Why do piano books become so boring at the Level 1 level? This question bothered me for years. The transition from primer books to Level 1 has always been so black and white. One day a piano student finishes her kid-friendly primer resource only to open a Level 1 book void of personality the very next day.
It’s almost as if publishers are saying, “Okay kid, it’s time to get serious.”
And just like that, in the span of 24 hours, the piano transitions from an instrument of wonder to an instrument of duty. After that, piano lessons become a matter of stamina; how long can a student dedicate themselves to their sense of duty before finally deciding to quit?
Andrea and I decided this was something we just had to fix. We believe the piano should be an instrument of wonder… forever. So, to help keep the magic alive when piano students complete their primer books we are excited to formally announce on our blog, the release of WunderKeys Elementary Piano Level 1 (available here on Amazon).
Keep reading to check out the video preview below.
Keep Your Studio Hopping With WunderKeys Elementary Piano Level 1A
In the introduction to this post, we said that the piano should remain an instrument of wonder. We made a conscious choice to use the word “wonder” instead of “fun”. Piano lessons can be fun, while being void of wonder.
Wonder, on the other hand, occurs where fun and learning meet; where a student is amazed at her ability to make music… and not just her ability to have a good time.
WunderKeys Elementary Piano Level 1A brings the wonder to your studio. It is fun, imaginative, and educationally sound. Your kids will have a blast while becoming brilliant piano players. And all of this means that your piano students won’t bail on lessons when that crucial primer to Level 1 transition occurs.
Check out the video below where we share a Look Inside preview of WunderKeys Elementary Piano Level 1A. If you like what you see it is available now on Amazon.
Ellen DuBois says
Love this. Great work and thanks for all you do to make learning (and teaching) piano more fun and rewarding!
Andrea says
Hi Ellen! So glad you’re excited about it 🙂 We can’t wait to hear how you like using it – our aim is to make your lessons much more enjoyable for both you and your students!
Robin Steinweg says
Amazon, here I come! This looks wonderful, Andrea. My students love your materials–and so do I!
Andrea says
Hi Robin – yay! Thanks for your support – so glad you love our materials 🙂 We know you’ll really enjoy this book!
Heidi says
Received my copy in the mail. Ready to try it out! Thank you so much for this comprehensive and fun new approach!
Andrea says
Hi Heidi! Have fun with it! Glad you’re looking forward to using it and we can’t wait to hear how your students like it 🙂
Jan says
This looks great! I’ve had my students in Faber. Does this 1A work well after Faber primer, or do you have to use the Wunderkeys primer first?
Andrea says
Hi Jan! You can use this book after completing any primer book series 🙂 Students completing WunderKeys Primer Book 3 may have a better grasp of hands together coordination as that’s the focus of that book, however, we were careful to level this Level 1A so that kids coming from other methods will catch up easily 🙂
Maureen C McNamee says
I have the same question as Jan — I’ve been using both Bastien or Alfred as primers and was wondering if it would be an easy transition to your Level One.
Andrea says
Hi Maureen – are you using the Alfred prep, basic or premiere? Maybe email me info@wunderkeys.com and I can help 🙂
Jodie Thompson says
Those books look so interesting. I’ve used several method books with young children and am impressed by these. I would like to start incorporating your books in my studio. I had one child start in Preschool Primer, but he had to stop after a few lessons. I wanted to start group lessons, but haven’t been able to do that yet.
Andrea says
Hi Jodie! We’d love to have you as a member of the WunderKeys Facebook group – it’s a lovely community of helpful teachers and it’s a great place to be as you start out using the WunderKeys books. http://www.facebook.com/groups/wunderkeys
I-Rock-U Music School says
Where colorful matches what I really feel about music!!
I am so excited to get my copies of this c well thought out level 1A.. Thank you for addressing the issues of stagnant method books and revising the approach. This should result in students landing between the pages of their method book and piano keys.
Andrea says
Hi Teresa! I’m so glad you’re excited about the new book 🙂 We can’t wait to hear how you like teaching from it and how your students enjoy a fresh format!
REBECCA BROWN says
Do you have an estimate for when each new book will be released?
Andrea says
Hi Rebecca! WunderKeys Leve 1B is out right now 🙂 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1687372624
Marie Ob says
I was thinking of getting this instead of the traditional one. Can I teach my son with this book myself?
Andrea says
Hi Marie! If you have piano skills yourself, then yes this book can be used as you would any other method book 🙂