Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum 18 year old teacher needing help!

The advantage of studying Bach's WTC is that the outlines are mostly
of a single-note variety ... get the Treble right with the RH and then
merge in the bass with the LH.

Get a single Prelude and Fugue right ... and confidence takes a big boost.

I think it's important to give a student a little of what he needs and a little of what he wants. Especially when they're teens, they start to form their own opinions on what music they like to listen to and what they imagine they can do on the piano.

I agree with going through a method book with them, but depending on the maturity of the student, you may want to try the Accelerated PA as others have suggested. There's a little less of the childish pictures and such.

Also, be sure to ask him what he would like to learn, if there are any songs on the radio he wants to figure out on the piano. This is a great ear-training exercise and of course, he'd be learning it by rote since his reading isn't as good yet. But that can make it fun in the meanwhile.

In addition to the PA and the Premier, I also use the standard Alfred's "older beginner" in the situation you are describing. Some people like the new series better - I'd suggest you take a look at both and see which you like.

I supplement with a lot of books, but one of my favorites is the "Celebration Series"