Piano Curriculum for Young Children

MissBrattified · #1 09-09-2008, 09:23 AM

Do any of you have any recommendations?

I want to start Jeffrey in piano this year, and I'm trying to find the best curriculum. Sarah is using the Bastien Piano Basics series (level 3 at the moment), so I could start Jeffrey in the same curriculum.

But...I'm just wondering if anyone has tried another curriculum with young children that works better?

Jeffrey is 5, and can't read yet, but he keeps rhythm very well, knows his ABC's, and is ready for a primer level.

Just a disclaimer: I'm not interested in the "learn piano by ear" courses.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!

ADMIN: Can you move this to the music section? I meant to post it there.

U376977 · #2 09-09-2008, 10:32 AM

I am teaching my 8 year old how to play by ear. But I can read music and I want to teach him. Does this piano course teach theory.

deltaguitar · #3 09-09-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Do any of you have any recommendations?

I want to start Jeffrey in piano this year, and I'm trying to find the best curriculum. Sarah is using the Bastien Piano Basics series (level 3 at the moment), so I could start Jeffrey in the same curriculum.

But...I'm just wondering if anyone has tried another curriculum with young children that works better?

Jeffrey is 5, and can't read yet, but he keeps rhythm very well, knows his ABC's, and is ready for a primer level.

Just a disclaimer: I'm not interested in the "learn piano by ear" courses.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!

ADMIN: Can you move this to the music section? I meant to post it there.

Do you have a problem with the Suzuki method? It focuses on ear training and development of children's musical abilities at a young age. I started on this at around the age of 6 or 7 with great results. Of course that was 20 years ago so there might be better methods out there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_method

Dora · #4 09-09-2008, 11:14 AM

I like the Faber method. It has so much to offer students across the board - Lesson books, theory, technique and artistry, popular music, jazz, boogie woogie, ragtime, hymns, etc. Good stuff! They have recorded accompaniments, too.

bethola · #5 09-09-2008, 11:30 AM

I taught The Mayron Cole Method. It's really good for young beginners focusing mainly on rhythm and then guiding them to note reading. What my students liked was the CD that came with it. While they were playing one note (middle C) a whole orchestra was playing a song along with them. Made them feel "accomplished"!

Beth

MissBrattified · #6 09-09-2008, 11:43 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check to see if our music store has Faber books.

deltaguitar: I am familiar with the Suzuki method, but I'm not sure that it works well with everyone. I do, however, want to focus on ear training as well as note training.

My own mastery of theory is weak, though, because from an early age I relied on my "good ear", and I could fake my way through a piece of music. My piano teacher learned very quickly to not let me listen to music before I sight-read it. LOL!!!!! Now I spend most of my own practice time redeveloping or improving my theory. (My personal project)

mama bear · #7 09-09-2008, 11:46 AM

How about John Thompson..."Teaching Little Fingers To Play""

deltaguitar · #8 09-09-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check to see if our music store has Faber books.

deltaguitar: I am familiar with the Suzuki method, but I'm not sure that it works well with everyone. I do, however, want to focus on ear training as well as note training.

My own mastery of theory is weak, though, because from an early age I relied on my "good ear", and I could fake my way through a piece of music. My piano teacher learned very quickly to not let me listen to music before I sight-read it. LOL!!!!! Now I spend most of my own practice time redeveloping or improving my theory. (My personal project)

I think any method that teaches a child to listen to music and develop rhythm and melody recognition would be good. I have never been able to read music well. I just found it easier to play by ear. I always had a problem just picking up a piece of music that I had never heard and playing by sight reading. But let me listen to almost anything and I can jam along by ear.

However, to be able to jam with a band music theory is a must. A strong foundation in jazz and blues helps in the "real world" when it comes time to being able to actually have fun with the music. I grew up in a pentecostal church where everyone could play by ear but if you asked them what chord they were playing they had no idea. I prefer working with musicians that can properly communicate what chords they are playing but in the end you have to be able to connect the dots between the theory concepts and just make some music.