Books, books, and more books...

So what kind of books will your child be using?

This post explains the books that most students go through and why I use them. 

Every single week of lessons, I drill students using color coded flashcards.

In order to make learning flashcards fun, I like to include games or examples on the piano. Sometimes I'll even bring toys or food to show further explain music theory. 

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Depending on age and how advanced a student is, also depends on the books used. 

Music for Little Mozarts

Little fingers begin with *Music for Little Mozarts* 

Preschoolers and Kindergarteners alike enjoy learning music with 

Mozart the Mouse and Beethoven the Bear. 

Alfred's Basic Piano Library 

Lesson Book-Level 1A 

This is a fun learning book for Early Elementary Children. 

It breaks down concepts and uses many visuals that help a child understand more clearly. 

Alfred's Basic Piano Library 

Theory Book-Level 1A 

Along with the lesson book, this book is excellent in thoroughly explaining theory.
Its colorful pages are filled with many worksheets for a student to work on.
Each page is explained very clearly and geared to beginning piano players.

Alfred's Basic Piano Library

The more a student practices and passes songs, the faster he finishes the book and faster he moves to the next level book.


Teaching Little Fingers to Play

Yes, this is where my blog title comes from! It's just so fun and explains what I do! 
This book is good for elementary/beginner students. 
Perferable students who know a little basic theory, fingering, timing, and posture. 


Teaching Little Fingers to Play Disney Tunes

This book is a classic! Little fingers love playing famous Disney tunes.
These infamous songs are simplified, yet make students feel like a talented musician!

A Dozen A Day


Just like sport players exercise before a big game, musicians must warm up their fingers before a 20+ minute practice. These books start at the very beginning and gradually become more challenging.


John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano 


This book is for more advanced beginners. If a student knows piano theory, timing, fingering, and posture, he will usually begin with this book. It's a great book that gradually teaches new piano concepts and is a wonderful stepping stone book.
This really is an introduction into classical music and finger techniques.

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As the student advances, the books become harder and students have a choice of what they would like to continue learning i.e. Classical, Disney, Recital pieces, Hymn Playing, and Accompaniment.

Lesson Information

If you are like most new parents looking into piano teachers, you most likely have questions about lessons, price, even the type of books your children will be using.

 In this post, I've put together important information regarding piano lessons. 

• Sonata Studio is located in Colusa,  California 
• I teach Beginner and Intermediate piano lesson
• Weekly 30 minute lessons 
• $50 for a month of lessons. Pay at the beginning of the month (I've found that students will come for lessons if they have already paid for them) 
• Parents have the option of buying music books through me or on their own (click here for a post about the books we use) 
• I stress and encourage proper piano posture, fingering, timing, and theory.
• In my opinion, no age is too young! ☺  However, some children are not ready to play piano until they are older (more about *playing at a young age* later).
• Parents are allowed and encouraged to sit in during lessons (I believe parental involvement is very important) 

I hope most of your questions were answered in this post! 
If not, feel free to comment below or contact me through email: sonatastudiocolusa@gmail.com

About Me...

My name is Cindy Garcia and my desire is to teach children piano through private lessons that will bring the love of music into your home. 

I am just an Elementary Education Major with hopes of starting a piano teaching business. 

When I was six years old, I began playing piano and since the very beginning, piano took a special place in my life. While in college, I was able to take music theory and music performance classes. 

I  am very grateful for parents who realized the importance of music and paid for years of lessons. 

My desire to not only teach children to play music, but to instill in them a love for music.