What book would you recommend for an adult beginner piano pupil please? Lady due to start next week with me and is around 40 years old i believe. It's mainly children and teenagers i teach, so i'd be interested in the names of a few good tutor books for adults.

Thanks

There is much less choice with adult books than with books for younger pupils.

Two that I use and like ---

The Classic Piano Course by Carol Barratt

Microjazz for Complete Beginners by Christopher Norton

The first one moves fairly quickly and isn't suitable for a less able beginner. The second is a bit more accessible and less daunting to get through as it's a much thinner book (there is a second with the same title minus the word 'complete').

Neither is as overtly classical or jazzy as the title might suggest - so doesn't point the beginner in either direction. The Norton book has simple duet accompaniments which add interest.

There is also a school of thought which reckons that since the best books are for children, ignore the fact that you have an adult student. This depends on your student! - I 've had some who have used and enjoyed 'younger' books, and others who wouldn't have, and to whom I didn't suggest it. I sometimes spend part of the lesson exploring the starts of two or three books and see which one seems to appeal.

I started as an adult student last year on Michael Aaron's Adult Piano Course Book 1. I really like it - I haven't found any pieces in it which I haven't enjoyed playing, although I've changed some of the fingering occasionally. When I started learning I'd already got G4 on clarinet so I was familiar with the beginner piano rhythms and notation, so I don't know if that would make any difference to the suitability of Michael Aaron's book.

Yes, with one of my adults I used the Barratt and the Microjazz, supplemented at first with some Dogs & Birds. I thought D&B might help the memory because of its colourful, kinaesthetic approach, so discussed it first with the pupil, who was willing to have a go. I didn't want to add more than one note at a time, so I wrote a few things myself as well, and lent the pupil my Schaum and Aaron books for adults from time to time. We also used Famous and Fun for adults. I never liked any of the adult books well enough to use it in its entirety. We're now flying along with all sorts of bits and bobs and beforewe know it we'll be on to Piano Time Jazz.

I started piano lessons in early 2007 when I was much older than your lady, and my mum started at the same time. We both used "The Joy of First Year Piano" supplemented by "A Dozen a Day". Unfortunately my mum didn't find any joy in the piano, but I did and have kept on going!

Totally agree about the HL APM - my adults love them.

seconded. I also used this and found it really good. I also could already play and read music.

I use this one too, but find the normal Michael Aaron 1st book (aimed at kiddies) is so much better for the average adult student as it progresses at a much steadier pace. I tell them to ignore all the pretty pictures, and that the method is one that works and will cover everything thoroughly - haven't had complaints yet!