My Favourite Method for Beginners
Piano Safari
Why Do I Choose This Method Most Often?
The Piano Safari method is a foreward-thinking innovative method based on sound research into the ways in which we learn music.
The creators, Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr Hague, developed each series of progressive books to provide new learners with a secure foundation in pianistic skills, technique and musicality. The inclusion of rote learning, improvisation, composition, understanding musical structure as well as the immensely useful intervallic note reading approach makes these books my go-to for many of my students.
The original series of books was designed for young beginners (age 6+) and another series was created for older beginners (named ‘for Older Students’) suitable from around age 10+ (including adults). Much of the same material is used except the language and presentation are aimed at more mature learners in the Older Student books, and progression is also quicker within each level.
In the sections following, I have laid out the different series and levels of books with short descriptions and personal favourite pieces and exercises, to help give a sense of what these books can do. Teaching tips are shown by 💡for you to try in your own lessons.
Before using any of the books, I strongly recommend downloading the free Teacher Guides which fully explain the animal techniques and approaches to teaching each piece. You can also review the concepts and skills covered in each level, to help when aligning with other methods.
I Love Coffee is one of my favourite rote pieces from Level 1 and always a hit with students!
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Piano Safari
This original series of method books is designed for young students starting from around age 6-7
Level 1
For brand new students
Piano Safari Level 1
Repertoire Book
This book contains the pieces and corresponding technique introduced sequentially in each unit. Also some theory pages to aid foundation understanding.
💡I found the teacher guide very helpful in preparing my first lessons and refer to it often for inspiration and reminders.
Some favourites from Level 1:
Unit 1: Old Macdonald Had a Farm & Inchworm
Unit 3: Bingo & Dandelion Fluff
Unit 5: Twelve Bar Blues Improv & Bluebird Bluebird & Dragon Dance
Piano Safari Level 1
Theory Book
This book expands on concepts introduced in the Repertoire Book, providing exercises to deepen understanding.
💡I use this theory book with students who either need extra reinforcement of concepts or as extra homework for those who are particularly focussed learners.
Piano Safari Level 1
Sight Reading Cards
This set of sight reading cards is divided into 5 sections (colour coded) A, B, C, D, E corresponding to each unit of the Repertoire Book.
💡I often use these sight reading cards as a challenge: for a student to complete as many cards for LH or RH within 5 minutes.
Piano Safari Level 1 Pack
Contains:
Repertoire Book
Sight Reading Cards
This pack provides a cost saving compared with buying the individual book and sight reading cards. It can be very useful to assign sight reading cards for students to work through during the week at home, accelerating their note reading proficiency.
NB: This does not include the Theory Book
Level 2
For students with a basic understanding of simple rhythm, stave reading and theory concepts
Piano Safari Level 2
Repertoire Book
This book contains pieces using technique covered in the Technique book. There are also theory pages included in this book.
💡With repertoire and technique in separate books for Level 2, students need extra reminders to bring both books to every lesson.
I use sticky tabs to mark the current pieces and technique exercises in each book - this avoids the ‘I didn’t know I needed to do technique too!’ responses.
Some favourites from Level 2:
Unit 1: Animal Menagerie, Spring Showers & Shadows at Dusk
Unit 2: African Safari, Snowy Owl & The Cricket Takes a Wife
Unit 3: A Wistful Daydream
Unit 4: The Gallant Knight & Monsters on the Run
Unit 5: Rainbow Colors
Unit 6: Sneaky Ape & All the Pretty Little Horses
Piano Safari Level 2
Technique Book
This book contains technique exercises relevant to corresponding units in the Repertoire Book.
💡I find having technique in a separate book very useful as you can introduce the relevant technique ahead of the corresponding piece(s) to be learned, without the student feeling like you’re jumping around the book.
The 7 white key pentascales are introduced at this level, allowing practice of technique in different keys. I love that by using pentascales, students are able to experience playing in keys that would otherwise be inaccessible for a long time, e.g. B major with 5 sharps!
Piano Safari Level 2
Theory Book
This book expands on concepts introduced in the Repertoire Book, providing exercises to deepen understanding.
💡I use this theory book with students who either need extra reinforcement of concepts or as extra homework for those who are particularly focussed learners.
Composition exercises are included in each of the 6 units of this book.
Piano Safari Level 2
Sight Reading Cards
This set of sight reading cards is divided into 6 sections (colour coded) F, G, H, I, J, K corresponding to each unit of the Repertoire Book.
💡When students can comfortably sight read these cards, they will be ready for the Initial Grade sight reading test (ABRSM)
Piano Safari Level 2 Pack
Contains:
Repertoire Book
Technique Book
Sight Reading Cards
This pack provides a cost saving compared with buying the individual book and sight reading cards. It can be very useful to assign sight reading cards for students to work through during the week at home, accelerating their note reading proficiency.
NB: This does not include the Theory Book
Level 3
For students with an established understanding of simple rhythm, stave reading and theory concepts
Piano Safari Level 3
Repertoire Book
This book contains pieces and theory pages.
💡When my students reach Level 3 they are often ready for their first exam, so repertoire starts to diverge at this point.
The pieces cover the keys of C, G and F major, and A, E and D minor, so are great for developing the student’s familiarity with these keys.
Piano Safari Level 3
Technique Book
This book contains technique exercises relevant to corresponding units in the Repertoire Book.
💡Technique exercises are reinforced by applying them to the keys of C, G and F major, and A, E and D minor.
Exploration of chords, chord inversions and scales in these keys allows easy introduction to improvising accompaniments in different keys and understanding musical structure.
Piano Safari Level 3
Theory Book
This book expands on concepts introduced in the Repertoire Book, providing exercises to deepen understanding.
Piano Safari Level 3
Sight Reading Cards
This set of sight reading cards is divided into 7 sections (colour coded) L, M, N, O, P, Q, R corresponding to each unit of the Repertoire Book.
Piano Safari Level 3 Pack
Contains:
Repertoire Book
Technique Book
Sight Reading Cards
This pack provides a cost saving compared with buying the individual book and sight reading cards. It can be very useful to assign sight reading cards for students to work through during the week at home, accelerating their note reading proficiency.
NB: This does not include the Theory Book
