One of the situations that I have encounted since my original post way back in February about siblings in the same book. Is that I have three sisters that have all been playing out of the same books....all evenly paced....no fighting or worrying about being passed up. everything just fine & dandy.

my new dillema is that i've noticed the youngest sister is "catching" on REALLY quickly. Way faster than the older two kids. Actually WAY FASTER than most of my other students that started the same time she started lessons. I suspect her rapid progression is because she has heard her two older sibilings play the pieces hundreds of times already. She plays very musically and is a joy to teach.

But what I realized about 5 months ago it that anything that is a supplemental takes her a LOT LOT LOT longer to learn. so now I have to wonder if she has really learned and digested the information in PA primer --- 3B....or has she just been playing what she hears???? and i'm feeling very responsible for not catching this sooner.

So isn't that reason enough not to start 3 siblings in the same method? no competition just plain old copy-catting.

As someone who spent two years playing by ear and not learning to read notes, I think this can be a problem with a few children. But I think the number is small.

The more familiar you are with music, in general, the easier it is to pick up new pieces. Even new music can almost seem familiar because you almost anticipate what is coming up.

If you are doing sightreading excercises along with repertoire - then her reading is probably progressing just fine.

Have you ever tried covering up the title of a song her sisters have played, have her look at the music without playing it - and see if she can "hear" it and recognize the song? If she can do that, then with a completely new song - do the same thing before playing it and see if it surprises her how it really sounds or if that was pretty much what she expected.

I think thats a good thing to test/develop with everyone - but it can be a good way to test out your younger siblings to see if they are reading or just playing by ear.

Speaking of siblings in different books--I am debating about what to use with a student who returns next week. I teach two sisters, only 15 months apart and have had the older one in PA from the beginning. She has done VERY well with it. Little sis started lessons a few months after big sis and I started her in HL. She finished HL 2 at the end of last year, and I'm nor sure what I am going to use with her this year, since I don't care for HL 3 and up. I don't want to use PA with her because mom WANTED them in different books (being so close in age, they tend to be rather competitive). If Alfred Premier was out, I would use that...but it's not. Any ideas on other method series to look at? (Remember that HL does not have a Primer level, so she would be at the end of PA 1.)

Gail, the new Alfred level 1B is out now. I saw it in the latest flyer from Alfred. If you subscribe to their sheet music club, you get a set free. I would GUESS Alfred 1B would be about the same as the end of PA 1 (or may be too easy?). I am not sure about that. Some folks have used Michael Aaron series (I haven't) or maybe Celebrate Piano? I don't know if the upper levels are out. I know you said the mom didn't want them in the same method, but if you couldn't find anything else, maybe use Accelerated for one of them?

You might look at the series. PIANO DISCOVERIES by Janet Vogt & Leon Bates. Published by Heritage music press.

I'm switching two younger sibs for the same reasons as you stated previously. I will be using the Piano Discoveries (lesson book), the Theory Discoveries, and the Masterclass Series. All three coordinate together. I chose this method because I like how the pieces sound. I've been impressed with J. Vogt & M. Kelsey's compositions.

The books are appealing, lots of color and character. I'm quite excited to start using them!

Just click here Piano Discoveries and you should be able to get to their website. However, it's not the best website. I recommend that you see the books for yourself. On their website there is a place to request a free book, I just received mine about a month ago.

I will check out Piano Discoveries. I think the Alfred 1B will be too easy for her. I've heard varied opinions on Celebrate Piano and I'm not crazy about Alfred or Bastien. It's hard to find something that compares to PA!

I totally agree that it's hard to find something that compares to PA. Like I said earlier, the songs actually sound nice. Particularly the Masterclass ones.

I really like the pedagogy of Celebrate Piano, but do not like the sound of the pieces. Pedagogically they are top notch. But unfortunately the imagination and fun is not heard in the music.

hi gail, i've used celebrate piano, and i think that as long as you're not looking for someone to BEGIN in that book it's not so bad. the level 1a/b books i found exceptionally boring and slow paced. it also depends on the age of your student. since your student has already completed HL 2, you may want to look at the CP 2a, or possibly the 2b. the 2a would be quite similar to the HL2, but about the last 1/3 would pick up where HL left off.

just my 2 cents.

I bought a packet of "Piano Discoveries" at a convention somewhere. It's very nice-looking and the music is good. It looks like it might be a bit positional, but it seems like a good alternative to PA. Someday I'll try it, and be sure to use out-of-position supplements along the way.