John W. Schaum Piano Course, A: The Red Book: Piano Book

The Red Book delivers what made Schaum's course essential in the first place: a sequence that actually works, paired with music that students want to play. The newly redesigned presentation (fresh engravings, color highlighting, updated song selections) removes the dated feeling while keeping the pedagogical logic intact. For teachers returning to Schaum or trying it for the first time, this revision proves the method has aged remarkably well.

Straightforward and purposeful. The Red Book moves forward with clear intention, each page building on the last without distraction. The updated illustrations and color help young students focus on the music itself while the carefully chosen repertoire provides immediate gratification and real accomplishment.

Beginning piano students ready to read music and develop hand position, finger independence, and basic musicianship simultaneously. This book serves teachers who want a structured, reliable sequence without the busy design of modern materials.

• Pair each new concept with the color highlighting as an immediate reference. Let students find the highlighted notes, intervals, or rhythms themselves before playing, building visual independence rather than reliance on teacher explanation.
• Play the pieces aloud from day one. Even at this level, hearing the complete phrase shapes the phrasing naturally; don't wait until "later" to make music sound musical.
• Return to earlier pieces after learning new concepts. A piece learned at page 10 becomes a new study once you add a technique from page 25, reinforcing concepts without boredom.

This is a foundational text for any piano studio or school piano program serving absolute beginners. The 48 pages work well as a semester-long or year-long reference, supporting consistent private lessons or group instruction. Teachers often use it as the primary material in first-year piano courses or alongside technique supplementation.

• Reading treble clef and basic rhythm notation
• Hand position, finger numbers, and proper technique at the keyboard
• Understanding intervals, whole steps, and half steps
• Playing melodies with steady pulse and basic phrasing
• Music theory fundamentals (note names, staff reading, basic harmony concepts)