My almost 7 year old daughter took a piano camp over the summer and really enjoyed it. She wants to learn more piano and seemed to have a knack for it. We are having her choose one activity during the school year and she's picked gymnastics. (If it was up to her, she'd also do ballet and piano.) I don't want her to loose interest in the piano and I thought I could teach her some at home. (I took piano for 5 years and can read music and play well enough when have time to practice.) Does anyone have any books they love for teaching piano to their child? Thanks!
My 8YO daughters are using the "Piano Adventures" books http://pianoadventures.com/ . I don't play piano myself but find the books to be engaging for my girls and think it could be a good fit for someone your daughter's age.
Go to your local music store and check out the selection. The Alfred books are great and easy to follow...
Check with your church organist to see if he/she gives lessons at home or after service on Sunday. Kids always learn better from someone else - you know? And, if the teacher comes to the house, it's not as traumatic and time consuming as when you have to go somewhere for the lessons.
YMMV
LBC
I'm going to try teaching my son this fall and we're planning to use the Bastien books. They are easy to use with one another. The Piano book, for example, will tell you which Technic and Theory page to use at the same time. If you decide to use them, there are a couple different Primer levels. One is for the 5-7 age and another is for the 7-8 age, I believe so make sure you're getting the correct level (it will tell you on the back of the book). They are WONDERFUL books and I can't wait to start. Good luck with teaching.
I use the Faber books. I also know Alfred makes good products and I don't know anything about Bastien. It would be great to go and preview all three books. I have a BA in music ed but my piano skills are soso. I teach basics very well but I mostly teach voice. So playing warm ups and scales and basic melodies is about all I can do. I agree an at home piano teacher would be great if you don't want to go to a studio for lessons. Just remember with any instrument. It takes time to learn and time has to be budgeted to practice 20-30 minutes 3-5 times per week in addition to the lesson.
Also some ballet studios offer a ballet/gym combo type thing. I know lots of dance girls do both. (Just in case that helps)
I agree that the Bastien books are great. My 5 year old daughter is taking a piano class. I know NOTHING about music, but I'm learning by practicing with her at home using these books from her class. They are very easy to follow. We have the Piano for beginners and the Theory and Technic books.
