Hello ABRSM forum users.

I am an adult learner (29-years of age), self-teaching the piano. I have started working through Carol Barratt’s ‘The Classical Piano Course’ (Omnibus Edition, ISBN: 0-7119-9078-6).

Do you know how long it should take to complete this piano course?

At the moment I am spending 2-weeks on each page, practicing that page’s exercises for 1-hour per day.

If I continue in this manner, the course will take me about 5-years to complete. Is this about right, or should I be aiming to complete the course sooner?

I would also be interested to know how Carol Barratt’s ‘The Classical Piano Course’ corresponds to the piano grades. For example, if I have worked up to page 40 by the end of 2007 (and I am competent in all the knowledge and exercises up to that page), will this have given me sufficient knowledge and skill to pass the Grade 1 exam?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Matt

Hello Matt -
I have used only book one of this course, not the rest of it, so can only answer a part of your question.

Everyone is different, and I don't think there's an "average" time to do the course, or a set time per page, as some pages will require more work than others.

I find that book one increases in difficulty towards the end of the book rather sharply, and I have not yet had a student who has completed the book without needing other supplementary material to do along the way. Much of the middle of the book (pp 40-47 say) is around grade one in terms of difficulty, but on the other hand staccato technique, which is introduced on page 52 is pretty necessary. Some of the end of book one is nearer grade 2 in level.

Just as an example, the Air on page 55 (of book one) is a typical grade one piece. I am assuming the page numbers are the same in your edition, but do say if they don't make sense. I'ts possible you will not need to spend two weeks with your rate of practice on every single page - try to move on when you are reasonably fluent.

Do you not know someone who could give you a couple of sessions to make sure you are sitting properly, using your hands in the correct way and laying down correct foundations of technique? It can be easy to get into wrong habits.

Welcome to the forums by the way. and good luck with your project.