Piano Safari for the Older Student
My Favourite Method for Beginners
This page is a continuation of the Piano Safari method books, continuing with Piano Safari for the Older Student.
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 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.
To see the original Piano Safari series and my teaching tips, visit this page.
This page contains affiliate links so if you purchase something, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Piano Safari for the Older Student
This series of method books is designed for students starting a bit later and suits children from around 10 years old up to adult beginners
Level 1
For brand new students
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 1 Repertoire & Technique Book
This book contains the pieces and corresponding technique introduced sequentially in each unit.
💡This book groups all technique exercises together at the start of the unit followed by the pieces.
I introduce the technique ahead of the relevant piece, but don’t necessarily work through the pieces chronologically; I let the student’s progress guide choice of pieces.
Some favourites from Level 1:
Unit 3: Ferris Wheel
Unit 4: Butterfly & Minuet Op.1 No.2
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 1 Sight Reading & Theory Book
This book contains the sight reading and theory exercises relevant to the corresponding units in the Repertoire & Technique book
💡I tend to set sight reading and theory pages as homework, after discussing and trying a few exercises together in the lesson.
The sight reading in particular gives students regular opportunities to reinforce their reading skills, leading to faster progress in lessons.
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 1 Pack
Contains:
Repertoire & Technique Book
Sight Reading & Theory Book
This pack provides a cost saving compared with buying the individual books, so is worth the investment if your student is keen on developing a holistic understanding of music by including sight reading and theory exercises alongside their usual practice.
Level 2
For students with a basic understanding of simple rhythm, stave reading and theory concepts
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 2 Repertoire & Technique Book
This book contains the pieces and corresponding technique introduced sequentially in each unit.
💡Technique exercises learned in Level 1 are revisited and developed further in Level 2, with new ones added.
The classical duets are particularly enjoyable for both students and teachers, especially the waltzes!
By the end of the book the C major 2 octave scale has been introduced, separate hands.
Some favourites from Level 2:
Unit 1: Waltz in D Major
Unit 5: Nightingale
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 2 Sight Reading & Theory Book
This book contains the sight reading and theory exercises relevant to the corresponding units in the Repertoire & Technique book
💡Theory concepts go into more detail, which I find require more in-lesson time to allow sufficient understanding.
I like using supplementary games to help convey the important points, otherwise it can get a bit theory-heavy.
The sight reading rhythms now require both hands tapping independent rhythms (albeit it one hand often has the pulse) - when my students have struggled with this, we spend more lesson time on body percussion to encourage the coordination required.
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 2 Pack
Contains:
Repertoire & Technique Book
Sight Reading & Theory Book
This pack provides a cost saving compared with buying the individual books, so is worth the investment if your student is keen on developing a holistic understanding of music by including sight reading and theory exercises alongside their usual practice.
Level 3
For students with an established understanding of simple rhythm, stave reading and theory concepts
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 3 Repertoire & Technique Book
This book contains the pieces and corresponding technique introduced sequentially in each unit.
💡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.
💡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 Older Student
Level 3 Sight Reading & Theory Book
This book contains the sight reading and theory exercises relevant to the corresponding units in the Repertoire & Technique book
Piano Safari Older Student
Level 3 Pack
Contains:
Repertoire & Technique Book
Sight Reading & Theory Book
This pack provides a cost saving compared with buying the individual books, so is worth the investment if your student is keen on developing a holistic understanding of music by including sight reading and theory exercises alongside their usual practice.
