Piano Lessons - Book 1 : Hal Leonard Student Piano Library

Rating:
Summary: A Great starter book for begining pianists
Review: I started teaching my kids 8 and 6 from a variety of piano books and this is the only one they really stuck with and liked. The pieces are simple enough for quick gratification and they move along swiftly accomplishing new skills. It really is only for brand new students though.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy them
Review: These books suck. Maybe they work I don't know but they aren't standard beginning piano lessons. They are primarily graphical using pictures of the keys not notes.

Rating:
Summary: The best there is!!!
Review: This book marks the beginning of an excellent program of piano instruction for children. My nine year old daughter is currently making her way through this set of five books. Everything is laid out in a colourful and child-friendly manner. The exercises are simple and attractive and your child will be learning as they go without scarcely being aware of their rapid development. For rapid development there is. It will become quite obvious that your daughter or son is progressing from level to level with a thorough understanding of piano playing and the reading of music. This series is the best. Highest recommendation!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is an excellent book for the beginner! My son is 7 and really enjoys it. It moves nice and slow, introducing a concept at a time, and allowing for mastery before moving on. We tried Usborne Piano and really didn't like it. It was frustrating for my son, moved too quickly and taught multiple concepts in a single lesson, like teaching where the notes are on the staff, using half and quarter notes, which look different, adding confusion. BUT BUY THE HAL LEONARD PIANO BOOK THAT COMES WITH THE CD! The other book, which is exactly the same, comes with a CD of accompaniment which is very fun. First the song is played slowly with piano, that the student can play along with, then a second recording is just the orchestra without piano, up tempo, for once a song is mastered. 'Piano games' by Hal Leonard is fun, too. One suggestion: I read on the internet that kids have an easier time learing to play songs when they have heard them played many times; when they know them by ear. I play the songs for my son, the ones he's learning, plus several ahead to familiarize him with them, and this made a world of difference. I don't play piano, but this book is easy and anyone can do it.