Thank you so much for this commentary! Seeing other books I haven't interacted with before and hearing about specific pros and cons was helpful. You seem so professional and informative! I have always used the Bastien Piano Basics books when teaching since that's what I grew up learning, but I've only been teaching for about 4 years. I'm not sure if you're familiar with those, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that series since I don't know how they would compare to the others, and not many people seem to have reviews on it. Thank you again for your insight!
I also grew up using Bastien Basic! I think the main reason people aren't talking about the series much anymore is simply that they are a little outdated (1985). Not that the methodology is extremely different from Alfred or Faber, but there are some uncomfortably questionable politically incorrect images and titles throughout the books as I remember 😬 However, I have dabbled in the Bastien New Traditions books enough to appreciate the update. If you're comfortable with Bastien's pacing and schedule of introducing concepts, you might be interested to check out the New Traditions books! But it's also nice to have a few series you are familiar with as you grow as a teacher because different students seem to thrive better in different series. Thank you for sharing! 🩵
Thanks for this video and your other videos about the subject too! If I might ask your professional opinion, what do you think is a good piano method for adult students who want to study using the more classical music approach? To give some context, should you want it 😎, I am 57 and I have had real lessons in the distant past. I want to try to start again at my own pace. And I have used a book from Alfred's but I find that the music examples/exercises in them are so 'childish' (or too contemporary?). Are there any methods that use classical music as there 'practice' base? Since that is where my interests are. You mentioned the Faber Piano adventures and they have the Accelerated Piano adventures. Would they be any good for this goal?
Hearing your experience, I don't think you would enjoy the Faber books--they are heavy on the folk tunes, not so much on the classical. Check out The Classical Piano Method from Hal Leonard Publishing if you are more on the beginner side and need a slower progression. Or check out John Thompson's Adult Piano Method (also Hal Leonard) which focuses heavily on classical literature if you are ready for a fast-paced progression. Alfred's Premier Piano Course does offer a lot of great classical literature in the later levels once you get past the beginner levels. But I completely understand your experience with the childish tunes--no fun! Let me know if you find a book that you like! Thanks for watching!
I found your video when I was trying to find reviews for Wunderkeys. We’ve used it from the beginning for online lessons and every piano teacher I’ve met in real-life seems to scoff at it, so I’ve always been curious what the beef is. Perhaps because it’s new as you said?
I have heard comments like that from other piano teachers too! It is new, and I think it's inherently different than other methods that are currently popular. But different can be good. I love Wunderkeys for online lessons as well. And group lessons both online and in-person. I'm actually working on a video that goes more in-depth on what's different about WK (from my experience compared to other methods), what I like about it, and when I use it. I should be posting that in the next couple weeks. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I use WK a lot in my studio, and like it a lot. The comic book set up of the Primers pulls kids in. They enjoy the antics of the characters. I love the presentation of the modified staff. (Notes floating on a page bother me....) My more advanced kids in the Elementary levels like the stories (a sort of sarcastic look at traditional fairy tales is the theme). I have had one student who asked to switch methods because he didn't like the sound of the pieces - they do all have a similar pop sound that he didn't like. I have one student in the WK intermediate books, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it prepares him for classical pieces, given the rather pop styling of the chord progressions and cording choices. On the whole, tho, the free games and support materials, the ear training, the affordable book-of-the-month club all have made me a better teacher, regardless of the method I use with each student.
I have used Wunderkeys now for 7 years with great success. The characters allow students to engage so well and the slower pace suited my heavily younger population very well. Students graduating into 2A/B have also so appreciated the approach , pop style - classical hints music and Improvisation. Andrea and Trevor Dow continue to be so generous in Materials and time to answer any questions which may arise. The Piano Book Club and VU Library are invaluable to encourage and highlight any concept needing attention. I highly recommend looking into this series.
