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Books to learn piano
If you have reached this post we assume that you are trying to start on the piano or keyboard with some kind of method, preferably in book format. And you probably don’t have money for private lessons or you’re just good at self-study.
If you are in the above assumptions there is one thing you are already doing well, and that is that you are looking for a method that will give you a progressive itinerary. This is good because learning an instrument is not easy and it is easy to get discouraged if you don’t follow the right steps. But it’s always very profitable because music gives your life a colour that’s priceless.
And of course remember that first of all you need a digital piano that at least supports sustain pedal and has sensitivity on the keys.
Don’t miss the guide with the best Cheap Keyboards of the moment selected by BuscarInstrumentos.com:
What should a piano self-study book have?
To begin with, it must be very progressive. It has to start with the principle of principles. How to put your fingers and explain where the piano notes are and what each key is. And above all, to explain to you how to put your hands correctly.
That the method is progressive is very important because if it starts too hard or takes a big gap of difficulty you will give up.
It’s also very important that it brings a video, otherwise you won’t be able to use it to learn on your own.
Can you really learn piano with a book by yourself?
Let’s see, we’re not gonna lie to you about this. It is much more difficult than with a teacher and it may not be the best support, because nowadays there are computer programs that help you with learning and there is a lot of support in video on the Internet. But what the book does is give you the script and it’s usually a cheap option. Besides, it’s probably the format you prefer to start with and that’s that.
It’s not a bad idea to mix strategies. You buy the method and ask a teacher to give you an initial class pack. 5 classes to start the method with you and then you can arrange with him a monthly class to review and correct you. We are talking about 20 € per month which will give you a lot.
Another possibility. Take a look at our free piano and keyboard course for beginners. In it you have many videos that will teach you how to put your hands, practical warm-up exercises and basic concepts, all put in order. You’ll like the exercises to make your hands independent. After making them you put yourself with the method in book. This can serve as a substitute for the initial teacher.
Well, that said, we’re going to introduce you to our selection of the books we like the most, especially considering that they are very progressive and bring audio files so you know how it sounds what you have to play. At the end of the post we will give you more ideas if you want to continue with your self-learning, because today the options are multiple and very interesting.
The best books for self-taught piano learning
We want to tell you about two very interesting books for the material they have inside, one comes with audio DVD and the other you can download the audios on their website.
Piano for Dummies
Don’t be embarrassed to consider yourself a Dummy, after all you are a beginner and the book only tries to take the iron out of the situation. The good thing about books for Dummies is that they keep a close eye on the progression of the method. If the method takes a very big leap in level it is very possible that you can not continue with it.Of course if you want to start without a teacher it is rare that you find a better way to start. Then it will be a little short but to begin with it is a great option. In addition it comes with audios that you can download in the same web. We leave you the link to the book in physical format:
Carl Humphries Complete Piano Course
A very interesting option considering all that can be done with it. The principle is simple and progressive and well studied. It’s a bit more expensive but then it has a lot more material and if you finish it you’ll have a wide range of works and styles to play.
Would you like to learn piano?
In BuscarInstrumentos I have made a tutorial for beginners, to see if you like it 😉
The previous method for Dummies will stay a little short but is cheaper, this is fatter but will be worth you for much longer. It is not a bad idea to try both, as the combined synergy of both makes you understand all concepts with extreme ease.The book also includes a DVD with the course audios and comes with a hard cover.
Other popular books to learn piano for children and beginners with teacher
The following books are very popular in both private schools and conservatories. There are those of very classic approach as the Hanon method and with a more modern one as it can be the Suzuki method.These methods are designed to be accompanied by a teacher and it is very likely that a teacher will ask you for them. We attach them to you to make a more complete guide and let their names sound familiar to you. You’ll most likely hear about them in the future. Whether it’s for you or your kids.
CZerny – The First Piano Teacher Op.599
Very popular in all conservatories, classic method that we will surely hear about.
Hanon – The virtuoso pianist: 60 Exercises
The Hanon method is not a method itself, but a series of exercises aimed at giving more strength and agility to the hands. Also very popular in conservatories although nowadays it has some detractors its exercises are very used and continue very valid almost a century after its creation.If you want to know about Hanon we have a whole article talking about the Hanon method for piano.
Suzuki Piano Method
The Suzuki method is today one of the most popular methods for early learning in children. It is based on learning music as if it were the mother tongue, that is, listening before and experimenting. It is modern education and is often found in private schools. They are also exercises applicable to adults.If you want to know more about this method we have an article about the Suzuki method for piano.
