Eric Steiner Piano Course, Book 2: Piano

Book 2 picks up exactly where Book 1 concludes, eliminating the guesswork many teachers face when transitioning between method books. Steiner weaves in music by established composers and folk repertoire alongside original exercises, so students absorb real musicianship rather than plodding through disconnected etudes. The pacing is genuinely thoughtful, allowing consistent progress without the burnout that comes from overzealous advancement.

Working through Book 2 feels like opening doors rather than climbing walls. The material unfolds naturally, introducing technical challenges only after students have developed the foundation to handle them. Music surfaces everywhere, whether through a Bach prelude, a Scottish folk tune, or an original Steiner composition, keeping the page consistently rewarding.

Students who have completed Book 1 and are ready to deepen their technical foundation. The method serves both young children and adult learners equally well, making it flexible across age ranges. Teachers seeking a comprehensive approach that balances technical development, music theory, and genuine repertoire will find this course aligns with their pedagogical goals.

• Assign the original compositions alongside the transcribed masterworks so students understand that technical study and musical expression aren't separate endeavors.
• Coordinate theory assignments with the pieces being learned; Steiner embeds music fundamentals into the playing itself rather than isolating them on worksheets.
• Allow extra rehearsal time on the folk music selections since students often connect emotionally to familiar melodies and will push themselves harder to play them well.

This book serves as the core method text for studio lessons spanning six months to a year, depending on individual student pace. It works equally well in group piano classes where differentiation is necessary, since the graduated difficulty allows stronger students to advance through material while others consolidate fundamentals. Consider scheduling a recital featuring selections from Book 2 to showcase how Steiner's diverse repertoire gives students genuine pieces worth performing.

• Reading interval relationships and harmonic progressions in treble and bass clefs
• Finger independence and hand position maintenance across extended passages
• Dynamic control and phrasing appropriate to different musical styles
• Understanding of basic music theory integrated with keyboard technique
• Interpretation of folk melodies and classical repertoire at an accessible level
• Sight-reading fluency through consistent exposure to new material