Book Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A Classic!
I learned to play the piano with the John Thompson series and used it for my students when I was teaching.I just purchased this book in addition to "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" as I am now going to be teaching my son piano.The pieces in this book advance appropriately and are interesting and fun to play.When I received it, I opened it and started to play and took a nice trip down memory lane!I highly recommend the entire John Thompson series.

A classic
I actually didn't need this for my 7-yr-old daughter, whom I am teaching piano, because I finally found my old copy from 30 years ago (after I ordered).Doesn't look like anything has changed, which is fine.Easy to see why this book is still in such common use.

Not what I'd hoped
I ordered this piano book for my son who is just learning because I remembered it as one of the ones I learned from as a child. What I didn't remember was that each piece written has the finger numbers next to each note. The hands don't move along the piano as you play one piece or another, so the fingering is the same from beginning to end of any given song. This leads the person playing it to not really read the notes but rather the number associated with which ever finger to play it.

When learning to play piano, one needs to learn to read the notes and unfortunately John Thompson puts the finger number by each note through each piece, undermining the whole purpose of having a beginning piano book to teach with.

This book is ok if the student already knows how to site read the notes but it isn't for the beginning student.

Still the best after all these years
My aunt used the Thompson books, I used the Thompson books, my grandmother [a piano teacher] used the Thompson books. I, a piano teacher, use Thompson books.WHY?They advance appropriately, one doesn't have to buy a zillion other books to go with them [and constantly be running to the music store to buy supplemental books---see Faber and Faber, for example; and Faber is a very good, modern series. But Costly Costly Costly to get all the parts.]Thompson has it all in one place.It doesn't have a ton of theory, though, and a wise teacher will supplement Thompson for that.Not only are the pieces interesting and challenging, they can be colored!Yes!We all know how many music students tend to be artistic, so you've got even happier students!I have to say, though, that if you're looking for something with a slower and [sorry to say] "dumbed down" approach, Thompson is NOT for you. It does work well for adults, but the Faber adult books are more specific to adult learners, and I prefer them for that student population.Long Live John Thompson Books!

"Even Beethoven had to start someplace"
As a piano instructor and music educator of over 40 years, I have actively used both this specific book as well as the "Teaching Little Fingers To Play" (primer level), both originally written by Canadian born John Thompson.The entire series of the "John Thompson Modern Course for the Piano" consists of one 'pre-level' book, "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" (which is also great for adults), as well as the First through Fifth grade books.The entireseries wasone of the first"how to" books for learning pianoand is still published by Willis in Florence, KY. The John Thompson series is valuable, and I continue to enthusiasticallyuse the series with my students.I dobelieve it should always be coupled with ancillary materialin the form of chord learning (if you wish to study popular or Gospel music). If you wish to study serious or "classical" music,this book can be made more valuable when taught by a qualified instructor. I would certainly recommend this series over ANY of the Bastien materials. [...] ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Beginning students can benefit
The John Thompson beginning piano series has always been a good instructional tool.This is very basic and a little slower pace for young students. I personally prefer to teach with the "red" John Thompson beginning series book for interest and pacing, as well as the Lelia Fletcher beginning piano book.You can't really go wrong with John Thompson, but it helps to utilize a variety of beginning level books to keep students interest.

Not my child's favorite piano book
This book is for someone with a previous knowledge of written music, since this is not my daughter's case, she thought it was too dificult for her. Maybe once she learns to read music this will be a great book, for now however, since she likes another book I bought with a much different approach to teaching piano, she doesn't even want to try this one.

After 62 years, still one of the best of the best!
It's my business to know what works because I'ma full time professor of piano both at university level and in the private sector.The John Thompson series has always been one of the best traditional learning method booksfor students who wish to learn how to play piano (or keyboard). This book is part of the "easiest series"which was originally published by Willis back in 1945.This series is not the original "Teaching Little Fingers To Play"-- I call it the "red book" series simply because all the covers to each grade levelare red in colour.The red book series was Thompson's first piano method published in 1931.In fact, I still have my original "Teaching Little Fingers" book from when I started at age 5.The important fact to remember about the "Easiest" series is it's purpose.It was designed for persons who have had difficultywith John Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers to Play"(which is the primer which leads to "Grade One, Grade Two"and so on.You will find this "Easiest"series the continuation of the John Thompson Easiest Piano Course, Part One. And, like "Part One"it progresses at a slower rate .I use this series for very young students, ages 4 to perhaps 6/7.
One final thought:None of the John Thompson piano courses were designed to be"self teaching" methods.And, no matter what any teacher tells you, there is NO piano course which can be used as a "stand alone" curriculum.This includes publishers like Bastien, Faber and Faber, and others.Fortunately, any of the John Thompson method books far surpass the others.One caveat:If you want to learn pop music or to play using chords, I would recommend"The Older Beginner Piano Course" by Bastien.However, if you want to learn traditional classical (so called"serious" music), than this book would be a good choice (although I would try the "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" Thompson book first.It progresses a bit faster but is just a little more difficult). Please visit mywebsite for more information and FREE downloads likechord charts and Circle of Keys, and much more.Go to:http://kenmahood.com/.......and don't forget to practice!:)

Cool!
The book is so cool. Please buy it. The songs are great. My favorite there is the ballet dancer it's so great. you learen new notes. ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. Contains worksheets, reading-aloud exercises and accompaniments for teacher or parent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good for a young learner
I've been teaching my 5-year-old to play and she has progressed quickly using this book.I've been playing since I was 4 myself, but I haven't taught music to anyone.This has been easy to use and I like that it comes with accompaniments to each piece that I can play with her.It references a CD, but mine didn't come with one.

