The lighter books are a good complement for these breakdowns, but even creating a reference point for an important issue which can then be googled is of huge benefit. So, I would suggest a mix of academic books and ones that are lighter, so that in areas the academic book moves too fast it can be looked at and broken down further. Someone who isn’t currently studying or researching at university level would generally find the academic books in music on Composition, Harmonic Analysis and Music History very inspiring to read at the beginning, but they can be tough to get through. What educational level has the person attained generally? So before looking for books for this person, I asked myself a few questions to inform my research and help guide my choices.

The best approaches are ones which increase your overall musicianship in the different categories of sight reading, aural skills, technical ability, music theory, stamina and memory/recall - all of which are linked.Īll these skills deteriorate if not practiced regularly, but with patience and targeted practice they can be built back up together. The main idea to remember is that piano lessons are like riding a bike, you never really forget the muscle memory, so some ideas you encounter will be picked up quickly, other ideas will require work. Equally important, is materials that will motivate and inspire the reader to continue their love of the piano and enjoy working on their skills daily, producing real improvement. The challenge was to find a combination music books, sheet music and music theory books that cover the basics and the advanced, trying to fill in the gaps of music theory and musicianship that have been forgotten or glossed over, and to retrain the ear. The gift receiver took lessons as a child and teenager in classical Piano, and completed exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), before turning their attention from piano to guitar and Drums in their teens, stopping classical piano lessons altogether. I had a challenge in December, to pick out music theory and tutor books for an adult wishing to go back to the Piano, but with the intention of learning Jazz Piano. My lessons prioritise the development of the student musically, and although I am classically trained, I encourage students to explore all styles during their time with me.įeel free to reach out if you have any questions or are looking to start your journey into music I’m always happy to share my tips!

I primarily teach piano, as well as general musical theory, and I blog regularly about all things related to the craft of teaching and playing piano. My name is Trudi, and I’m a music teacher in Truly Musical, a music school based out of Arklow, Co.

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