Why Should I Change Methods to KirkBooks?
By Lenore Johnson

Before I switched over to the Kirk Books three years ago, I continuously struggled to provide a pedagogically sound, step-by-step approach for my students. In order to make sure students had enough repertoire at each level - so they were truly playing fluently before moving on - the best I could do was combine several method books of the same level, by various publishers. When that failed, I scrambled to write my own music. Given that I had approximately 85 students in any given year, this was an extremely time-consuming and frustrating process for me. Despite my gallant efforts, I still did not feel I was providing them with what they really needed.

Three years ago the frustration finally ended. Now that I have the Kirk Books, teaching is a breeze, comparatively speaking. So much material is provided at each playing level, the students can succeed every step of the way before they move forward, making piano playing fun instead of a struggle. My students now have very strong reading skills, due to the fact that they are playing a wealth of material, in many hand positions, all over the staff. Thankfully, the days of “C position and G position” no longer exist!

Additionally, the Kirk Books ensure my students are proficient in multiple keys, which is a skill every competent musician must have. Since the Kirk Books introduce each new key in a relatively simple piece and provide progressively harder pieces as review throughout the program, students learn to play competently in all keys. Gone are the days of searching endlessly for a sufficient amount of pieces in keys that contain more than two flats or sharps.

Understanding I-IV-V harmony in these multiple keys is also one of the great strengths of the Kirk Books. Finally, there is a program available that allows students to master I-IV-V harmony, but not to the detriment of left hand independence. There is a perfect balance between chordal accompaniments and left hand melodies, which prepares students for sonatinas and Bach inventions, not to mention a wealth of other music.

The ongoing success my students experience with the Kirk Books keeps them interested and motivated. The technical and theoretical concepts they learn within the context of their pieces become internalized, without need for written theory assignments or endless technical exercises. The material is so logically sequenced, the need to “teach” the student a piece is eliminated and lesson time can be focused on musicianship, as it should be. Overall, the greatest benefit of switching to the Kirk Books has been the decrease in stress and the increase in enjoyment during every hour of my teaching.

Reduce the stress in both your life and your students' lives - order the Kirk Books now!

Lenore Johnson has been teaching private piano for 20 years and group Orff classes for 10 years. She has been training other teachers in piano pedagogy for the past 8 years and has been developing her own approach to piano for beginners for over 10 years. Her credentials include:

ARCT in Piano, Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto
Bachelor of Music, piano major, University of Manitoba, Canada
Orff Certification, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

I have really enjoyed using the Kirk Books for the past year.  I already notice a major improvement in my students reading ability!  I have had several parents tell me “I don’t know what you are doing differently but my child’s playing has improved so much and even more importantly he/she is having more fun playing the piano! They are playing songs just for fun even after finishing practice.” I tell them the difference is Laura Kirk’s philosophy of providing so much material at each level that the students can’t help but be successful every step of the way. They are thrilled with the change. The Kirk Books have proven to me that practicing does not need to be tedious and laborious for students.  THANK YOU!!
e-mail from Maureen Becker – Piano Teacher in Canada

PIANO TEACHERS

Site by A-mazeinc.com

Kirk Books - P.O. Box 4606 Oceanside, CA 92052-4606

Copyright ©2004 Laura Styer Kirk

The More Music Method of Piano Instruction for Teachers and Parents