Forgive me if this has already been asked (which I'm sure it has)
A friend of mine has asked me to do a bit of work on piano with her 5 yr old daughter.

I have used John Thompson piano course with my son in the past but I know the kind of things he likes.

I was after a few ideas of different books for children around 5yo.

Maggie and others have mentioned Tunes for ten fingers.

Any more ?

Thanks,

Fiona

Me and My Piano is not bad - although many don't like the way the LH is introduced only partway through the book.

I guess perhaps the writers of the book arranged it this way to give the teacher flexibility and choice - you simply introduce the LH section when you feel the pupil is ready. Some would regard this as easier than skipping over LH pages / pieces because the pupil is not ready to tackle this topic. (But if you particularly like to introduce both hands at the same time, it's not the easiest format.)

Chester's Easiest is good for very young children - three books red, green and blue. Clearly presented with only one piece (at least in the first book) to a page.

Sorry - just re-read and realised you're wanting books specifically for 5 year olds. I've used Chester with a 6 y o but some of the others are obviously for slightly older children. There are some that start with "off stave" tunes which someone recommended for really young children - I think Hal Leonard is one that does that.

Maggie

thanks Maggie.

I won't loose the thread this time !

I know I asked quite a while ago but couldn't find the thread.

I'm open to any suggestions though.

Fiona

I would suggest that you use an off stave starter.
This leaves the learning to read until a bit later, breaking down what is learnt into smaller tasks.
Include plenty of clapping, moving and listening activities too.
And some singing.

That's ok. I was a bit short of time last post - but should perhaps have added that I nearly always start off-stave, but not from a book.

With most beginners I do a preliminary course (one I put together) first. This establishes their readiness to learn piano (always useful, especially with younger pupils) and includes lots of aural "games", naming notes on the keyboard, a little bit of writing and some easy tunes by rote. I print off a simple worksheet each week, adjusted a little to suit the age of the individual child, and modified if necessary as we go along to take account of progress.

This lasts up to half a term, and during this time I assess the pupil and monitor how things go. These early weeks give a young pupil chance to try out lessons, and I form ideas of how we might move forward. We might try out various books during this time.

In the second half of term once we start working from a proper book, some of the basic knowledge is in place, and I have a fair idea of how the pupil works and where any problem areas might be.

I don't know if this helps at all. Many teachers feel that pupils must have a book to take home from the first lesson and would not like using my system. I find that as long as they have something to take home, and it's fairly bright (coloured paper, a few stickers etc), they seem quite happy.

Maggie

I give my very young pupils simple handouts at the end of the first few lessons, which consist of tunes just made up of finger numbers, to get them started off-I print these off complete with a picture and title, so that to the pupil it's a 'piece'. We also do rhythm work, using simple crotchets and minims without stave notation, and games to familiarise them with the piano layout and high and low. Once they're ready, usually after the first few lessons, I start my very young children off with the Bastien Piano Basics Primer A, as it's nice and bold and clear, with off-stave notation for approx half the first book. It does use American terminology for note values but I haven't found that a problem. As Maggie says, as long as they have something to take home with them for the first few lessons that's bright and appealing.

And also DO try Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber.I went to a free Teachers' workshop on this series last Tuesday.. it's not widely available in this country, but several shops are now stocking it. Its even better than Hal Leonard ( which I also use) ..and the Primer level is suitable for 4 years old and up. We had an excellent video during the presentation, with very cute 4 year olds. The whole series is brilliantly thought out. Chief advantages are: the thumbs aren't stuck on middle C (a truly awful, awkward and uncomfortable position); fingering is kept to a minimum( no more tippexing out) ; and different fingers are used on the keys, avoiding that key association syndrome. ( If it's RH 3 it must be E and vice versa)
It's a great series. No they don't pay me commission - yet

I had that thought too.

Maybe I was just expecting to start her on a book rather than just play a few games and tunes to get a feel of what she can do without introducing music straight away.

I think you feel that the pupils parents want to see what book/work they are doing when reading isn't necessary right away.

I was thinking something along the lines of simple nursery rhymes w/o music so she can get some idea of tone ?

Also some clapping rhythm.

Thanks again

Fiona

I have a copy of the first Piano Adventures book and like the look of it.
You say it isn't widely available in this country... do you know whether ALL the supplementary books are available here? I really hate it when you find somethimng you like and want to use more of the same, only to find that some of the books are only sold in USA.

If all of the books are on sale over here then I would certainly give it a go.

All the Piano adventures books are now available in this country - I should have said that they're not widely stocked yet - probably because so few teachers use them at the moment, being wedded to the likes of John Thomson, Me and my Piano ,Pauline Hall,etc.. Aagghh.
Studio Music will send them to you, or tell you where your nearest stockist is.
www.studio-music.co.uk Sorry, can't get this to work as a link. Or you can phone them on 0208 830 0110. The web site for the series is
www.pianoteaching.com - rather American, but quite fun too.
Good luck
Helen

Please don't mention John Thompson and Pauline Hall in the same sentence - no comparison !! One I find works well but the other I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole ...

Has anyone used Piano Magic ? I'm finding it works well so far, but early days.

Maggie

QUOTE (maggiemay @ Oct 5 2004, 06:43 PM)

One I find works well but the other I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole ...

Maggie -
So which one wouldn't you touch with a barge pole? And why?

What age are you using Piano Magic with Maggiemay?

QUOTE

So which one wouldn't you touch with a barge pole? And why?

I don't like John Thompson at all (his course I mean, never met the guy!).

It seems much less logically planned than other courses I have used, and pupls I have inherited who used it with previous teachers seem to have more gaps in their knowledge and need more back-tracking and revision.

Sbhoa, I'm trying one of the Piano Magic books with a pupil of 7 or 8 (year 3 - don't remember precisely when his birthday is). Will let you know how it goes.

Maggie