The Older Beginner Piano Course - Level 1
By James Bastien

I had not played the piano in 51 years! This book is very understandable, teaches the basic, and published recognizable music. Excited to be re-learning the piano!

I have been teaching the Bastien Piano Basics for more than thirty years. The "Older Beginner" series is good for children ages 12 and older, with a caveat. This moves very quickly, and for the youngest, they may do better with the less aggressive pace of the "Basics" series. This...

is THE method for learning to read music: stresses melodic shapes and intervals, not rote note-letter naming, although I supplement with flash cards for that. My student come out of this EXTREMELY strong readers, consequently, players. I recommend supplementing with "Favorite Melodies" or other Bastien arrangements at this same level, as they need more to play than what's in the Piano and Musicianship books. But this is age-appropiate and moves along quickly for those troublesome teen years. Highly recommended.

I have used this book for many years with beginners 5th grade and up. It lacks the colored pictures of the regular Bastien beginner books, but includes good theory pages. I also really like the way it introduces chords and key signatures. If you are unacquainted with this book give...

it a try. I highly recommend it.

I have found this book best for all but the youngest students.

...am enjoying it as supplemental music to my "Adult Beginners Instructions" book, which has by neccessity limited pieces that are very short. Longer scores in this set give needed opportunity to practice concentration and endurance for a beginner over two or three pages. ....am liking it very much.