred teacher uses (Faber). So I bought that also. Great to hear so many positive experiences with it!!