![Comparing Piano Method Books [My Secret Formula For Choosing the Best Method as a Piano Teacher]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PX6xC-mxneQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Comparing Piano Method Books [My Secret Formula For Choosing the Best Method as a Piano Teacher]](/img/tr.png)
![Why Faber Piano Adventures is Still My Go-To Piano Method Book [Does It Live Up to the Hype?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UkFaHlycIss/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you so much for this commentary! Seeing other books I haven't interacted with before and hearing about specific pros and cons was helpful. You seem so professional and informative! I have always used the Bastien Piano Basics books when teaching since that's what I grew up learning, but I've only been teaching for about 4 years. I'm not sure if you're familiar with those, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that series since I don't know how they would compare to the others, and not many people seem to have reviews on it. Thank you again for your insight!
I also grew up using Bastien Basic! I think the main reason people aren't talking about the series much anymore is simply that they are a little outdated (1985). Not that the methodology is extremely different from Alfred or Faber, but there are some uncomfortably questionable politically incorrect images and titles throughout the books as I remember 😬 However, I have dabbled in the Bastien New Traditions books enough to appreciate the update. If you're comfortable with Bastien's pacing and schedule of introducing concepts, you might be interested to check out the New Traditions books! But it's also nice to have a few series you are familiar with as you grow as a teacher because different students seem to thrive better in different series. Thank you for sharing! 🩵
Thanks for this video and your other videos about the subject too! If I might ask your professional opinion, what do you think is a good piano method for adult students who want to study using the more classical music approach? To give some context, should you want it 😎, I am 57 and I have had real lessons in the distant past. I want to try to start again at my own pace. And I have used a book from Alfred's but I find that the music examples/exercises in them are so 'childish' (or too contemporary?). Are there any methods that use classical music as there 'practice' base? Since that is where my interests are. You mentioned the Faber Piano adventures and they have the Accelerated Piano adventures. Would they be any good for this goal?
Hearing your experience, I don't think you would enjoy the Faber books--they are heavy on the folk tunes, not so much on the classical. Check out The Classical Piano Method from Hal Leonard Publishing if you are more on the beginner side and need a slower progression. Or check out John Thompson's Adult Piano Method (also Hal Leonard) which focuses heavily on classical literature if you are ready for a fast-paced progression. Alfred's Premier Piano Course does offer a lot of great classical literature in the later levels once you get past the beginner levels. But I completely understand your experience with the childish tunes--no fun! Let me know if you find a book that you like! Thanks for watching!
I found your video when I was trying to find reviews for Wunderkeys. We’ve used it from the beginning for online lessons and every piano teacher I’ve met in real-life seems to scoff at it, so I’ve always been curious what the beef is. Perhaps because it’s new as you said?
I have heard comments like that from other piano teachers too! It is new, and I think it's inherently different than other methods that are currently popular. But different can be good. I love Wunderkeys for online lessons as well. And group lessons both online and in-person. I'm actually working on a video that goes more in-depth on what's different about WK (from my experience compared to other methods), what I like about it, and when I use it. I should be posting that in the next couple weeks. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@@TheTattooedPianoTeacher I’d love to see it.
I use WK a lot in my studio, and like it a lot. The comic book set up of the Primers pulls kids in. They enjoy the antics of the characters. I love the presentation of the modified staff. (Notes floating on a page bother me....)
My more advanced kids in the Elementary levels like the stories (a sort of sarcastic look at traditional fairy tales is the theme). I have had one student who asked to switch methods because he didn't like the sound of the pieces - they do all have a similar pop sound that he didn't like.
I have one student in the WK intermediate books, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it prepares him for classical pieces, given the rather pop styling of the chord progressions and cording choices. On the whole, tho, the free games and support materials, the ear training, the affordable book-of-the-month club all have made me a better teacher, regardless of the method I use with each student.
Well said, @naptimeseamstress! WK has a lot to offer.
I have used Wunderkeys now for 7 years with great success. The characters allow students to engage so well and the slower pace suited my heavily younger population very well. Students graduating into 2A/B have also so appreciated the approach , pop style - classical hints music and Improvisation. Andrea and Trevor Dow continue to be so generous in Materials and time to answer any questions which may arise. The Piano Book Club and VU Library are invaluable to encourage and highlight any concept needing attention. I highly recommend looking into this series.