Does anyone have any good suggestions on books for learning piano without going to an actual piano teacher? I just got the kids a 61 key electric piano and would like them to start learning some basic music. However, I just do not have the time to run them to an instructor each week. The closest one I found was nearly 30 mins away. Which means I have to spend the money on the teacher, gas and find something to do for however long it takes with twin babies on my hip. So I was hoping to find some kind of "book" instruction. There are tons of free online courses, but they seem confusing to me. I spent 6 years in band while in school and I never learned music that way thanks for any input!
Try http://www.pianimals.com I have used this with both of my children. Although my major was music, I still would have used this if it wasn't.
Cool! DD taught herself by learning the notes, and checking out piano music from the library. now we have a teacher who we see about every two weeks or so.
Hey they have a Piano guy on tv now too, dd was watching and playing along the other week too before she had her big brace on her hand.
Piano books My 2 oldest girls use Praising God on the Piano. I ordered the books online and they were fairly inexpensive. Hope this helps.
Thanks all for the recommendations. I found something on eBay. "First Lessons" I don't know if it will work or not, but it was cheap We will try it. There is a music store a town or two over. When we head that way next time, I am going to definately stop in to see what they have/recommend. Thanks!
Check out amazon as well. I have found some really good beginer books there. I am also ordering some begining keyboard books from rainbow resources, I found that they have a pretty good selection.
yes Costco has one too , it has a micro keyboard that teaches the notes, and not just numbers like a lot teach. My dd had her third official lesson with an instructor yesterday...he is impressed with how she retains things and improved even though she was wiht her hand in a brace for a whole month lol!
Just to add a thought here. Something I have learned since my daughter began taking piano three years ago when she turned 4yo. is that some children are very gifted in music and do not need "formal" training (my daughter is like that), but there just are certain techniques and training involved with any musical instrument that may be better taught by someone experienced.
I agree. But I do not want to put in the expense of it, if they are not apt in it. KWIM? I figure if they show talent and enjoy it, the expense of a piano and instruction will be justified. We are just trying it out now and getting them some of their music education.
But how can you know if they are apt without proper instruction? My daughter has been taking lessons for a year now. I hear you about having to find somewhere to go during lesson time. There's no way I could have taught her piano, not even with any book or website, so I don't mind being inconvenienced thirty minutes every week so she can have a real teacher. The bonus for us was, her teacher grew up homeschooled and there's another hs'd child who comes in right after her.
we have half hour or so lessons , so its not hard to figure something to do... if it was at someones house I would stay in the home, but this one is at our church so we are down there getting things ready for Get Real kids club and she is playing. her instructor leaves the door open and we can hear her play it is so cool!~ There is a quartyard right outside a level down so ds can bounce around playing with his friends all he wants too. I guess we are blessed!
Oh, you are blessed, TM! When I wait for Jeanne, I have to sit in the car because there's absolutely nowhere in the store to wait. In the recent heat, I'd go in 30 minutes later looking like a sweated up pig! I can't even go back home, because till I'd get there it would be time to go back! Well, I'd rather sweat than freeze- like I'll do this winter!!!
I guess I am lucky. My mother and grandfather and cousin taught piano lessons. I learned from my mom. We got a keyboard for Christmas and I plan to teach the girls myself. My mother gave me a ton of books. She also gave me two large poster boards with the scales and notes written out. It's great! We also have a dvd but I haven't even looked at it yet. Samantha has taught herself to play several simple Christmas songs already but I haven't begun to teach Grace yet. I figured to start I'd teach Sam notes and basics and let her go from there. So far so good.
That is sensible, but Becky has a good point also. When I really thought about it, after reading the responses in this thread, I realized that I may not have not really known how good my daughter was and could be if she had not taken lessons with someone experienced with teaching piano--and that was definitely not me (but I am learning now along with her). We did it a bit differently. I had a older, but in its day a top of the line, professional keyboard, which my daughter used for the first six months of her lessons. After her first recital, we just knew she was a natural performer and bought a piano.
It's my opinion, and just my opinion, that if you are not equipped to teach your child something, you should do all you can to get them a real teacher. Last year, I used BJUP Music for grade one. Some of the lessons I could do, others I just couldn't. Her music education sucked out loud, because I didn't have the skills to teach her properly. A real music teacher would have been a blessing. They do plenty in first grade with music, and now for Jeannie, that time is lost. This year wasn't that much better.
Becky- don't beat yourself up- kids are amazingly resilient. i'm sure she'll be fine. As a music teacher though, I would like to second what the others are saying. Some kids can plunk their way through and some are very natural but that usually isn't the norm. With piano, as with other instruments, it's important to learn how to use what fingers when. That is why I suggested Pianimals. It starts off with finger numbers then gradually to note names and finally reading the staff. I used it for three years with my son. He now takes private lessons and she says he has a great foundation. Pianimals also does some basic theory. By the end, students are able to play pieces with a chord structure of I, IV, V7 and are able to identify those chords.
