Has anyone used 'Classical Piano Course' by Carol Barratt? What do you think of it? Do you recommend it for a self-taught beginner?
Thanks, Carys
Full Version: 'classical Piano Course' By Carol Barratt
Yes, I've used the Classic Piano Course with one adult. She's enjoying it very much and is just coming to the end of book 1, having already bought book 2 for herself! It's clearly written and presented. Some of the pieces are fairly simple arrangements of music that adults would recognise, such as Swan Lake and Auld Lang Syne!
I'm sure it's a good book to be used for a self taught beginner. However, like a lot of learning, if you have lessons with a teacher that you really get on well with, you discover so much more about the music. The adult that I teach often queries things in the book or asks me to clarify something.
I certainly enjoy using it though.
I'm sure it's a good book to be used for a self taught beginner. However, like a lot of learning, if you have lessons with a teacher that you really get on well with, you discover so much more about the music. The adult that I teach often queries things in the book or asks me to clarify something.
I certainly enjoy using it though.
Yes I've used it also with two or three adult beginners, and I would use it again. I did find that towards the end of the book it gets harder quite rapidly, and we needed other things at this stage. I haven't used book 2 yet.
It's fairly self-explanatory and I'd think a self taught student would be ok with it. As Rosemary pointed out though, there are always benefits to having a teacher too! A teacher can often spot a slightly awkward hand or arm position for example, that you might not notice yourself.
Good luck
Maggie
It's fairly self-explanatory and I'd think a self taught student would be ok with it. As Rosemary pointed out though, there are always benefits to having a teacher too! A teacher can often spot a slightly awkward hand or arm position for example, that you might not notice yourself.
Good luck
Maggie
I would agree with Maggie, The adults I used it with have enoyed it.. but there is a point at which you need to use other stuff to bridge the difficuly gap.
I think if you are learning alone it is likely to be more successful if you already have learnt another instrument.
For a complete beginner (with no previous experience on any instrument) A teacher would not only help with the problems Maggie mentioned but would help to make sure you really understand the idea of things like how to keep in time
I think if you are learning alone it is likely to be more successful if you already have learnt another instrument.
For a complete beginner (with no previous experience on any instrument) A teacher would not only help with the problems Maggie mentioned but would help to make sure you really understand the idea of things like how to keep in time
We have "Play it today" in our family, it covers a lot of material and comes highly recommended. There are 40 booklets accompanied by 40 tapes, and were available in the early 80's (orbis publishing).
The lessons start from the assumption that you have never played a piano/keyboard at all, it all starts from the basics – and that’s fine. Then moving to lesson 10, for example, brings in octaves, accidentals, G major scale etc. Lesson 20 will be more advanced of course, and bring in advanced scale/chord structure/harmony. The Penultimate lesson (39) gives you Fur Elise to play - and it is assumed you can play this piece with comfort by lesson 39 – you are well prepared. There are harder pieces than this though in the earlier lessons, and lots and lots of exercises, chords, styles (classic, pop, jazz, R&B - name it - its there)
Best thing about the course, is all the material you see in the books are on tape - so you know what it sounds like beforehand - about 20 hours of it. It's designed for the player who wishes not to fork out £100's (thousands?) on piano lessons, though a teacher would help in times of need I guess. The Course itself costs my brother about £170 when he brought it 15 years ago - and if you can get hold of it - it comes recommended - even “pop stars” have had a go at this one! (Danny Schogger, session musician for WHAM!, George Michael, ABC, Steven tin tin Duffy and Hipsway, amongst others).
The great thing about the course, is not the grades/pieces etc, but the overall content. Over 500 pages in 40 booklets give you almost all styles imaginable - but “leans” towards the "classic" (thank you!), and takes down that line. It's my feeling that these 40 lessons would be suitable for almost anyone, it shows you how to play the piano - BUT WITH NO SHORT CUTS!. No "Play the piano in a week" nonsense here
There are many methods around, but to me, the best ones are those that give you lots of work to do - and not wanting for a “great” deal more once you’ve finished. - You can always learn graded pieces after you’ve finished the course – you’re sight reading will be spotless – if you stick to the letter that is! “2 years for completion” of the 40 lessons are mentioned in the introduction booklet if memory serves me correct – even quicker if you put more than the suggested 30 minutes a day in
AnthonyB
The lessons start from the assumption that you have never played a piano/keyboard at all, it all starts from the basics – and that’s fine. Then moving to lesson 10, for example, brings in octaves, accidentals, G major scale etc. Lesson 20 will be more advanced of course, and bring in advanced scale/chord structure/harmony. The Penultimate lesson (39) gives you Fur Elise to play - and it is assumed you can play this piece with comfort by lesson 39 – you are well prepared. There are harder pieces than this though in the earlier lessons, and lots and lots of exercises, chords, styles (classic, pop, jazz, R&B - name it - its there)
Best thing about the course, is all the material you see in the books are on tape - so you know what it sounds like beforehand - about 20 hours of it. It's designed for the player who wishes not to fork out £100's (thousands?) on piano lessons, though a teacher would help in times of need I guess. The Course itself costs my brother about £170 when he brought it 15 years ago - and if you can get hold of it - it comes recommended - even “pop stars” have had a go at this one! (Danny Schogger, session musician for WHAM!, George Michael, ABC, Steven tin tin Duffy and Hipsway, amongst others).
The great thing about the course, is not the grades/pieces etc, but the overall content. Over 500 pages in 40 booklets give you almost all styles imaginable - but “leans” towards the "classic" (thank you!), and takes down that line. It's my feeling that these 40 lessons would be suitable for almost anyone, it shows you how to play the piano - BUT WITH NO SHORT CUTS!. No "Play the piano in a week" nonsense here
There are many methods around, but to me, the best ones are those that give you lots of work to do - and not wanting for a “great” deal more once you’ve finished. - You can always learn graded pieces after you’ve finished the course – you’re sight reading will be spotless – if you stick to the letter that is! “2 years for completion” of the 40 lessons are mentioned in the introduction booklet if memory serves me correct – even quicker if you put more than the suggested 30 minutes a day inAnthonyB
Thanks for all your helpful comments 
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