I'm thinking about writing a piano tutor, as I think I can see a gap in the market - does anyone have any idea how to go about this? I.e. any decent computer packages which help with page layout etc, or any experience of getting this sort of thing published - should I approach publishers with the idea first, or do it all and then try and sell it to a publisher? Any thoughts/experiences welcome!

Can I ask what the gap is that you see? There are so many tutor books out there I think it would have to be pretty amazing or ground breaking for a publisher to take it on...sorry, but realistic!

I see a gap - tutor books for ages 11 - 17 (approx) I know of one (Alan Haughton for teenagers), and I haven't even been able to get hold of a copy to look through it without having to buy it from an online shop.

I had a 13 year old start with me a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't fin any suitable courses/tutors, whereas there are hundreds for younger children and still quite a lot for adults.

So I'm using resources with him that I created myself on Finale - I don't mind at all, because it was time well spent and I think I will use some of them for recapping things with other students, but I really did feel the need to make things for myself as I didn't see else anything suitable.

Exactly. Cadence - they have a copy of the Alan Haughton one in the Chimes music shop by the Barbican Arts Centre which you could browse if you're ever over that way. Or poss order from a library?

I have just written an article for Music Teacher magazine about Tutor Book - hopefully it will be in May or June.

I would need a lot more convincing of this perceived 'gap'. I have generally that teenage students are much happier simply learning from a combination of resources which can be drawn together from a variety of sources. I know this isn't so convenient for the teacher, but I guess that's just the way of the world.

If you are serious about perusing this project, then I'd definitely do quite a bit of market research first; also investigate the current research being produced about teaching and learning in that age group.

Not sure about Play Piano Teenage. Some of us commented about it when it first came out - it is only the original material put into a slightly older format - maybe suit a nearly-teen, but I personally can't see it appealing to anyone over 13.

I tend to find a mix of material can work quite well too.

Having been approached by a 15 and a half year old beginner who is now learning with me I can see there is a gap in the market. I'm working with a new adult beginner too, and I find that the adult tutors go along too quickly for the dexterity development.

So I'm not sure that I would call it a teenage beginners book, but perhaps a beginners book for the older beginner with quite a few more examples to get the coordination going. The understanding doesn't seem to be such a problem.

The reality is though that whatever new book appears, it will satisfy some and not others. As soon as it's out, research will suggest changes, and as soon as changes have been made, a new gap will appear. As I've said before, I now steer clear of most tutor books as none of them are really what I want (and as what I want will depend on the individual, yet another book would make no difference).

I'm not trying to be discouraging but this would be a vast project to undertake and I wonder what the rewards would be at the end of it?

Me too. I've also used some of the adult piano books for this age group.