As active piano teachers, we are often asked what method we use and recommend. Our favorite piano method for the earliest beginner is the Keys for the Kingdom series, Level A. This wonderful system for teaching and learning one of the most commonly sought-after instruments is effective for all ages, from the little bitties to mature adults. Beginning with the black keys, this method works the student up into the reading of the notes of the grand staff with ease after only a minimal amount of time.
We love this method, too, because the songs, though short and simple, are wholesome, Scripturally based, and musically productive – in contrast to many methods which only use meaningless note patterns with even more meaningless lyrics. Another wonderful feature is that this series incorporates into it’s method many of the essential Italian terms (and their English meanings) that many musicians, due to incomplete training, do not learn until upper level studies.
The set of books is just that – a set. Each level includes not only a method book, but also supplementary materials such as the following that the teacher may choose from based on the needs of the student including
- Music for Performance – non-sacred supplementary music to enhance the students progress
- Songs of the Faith – hymns and other sacred music suitable for church and other ministry opportunities
- Theory and Technique – reinforcing what is learned in the method book through fun activities and exercises to be assigned completed throughout the week
- Songs for all Seasons – performing pieces for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and more
Many of the pieces in the Method, Music for Performance, and Songs of the Faith books include fun teacher parts to brighten up the learning path. Also, each of the supplementary books includes a tag with the complementary lesson from the method book, making it easy to keep students progressing evenly.
Click below to purchase this wonderful beginner piano method from Shawnee Press!
Keys for the Kingdom Level A Method
Keys for the Kingdom Level A Music for Performance
Keys for the Kingdom Level A Songs of the Faith
Keys for the Kingdom Level A Theory and Technique
Keys for the Kingdom Level A Songs for all Seasons
Thank you so much for this recommendation. I have used the Keys for the Kingdom Series for one student who asked me to give him some advice on getting started on the piano, and they have been perfect. I do not have a whole lot of time to prepare lessons, but the books explain everything so well that he has been able to move forward at his own pace without any problem. I would recommend them to anyone who needs a good beginner course for teaching piano!