John W. Schaum Piano Course – A Red Book

The John W. Schaum Piano Course is an authoritative and comprehensive tutor series for beginners of all ages. It’s incredibly well-presented with colourpictures, useful information and guidance material. The aim of the book is to teach in the most natural and enjoyable way, through popular melodies. The method enables the student to progress in a logical fashion through Pre AtoF. This Red Book is intended for pupils who have progressed from the Pre-A Green Book, presenting a smooth transition that introduces new concepts while reinforcing old ones.

Ofall the innumerable tutor series out there, the John W. Schaum books receive some of the widest acclaim from teachers and students of all ages. Presenting all of the essential informationclearly and simply, it also uses easy-to-use diagrams and pictures to help visualise often complex information. These books are the perfect blend of a challenge without being frustratingly difficult, if you already have somemusical experience, or you’re a teenage or adult beginner, this book will be ideal, but for younger beginners or those with absolutely no musical experience, the Pre-A Green book is probably more appropriate.

Introducing sight-reading initially, the Red Book moves through all of the fundamentals such as the C Major position, rhythm, melodies, scales, different chords, different intervals andso on. All the way through there are practical examples that help to put the theoretical ideas into a musical context, while also helping students to gain some immediate satisfaction from their learning, which is alwaysessential.