Pls recommend a learn-the-piano book for DS, age 8, beginner

[miljee]

DS has just started group keyboard lessons at his junior school. The obvious answer is 'ask his teacher' BUT the service is provided by some county wide scheme and actually eyeballing the teacher sounds almost impossible! (And MIGHT meet with the old 'WE do the teaching, not you' type response!) So I was wondering what book or scheme you'd recommend to enable DH and I to help DS along a bit as naturally, the pace in a group lesson isn't what you'd call spanking! I'm not complaining at 20 quid a term but I think he'll get more out of it if we have some extension stuff at home. DH used to play the piano but although I can read music, I'm no use with keyboards!

Me and my Piano by Fanny Waterman, Marion Harewood is the one I use. Quite quick to get going with I think. If he's beyond book 1, go straight on to book 2, which is what ds1 (6) is on (I'm teaching him) - hands together but simple stuff. - Things like Twinkle Twinkle with a left hand.

my yr 2 ds (snap again!) has just started keyboard at his juniors..... we're due to buy a book (recomended and insisted in by school) this Wed for him to practice with at home.. will let you know what it is whene we get it!

Thanks, I'd be interested to know! Re the other post, I've emailed the LEA regarding school year sizes, too, to see whether they respond.

Hi Miljee,

DS came home with his book today - and a very hard tune to learn (he says!) so he suggested he does 5 mins in the morning before school!

the book s ias just called Keyboard Book 1 by Andrew scott and Gary Turner. It comes with a cd and som estickers for putting on the keys to show the notes.

here it is on amazon www.amazon.co.uk/Keyboard-Method-Young-Beginners-Book/dp/0947183418 ( I hope)

Alfred

It's what DS2's teacher started him off with and it's brilliant for kids - very simple initially, nice tunes, jokey pictures, very step-by-step and a graduation certificate to fill in at the end of each stage

Do you have a local music shop? We have a very helpful one, if you do see what they can offer.

Thanks! I did contact DSs teacher re a suitable book and got the predictable 'we teach using work sheets' response! I shall look up all your suggestions. DS is doing OK but is learning at one note per week at present!

dd had a choice of Ten Little Fingers or Me and my Piano, and we went for the little fingers because the pictures were more colourful and I thought she'd like it. It's very seventies, but nice and easy to follow It uses a music rainbow for the seven notes, which she finds easy to understand