David Carr Glover Method for Piano: Lessons, Level 1: Piano Book

The Level 1 book respects early learners' intelligence by introducing concepts sequentially without overwhelming them, then immediately applying those concepts to actual music they can play and hear. The mix of original compositions alongside folk songs keeps students engaged while the correlated supplementary materials mean you have built-in reinforcement without scrambling for extra resources.

Purposeful and encouraging. Students encounter new concepts at a pace that allows mastery, then immediately apply them to recognizable melodies and original pieces that sound musical from day one. The balance between structure and creativity makes practicing feel like playing rather than working through exercises.

Students beginning their second year of piano study who have completed primer level work and are ready to expand their note reading, interval recognition, and musicianship. This book works equally well in private studio settings and group piano classes where sequential skill-building matters.

• Spend time on the interval recognition exercises before assigning pieces that rely on those intervals; students who can hear and identify the distance between notes gain confidence when reading passages that use those same intervals.
• Use the EXPLORE creative activities as genuine improvisation opportunities, not assignments to rush through. These moments build student ownership of music-making.
• Work through sight-reading examples in order, pausing to check ear training results so students understand the connection between what they see and what they hear.

Use this as the core method book for Level 1 students, pairing it with the supplementary materials Glover designed specifically for this level. The sequential design means students stay with this book for the full year, building comprehensive foundational skills that prepare them for Level 2 study.

• Reading treble clef notes with fluency across the grand staff
• Recognizing and playing intervals by ear and sight
• Sight-reading simple melodies and folk song arrangements
• Understanding basic rhythmic notation and time signatures
• Developing improvisation and creative composition skills
• Coordinating hands independently in simple accompaniment patterns