Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
 One of the best elementary /intermediate book February 8, 2006
Dara May
43 out of 43 found this review helpful
I used this book as a student and still use it for teaching. Pieces are nice and students are challenged to think musically. It moves quicker than some other method books; it covers materials from elementary to early intermediate. Upon completion of the first grade book students can play standard repertoire in the early intermediate level. Students must have completed early elementary level before using this book because this book starts with playing two hands in C position. Emphasize phrasing from the first piece. Highly recommended.
A great start for the piano. February 14, 2006
30 out of 30 found this review helpful
I'm 13 years old and I finshed this book about 1 year ago. I thought it was a great start for people that are just learning to play the piano with both hands. I didn't start off with this book when I started lessons, instead I started with a book that taught you note values and note names and other basics.(Which are very important for learning piano.) Before you buy this book, try learning about piano fundementals.
This book doesn't make piano easy, but it makes it easier to understand and fun.
I'm now going onto the third grade book soon and I think that these books are great.
Excellent Beginners Piano Book December 3, 2005
Amy Stone (Dubai)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
The John Thompson series is wonderful! It has been around for decades and it is easy to use either for self study or with a piano teacher. A lot of details are covered. Highly recommended!
A wonderful book for beginners January 8, 2007
Vijay Madhavapeddi (Santa Clara, CA United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I knew a bit about notes, like where middle C is, and what an octave is.
Armed with this information, I started learning the piano with one weekly 1 hour personal class, and this book as the only study material.
This book is really nice because it "makes haste slowly" as the author says. The songs are all very interesting and teach something or the other. The progression is simple, and yet, I have learnt a lot already.
I have finished half the book in three months, practicing about an hour a day over several sessions.
I strongly recommend it for people who know a little bit, but can't play with both hands. It's great for self-study. The finger numberings make it really easy to play the songs.
Still the best after all these years April 22, 2007
AirFlow (Twin Cities, MN USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
My aunt used the Thompson books, I used the Thompson books, my grandmother [a piano teacher] used the Thompson books. I, a piano teacher, use Thompson books. WHY? They advance appropriately, one doesn't have to buy a zillion other books to go with them [and constantly be running to the music store to buy supplemental books---see Faber and Faber, for example; and Faber is a very good, modern series. But Costly Costly Costly to get all the parts.] Thompson has it all in one place. It doesn't have a ton of theory, though, and a wise teacher will supplement Thompson for that. Not only are the pieces interesting and challenging, they can be colored! Yes! We all know how many music students tend to be artistic, so you've got even happier students! I have to say, though, that if you're looking for something with a slower and [sorry to say] "dumbed down" approach, Thompson is NOT for you. It does work well for adults, but the Faber adult books are more specific to adult learners, and I prefer them for that student population. Long Live John Thompson Books!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
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