Question:
For someone who already has some very basic musical experience (i.e., drums - can read basic 4/4 time, but not notes, clefs, keys, etc.), are there any recommendations for piano instruction books? (Any personal experiences with learn-by-ear versus note reading methods?) Any help/advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I've already looked at the Piano for Dummies and the Complete Idiot's series and wasn't impressed...
Answer:
Although I am not a full-time teacher now, I have always been partial to the Alfred's Basic Piano Library which has 9 graded beginning series, including two adult. These series include contributions by Willard Palmer and Amanda Lethco who were among the first to offer beginning piano lesson material for adults.
One series "Adult Piano Course" in 3 levels is designed for those who wish to play chords quickly. It is a well designed progressive series with very clear introduction to each chord &/or chord position introduced as well as other material regarding piano playing. If you have a music store where you can browse through them, try looking at the 1st level book. The 2nd level may be where you'd want to start. There is a companion Ear Training Book in the Basic Adult series. I am using the Level 2 book with an adult student now. She was playing some pieces that were a little too advance rhytmically (selected at random from some anthologies she had already purchased). I felt it was better to pull her back for a while and get a better understanding of the bascis.
Another Series is the All-In-One Adult Piano Course In 3 levels. I am not familiar with it. However I suspect it is like or possibly the same as a series under a different name "Play Piano Now! (also part of the Alfred Basic Adult Series) PPN includes lesson work, theory, sight reading and technic. Based on your self-assessment the first level might be too simple at first but it picks up quickly. It starts with some rote but moves to notation fairly quickly.
