Beginner students:
Daniel emphasizes on scale and method books.

Methods Books:
Beyer
Czerny Op. 599
Lemoine
Czerny Op. 299

Scales:
Hanon
Little Pischna

Pieces:
Teaching Little Fingers to Play
John Thompson's First Grade Book; John Thompson's Second Grade Book
Burgmüller
Diabelli
Sonatinas
Sonatas
Mozart
Beethoven
Haydn
J.S. Bach
Bach- First Lesson in Bach (Book I and Book II)
Bach- Little Fugues
Bach- Two-Part Inventions
Bach- Three-Part Inventions
Tchaikovsky
Schumann
Grieg
Kabalevsky

Check on Ebay.com, craiglist.org.

Selecting a piano is a personal thing.

For some, a piano is a necessary part of their interior decorating strategy.

For others, it's a lot more involving.

Regardless of where you fall, there are some simple rules to follow:

1. Capture your criteria.
2. Find a good book.
3. Use online resources.
4. Use local resources.
5. Ask an expert you trust.

Capture your criteria

Some sample criteria could be:

• Sound of the piano
• Size of the piano (based on room size, preference)
• Brand of piano (though Yamaha, Kawaii, etc. are gaining popularity, Steinway still rules)
• Type of piano (grand or upright...preference and room size will play a role)

Find a good book

Amazon lists several titles. Type "Purchasing a Piano" to see them.

Use online resources

Search the web. Enter "Purchasing a Piano" in the search box below.

Use local resources

• Decide upon your brand/brands of choice.
• Decide on the type of piano.
• Fewer is better...honesty is key.
• Double check what the local dealer tells you with what your online resource say.

Ask an expert you trust

• Talk with your piano instructor
• Talk with your friends and colleagues
• Gain recommendations from both for a good dealer.

Enjoy your Piano!

Few things in life bring more happiness than music, so enjoy the happiness your piano brings you!

Look for my experience applying these techniques to the purchase of a Steinway grand in a upcoming post. Please do respond with any further recommendations you might have!

Here's a list of free sheet music resource on the web (some links open in a GreyBox):

• Sheet Music Archive
• Free Sheet Music Downloads
• The Mutopia Project
• Find Free Sheet Music
• Music-Scores.com
• Musica Viva

If you can't find it, or don't like the version you find at one of the above free sites, Sheet Music Plus has the best selection



and Music44 has the best prices.

Please respond with your online (or local -- Bay Area, CA) sheet music resources.