Other learning methods
We cannot close this chapter without mentioning the possibility of learning piano and keyboard in a self-taught way through other channels.Today having a MIDI keyboard or piano with that connector allows you to use interactive music learning software. This is a very powerful method because it allows you to know which keys you are touching and correct yourself. If you are interested in the subject, please read the following article:
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Opinion and analysis of the Suzuki Method for piano
In Suzuki method it is nowadays a very popular teaching system for children. This system can be included in the concept of modern music education.Initially the Suzuki method of music was thought for violin, because its creator played that instrument but with time the same concepts have been applied to other instruments. And one of them is the piano.
It must also be said that his tremendous popularity has led him to have loyal defenders and detractors. And that’s something that usually happens when there’s money and success. But before we talk about that aspect, let’s know a little more about the detail on which this method is based.
What is the Suzuki method of teaching music?
I’m sure you’ll be interested in…
- Ranking with the best digital pianos in quality-price ratio
- The cheapest musical keyboards for beginners
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The method bases its general principles on the fact that music can be learned in a natural way, in the same way that one learns a child’s mother tongue. This implies that it is good for the child to start his musical education from a very young age. After three or four years, even if you cannot hold the instrument correctly or press the keys on the keyboard.
The reference centers in Suzuki are also based on highlighting the aspect of music education as a motor for a good education in our children. Promotes teamwork, perseverance and social integration.
On the previous point it must be said that the current trend in music education is to promote those values and this is not exclusive to the Suzuki method. It is true that both the Suzuki method and other similar methods provide a counterpoint to training in conservatories. Much more rigid and masterful but not because of poor quality.
If our son continues his adult education until his professionalization as a musician he will have to go through the conservatory if he wants to be a classical musician.
The method is also based on the child listening to the piece to be played and becoming familiar with it before touching it. From there you will train your skill in a similar way as you learn a language. By repetition and experimentation. It is intended to be learned with little effort. This is one of the good aspects of the method and it must be said that children develop a good ear by what we have proven.
Controversy over Suzuki method for children, detractors
In recent years voices have emerged that attempt to discredit the method and its creator Shinichi Suzuki. In general, they question the author’s biography.
This type of controversy often arises when new teaching methods arrive and the schools or systems that were there before want to maintain their commercial positioning. In the end the realities are complex enough to say that one methodology is better than the other.People we know who have brought their children to study piano with this method say that it is very effective for developing the ear and musicality. But it also depends on the teacher’s commitment.What you see is a commercial world that can sometimes be perverse. The Suzuki method encourages the child to get into the music from a very young age and that’s good but sometimes….
We simply say don’t trust just because a school tells you they have certified teachers.
How do I know if a music school is good for my children?
Whether the methodology of the centre is Suzuki or if it has other didactic approaches you are going to have to be mentally aware of one thing. Many music schools just set up their classrooms so that unconnected music teachers can give their classes there. Many private and small schools fail to develop a single methodology and take care of the child’s evolution. This is really done by your teacher and there is usually no coordination between the school and the teacher beyond the administrative.Having said that, we recommend that you know who the student’s teacher is, because it is really the one who will impose the method and lead the student’s progression. This is the first point to bear in mind. See if they have a high turnover of teachers and find out if that teacher has been teaching at the academy for several years. That’s a good sign.The Suzuki method is very useful at first with small children, many teachers then end up mixing it with other methodologies both classical and with other modern approaches. So don’t think that the Suzuki method will be the only option used. It is normal for a good teacher to use several methodologies.Ask other parents in the academy to tell you if you’ve done well and if they’re happy, and find out about the best teacher or if there’s a bad one to avoid it. There is no better system of reviews.And of course ask your son. See if he’s having fun in class, if he’s motivated or if it’s a heavy burden for him. A good thing about the Suzuki method is that it makes it easier for the child to learn, in a natural way and that it shouldn’t cost them. A good teacher motivates and makes his students want more.
Is the piano the best instrument?
Choosing the piano as an instrument for your child in the Suzuki method is a great choice and we explain why in several points:
- It can play both modern music (Jazz, Blues, Pop) and classical music.
- It is a highly demanded instrument in any musical training, so your child will make friends quickly and will be much sought after as he becomes a teenager.
- It is easier to learn harmony than on the guitar as it is a more visual instrument.
- It is a much better composition tool than any stringed instrument.
- Facilitates the learning of a second instrument.
