Books for Piano – following are the books created by Noteimals, using the Animal Note method, for beginning piano students.
“Note Reading for Children” is the starting point for this method. It is not only good as the beginner book for almost all beginners, it will help an individual who has quit or wants to quit because note reading is just too difficult. A 3 year old and some 4 year olds will take a year to complete it. Most older children and adults will move more quickly through the book, but remember, as their teacher, you want to give each student, regardless of their age, a strong foundation that will not result in frustrations later.
“Animal Note/standard note Flash Card Set" has a card for each note found on the Grand Staff. The front of each card has the Animal Note in its correct location on the staff with the corresponding standard note on the reverse side. A list of suggested word clues for each note is included with the card. These should be studied frequently. Repeat the appropriate word clue for each note while viewing first the Animal Note and then its standard note. (Sometimes the child likes to call the standard note the back side of the Animal Note. It’s fun for them and sometimes helpful in their learning and understanding.)
“Timing for Children” is a study in counting to learn the correct proportions between the notes and to develop the ability to hear these differences when they are seen and played in a piece of music. It is so important to play these proportions correctly. This is as much a part of building a strong foundation in music skills as note reading. Each note played must be identified on the Grand Staff and held for the correct time when playing any piece of music.
"Fun Book–One” contains simple arrangements of songs familiar to most students. It allows applying their newly learned skills of note reading and timing. A couple of new notes are introduced, along with sharps and flats. It is always enjoyable to play a song that the student recognizes and that their listening audience recognizes. This book can be used in conjunction with the “Timing Book.”
“Fun Book–Two” adds more harmony in the Bass Clef and new notes. This book will give your student more time to build their skills before starting the “Moving On” book series. You will find it beneficial to give your student an opportunity to play more familiar songs while they are learning the basics as it does encourage them to practice and learn.
“Christmas Song Book” Like the “Fun Song Books,” this book gives the students a chance to play some songs familiar to them and others. However this book is based on a Seasonal Theme.
"Moving On-One” This book offers simple songs that are three lines long. The song is first presented in the Animal Notes, then in standard music notation. This, plus continued review with the flash cards and word clues, will make a smooth transition to standard music books.
“Basic Elements of Theory” contains some of the important and fundamental elements of music theory. It uses associative learning, thus providing a different way to introduce these important basics of music in a way a child can more easily understand. It is not a workbook, but a reference book, to be used when teaching and a place to review these valuable facts later.
"Thank you! I love this cute and unique approach. I teach Music Together classes, and my daughter (now 3.5) has been watching (and "helping!") me play her whole life, and lately has been begging me to teach her. This seems like an excellent way to begin more "formal" studies in a fun way."
- Shara