Are you trying to decide when your child should start piano lessons? Miriam's Music is a diagnostic tool which will help a you decide if your child is ready for piano lessons. You do not have to read notes to do this with your child. It has 2 finger exercises, 7 songs by letter only, that are familiar to most children, and practice with some basic rhythms. The CD or MP3 file that accompanies the booklet has teacher instruction for each lesson, a simple demonstration of each song and then the song with a keyboard accompaniment. As the parent works with the child, he/she will see if the child has enough skills and attention span to begin formal lessons.
Hard Copy Digital Copy $8.00 $6.00
Songs in the book are: Hot Cross Buns, The Moon, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Hymn to Joy, Snake Charmer, When the Saints Go Marching In and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Piano Party Book A
of this series is great for the very young child. It spends a lot of
time on right and left hand and on sets of three and sets of two black
keys. Book B is in my opinion a little too advanced. It introduces the
three note chord which is difficult for the small hands of a young
child.
Alfred Premier:
This book is designed to be done at home if you have any music
background. It has a CD to show you how to play the pieces and 63 pages
of material. I would supplement it with Miriam's Music (see above) and Pretime Piano Favorites (see below.) Both of these books are based on folk songs
that are familiar to most children. Kids like songs they have heard
before.
The book has a lot of material for the money. It is a bit more
expensive but has a CD and 88 pages which concentrate on the basics of
rhythm and preparation for note reading. It does not introduce a music
staff until the last page. The lyrics are clever and sometimes funny.
This is for a young child, ages 4-6.
Superstart Music Piano for Kids This
CD is a fun way to learn about notes and keys on the piano. It has
great graphics and 4 different levels of difficulty. It can be found on
EBay. Just type in Piano for Kids in the search box.
Pretime Piano Favorites
I recommend this book after the children have been introduced to
the notes on the staff. It is in Middle C position and is totally based
on folk songs that are familiar to most kids. Kids get a sense of
satisfaction from playing a song that other people recognize.
Bastien Piano For Adults - Book 1 (Book & CD) Written by Jane Smisor Bastien, edited by Lisa Bastien, Lori Bastien. Collection and 2 accompaniment CDs for solo piano. Series: Bastien Piano. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (KJ.KP1) See more info...
PlayTime Piano Favorites (NFMC) Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime to BigTime Piano Supplementary Library. Favorites. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company Inc. (FF1013) See more info...
This series has many familiar songs as well as funtime and popular song books in addition to the lessons books.
