Weve gone from alfred to bastien to faber and faber and now the new teacher wants to switch people back to alfred again. Bastien piano for adults was a close second choice for best piano. Beginning piano for adults by bastien and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Piano methods correlation chart take note sheet music plus. The bastien piano series are a very useful tool for piano students. Apr 29, 2008 author of piano, christmas favorites arranged for piano primer level, the bastien piano library. I found a very interesting chart at today, comparing what are probably the top 5 most popular piano methods alfreds basic library. As the lessons progress, students will learn the names of the piano keys.
Whether youre teaching yourself, or working with a piano teacher, the first choice of piano books for adult beginners. The bastien piano library is an integrated course of study containing method books, related theory and technic books, and a wide variety of supplementary materials, including music flashcards, specifically correlated solo and sight reading books, and a note speller. The piano forums are an online community of piano lovers including piano industry professionals, concert artists, recording artists, technicians, dealers, manufacturers. Basics of keyboard theory, bastien additional series, bastien older beginner piano library, bastien piano basics, bastien. This information will help you in choosing the best piano method for each student. Bastien piano basics is an exciting and comprehensive series for piano study designed to get the young student off to the right start. Although the bastien method is not my goto method book for my personal studio my preferred method at the moment is faber, i use this series as supplementary material and have used it as a main method book in the past when i saw that students had a good ear for music. Most parents wonder what the best piano method for kids is. Bastien piano basics by james and jane smisor bastien. This is because many piano teachers still believe that age six or seven is the ideal. Alfreds basic piano library alfreds basic piano library uses a positionbased reading approach that promotes freedom of movement around the keyboard and offers enjoyable piano instruction for students of all ages in an easy, stepbystep manner. This allinone piano course was written in response to many requests by teachers for just a single course book. I suggest the michael aaron books for students all the way up to grade 5.
This series gives you tons of options for teaching piano. I use alfred for all of my students and occasionally use individual pieces from faberpiano adventures. Although the bastien method is not my goto method book for my personal studio my preferred method at. The bastien piano books have been published worldwide by the neil a. As piano students grow older, one of the biggest questions teachers face is when to move on from method books so, today we thought wed present what i consider to be the life cycle of a method book in hopes that maybe it provides some clarity for teachers pondering the method book dilemma.
A comparison of 5 different piano methods color in my piano. Alfreds basic library bastien piano basics the music tree piano. Bastien piano library first published in 1981, the bastien piano library was the 2nd piano method series published by james and jane smisor bastien and the predecessor to bastien piano basics. Bastien piano basics set piano, theory, performance, technic, level 1, 4 book setmy wife already knows a lot about music theory. Sep 01, 2014 the suzuki method, bastien piano basics, and the clark, faber, and alfred methodseven though this certainly isnt a comprehensive list, youll see that a variety of piano methods abound.
James bastien books list of books by author james bastien. I learned to play the piano with this series and found the. The function of a method book is to provide a logical progression for. In the level 1 piano book, there are 41 short pieces. The faber piano adventures correlation chart is a helpful resource for piano teachers because it shows what topics are addressed at each piano adventures level and how. Kjos music company published a set of piano books by james and jane smisor bastien that they had written to help teach their students. May 29, 20 most parents wonder what the best piano method for kids is. I would highly recommend this level and the complete bastien piano basics series to anyone looking for a complete piano course. Bastien piano basics, level 4, piano by james bastien. As opposite to the alfred basic method, this method does not encourage playing the piano by keeping the hand position and lacks the important role of playing piano by ear. Different students respond better to different methods. When is it time to move on from method books a life cycle.
It has many more songs that require a different position than the other method books ive tried in the past alfred, bastien, but still not enough for my taste. Piano books for adult beginners online piano coach. Alfreds allinone course lesson book is the best piano and keyboard method book for adult beginners. Wp33 the older beginner piano course level 2 bastien. For example, if you have a student who you just finished the bastien piano basics primer book, you would. I learned to play the piano with this series and found the concepts i learned from these books set a wonderful stage for advancement into the intermediate series. The only point of method books is to teach you to read music, and im not sure one.
