The Music Tree Student's Book: Part 1 -- A Plan for Musical Growth at the Piano

I’m sure other piano teachers would disagree with me, but… I have started a few beginners with Part (Level) 1 rather than starting with the Time To Begin (TTB) primer books. I’m a big fan of The Music Tree series in general and I’m not knocking the TTB books overall (feel free to read my reviews of those books as well), but in some cases, I think this is acceptable. Here’s why:1. Many kids are just too old to color and trace.2. Far too much time is wasted in the TTB books getting to the point where students are reading notes on a staff. The average 10 year old will quickly lose patience being treated like a 7 year old.3. Level 1 books begin with a whole lot of review of the things taught in the TTB books. Great for a 7 year old. Unnecessary for a 10 year old.4. To a beginning student, Part 1 books appear to begin with the introduction of landmark notes on a grand staff. Well, this is a FINE place to start! I explain all of the parts of the grand staff, types of notes and their durations, lines and spaces, intervals, etc. Easy enough, and also my job.5. All of the written work in the complementary Activities book helps to cement what is taught by the lesson book and by me.Just like the other Music Tree books, there are several units (lesson chapters), each outlining at least one new concept and set of symbols. Students will finish level 1 with an understanding of reading music, including sharps, flats, naturals, rests, ties, and even upbeats. Form is thoroughly covered and reinforced. They will also learn the ability to improvise.Curiously, staccato is introduced, but the word legato is never mentioned, so I mention it repeatedly… Also, a tenuto is used a couple of times but is never explained, so I explain that as well.I highly recommend purchasing the aforementioned complementary Activities book, which may be my favorite Activities book of the series (also reviewed).

This is a good method that uses an interval approach to learning. It goes slower, which is great for my slower students.The only downside is the songs are not very tasteful, but that's because of how slow the method goes through everything.Also, the past couple times I ordered this product, the pages were in black and white! Every other time I've ordered it, the pages inside were full color. Even click the "Look Inside" demo of the product. I returned the last one so I could get one with color, but they sent me another one with black and white pages.This is a big deal because I use this to teach kids, and kids want color pages. If the book looks boring, that's just another reason for them not to practice.Hope they could fix this soon.

Our teacher uses these books through the 2A level. My children start at age 5, so I can't speak for those starting in upper years, though I think they would work just as well no matter the beginner's age. This series teaches recognizing intervals first, and then reading notes. The incremental learning method does not overwhelm the student, but allows the him or her extra mental 'space' to focus on proper playing form right from the very beginning, which form is absolutely essential to playing well, particularly as the student reaches higher levels. I recommend these books, but I do think more depends on the teachers' capabilities than on the books used.

"The Music Tree" Series was recommended by my 7 year-old son's piano teacher. He started with the first one "Time To Begin". For him, it has made learning to play the piano interesting and FUN. The songs are not so difficult such that he becomes discouraged easily. I did make an error when I bought this book. I didn't realize this is the English Edition adapted for English and Australian students. There are some terminology such as Crotchet Rest and Minim Rest that is different. The American Edition doesn't say English Edition on the front, according to his piano teacher. Otherwise, I think this is a great instructional book!

Using for private lessons and very happy with her progress!

The Music Tree publishes a wonderful series of books for children to learn music in a natural, logical manner. Also covers aspects of theory and has the student practice moving positions on the piano from the beginning instead of locking the student into reading for one hand position. LOVE this series as a parent and educator.

This series is an intervalic approach to playing the piano. It requires the student to learn the names of the notes as well as read the intervals. I use this series with Alfred Premier or Piano Adventures and supplemental books.

Haven't started using yet, but I learned from this series when I was a kid. This was my choice to use to teach my granddaughter.

Not quite what I was looking for - but I can adapt.

Not as described or pictured. The inside is black and white not colour.

M'y grand daughter is usine thaïs book for hier piano lessons and she so loves it and there is almost always an accompaniment for the teaccher(or grandma) and it perks up her interest in practising

I have been teaching for 25 years , there is no better method!

Gracias