An adult can learn piano with the Suzuki method
Although it is a child-oriented method, the inventor of the method has made it clear that the methodology and exercises are also suitable for an adult. Since an adult can also learn a new language. The truth is that the old precepts of “you can only learn music if you start as a child” are behind you.The Suzuki method is based on learning and acquiring talent as well as speaking a new language. And new research on brain plasticity has shown how studying music can make adults “smarter.” If you’re interested in this topic, we invite you to read our article “learning piano after 30.It has to be said that an adult can try to learn piano in a self-taught way but to implement the Suzuki method requires a teacher. At least a couple of monthly classes supported by self-taught material. If you want to know more about how to learn piano as an adult and as a self-taught person, we invite you to visit our piano learning guide.
Books to learn the Suzuki method
The Suzuki method for piano has been embodied in several books and you will probably be asked to buy them at the academy you go to. Here is the link to the edition with texts in Spanish, Italian and French. Comes with audio and is the first book with which you start the method.
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The Hanon method for beginner pianists
Is the Hanon method a good piano method for beginners?
Well, probably if you are interested to know about this method you are looking for exercises to improve your piano technique. So you’ve come up with the right post.
Before we talk a little about this popular method and a little about the controversy about its effectiveness.
Hanon’s method and exercises “The Virtuous Pianist”
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The Hanon is a series of 60 exercises classified on the basis of their progressive difficulty and that today is taught in many conservatories, mainly in the early years. It has become quite popular apart from its application because of the heated debate about its effectiveness. Famous pianists do not like the method at all and even reject its application. But he also has fiery defenders among quality pianists.
Some pianists criticize the method for not working properly hand independence and argue that all the time spent doing Hanon exercises on a daily basis would be much more useful if invested in another way. These detractors consider them to be simple intuitive warm-up exercises.
It must be said that it is a method of the nineteenth century, which is still widely used today, so that something will have if it is in the programs of conservatories. But it must also be said that a century of music education theory has advanced since then.
We are going to show you how some of these exercises are for you to get an idea, here goes the exercise number 2, remember that they are gradual exercises.
It must be said that it is a method of the nineteenth century, which is still widely used today, so that something will have if it is in the programs of conservatories. But it must also be said that a century of music education theory has advanced since then.
How to approach the Hanon method to learn piano?
The Hanon method is not an exclusive means of learning piano itself. It is a complement to a piano formation. So if you’re looking for a complete method to follow step by step and lead you through a progressive Hanon itinerary is not the option.
Hanon can complement other formations very well, of course. It is quite normal for other piano methods to include some Hanon exercises. For things are neither black nor white and the pedagogy of the piano technique has evolved a lot since then as we have already commented. But you can’t say they’re obsolete exercises at all.
The best way to get closer to Hanon is to follow a global piano method that includes or does not include Hanon exercises and yourself in parallel to get closer to these exercises. Each person is different and these exercises are very effective for some and not for others. You have to find out if they help you. Which is important for you to know that Hanon isn’t enough. It is simply a series of very popular exercises that have helped many people quite a bit.
It has to be said that for some people these exercises are the glory and it is very likely that you will end up experiencing them. Of course, trying them should always be a must.
How are you learning piano?
We asked you this because it is very possible that you have ended up in this post if you are learning piano on your own or in a self-taught way.
If you are with a private teacher, he will probably give you a compendium of the exercises you need and may or may not include Hanon.If you are looking for a piano method for beginners or books to learn piano in a self-taught way we will give you some options that will help you a lot.
One thing you have to take into account when learning piano without a private teacher is that you need a visual support of the exercises. How to buy the book or download it without any video you will despair because you won’t know how to put your hands or how to execute the exercise correctly if you don’t know something about piano. This is not good because it is not good for motivation.
One option you have is to get the Hanon in PDF and search for the first exercises on Youtube. This can be a very cheap option but quite laborious and uncomfortable, because you will have to save the videos. Many of these exercises are missing or the audio is of poor quality or is played very fast.
If you don’t want the book in cheap PDF and then have to print it here you can buy it cheap.
What we recommend is that you buy a gradual method with audiovisual support so that you can introduce yourself correctly in the piano at a basic level and while you are incorporating the first 10 exercises of Hanon, because you will find them in Youtube and here we gather them. Just click on the drop-down. But after the videos we’re going to recommend other options that you should listen to, so don’t hesitate to read the post until the end.
Hanon – Exercises 1 to 10
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
Exercise 9
Exercise 10
How did you find out to mess with Hanon’s exercises without knowing anything about piano is a little hard. So if you’re not at that point we propose some options you have to learn piano in a self-taught and gradual way. All this so that you don’t look out of place and leave it at the end. If you know English the option of learning with computer software an electronic keyboard connected through USB MIDI is tremendously effective. Here they go:
- Books and complete methods to learn piano
- Learn piano with Software as a teacher and mobile apps
- Free piano lessons for beginners online
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