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Summary
Many of the books on this list are method books or repertoire collections that serve many of my beginner and some intermediate students. I list only those books that I have found that are priced competitively and readily available through Amazon.com.
I also include mentions of books that are sold directly by small, independent publishers, like Piano Safari and Piano Pronto. My goal is to recommend books and other learning materials that give students what they need at the lowest possible cost.
BE CAREFUL: If you are following one of my links to Amazon.com, make sure to only buy books that are marked “ships from and sold by Amazon.com.” The only exception is if you can find used books in Very Good or Like New condition that are better priced than the “sold by Amazon.com” price. Else, be careful when purchasing from a third-party seller. They often “flip” books for a profit, or substitute an inferior edition to the correct one.
Method Books
Piano Safari
Piano Safari books must be ordered from the PianoSafari.com Website. I generally can get these books at a slight discount using a membership discount code. Plus, if I can order for a couple of students at a time, you benefit from the reduced, pro-rated shipping charge.
Music Tree – Time to Begin (2 separate books)
The Music Tree Student’s Book: Time to Begin
The Music Tree Activities Book: Time to Begin
Music Tree – Part 1 (2 separate books)
The Music Tree Student’s Book: Part 1
The Music Tree Activities Book: Part 1
Music Tree – Part 2A (2 separate books)
The Music Tree Student’s Book: Part 2A
The Music Tree Student’s Book: Part 2A
Music Tree – Part 2B (2 separate books)
The Music Tree Student’s Book: Part 2B
The Music Tree Activities Book: Part 2B
Older Child/Adult Beginner
The Piano Safari – Older Student series is my preferred choice. However, I sometimes use different methods based on the goals of the student, and the skills of those students who have prior note-reading experience.
Repertoire Books
Standard Repertoire Collections
I’m currently evaluating several collections and graded series. I’ll update this item when I have narrowed down my choices.
Multiple Composer Collections
Sonatina Album: A Collection of Favorite Sonatinas, Rondos, and Other Pieces for the Piano
Single Composer Collections
Bach, J.S.
Inventions and Sinfonias: Two- and Three-Part Inventions (Alfred Masterwork Edition)
Burgmüller, Friedrich
Twenty-Five Easy and Progressive Studies, Opus 100
ECKLUND, JENNIFER (PIANO PRONTO)
Songs I Love to Play (Vol. 1 & 2) – Order from PianoPronto.com
Spotlight Series (Easy, Vol. 1, Plus, Vol. 2) – Order from PianoPronto.com
Kabalevsky, Dmitri
24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39: Piano Solo (Schirmer’s Library of Musical Classics)
Olson, Lynn Freeman
Beginning Sonatinas: Five Original Works in Varying Styles for the Early Grades
Theory Aids
Key Covers
Bea’s Keys – Not sold on Amazon
Music Theory
Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians (Book & 2 CDs)
Miscellaneous
Scales Book
The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios, etc
Little Red Book
Wide Staff Manuscript Paper – Can also be purchased at Musicworks or any music store
Metronome
Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome – The one I use – highly durable
Seiko DM51B Metronome – Budget model
Digital Audio Recorder
Zoom H4N PRO Digital Multitrack Recorder
Piano Parent book
Playful Preschool Piano Teaching – Great softcover book by Nicola Cantan explaining learning theory for teaching young pianists. Although best matched to 3- to 5-year-olds, some of the principles also apply to those up to age 8 or so.
Playful Preschool Piano Teaching – Kindle version of softcover book