Has anyone here used Boris Berlin's ABCs of piano playing? It's an old method that my boyfriend uses to teach his beginning piano students and it incorporates pieces with technique and written work in each of the three levels, which smoothly integrate into the celebration series books. (some of the selections are in the introductory and Level 1 books)I had one student who I used this method with one student because Faber didn't work too well for her, she had quite a bit of success with this one.

Meri

Meri, I've never seen it. Is it used more in Canada?

I think it was a fairly popular method back then, but I hear mostly of older Canadian piano teachers who use it. (who don't like the standard Alfred and don't like the expense of at least four books--in some ways this method is way ahead of its time.

Meri

I used this one when I was a student! (I'd like to think it was successful, lol)

However, I think it is middle c method, no? I like Alfred's and Faber better, because they are playing more *interesting* pieces sooner.

That said, piano ped has a lot to thank dear Boris for...especially his influence in Canada.

The ABC's is a very popular method here in Canada. Many of the older teachers use this and some of the new ones who either have been mentored by their teacher or very young teachers who don't know much about the newer methods. I personally am not crazy of all the finger numbers written in it (have to wite them out). I believe the method is used quite successfully if taught well as with all other methods. The books are black and white and a little busy for my liking.

Yes Boris has been quite influential in Canada and I guess perhaps that's why a lot of Canadian teachers lean toward his method.