I’ll be putting these in the following order:
Scales
Technique
Methods
Etudes
Repertoire
When possible, I will include both links for paid and free items. I know some people prefer to print things out themselves, and others prefer to have a book that’s printed by a publisher. Both have their perks, I won’t tell you which one to do.
The links to the publishers are affiliate links. You will not pay more, but I will get a small commission.
Scales
For five-finger scales, I like to use this hand-out. I write the fingerings for the scale, root chord, authentic cadence (I-V7-I), and cross-handed arpeggio on the side.
Because of the requirements for a local piano competition, Fun Fair, I can’t find a regular scale book that’s in print that I like. I usually just write them out so that my curriculum matches up with Fun Fair.
Technique
I start technique when the student starts reading notes on the staff. I like to use technique books that are different from the method book brands. I like how the independent technique books work on problems that you’ll encounter throughout music, rather than just problems you’ll find in the lesson books.
I like to give the A Dozen A Day books by Edna-Mae Burnam to the younger kids – 1st through 3rd grade. They really respond to the playtime games that each piece is called.
I like to give the Fingerpower books by John Wesley to kids who begin lessons at 4th grade and above. They like the fact that it doesn’t have stick-figures on the front. I like the fact that it progresses a little faster than A Dozen A Day.
No technique list would be complete without Hanon’s The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises. I love how it irons out the fingers. It also strengthens the hands and arms. I get about half-way through one exercise and I can feel the warmth going down my forearms and into my fingers. I like how the edition from the publisher is comb-bound here. Since it’s way out of copyright, a free version is here.
Methods
I’m listing method books before I’m listing etudes because they’re essentially the same thing. I don’t start students in etudes until after they’re out of method books. I have this list organized by starting age.
1st – 2nd Grade – Piano Adventures by Faber goes really slow, which is perfect for the littles.
3rd – 6th Grade – I like to alternate between Alfred and Bastien for this age group. I put the kids who are stronger in math into the Bastien because it moves a little faster. I like to alternate because then I don’t go crazy listening to the same piece all day.
7th Grade and Up – I tend to go with Alfred’s Adult Beginners. The reason I pick 7th grade for this is because that’s approximately when they hit the second-to-last stage of brain development. The last stage is right around age 16.
Every once in awhile, I get a student for whom a method moves a tad too fast, and then I supplement with extra music from Making Music Fun or 8notes. I love the fact that they’re graded, so it’s easy to chose music based on where they are.
At level 2, I give the students the option to go over to the Royal Conservatory of Music lists. The students who like to think about piano like video games – each page is a battle and when you get through a book, you level up – like to stay in the methods as long as possible. The students who enjoy their fun music/repertoire switch to just playing music right away.
Etudes
I really like Czerny. His melodies are simple and pretty. Here is a recommended order of study. You can find it by opus number for free here, or I have the links to the publishers below.
1. The Little Pianist – op. 823 – elementary.
2. Five-Finger Studies – 0p. 777 – elementary (the hands don’t move)
3. Practical Method for Beginners – op. 599
4. 30 New Studies in Technique – op. 849 – prepares for op. 299 below.
5. School of Velocity – op. 299 – one of the most famous of Czerny’s collections.
6. Preliminary School of Finger Dexterity, op. 636 – prepares for op. 740 below.
7. The Art of Finger Dexterity – op. 740 – advanced exercises (and one of the most famous sets).
8. Studies for the Left Hand – op. 718. This is actually for two hands, but the right hand just plays the accompaniment.
Repertoire
As I’ve stated above, I like to use the Royal Conservatory of Music lists to help my students choose their music. I also like to use anthologies that are progressive to help students choose. Due to MTNA standards, I try to stay away from arranged music.
The two anthology series that I’ve found that I really like are Alfred’s Masterwork Classics series and Agay’s Joy of First Classics series.
My favorite angry music to play is Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique, mvmt 1. It’s definitely advanced music. The music is available for purchase here or for free download here.
My favorite cleaning the house music is Lorie Line’s Heritage Collection II. Yes, I play piano while cleaning the house. I alternate between a chore and a song. 🙂 This is mid-to-late intermediate.
My favorite etherial music is Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1. I don’t know why, but it makes me think of Casablanca. 🙂 This piece is late intermediate. It’s available from a publisher here or for free download here.
When my heart is breaking, I go for the Disney. My main book is no longer in print, but this one is pretty similar. It’s intermediate to advanced.
When I’m sad and angry at the same time, Phantom of the Opera helps me out. That book, along with the Star Wars movies, got me through high school. I’d put it at late intermediate.
When I had been playing for less than a year, I bought I Do It For You by Bryan Adams. Looking back, I’m surprised that I learned it since it wasn’t a simplified version, but I still pull it out when I’m feeling nostalgic. This is late intermediate.
I know some people will crucify me for this, but I really do like Fur Elise by Beethoven. My kids enjoy it when I play it, too. They rush from all over the house and sit there, listening. It’s available from the publisher here or for free download here. It’s an intermediate piece.