Stevens Point Area Music Teachers Association

There's a large variety of method books currently available to teachers.  Let's get to know each other a little better and post here your favorite piano method and give your reasons (pro and con) for a particular method. 

I prefer using Alfred: musical concepts are clearly explained,

supplemental books reinforce lessons goals, and pieces

are favorites with my students.  I never use The Music Tree:

its repeated use of animals giving directions with pointers

becomes a bit ingratiating.  While reviewing The Music Tree in my Piano Pedagogy course (Fall 2004), I explained that its layout might remind children too much of a classroom environment as opposed to a private studio setup.

I am a firm believer in the Suzuki Method, mostly because it allows me to start children at a very young age, and also because its foundation in the language-learning model is so effective. There is still a prevailing opinion out there that the repertoire doesn't make sense, but when handled with care, it really does work. As for note- reading methods, I have a strong attachment to the "Music Tree" . For me, the best thing about it is that it is an intervallic method, and that  it (especially in "Time to Begin") explores a much larger area of the keyboard than does a middle C method. This satisfies kids' more sophisticated ears, and it also challenges them to explore sounds outside the usual major key format. Beyond that, I really like the fact that it encourages kids to compose. For me, the only real "con" about the Music Tree is that there are a number of misprints in the books (especially the activities books). Really, though, there are a lot of good methods out there...I also use some Alfred, some Bastien, and some Faber & Faber. I just tend to favor the Music Tree for note-reading.

I assign method books based on the individual needs, practice habits and skill level.  While I have used Bastien, Hal Leonard, Noona, Faber, Alfred and others with success, right now my primary focus is on Alfred Premier & Faber Piano Adventures.  What I like about both of these methods is they have the student answering questions (what finger is starting?) and don't leave students playing in a middle C position for too long.  Both of these methods also incorporate ear training & sight reading in either the theory or lesson book.   Moreover, the Faber books alert the student as to whether the song is an 'arrangement' or the original.  Saves a lot of anguish at audition time.  Pages in the Faber books are not filled with cutesie graphics and other things that may detract students from actually playing.  I enjoy their Technique & Artistry book for helping students develop better technique. 

The new Alfred Premier course has compilations of great contemporary composers that the students love to play.  Also, the Alfred Premier books come with CDs (which I wish Faber would do more of!) and my students like practicing with the CDS.

I found that Hal Leonard starts off nice and slow, but then does a rapid shift in book 3.  The students enjoy the 'My Own Songs' in books 1 & 2, but by Book 4 & 5, they're not having that much fun with the more challenging songs.  In my years using Bastien, the prep A & B books are great; young students enjoy the short songs and are able to grasp the theory & technic in these books.  But, in the upper levels, they again find it very challenging playing in multiple key signatures.  

The Alfred Basic Library (including Music for Little Mozarts & prep series) is good for developing musicians.  My only fault with the course is they have way too many books--families short on funds have difficulty with the idea of purchasing a separate ear training, sight reading, solo, technic, etc.  And Level 1-2 keep the students in a fairly Middle C-C-G position territory.  Come time to advance to Book 3, and I spend a lot of time explaining to students 'real music is not in a five-finger position'.  

It's important to note, that I require all of my students purchase their own books; I remind families that my studio is not a 'library' and it's also against the law to photocopy.  Occasionally I have an extra copy (for duets or other purposes), but the responsibility on securing materials rests on the student(s).  My studio policy states that I require all students to have a theory book as it is part of the studio curriculum.   When they need new theory books, I prefer they not 'reuse' the sibling book (very hard to correct pages of white out).  $6.00 is not unreasonable for a book.  Families involved in other activities (dance, ice hockey, etc.) spend a lot more.