DAVID JOHNSON PIANO STUDIO METHODOLOGY
Potential Materials List
All books are written for a specific level of accomplishment, so be sure to get the right level. Most of the materials may be purchased from Play Your Own Music or your teacher.
Very Beginning Materials:
Lesson books (Alfred's or Bastien for adults).
Notespeller.
Notebook with pocket for studio hand outs (unless you use this website).
Harmonic Vision's Music Ace Deluxe or Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory (for adults) software programs.
Alfred flashcards A & B.
Learning to Play the Piano at Home pamphlet.
Level Two Materials:
Theory book.
Literature type books by Alfred, Bastien and Hal Leonard.
Piano Games (finger exercises) TP 2039 Tersun Press.
A Dozen a Day (very beginning finger exercises / technique).
Staff paper.
Metronome.
The Student's Guide to Effective Practicing (pamphlet or book).
The Parent's Guide to Effective Practicing (pamphlet or book).
Piano CDs may be checked out for two week periods at no charge. Lost or kept CDs are $5.
Methodology
Alfred's or Bastien (adults) series are generally the method books used which are pedagogically leveled.
Music Ace Deluxe (kids) or Essentials of Music Theory (teenagers and adults) are the software computer programs used to learn general music theory at home as part of the multi-media approach.
Playing-based and reading-based techniques are adapted to each student's needs and abilities.
Though time rehearsing at home is unavoidable, the amount of time spent is flexible depending on the quality of the practice time; the faster the tasks are accomplished, the less time is required to play at home to accomplish the homework. In other words, this is a results or outcome oriented methodology, rather than just putting in a certain amount of practice time each day regardless of the progress made. Some weeks may require more playing time and focus than others to accomplish the tasks. There are many studio awards that may be earned through performance-based testing. Specially adapted lessons are available for those who own digital Yamaha Clavinovas.
Create an environment that is safe, friendly and encouraging, so the teacher may help instill character, courage and fortitude in each student so they may do the best they can to develop their musical abilities and learn to play the piano as quickly and efficiently as possible. Teacher, student and parents cooperate to achieve these goals in a systematic and pedagogical manner.
Potential Supplemental Songbooks
Alfred Prep Course: Solo Books, Christmas Joy, Let's Celebrate Easter!, Let's Celebrate Valentine's Day, Let's Celebrate Halloween and Let's Celebrate Thanksgiving.
Alfred Basic Course: Duet Books, Top Hits! Duet Books, Recital Books, Repertoire Books, Classic Themes, Top Hits! Solo Books, Merry Christmas!, Top Hits! Christmas and Patriotic Solos.
Bastien: Classic Themes by the Masters, Easy Piano Classics, Favorite Melodies the World Over, Solo Repertoire, Religious Favorites, Bastien Christmas for Adults, Favorite Classic Melodies, Halloween Treats, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Valentine's Day and Patriotic Songs for Piano.
Sharing the Piano Experience
For every student you refer to me who takes lessons for a month, you get two free lessons!
For every piano tuning you refer to me that I actually tune, you get one free lesson!
The object of teaching a student is to enable the student to get along without the teacher!