Hello everyone,
I've been reading your advice for some time and have a burning question to ask ...

I have been taking piano lessons for 18 months and have just finished Carol Barratt's Classic Piano for Adults book one. I know it has taken some time - but we did have six weeks off to learn carols at Christmas! I have learnt grade 1 scales and theory and I am learning to read music (don't think I am fluent yet!)

The problem came at the end of the book, it took ages to play Swan Lake so that people could listen to it and not wince... and it sort of dented my confidence a little.

I don't want to carry on chugging through pieces not perfecting them, each getting harder and harder -any suggestions for a book to follow the one I have been using which will consolidate my learning for a while? (I've followed the thread about platauxing and really hope that this isn't my limit!!

Thanks,
D_J

Talk to your teacher about it... he/she probably has some suggestions.
The book you've been using does pick up a little quickly towards the end and at that point I'd usually supplement with something else. Things like Book 1 of the Classics to Moderns series will be about the right level.... with possibly The relevant hours with the Masters, Short romantic Pieces and Romantic sketchbook (the last 2 maybe a little harder).
For different styles book one (or2?) of Martha Meir's Jazz, Rags and Blues might be to your taste or things like Cool Piano and the Up Grade books or Making the Grade.
There is so much out there for piano, your teacher is likely to have his/her own favourites. There is usually some point when everyone needs to consolidate before moving on.

Welcome to the forum. Do find some time to check out the Events Board at the top of the general music Forum.
Enjoy your musical journey.

Don't worry, it's certainly not your limit - I like the Carol Barratt book at the beginning but usually ditch it half way through and come back to the back of the book later, as I feel the standard jumps quite abruptly and yes - the swan lake is hard for the level the book is aimed at.

My adults often use the piano time Jazz, Classics to Moderns bk 1, Piano time classics, along side the book, and I am a member of the Alfred sheet music club so I get mailings 3 times a year of great things (including Martha Miers) that they often use.

I think have a word with your teacher about the kind of pieces you like listening to and enjoy playing then chose what would be appropriate.

I like the Carol Barratt book at the beginning but usually ditch it half way through and come back to the back of the book later, as I feel the standard jumps quite abruptly

Thanks very much for your replies, I was beginning to think I had bitten off more than I could chew!

My teacher gave me the option of continuing with Carol Barratt or choosing my own music, she had a collection of classical music but I am not sure just by looking at the pieces if I will be able to play them. The Classics to Moderns and the Romantic Scetchbook sound like good options too - thanks.

I have asked for some 'light relief' and have been given the option of erm... Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, which I probably would enjoy playing

Is it a good idea to work through the ABRSM grade pieces, even if you don't want to take the exam?

I am not in a rush to get anywhere, I am just enjoying playing, but having said that, it would be nice to feel that I'm making progress..

You could do but if you play a variety of pieces, particularly using some of the books I mentioned before, you'll be playing things that have been set for exams anyway.

Andrew lloyd Webber is generally quite hard - even when you can find 'easy' versions that just means slightly easier than the originals, so you'd probably enjoy playing them a little later, but they are fun to play.

It is a good idea to work through grade pieces, as it gives you an idea of where you are and what is expected, but finding things that you enjoy is really important.

Thanks, I think I will try a variety of pieces from the books suggested. It's going to be quite liberating after having only one book for 18 months

After consulting with people here (I have just done my grade 1 and did about half of the Carol Barret book, so we are probably at about the same point), I got the first 'Hours of the masters' which is challenging at the moment, and the one I love is the first book of Bartok's Mikrokosmos

Good luck

Hey, we must be at around the same level! I'm dipping in and out of the Carol Barratt book and am currently murdering Fur Elise ..... (Only because I know what it should sound like

So am I!! Hope to finish it off at my lesson this week. Once the tune gets into your head it's very hard to get rid of it... also very easy to slip into Les Dawson style of playing