John W. Schaum Piano Course - The Green Book

I was aware off the writing in the book, however it would have been nice to know that it was pen. most writing is pencil and can be erased. if I had known I would have made the decision based on a more accturate description of the item.

I have been teaching piano for four years using the Schaum piano series. I have started more than 30 students with the PRE-A Green book and have reached the Purple book(#4) with few students. I have not had any negative reaction to the Green book or the Red book. Most students simply love the music, even though only a few songs are familiar. Many students fall in love with songs like Funny Bunny, Happy Halibut, Swinging-Along, Jumping Bean and others. I allow the students to choose completed pages as favorites along with assign new pages. All are excited to play the Favorites, songs they choose and usually memorize.

The songs and graphics are a bit dated but no one complains. I have looked at other series but Schaum continues to be the base materials to my lessons. I do enhance my lessons with other music.

I like this book because it introduces the grand staff near the beginning, so students begin learning to read music from the second or third lesson. I use it with beginning students, most of whom are 6-9 years old. I have never had 3-5 year old beginners, but it may progress too quickly for most children this age.

21 of the 32 songs are in middle C position. Besides the basic quarter, half, dotted half, and whole notes in middle C position, the book introduces eighth notes, G major and F major key signatures, accidentals, and, near the end, playing hands together in C position.

There are a more finger numbers given in the beginning songs than I think is best, but they thin out quickly. I believe all the songs are original except Old MacDonald and the themes from Haydn's Surprise Symphony and Grieg's Watchman's Song.

I was aware off the writing in the book, however it would have been nice to know that it was pen. most writing is pencil and can be erased. if I had known I would have made the decision based on a more accturate description of the item.

I have been teaching piano for four years using the Schaum piano series. I have started more than 30 students with the PRE-A Green book and have reached the Purple book(#4) with few students. I have not had any negative reaction to the Green book or the Red book. Most students simply love the music, even though only a few songs are familiar. Many students fall in love with songs like Funny Bunny, Happy Halibut, Swinging-Along, Jumping Bean and others. I allow the students to choose completed pages as favorites along with assign new pages. All are excited to play the Favorites, songs they choose and usually memorize.

The songs and graphics are a bit dated but no one complains. I have looked at other series but Schaum continues to be the base materials to my lessons. I do enhance my lessons with other music.

I like this book because it introduces the grand staff near the beginning, so students begin learning to read music from the second or third lesson. I use it with beginning students, most of whom are 6-9 years old. I have never had 3-5 year old beginners, but it may progress too quickly for most children this age.

21 of the 32 songs are in middle C position. Besides the basic quarter, half, dotted half, and whole notes in middle C position, the book introduces eighth notes, G major and F major key signatures, accidentals, and, near the end, playing hands together in C position.

There are a more finger numbers given in the beginning songs than I think is best, but they thin out quickly. I believe all the songs are original except Old MacDonald and the themes from Haydn's Surprise Symphony and Grieg's Watchman's Song.

The Schaum piano course is wonderful! I am just thrilled that I can still access that particular course for my students of today, since it is the very course that I started with in the 1950's! The D Book has some very fun and challenging pieces, as well as education that befits that particular progression in study.

Great for teachers and young musicians. It is a time proven source for teaching. Reliability and repeatability in one. Tried and true for all review. It shows the basics, fun and easy accessibility to all. There are other teaching tools they have that help...note speller, holidays pieces, etc....