Finished your tutor book?

Everyone loves to feel a sense of achievement and when you’ve finished your tutor book, I guarantee that you will (This blog post is focussed on two piano tutor books, but the advice given does apply to all instruments!).

If you’re relatively new to learning an instrument, you will probably be using a tutor book with your teacher, or even on your own; and there are probably several books in the series: for example, the Piano Time series by Pauline Hall which has 4 core books (1-4) and the John Thompson series which has 8 core books (1-8). We use both of these books at AberMusic and advise dependant on the age of the student. The younger students absolutely love the John Thompson series!

So what happens when you have finished your tutor book? Let’s say you’ve finished John Thompson’s Part 1. The most logical thought is to move straight onto part 2 but I am going to advise you to not (I think most teachers would completely agree with this and therefore, it’s not controversial advice!). Learning an instrument, and music overall, is a journey to be enjoyed and not a race to the finish. There is not finish line when it comes to learning and especially not with music.

Both the Piano Time and John Thompson series have many, many books of supplementary material that you should definitely explore. The Easiest and First books from John Thompson are perfect to purchase when you’ve finished part 1: choose from Easiest Musicals, Easiest Christmas Songbook (who doesn’t love Christmas Music? There is not excuse not to purchase this book!), Easiest Classical Music, First Film Music and more! The Piano Time series is also full of excellent books such as Spooky Piano Time, Piano Time Opera (a favourite of mine) and Piano Time Carols (again, on excuse to not purchase this book).

Other than having more music play, when we lose motivation to practice or learn (which inevitably we all do at times, which is completely normal), it is more enticing to play music we know or think that we will be more inclined to enjoy. In terms of the continuing development of instrumental and theoretical skill, playing supplementary material that is written specifically for the level that you are currently at will absolutely enhance your learning, playing and enjoyment! We don’t just learn from a tutor book.