Alfred's Basic Piano Library - Lesson Book 1A: Learn How to Play Piano with This Esteemed Method

Nice size and seems geared toward kids. The book does not include the CD even though it advertises it does. I already knew that from other reviews, though. The first page shows you how to sit and how to number your fingers off, also shows where middle C is on your piano. The first large part of the book teaches the black keys. I had hoped it would teach the white first. I think this book will be a great addition, and really help our 9 year old learn. She will for sure need someone to help with some of the directions. Which, is what i would expect. But, just saying that, so you know what to expect when buying it. I plan to look into other series of teaching books as well. 4 stars for not coming with cd and correctly describing the books content.

I have been teaching piano for 23 years. This is my go-to book for beginners ages 7-10. At the very first lesson the student is playing Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Old MacDonald which gets them excited to learn.

I love, love, love this series! I have been teaching private lesions for many years and Alfred does a respectable job of introducing students to piano. It uses an interval approach, helping students recognize where note are relatively, but also insisting on a recognition of note names. The lessons are very logically ordered and new concepts are revisited for weeks in the subsequent pieces, really solidifying them as you go.my only complaint would be their introduction of eighth notes seems a little short. I would like a lot more clap and count style exercise that have very simple notes, but lots of different rhythms using the new eighth notes, similar to what is found at the beginning of Book 2 with dotted notes.

Truly for the beginning student: I am not a pianist nor have I ever learned to read music, so I cannot teach my children.My 8 year old has proceeded through this book on her own, at a pace of about 30 minutes a day for 6 days.My rule is that she practice each lesson 5 times. She can't get enough and keeps sneaking back to the piano to do the lessons over and over again. I'll be ordering the next book.

As a private piano teacher of almost 10 years, and somebody who grew up on the Alford series myself, I can’t recommend a better book series if your child wants to start piano. Alfred teachers important hand positions, and uses creative songs with familiar harmonic patterns that will help your student develop a good ear.I highly recommend these over Faber, whose method books seem most interested in getting kids to do “fun“ things on the piano (playing all the C’s all the way up, for example, in some songs.) While those songs are fun, they don’t teach long lasting habits like Alfred does. This book will have your student well-prepared for the next level by the time they’ve finished this book!

Love this book. I am using it to teach my 6year old, and we are cruising through. This the very first book I used as she had never had piano lessons before and I am glad I started with this one. I bought a few other books, but I thought they would be a little difficult. I would definitely recommend this one here for beginners.

Teaching my little ones with this trusty book. Remember this book when I was training on a Steinway and bound for some symphony one day. Didn't make it but understand its utility now, teaching my little tykes on our weighted key Yamaha keyboard.

This book really knows how to teach young and beginner pianists music theory, and the songs in this book are appropriate for young children. It's a thin book with large display, so you won't have to squint your eyes to read the book. I totally recommend it!

This book is a great one to start a pupil on, if they are approx between 5 and 8 years old. The print is large ( always helpful for beginners) and the method excellent, in that a pupil gets used to following shapes, fingering and gradually notes on the stave. If a pupil is bright, then he/she will go at a faster rate, and that's fine. It is better to have something that is achievable and fun, than to struggle with your first book. I have been teaching for 30 years, and have used many different tutor books, but this is one of the best.

I ordered this book as a replacement for one my daughter had been borrowing from a friend. This version is the American one - not much is different, but they call a stave a staff, and some of the songs have been re-worded and are now about 4th July and other themes my daughter is unfamiliar with. UK readers need the 'Universal Edition', but it doesn't seem to be available on Amazon.

Very good, exactly like the more expensive one we have (minus the disc)

Good basic Piano learners book for kids.

Excellent. Our daughter finds it very helpful with her lessons.

Makes learning easy

Great book, has finger position pics and all sorts which makes it great for you get children

good

My daughter loves it

Very helpful book.My daughter is finding it enjoyable and works by herself with it and her Teacher.Seems to be progressing nicely.

A perfect introduction to the piano for my daughter who's 5. Simple instructions and images to follow making it easy to follow with the guidance of the piano teacher.

Great for beginner piano.

Have used this regularly in he past and wholly approve the system. Now have Grand children who may want to learn.Maggie P{

great delivery and fab book !!!! One happy little girl once she has finished it.

A good start to learning the piano