Customer Reviews

Piano Lessons Book 1 - Book/CD Pack: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is excellent. It inrtoduces one concept at a time and allows for mastery before moving on. My son is 7 and he really likes it. We tried Usborne Piano, and it was needlessly confusing, combining several concepts in a single lesson; for instance, learning where notes are on the staff, but using half and quarter notes in the sample piece. Half and quarter notes look different, and this added confusion in determining which note went where on the staff. The reviewer who states that this book, Hal Leonard, only uses pictures, not 'real music' with notes on a staff, must not have progressed very far into the book. The book begins by just showing notes rising, 'Climbing Up' is the song, then falling, 'Climbing Down', so that the beginning student understands when the notes pictured are going up, and that correspondingly, you will play the notes in a rising pitch; and vice versa. As such, concepts are gently introduced, and after several lessons, very slowly, the student begins to learn the notes on the staff. There are many concepts to understand about playing piano, and reading music is only one of them. Eventually, many lessons into the book, the student is reading music with notes on a staff. This book proceeds in the same fashion as professional piano teachers that I have observed. The beginning student is not overwhelmed, as my son felt using the Usborne book, which moves too quickly and mixes several concepts into one lesson, which led to frustration, something you want to avoid when introducing your child to music! Playing the piano is complicated; there are many concepts to be understood, and it is essential that these concepts be set out simply, and one at a time, allowing for mastery before moving on. Hal Leonard does this. It comes with an excellent CD of accompaniment, each song twice, once at practice speed with an orchestra and featuring a piano for the student to play along with, then another up to tempo with just the orchestra for when the student has mastered the song. The CD is a great feature. Lastly, I read a great piece of advice on the internet: that students learn much easier when they hear the pieces they are to play over and over before attempting them; when they know it by ear. I tried this several lessons into the book, and it made a world of difference. As part of his lesson he sits and watches me play the pieces he's learning, and several pieces ahead, to familiarize him with them. This worked wonders. He was able to do new lessons much easier and faster when he knew how they were supposed to sound. It was easy for me to do, because the book is easy; I don't play the piano myself.

I've been teaching piano for years and have found a common theme among kids - they will not continue lessons if they aren't fun. While the teacher is ultimately responsible, the book plays a big part. This book comes with a CD, brings in "real notes" slowly but surely, starts on the black keys (why didn't I think of that? great for small hands) and is just plain more clever than every other book I've tried. And for $8? I tried it despite an unfavorable review, and I'm glad I did. This is a book today's kids can relate to. Five Stars.

V Dublino, Virginia, USA

I bought this book for my 4 year old daughter to begin piano as part of homeschooling for Kindergarten. I also borrowed Usborne's First Book of the Piano from the library and was glad I didn't buy it! Although I like that in Usborne's the notes are written with the letters C,B,A, etc, instead of finger numbers, there are way too many concepts per page and very very busy pages. Leonard's Piano book on the otherhand introduces one concept at a time and the pages are not cluttered. The CD is a great and fun feature. It has accompaniament music for each song the student plays, which not only is great for a "teacher" who doesn't play, but great that the student can hear the music as s/he is learning. A great way to teach piano, btw, is to "show" how the piece is played and is suppose to sound first and then let your child do it.

I bought this book/cd for my 6 year old daughter. She is at that age where she will not let me show her how to do anything! She took the book and the cd and is teaching herself how to play the piano! She has given several "recitals" for our family and I am amazed at how much she has learned.

It is a wonderful introdution to the piano and I would highly recommend it for anyone, young or old.

I bought this book at the same time as a couple of the John Thompson books. Even though I learned with the John Thompsons, I think this book is great for early learners because it starts simply with finger numbers and pictures of the keys, without trying to teach note reading at the same time. My five year old is really enjoying the book so far and is enthusiastic about learning the piano. He is young enough that if you try and fit too much into the lesson at once, he loses interest. I definitely recommend this book for young ones.

This is a great book for beginners. The very first day the student is playing a little song. Easy to follow and understand even if you have no prior piano experience. I have tried others and did not like them, but I would definitely choose this method again and recommend it to others. The price is very reasonable and it comes with the CD.

I'm using this to teach my six year old, and couldn't be more pleased. It moves at a really slow, easy pace which is exactly what she needs. She does not feel overwhelmed and yet finds the exercise challenging. She also gets the songs stuck in her head.

My 5 year-old absolutely loves this book! He wants to practice the piano all the time so he can play along with his CD. Make sure you get the book that includes the CD. Sometimes it doesn't and that is the best part. My kids will even just pop in the CD to listen to it while they play with their toys. It is a great way to teach children to love the piano and learn rhythm.

This book is super easy to follow. We have a grandson who, from time to time, likes to play the piano. He did the first few lessons, stopped, then started again. It gradually introduces concepts. I help him some, but it is so easy to follow that he is able to pick it up very quickly.

I normally play the instructor accompaniment with him. It is actually very musical and really enabled him to get the beat quickly.

Will buy book 2 today!

BUYER BEWARE! This (marketplace?) seller did not respond to refund/ replacement requests after shipping me a damaged book! Can only assume that they have little regard for customers!