Materials

Supplies

I expect all students to have the following materials at each lesson.  Without these materials, the students will not experience the same progress.

Music Purchasing

In general, I purchase music as needed for my students.  The cost is then passed on to the student in the next statement.  I personally use, and recommend, Tarpley's Music in Amarillo for any music or materials that need to be purchased or that a student wishes to purchase on their own.  

I also understand that we are more and more in a digital world.  If a student wishes to purchase a digital version of sheet music, I recommend using J.W. Pepper, Music Notes, or Sheet Music Plus.  J.W. Pepper and Music Notes offer digital apps where music can be stored.  Both of these apps offer free features such as markup tools, highlighting, and metronomes to assist the performer in the practice of the music. 

Curriculum

I use the Alfred Lesson and Theory books as part of my curriculum.  I find they do a quality job covering the material and are suitable for students of all ages, from beginners to advanced study.  I do require my students to purchase both the lesson and the theory books, believing that to be a competent musician requires both the physical ability to play as well as the academic understanding of how and why music is written.  The Alfred company offers both a lesson pedagogy book as well as a corresponding theory book.

However, there is an exception to every rule.  In households that have multiple students taking private piano, I will often use Faber & Faber or Bastien with one student and the Alfred with another.  I find this allows both students to progress and enjoy the music without worrying about who played which song better. 

Finally, as noted above, I use a wide variety of supplementary materials with my students, including patriotic, holiday music, pops, and classical.  Digging too deep into any one source can prevent a well rounded education.  To this extent I rely heavily on Tarpley's music to provide additional materials that meet both the technical and skill requirements I set forth, while engaging the students through music that peaks their interests.  In addition, I am happy to work with students who are interested in learning praise and worship music or need help with any repertoire they currently use in their church.