Piano lessons for adults? Options

[clarem45]

well I have done it - gone and bought a piano, currently waiting for it to arrive! Booked my first lesson with a teacher recommeded to me via the piano shop. Now here is the problem. Phoned him up and explained I was very mature - he asked if I could read music and I said I played the sax (around grade 4) but would need to learn the bass clef. He asked what music I liked and he said he would base the lessons around my love of the blues and jazz.


so he recommended I bought Piano Lessons book 1 by Hal Leonard - I have ordered it and it has arrived - hmmmmm!!! Now I know we all have to start somewhere but I do feel that that fact I can read some music and that I am approaching 50 has been somewhat overlooked. The book seems very suitable for a complete beginner who is a child most of the book seems to be notes printed in a huge size completely unrelated to any music notation but with the finger numbers written above it. If I am honest I hate it!

Anyone any thoughts??

Its just I feel everything I said has been completely ignored

clare

[Seer_Green]

I put my adult beginners/restarters onto the Hal Leonard books, but it is the Adult Piano Method. From what you say, it sounds as if your teacher has pointed you in the direction of the children's books. I find the adult books very good both for beginners and restarters - the restarters or the people who have some music knowledge progress quite quickly through the first couple of units until it gets to hands together. That said, the book introduces bass clef from the start which would be useful if you haven't played piano before. I don't think the notation is particularly large (it is in the children's books) but it does start off-stave, hence the use of finger numbers (which are phased out slowly). I've certainly never had any complaints about this book and most adults thoroughly enjoy the challenges it presents whether they are beginners, restarters, or have some prior musical knowledge.

If your teacher is expecting you to learn with the children's books, then to put it bluntly, they are quite clearly a teacher who has no idea about teaching adults. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[clarem45]

Hi there - thanks for the reply! Can be 100% confident that my book is aimed at a child no doubt about it and that is worrying me - like you said, I get the feeling that he has little experience of adults.

There is I suppose the possibility that he assumed that I knew there were two types of books one for adults and one for children and I have ordered the wrong one!

Would you suggest I order the adult one as well - just incase!!

[owainsutton]

I've no knowledge of the piano literature in question, so defer to Seer_Green on that front, but I do tend to end up using "children's" books with adults learning the violin. It might be Fiddle Time Sprinters, despite its cartoonish front cover, because of the excellent way it introduces third position. The "Young Violinist's Repertoire" series doesn't need the first word in its title.

It's a failing of publishers to not find a way to make these age-irrelevant books appealing to children without risking alienating adults, so I find myself making repeated apologies on their behalf.

[Seer_Green]

Here's the adult version - I think you need to check with your teacher http://www.halleonard.com/product/viewprod...mp;subsiteid=64

I know there are not adult-specific books for all instruments so fair enough, but for piano there are several series' to choose from (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Just this week I have had to pick up the pieces of an adult pupil who had a few lessons with another teacher who had no idea about teaching adults - it's very sad when that happens.

It would seem fair to ask your teacher how they approach teaching adults. The fact they've directed you to a book which is primarily designed for under-10s would worry me, particularly when there are more than adult series to choose from.

[Scooby Doo]

Alarm bells are ringing, but it is possible that there has been a bit of mis-communication here. Maybe the teacher intended you to get the adult version (which is a very good adult tutor book) and it is probably worth a phone-call to check. His reaction to this query may tell you everything else you need to know...

Personally I wouldn't be recommending any books to a student I hadn't yet had a session with - I like to show adults a range of materials and let them have some choice about where they start. I sometimes even lend them a selection for a week or two until they settle on one book.

If you really can't see yourself getting on with the book, why not send it back, go to the music shop and have a good rummage and find something else you like the look of better? Hal Leonard Adult or Adult Piano Adventures would be my favourites.

[Seer_Green]

Personally I wouldn't be recommending any books to a student I hadn't yet had a session with - I like to show adults a range of materials and let them have some choice about where they start. I sometimes even lend them a selection for a week or two until they settle on one book.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[stetenorve]

I would have thought that teacher would supply some materials to see what level you are, and what sort of pieces you will enjoy learning and playing. Only then would it be worth investing in tutor books.

I speak as a middle aged learner!

[Susie]

Personally I wouldn't be recommending any books to a student I hadn't yet had a session with - I like to show adults a range of materials and let them have some choice about where they start. I sometimes even lend them a selection for a week or two until they settle on one book.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Although with some of my adult learners I do use books aimed at the younger age groups, and I'm still a fan of Dozen a day, but I explain my reasoning to the pupil in question. I never get a book for a pupil (or ask them to get a book) before I've seen them for at least one lesson.

[morceau]

I have often used the old Me and My Piano for adult beginners - when they are total beginners who don't know any music at all. I always explain why we are using a baby book and check that they are OK about it. We usually plough through it extremely quickly, but I feel that it covers the groundwork thoroughly and then we can take off in a more appropriate direction after that. Not sure I would bother starting off the stave with an adult who was G4 sax though! I really think there has been a misunderstanding there.

[clarem45]

Thanks for the replies - I too think there has been a bit of a misunderstanding here lol!!

Have decided to keep the childs book just incase my son who is 9 wants to learn the Piano!! I am going to go with NO book for the first lesson and take it from there.......................

Will keep you posted!

Clare

[jod]

I've used some of the child based piano books with adults, and warned them in advance to get their wax crayons out and re-live the nursery rhyme days as they will be playing quite a few of these, however if they don't want to draw me pictures that's fine by me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I think I can take it as read that a 30 year old knows a Chair does not have a pulse, and does not have to draw me a picture of one.

Of course if they want to...

I like the Hal Leonard Adult Piano Method, it is also good with teenagers and pre-teen children who are fast learners.

As for violin books, well if I have to colour pictures and play children's music now I'm aged 42, that would be no problem. Now I've had children and teach children, I have no embarrassment over children's music.

However it might stimulate lots of practice in order to learn some genuine Violin Music! Just a hypothetical.