Method Books I Use

Method books vary according to age, music styles, and teaching strategies... oh, and price.   The two main categories are adult and children.  Between children's methods there are some variations, and I enjoyed surveying many methods in my pedagogy studies.  I bring in elements of these other methods to my students to supplement the method books I use.  I also use whatever method books students may have on hand.

Students under about 6 can start with this:

Step by Step Piano Course - Book 1 (Step by Step (Hal Leonard))   (like this:http://www.amazon.com/Step-Piano-Course-Book-Leonard/dp/0877180369 )

 These are the first two books for older beginners:

Schaum Notespeller  - a workbook.   (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Schaum-Note-Spellers-Method-Supplement/dp/0769234534 )

M. Aaron Lessons Book One - method book (http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Aaron-Piano-Course-Lessons/dp/0898988551/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380216794&sr=8-1&keywords=aaron+piano+lessons+1)
 
Belwin Piano Method Book One  - method book   (http://www.amazon.com/Belwin-Piano-Method-Book-Grade/dp/B003FQQ96K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380216784&sr=8-2&keywords=belwin+piano+method+1)

 Add note flashcards.

After completing Book 2 of either method book, introduce:

Dozen a Day Book 1 - Technique / Finger agility (http://www.amazon.com/A-Dozen-Day-Book-1/dp/0877180318)

I generally introduce chord symbol and playing by ear around intermediate level note reading, since the reading takes the most discipline and sets a student solidly in a mindset of hard work.   I demarcate intermediate level as my teacher did, with Bach's Minuet in G.

Beginner Students and the Three Ways to Play

I was considering how to begin with students, especially young ones of about 3 or 4, and came to the conclusion that I need to think more about when to introduce the different ways to play.  For years I've seen the wisdom in beginning the young with ear training.  This is generally done in Europe more than in America.  Especially in Eastern Europe, it is required that the child learns aural skills simultaneously with note reading.  Perhaps with older people, whose eyes and hands are more developed, starting with note reading and chord symbols first is better.   Just some thoughts (and questions too, it seems)!   I think I'll bring this up with some music teachers soon.