PART 4. Six Reasons Leveled Books Are Superior When Teaching Piano to Different Ages
Check It Out A Little More: Visual Comparisons
The last three posts have described the differences among teaching piano method books that are constructed to best fit student learners of a particular age range. There were three main age groups addressed:
The young student aged 4 and 5 years old
The somewhat older beginner student aged 6 to early teen
The “mature student” aged teen through adult
Presented next is a visual contrast of comparable pages from the second book of each of the three series of books each dedicated to teaching piano students of a particular age range.
Itty Bitty Student Series for Ages 4 to 5
LESSON BOOK 2: First and Last Songs
Beginner Student Series for Ages 6 to Early Teen
LESSON BOOK 2: First and Last Songs
Mature Student Series for Ages Teen to Adult
LESSON BOOK 2: First and Last Songs
The differences among the pages of the leveled books are striking and best fitted for teaching piano students of the particular age range.
Students aged 4 to 5 do better with the Itty Bitty Lesson book series because each page has fewer elements and is suited to the student’s abilities.
Simple concept illustrations enhance understanding. Large and colorful artwork add interest for this age level. Notice that there is only the introduction of the bass, with supplemental songs in the treble.
Students aged 6 to early teen do well with the Revolutionary Piano Method Book series because each page has more elements and is suited to the somewhat older beginner
student’s abilities.
The smaller size of text, staff, and illustration enhances understanding and promotes interest. Various melodies will be recognizable. Formal timing and 2 time signatures are introduced.
The Mature Student series is expressly written for the older beginner,
teen through adults.
Melodies have been chosen that should be recognized by the student, but not too difficult to play. There is more material per page than the other methods – but not so much as to be overwhelming. Formal timing
is introduced.
All method books follow the same Instructional Design structure:
The student first learns treble, then bass, hands together, timing, accidentals, keys/scales, directional signs, and embellishments that lead to more advanced musical understanding and performance ability.
The progression pace is measured carefully; however, each student advances as individual development allows.
Introducing the Revolutionary Piano Method for the Mature Student
This new series is for the Mature Student who is aged mid-teen through adult and is like no other published piano method, as it is based on the logical principles of Instructional Design. The student should recognize the selected melodies, which include classics, folk songs, and hymns.
In book Level 1, the treble right hand and bass left hand staff and physical keys are learned separately, spaces first as guides. After achieving proficiency separately, the hands play together on the grand staff. (Learn hands one at a time then put them together!)
Throughout the books, the student receives guidance for playing by touch (rather than constantly looking at the keyboard) by using black keys to locate white keys. Level 2 introduces proper timing/time signatures and ledger notes.
In Level 3 the C and G Major Scales/key signatures are presented, as well as accidentals and their usage rules. Level 4 and beyond continues with new scales/key signatures, time signatures, dynamics, ledger notes, and pedal usage.
Subsequent books in the series will introduce appropriately advancing selections to increase performance skills which lead to accomplished piano performance.
Sample pages can be directly viewed on piano4me.org
Teaching Piano: What’s the Difference in Method Books?
Want to teach yourself or your child piano? Want to hit keys on a piano or actually read and play piano music that’s written? Be careful; there are hundreds of method books to choose from and some look very entertaining. Some have gorgeous illustrations; some have audio visual reinforcements; some are meant to use with a computer.
But they all can be distilled into two piles:
- play piano by hitting keys – or –
- actually read written music in order to play piano
For the details check this out!
What Would the First Lesson for a Young Student Look Like?
What Would the First Lesson for a 6 to Teen Look Like (video)?
View sample pages of all the books for students
ages 6 to teen:
View sample pages of all the books for students
4 to 5 years old:
View sample pages of all the books for older
teens and adults:
View the books on Amazon:
Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for over 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students.
Leslie believes that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.
She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students.”