The only point of method books is to teach you to read music, and im not sure one is vastly superior to another. From the suzuki method to bastien piano basics, heres a crash course. James bastien was a former member of the faculties of notre dame university, tulane university, loyola university new orleans, and the summer faculties of tanglewood and the national music camp at after living in seattle and florida, the family moved to portland, oregon, where james began his piano studies with frances mulkey north. This includes a short discussion of how to play each piece. Hal leonard student piano library the music tree piano. The best answer is that it depends on the student and teacher one thing we always ask prospective teachers. Sheet music bastien piano methods allegro music online. Weve gone from alfred to bastien to faber and faber and now the new teacher wants to switch people. Piano for the young beginner primer a by james bastien online at alibris. As one of the most soughtafter piano books for beginners, this book is a sure step toward practical piano skills.
Sep 24, 2012 alfred masterworks is another story altogether. Piano lessons, technic lessons, sight reading level 1, popular christmas. Piano method books help teach people of all skill levels how to play the piano. There is the basic course, the prep course, and all have supplemental books that coordinate with them, such as recital books, technique books, and notespellers. Piano bastien supplementary books composed by james bastien.
The three most popular teaching methods used are alfred, bastien. Select the right piano teaching method music teachers. Any main differences between the faber and alfreds adult. Each new concept or skill should build slowly on what the student already knows. Oct 27, 2015 the bastien piano series are a very useful tool for piano students. It introduced a quick way to learn to read by recognizing music intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths. I really like the way bastien piano teaches young learners through the four different books in one level. Ive taught out of bastien, faber, alfred, appc, and john thompson. Plus, shop the supplemental bastien piano method materials such as.
The learning sequence is carefully graded to assure steady progress, while the fullcolor illustrations entertain and reinforce along the way. I ordered it for my granddaughters who are teens and are finishing level 1 materials. First published in 1981, the bastien piano library was the 2nd piano method series published by james and jane smisor. Aug 20, 2009 i found a very interesting chart at today, comparing what are probably the top 5 most popular piano methods. Alfreds basic piano library and premier piano course. A livid argument against the bastien piano method the future of. These are an intoductory level piano instruction series.
With introductory text, standard notation, fingerings and chord dictionary. This is the first book ever published in alfreds basic piano library, and it is still the most popular. The best piano and keyboard method books hear the music play. The alfreds theory series is designed as an accompaniment to the basic lesson series.
The bastien piano method books are one of my favorites. I had piano lessons at the college level and my professor taught me from this book 30 years ago. The alfred method is featured in a variety of books, including an allinone piano course for children, a prep course, and a basic piano library. I use alfred for all of my students and occasionally use individual pieces from faber piano adventures. See all books authored by james bastien, including bastien piano basics level 1 piano wp201 paperback, and bastien piano basics level 2 piano wp202, and more on. The pace books are a pedagogically sound aid for teaching the older beginner. Just based on having taught the standard beginning series of alfred s for several years ive only taught ages 7 and up outside of my own kids, i think the faber and faber books whether its this one you mentioned or the others in the faber and faber lesson books cover sound technique with good descriptions and fun exercises on technique more. Kjos music company since 1963 and are now translated into 14 languages. Alfreds offers students a wellrounded lesson plan with a mix of technique, theory, and le. I started using the bastien piano basics when fullcolor books started coming.
Bastien piano books basic method primer level course. The piano forums are an online community of piano lovers including piano industry professionals, concert artists, recording artists, technicians, dealers, manufacturers, and thousands of enthusiastic amateur pianist. Apr 10, 2010 the bastien piano books series bring fond memories to me of my early lessons using these books. The bastien piano library is an integrated course of study containing method books, related theory and technic books, and a wide variety of supplementary. This book is highly recommended by students and teachers alike. The colorful pictures in these books are fun and engaging.
