Method Book Reviews: Bastien Piano Basics: Overview & Primer Level Books

Method Book Reviews: Bastien Piano Basics: Overview & Primer Level Books
Method Book Reviews: a series in which Danton and Russ review and critique lesson books.
In this episode, Danton provides his experiences and insight working with the Bastien Piano Basics Primer Level books, covering the content shown and taught and exploring several pieces in each book.
DISCLAIMER: contains some culturally sensitive content, including dated depictions of American Indian themes/motifs.

[@BenjaminGessel]

My general rule of thumb is Faber for kids that are especially finicky about WHAT they are playing-the tunefulness of the music, etc., Bastien for older beginners-8 to 11 yrs. old or so, etc., APPC for young kids ages 5-7, and I have some students that I use Alfred with - usually because the previous piano teacher was using that method with that student. Alfred is of course more classical music oriented somewhat, big on octave jumps, ornaments, etc. I also use flashcards with students.
Beyond these guys, I’ll use Alfred adult for 12 yrs. and up beginners, Lang Lang and John Thompson for intermediates, Masterworks Classics, Hanon and Czerny, Liszt, scales and arpeggios, Ingrid Clarfield, etc. for more serious students. Some awareness/use of the Hal Leonard Method-it’s a very gradual, easy on the beginners type method. Plus, it’s one of the methods that avoids spending too much time in one position, etc. Also, the Bastien Intermediate Method is, hmm, hard core on working on music with harder keys, and the theory book is really more like college level music theory-even well beyond first year college theory, etc., so aside from it often being less accessible, I just don’t use it much…
There are still SO MANY other methods…. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@laviniaarshid8789]

Nice discussion on the Bastien series. I've used it, and found it really good for the youngest students!