Jeremy Feight

Method Book Comparison Report

Alfreds Basic Piano Library: Palmer, Manus, Lethco

The Alfreds Basic Piano Library approaches rhythm by first teaching quarter
notes, half notes, and whole notes. These are taught through units and normative
counting processes. Once these are perfected, dotted half notes are introduced using
unit counting only. Eighth and dotted quarter notes are not introduced until level
1B.
Note reading in the Alfred series is taught starting with the topography of the
keyboard. This begins with sets of two black keys using fingers 2 and 3, and then
shortly leading into the use of fingers 2, 3, and 4 on the sets of 3 black keys. A
memorable childrens tune is used to reinforce these skills on the black keys. This
tune also uses the new technique of using all fingers on the black keys. The book
does a great job of depicting hand positions, and use of steps and skips. This series
teaches note names separately from playing in context. Indian Song, a song that is
very popular to children, is used to teach sharps and flats.
Technique and theory are reinforced in effective ways throughout the series.
The technical aspects that are presented are level appropriate and pedagogically
sound. The series presents different types of touches, sounds, and ideas within
pieces in the series, such as finger crossing. Theory is also taught in the main books
of the course. The teaching of theory involves writing, playing, and creating. The
elementary series teaches tonic, subdominant, and dominant.

In teaching this series, one would use Level 1A and two-thirds of level 1B in
year one of a students lessons. Then, the final third of Level 1B and all of level 2 are
taught in the second year. This series effectively relates the core books with main
books. This tactic is called overlapping. The series introduces a new idea, and then
reinforces this idea while learning another new concept. This series is very
attractive to young students as it uses catchy tunes that are familiar to students of
this age range. Different genres and styles are represented in supplemental books
such as a book full of gospel tunes. Memorization is not addressed readily, but
plenty of great recital pieces are incorporated throughout the series in core books.
The series is priced very economically with each book being priced around seven
dollars. There is a teachers guidebook available for each book in the series.
Hal Leonard Student Piano Library: Kreader, Kern, Keveren, Rejino
In the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, rhythm is taught starting with
metric counting. Although, time signatures do appear. Later, unit counting is also
introduced. Quarter notes and rests are taught first, followed by whole and half
notes and half rest, then dotted half notes and ties. Eighth notes and dotted quarters
are held until Book 3 of the series.
Note reading begins off staff notation and two-octave range of black keys.
The white keys are taught first in a group of CDE followed by a group of FGAB. Then,
note reading moves to the staff while repeats, steps, and skips are introduced.
The technique training in this series is in the form of a Musical Fitness Plan.
This plan includes a checklist to review fitness skills. In order to reinforce these
techniques, warm-ups and etudes are used. There is a separate book in the series for

theory. Games, exercises, and writing assignments are used to teach theory.
Listening skills are practiced using games like What is the same, what is different?.
When teaching this series, year one consists of Level one and two-thirds of
Level two; year two consists of one-third of Level two and all of Level 3. A teachers
guide is provided to help the instructor divide lessons into the Prepare, Practice, and
Perform stages. This guide also includes a detailed Lesson Planning Chart.
Memorization is not addressed, but other sections are sequence in the helpful order
of lesson, practice games, solos, theory workshop, and technique. Recital pieces can
be found throughout the lesson books of the series. Highlights of this series include
new concepts, touch and sound, and reviews included throughout. Each of these
books cost from eight to ten dollars.
Bastien Piano Basics: Bastien and Bastien
This series gives a choice in counting styles: nominative or metric. Basic note
values and rests are in the Primer level. Two-thirds into the Primer level, eighth
notes are introduced. Dotted quarter notes are taught in Piano two level.
Note reading is taught through a gradual multi-key approach where each
level (1-4) has 3 keys per lesson book. This series also stresses intervals. Hand
positions are used to teach keys and intervals (For example, Middle C Position).
Intervals are also reinforces using the word step to represent a 2nd and skip to
represent a 3rd.
Technique training begins hands together using C position and contrary
motion. This is taught off the staff. Parellel motion is introduced separately. Legato
touch is taught on the black keys. The main books and theory books overlap to teach

theory. Theory is taught through a combination of writing and playing exercises

with drill and review built into these lessons. Tonic, subdominant, and dominant are
strongly focused upon.
The first year of teaching this series contains all of the Primer level and half
of Level 1. Year two contains the remainder of Level 1 and all of Level 2. The first
four levels of this series have books on piano, theory, technique, and performance.
But, no teacher guide is provided. The series does contain a mix of genres such as
classical, contemporary, pop, and folk. Elements are sequenced in an
understandable way, and are introduced using bold print. This series also contains
fun titles and colorful illustrations that are appealing to young learners. A downfall
to this series is that memorization is not touched upon. Each book costs about seven
dollars, and an entire level of books can be purchased for approximately 24 dollars.
The Music Tree: Francis Clark
In The Music Tree series, rhythm is taught starting with unit counting. This
gradually turns into metric counting. Note value understanding is drilled
thoroughly, especially quarter, half, dotted half, and whole notes. This series relates
one rhythmic value to another, showing the importance of good rhythm and
counting.
Note reading starts using intervals off the staff. It gradually works to using
alphabet named notes on the spaces and lines of the staff. The series also focuses
early on naming clefs and the location of notes in relation to clefs.
Technique training in this series starts with specific fingers to produce single
tones in alternating hands using the forearm to learn the full range of motion. The

difference between legato and non-legato touch is focused upon. The series uses
warm-ups to reinforce these techniques on more fingers as it progresses. Theory
lessons are integrated in the music in the series, and is also included in activity
books. Theory reinforcement is done through haromonization, transposition,
improvisation, and composition assignments.
Year one of The Music Tree includes Time to Begin, and Music Tree 1,
year two includes Music Tree 2A and Music Tree 2B. The series does not include
a teacher guide, but it does contain CDs. The series is not as colorful, but it is
effective for children in the way that it is organized in a clean way. It also appeals to
children using two characters called Chip and Bobo. Techniques are sequenced
in an effective way, using units called Discoveries and Using What You Have
Discovered. The books cost about eight dollars each, a very economical price.
My Choice and Ranking
Personally, my favorite of these four series is the Bastien Piano Basics series.
I believe that this series does the best at integrating all of the aspects of an effective
piano education (theory, technique, repertoire, improvisation, and audiation) into
each lesson. I also believe that it is the most aesthetically pleasing to a childs eye,
ear, and imagination. Lastly, it is the only of these series that smoothly integrates the
teaching of various key signatures. Through this, students learn hand positions,
finger technique, theory, and style all at once. Using this judgment, my ranking of the
four series that I reviewed would be as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Bastien Piano Basics

Hal Leonard Student Piano Library
Alfreds Basic Piano Library
The Music Tree