I actually like these pictures better than the piano adventures ones, although. Piano world home page forums our most popular forums piano teachers forum faber vs. If i use a method book, i tend to use bastien at the moment. In 1999, the music teachers national association presented jim and jane with the lifetime achievement award, the associations highest honor, in recognition of their outstanding career in music and. I like to get away from the method books as soon as possible anyway or at least just. If you wish to pursue this method, we suggest using the video series the bastien piano professor or similar aid to supplement the books and fill in many of the huge gaps in this method. When is it time to move on from method books a life. I like both the bastien classicbeyondtheprimer books and alfred masterworks, although i. I would examine the colorful pictures of children and notes, play the chocolate cake song with my mouth watering, and practice my songs for longer than i was required just because i enjoyed them. James bastiens most popular book is bastien piano basics. The basics series seems distinct and separate from the piano library series.
Since then the books have been translated into 14 languages, and have been a hit with students and tea. Jul 18, 20 it has many more songs that require a different position than the other method books ive tried in the past alfred, bastien, but still not enough for my taste. The best piano books for adult beginners top 5 adult piano methods. The carefully graded, logical learning sequence assures steady, continual progress. Comparing piano teaching methods bastien piano basics. Wp216 bastien piano basics technic level 1 level 1 bastien piano basics wp216 by jane smisor bastien 1 technic popular christmas songs. James bastien was a former member of the faculties of notre dame university, tulane university, loyola university new orleans, and the summer faculties of tanglewood and the national. There is the basic course, the prep course, and all have supplemental books that coordinate with them. Alfreds basic piano library alfreds basic piano library uses a positionbased reading approach that. I like both the bastien classicbeyondtheprimer books and alfred masterworks, although i dont think alfred has a single particular book to compare with bastiens intermediate book with bach, ellmenreich, and others. Jan 11, 2018 the faber piano adventures correlation chart is a helpful resource for piano teachers because it shows what topics are addressed at each piano adventures level and how that corresponds to books in other piano methods series. Dec 20, 2018 alfreds allinone course lesson book is the best piano and keyboard method book for adult beginners. Im teaching piano lessons and im not sure what book series to use. Comparing piano teaching methods bastien piano basics, suzuki.
I learned when i was very young and used the bastien series for beginners, but my student is so i wanted to get her a more adultoriented series. Wp216 bastien piano basics technic level 1 level 1bastien piano basics wp216 by jane smisor bastien 1 technic popular christmas songs. I learned when i was very young and used the bastien series for beginners. Piano is the main lesson book in the bastien piano basics course. One downside to alfred is the books move along quickly, and usually. It introduced a quick way to learn to read by recognizing music intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths. So, i try to make a big deal that 1 does not necessarily always c, etc. Im having a typical military child problem5 moves, 4 piano teachers. American and british notation are identical except for a few different words e. Wp46 folk tune favorites bastien piano library primer level wp206 bastien piano basics theory level 1 a line a day sight reading level 2 bastien piano basics wp2 bastien piano basics performance level 3 wp207 bastien piano basics theory level 2 wp212 bastien piano basics performance level 2 wp211 bastien piano basics. This playlist covers the pieces in the bastien piano for adults book 1. Alfreds basic piano library, lesson book, level 1a. Alfreds premier piano course bastien piano basics celebration series hlsp. As piano students grow older, one of the biggest questions teachers face is when to move on from method books so, today we thought wed present what i consider to be the life cycle of.
The best answer is that it depends on the student and teacher one thing we always ask prospective teachers when they are interviewing to work with us is to describe their basic philosophy of teaching. For some valuable insights on piano teaching and piano methods, read our artisteducator interview of randall scott faber, coauthor of the faber and faber method series for this. The bastien piano library is an integrated course of study containing lesson books, related theory and technic books, and a wide variety of. Piano lessons, technic lessons, sight reading level 1, popular christmas songs, level 3, musicianship for the older beginner organist bastien older beginner organ library, level 2, the older beginner organ course, level 1. Books by james bastien author of bastien piano basics. James bastien has 125 books on goodreads with 788 ratings.
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