Are you looking for method books to use in your lessons but don’t know where to start? Whether you are a teacher or a student who is trying a self-directed learning approach, this list can help you make a better decision regarding which piano method book to use. These links lead to the books which can be ordered straight from amazon.com.

The New Pageants for Piano, Book 1A

The New Pageants for Piano, Book 1A written by Donald Waxman is an excellent book for beginning students, especially children. It features original compositions by Mr. Waxman who intended that this book serve to not only stimulate a progressive methodology but as well the contemporary harmonic and rhythmic language of the music. In addition, renowned illustrators Alice and Martin Provensen have produced the unique drawings present throughout the book. Click the following link to purchase this book: https://amzn.to/2BIQpGH

This book can be used as a supplement to the Introductory Pageant (Book 1) or as a stand-alone book on its own. It consists of the traditional 5 finger position that starts out from Middle C and moves out to an octave in the Treble and Bass. In the beginning, it covers the notes from Middle C to G in the right hand and then introduces the same idea with the bass clef. It features rhythmic values of wholes notes to eighth notes and basic quarter note time signatures. It teaches legato phrasing early on by introducing the slur near the beginning of the book. Order the book here: https://amzn.to/2BIQpGH

The New Pageants for Piano, Introductory Book 1

The New Pageants for Piano, Introductory Book 1 is similar to The New Pageants Book 1A in that it also features Mr. Waxmans’ original compositions with its progressive methodology and contemporary harmonic and rhythmic language.

This book is similar to the original first edition Pageant series that Mr. Waxman first published. There are additional new pieces that have been included and updated. This book starts with Middle C to E in the right hand Treble and then introduces the lower three Bass clef notes down to A below Middle C. From there it builds upon the same way that New Pageant Book 1A does. The difference being that it introduces the left hand Bass clef earlier. The pieces in this book can be used as a supplement and reinforcement to the ideas covered in Book 1A. I have found from personal experience this book to work very well alongside the New Pageant Book 1A although this book can still function on its own as a stand-alone book if you wish to use it in that manner. Click the following link to purchase this book: https://amzn.to/2RdZf9i

Piano Pageant, Book 2

Piano Pageant, Book 2 is the next book in the Pageants for Piano series by Donald Waxman. This book is a continuation of the material from the Introductory Books. It stretches the range of notes to G the 12th note above Middle C and G the 11th note below Middle C. In the first half of the book, it maintains the same span of an octave above and below Middle C from the Introductory books. Yet, in the second half of the book, the ranges noted above are extended. He introduces the key signature of D major with two sharps and two compound time signatures: 3/8 and 6/8 time. There is attention to articulation, consisting of short and long slurs, legato, staccato, and accents. The book works on melodic, rhythmic and dynamic independence of each hand as well as the coordination of the hands together. It only adds some simpler extensions and skips while still bearing the five finger positions. I have found that this book is supplemented best by Introductions to Classics to Moderns by Denes Agay as well as Waxman’s Folksong Pageant Book 2A . To order this book, click the following link: https://amzn.to/2Sm761T

An Introduction to Classics to Moderns

An Introduction to Classics to Moderns by Denes Agay is a great book to use as a beginner book for students of any age. To use this book, students should be comfortable with notes spanning two octaves above and below Middle C. I have used this book as a supplement to Piano Pageants Book 2. It lists in the table of contents which pieces are in five finger position by placing an asterisk (*) next to the title of the piece. There are a total of 23 pieces in the five finger position. The other pieces in this collection expand further the range and are also in different positions under the fingers. I have used this book for many years and it has guided students to comfortably transition to the standard piano literature. Purchase this book here: https://amzn.to/2LBULnN

Easy Classics to Moderns

Denes Agay’s Easy Classics to Moderns is a fantastic book for students who have a couple years of study under their belt. It contains 147 pieces from the piano literature written by composers from about the 1600s to the present. The book moves in a progressive order from easy pieces to intermediate pieces. Likewise, it also progresses in chronological order. The piece sin this book have various moods and rhythmic patterns. Mr. Agay included the music of Henry Purcell which is featured in the beginning and is simpler in character. Some other easy pieces by Georg Philip Telemann such as his “Minuet” and “Bourree” where included in this collected. Included at an intermediate level is César Franck’s “Song from The Creuse” and Peter I. Tchaikivsky’s “Morning Prayer.” This is the book that I used as I progressed into advanced repertoire and I felt it had a very good selection of pieces which were interesting and challenging at the same time. Click the following link to purchase this book: https://amzn.to/2GKdKgX

Essential Keyboard Repertoire: Vol. 1: 100 Early Intermediate Selections in Their Original Form Baroque to Modern

Essential Keyboard Repertoire: Vol. 1: 100 Early Intermediate Selections in Their Original Form Baroque to Modern is a great book to use as a supplement to Denes Agay’s Easy Classics to Moderns. You could also use this book by itself as well. It features many similar pieces to Easy Classics to Moderns, yet the difference in this book is that it progresses from easy to difficult and fills the gaps between some of the more difficult pieces featured in Mr. Agays book. It has an introduction and table of contents where the editor recommends some very easy pieces to start with in the book. Some of those pieces are Telemann’s Fantasia, Leopold Mozart’s Minuet, Duncombe’s Sonatina, Beethoven’s Russian Folksong, Kabalevsky’s Scherzo, and Shostakovich’s March. To purchase this book, click here: https://amzn.to/2LAXwWk

You can also purchase a CD with a recording of every piece in this book. Click the following link to purchase the CD: https://amzn.to/2LArBVT

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