Great for young beginners
I love it. Students learn the notes one-by-one in songs with duet accompaniment. There are work pages to do along with songs to play. The book is colorful and fun to look at. The progression moves along slowly so that each concept is learned; while at the same time students are playing songs each week and feeling much success. I like it a lot better then the old Thompson series.

excellent
I used these books when I was a kid.I bought this one for my daughter to help her learn the piano.It is very well put together and kid friendly.

Great Beginner's Piano Book
This book is wonderful to begin teaching young children the rudiments of piano playing.The children are most excited when they have to play their parts while I play the accompaniment.These 'duet' sessions have generated much joy, laughter and fun, which is what music should be to children.

If your child requires more challenging work, I would suggest using this book in tandem with another book like from Michael Aaron's series or John Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers to Play". ... Read more

Book Description
John Thompson's Adult Piano Course was written with the older student in mind. They have the same musical road to travel as the younger student, but the study material for the grown-up will differ in content. These books are compiled especially for adults and contain pieces that adults like to play and hear. Many hints are given to help the student play as artistically and with as much musical understanding as possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Beginner's Textbook
This a great book for beginners.It is non-assuming, starts from the very basic, and takes a step by step approach on fingering and theory. It's easy to make real progress with this book.

After I got thru the first half of this book, the pieces in this book starts to become boring.I still used this book for theory, but got other books on classical music made for beginners as practices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

JOHN THOMPSON'S MODERN COURSE Second Grade
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series.

Follows uninterruptedly and in progressive sequence the musical foundation developed in Book 1. ... Read more

Product Description
Sheet music book ... Read more

Product Description
A series for the early beginner combining rote and note approach. The melodies are written with careful thought and are kept as simple as possible, yet they are refreshingly delightful. All the music lies within the grasp of the child's small hands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Solidly organized and effective
Beyond the simple enjoyment of playing a song, learning to play music is a catalyst for discovery and learning in life.Rudiments such as fractions are learned by understanding the key signature.Motor skills are developed in both hands.Processing of symbols into piano keys and then piano keys into musical tones that, when played together, create a song.We often forget this as adults, or never learned it.The key with teaching these things effectively to kids is to make it fun, keep the lessons to a reasonable length and to get involved as a parent or teacher.

Teaching Little Fingers To Play is perfect for introducing children to the joy of playing a piano.It provides short, fun songs that kids can sing along to as they develop their skills playing.My daughter finds so much enjoyment in practicing and can't wait to "figure out" the next song.The skills and knowledge are added little by little in such a way that they build on what is already developed, rather than overwhelming the child.The notes to the teacher are also helpful, particularly when the teacher is simply a parent who isn't a piano virtuoso.

The price is VERY affordable and the book simply works well, particularly for my child.I'd recommend this book for any child under the age of 10.I don't think you'll be disappointed if you buy this book.I certainly wasn't.

Good although fast moving
Good first book for learning piano, but our teacher requested we get another book to accompany this, since this one moves a little too fast for our kindergartener.

Just as I remember.
My grandmother had this book at her house when I was a child.I taught myself how to play piano ( a little bit) with it.I am going to use it to teach my children.

NOT for the earliest beginners
Despite what the title says, "A Book For The Earliest Beginner", I feel that it's not for the kids younger than 6 or 7.Requiring to read the music notes on the lines right from the beginning is too much for the kids who barely know alphabets.This book could be fine for older kids or for supplementing other courses.Try Alfred's books which I found much easier and gradual on very young children.If they are under 5, you could try Alfred's Prep Course.

John Thompson's piano course
Just as I remember from years ago in modern version.Very user friendly and perfect for any age to learn to play piano. ... Read more

Product Description
comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrationswriting exercisessight reading drillsreview workaccompanimentsand more. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrationswriting exercisessight reading drillsreview workaccompanimentsand more. Contains worksheets, reading-aloud exercises and accompaniments for teacher or parent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very informative and engaging title
Sociological and anthropological theories are integral to the structure of this book and the theories discussed here.Very interesting and informative, the author formulates various models of communication and the media's effects on society and the formation of the self and personal identity.Politics and ecomics are briefly addressed but only in their capacity to shape the media, which in turn molds national and global culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This book is serious business
I went to various piano teachers through the years and gave up on the piano each time.Just because a pianist can play does not mean that he or she can teach effectively.

Purly by chance, my final piano teacher taught me by the John Thompson books and now, I am a pianist myself.

This book is serious business.Parents should make sure that their kids are taught by the John Thompson book series. ... Read more