Do you have a favorite adult method series?
Honestly, no. I don’t really like any of the adult method books that I’ve used. For beginning adult students, I usually use the Faber Accelerated Piano Adventures. Many of the adult methods are more chord-based in their approach and I feel like that is a disservice to an older beginner who really needs to develop good technique and reading skills in both hands.
I also start adults almost immediately on scales, chords, and cross-hand arpeggios. They tend to have lots of questions and want to understand what they are playing, so I think learning applied theory is the best way to do that. In addition to the method book, I try to track down a supplemental book with a bit more challenging music along the lines of what they want to learn to play – hymns, praise songs, classical themes, folk music, etc. This is especially motivating and gives them a chance to learn big-sounding music or favorite tunes while still developing their reading and technique skills through the method books.
Well, that concludes our week of Mondays! 🙂 That made a bit of a dent in the Monday Mailbag folder. It’s so much fun discussing these sorts of issues and getting input and different perspectives from other teachers. Thanks to those of you who have contributed to the discussion!
Remember, if you have a question you’d like to contribute to next week’s Monday Mailbag, leave it in the comments below or send me an e-mail sometime this week with Monday Mailbag in the subject line!
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