Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book Level 1: Lesson Book, Level One/2236

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We usually give up and move on around page 100 (the piece “Singin’ in the Rain”), since by that point most people are itching for a new book to start tackling. But once you get through that stormy patch, the going is pretty good again right up to “Go Down, Moses” on page 85. Not because the material is easier (it isn’t), but because most students who haven’t given up are used to the constant new challenges, and the material is starting to sound like real piano music. I’ve been asked about this method time and time again, since it’s one of the most popular method book series for adults. Most students won’t be learning from the Alfred method books exclusively – they’ll also be learning supplemental side pieces and technical exercises (whether from other Alfred books or not).

ALFRED’S BASIC ADULT PIANO COURSE Le v e L 2 Adult All in One ALFRED’S BASIC ADULT PIANO COURSE Le v e L 2 Adult All in One

The first Adult book roughly corresponds with the RCM’s Preparatory A level, and the second Adult book roughly corresponds with the RCM’s Preparatory B level.

I haven’t used it for as long, but I think it has a slight edge in that it’s more balanced in its pop/Classical approach, and it’s less hokey.

Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course [Method Guide + Review] Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course [Method Guide + Review]

The second book has more diversity in selection and includes a healthy mix of contemporary, Classical and original pieces.The next adult series I’ll be talking about on this channel is the Piano Adventures one, so stay tuned for that. The preparatory level in music is generally a 1 to 2-year process for adult students (longer for children). If you’re only used to playing chords with your left hand, it’ll be a rude awakening when you attempt your first Baroque or Classical dance piece, where the left hand makes big leaps and follows its own path (instead of being led along by the right-hand melody). By this point in the journey you start to realize that the path to learning piano is a long and sometimes arduous one. This first book is considered a preparatory level (what I affectionately refer to as “musical kindergarten”).

Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course - Free Download PDF Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course - Free Download PDF

For example, by the time you reach page 45 of the Adult Lesson book, you’ll be ready to start the Alfred Pop Song Book 1. This gives the student perspective, and generally instills a newfound fondness for the easier material of the Adult book. A quick correction: I mentioned that you could transition from the 2nd adult book to the 3rd regular book in the basic series, but having reviewed this I don’t recommend it. The downside of a chord-based approach is that your left hand won’t be as equipped to deal with Classical music if you’re headed that route. We’ll go through the material this method book covers, talk about its pros and cons, and I’ll let you know if I recommend it for your piano learning journey.Because of that, the lessons in each of the books can be stretched out comfortably to a year (or six months for a very motivated and impatient student willing to work twice as hard).

Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course (all-in-one, Level 1) Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course (all-in-one, Level 1)

The majority of the selection contains standards like Happy Birthday, When the Saints Go Marching In, The Entertainer, Amazing Grace, and other pieces in that vein.Classical music requires a more dexterous and independent left hand, which is initially more tedious to develop. It’s the book I used exclusively when I first started teaching piano, so I have a soft spot in my heart for it. But those 3-note right-hand chords are a real challenge for most learners, which is why this tends to be a sticking piece. Chords are great because they allow your left hand to get in the action early without too much struggle. There’s so much to overcome at this stage in your learning journey – I’d almost go so far as to say it’s one of the hardest points of your learning journey period.