One of the trickiest parts of starting to teach piano is figuring out which method books to use. There seem to be so many options out there. How can we possibly decide?
In my 10 years of teaching piano, I have used a few different method books and I’d love to share my experience with each of these books. Today, we’ll be going down a list of 5 method series (3 are my favorites, plus two bonus opinions at the end).
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1. Wunderkeys Piano Books
First on my list is my current favorite – the Wunderkeys series by Andrea and Trevor Dow. I’ve used their books and resources the most in the past 8 years or so.
Their preschool series is an adorable and approachable way to teach 3-5 year olds piano using different animals to correspond with each finger. Students learn broad musical concepts such as high vs low, long vs short, moving higher, moving lower. Then they move into reading quarter, half, and whole notes. By the time the series ends, students are ready to graduate to the Primer series.
I have found great success using the Wunderkeys Primer series in students ages 5-9. In addition to the main lesson books, Wunderkeys has an excellent supplemental library with fun themes that focus on just one area. My students love to choose their book theme and it’s a great way to allow students to choose their own music! Some favorites in my studio have been Bat von Flapp’s Fairy Tales and Scary Tunes, Hildegard Needs a Happy Tune, and The Cat, the Mermaid, and the Soaking Wet Songbook.
Wunderkeys continues to publish excellent books well into the Intermediate level with several fun pieces included in the lesson books and supplemental library. In addition to their several books, Wunderkeys offers so many free resources to their teachers.
Links:
Wunderkeys Elementary Level 1A
Wunderkeys Elementary Level 1B
Wunderkeys Elementary Level 2A
Wunderkeys Elementary Level 2B
2. Wunderkeys Method Books for Older Beginners
I know it’s still Wunderkeys but this feels different enough that it needs it’s own spot on the list. Andrea and Trevor Dow have done an incredible job with their Older Beginner series. By teaching chords from the very beginning, teenage and adult beginners can play interesting and fun music from the first lesson.
These books have made a huge difference in the playing ability of my older students as well as their likelihood to continue taking lessons. I cannot recommend this series enough!
Links:
Wunderkeys Older Beginner Book 1
Wunderkeys Older Beginner Book 2
Wunderkeys Older Beginner Book 3
3. Fundamentals of Piano Theory
Since most of my students use Wunderkeys books, I have spent many years trying different theory books. I like students having a separate theory book; many students are able to learn theory concepts at a different rate than playing them. Think of it like this – my 4 year old daughter is learning to read. She can learn new rules of English and read books faster than she can write them. I don’t make her stop reading because she struggles to copy what she’s reading! Just the opposite! I want her to be proud of her work and use it as a motivation to keep going.
All that to say, I like using separate theory books and so far my favorite is Fundamentals of Piano Theory. One theory book lasts students for quite awhile and they’re learning some really awesome musical concepts that might take them a long time to be able to play.
Links:
Fundaments of Piano Theory Preparatory Level
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 1
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 2
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 3
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 4
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 5
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 6
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 7
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 8
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 9
Fundaments of Piano Theory Level 10
4. Faber Piano Adventures
I have a few students that still work in Faber’s Piano Adventure series. Students in this series feel somewhat challenged as they are learning new notes and positions regularly throughout the book. Transfer students who used this book with a previous teacher, though, find it boring compared to the Wunderkeys series. I do like that there is a separate theory book to give students plenty of opportunities to practice the concepts.
One way I love to use Piano Adventures in my studio is to give the supplemental books away as prizes! When students meet their practice goals (check out my post about ideas to get kids practicing here) they are able to get a book as a reward! Students love choosing the Piano Adventures supplemental books, especially the Primer Disney book, as a reward.
5. Alfred’ Basic Piano Library
So I don’t really recommend Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, to be frank. Many students who have transferred to me from another teacher are coming to me partly because they don’t feel challenged when using this series. Again, I think it is good that this series has separate theory books for each level.
I have decided to include links to each of the series on my list, no matter my level of recommendation because each teacher is different.
Remember, students are choosing you as a teacher because of who you are and the way you teach. Whatever piano method books you choose, always strive to learn more and make yourself a better teacher. Do that, and any series will be successful in your hands.
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