Should You Be Practicing Right Now?

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.

Note Flashcards

You can order note flashcards as part of a larger set of music flashcards here.   I've never found a set of just notes, so when you order you get more cards than I teach with.

Or you can make your own and not have the extra.

 I searched "printable music note flashcards."  Below is what I found, click to see larger.  These documents have more notes than I use, so my students can just bring the sheets to lesson, and I'll tell them which to cut out.  

click to see larger

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If you want to make your own, trace the computer screen.  I've never done this, so proceed with care! :)

 It's 15 or 16 cards depending on if middle C is repeated in the treble (higher) and bass (lower) staves (plural for staff).  


Both clefs should be visible on each card.

I use card stock - regular paper doesn't flip!  Index card size is great.

Flashcards in lessons:  I assign students six years old and up to learn to identify the note from note flashcards for the middle two octaves of notes, from C to Middle C and up through the next C.  It is preferable to have Mid C with up and down stems, so 2 cards with same note, just stems are different. When they can flip through all 15 - 16  cards in 20 seconds, they advance to playing them.  Then the goal is 25 seconds.


Source: http://www.music-for-music-teachers.com/music-note-flashcards.html