Piano Safari Full Review | Should you use it? Pros and Cons

[@marybethakers6975]

I’ve been teaching for 57 years. I’ve used nearly every method. I discovered Piano Safari ten years ago, and have never looked back. I regret that I didn’t have a method like this 57 years ago. I regret that I wasn’t taught by a method like this.

[@danamccabe2609]

I think the point of this amazing method book is that it is fantastic for students who have a great teacher. I have been using PS in my studio for years and have very successful students (children and adults) who love learning and play amazingly well. The combination of learning styles -- rote, reading, and ear -- is fabulous. The students sound successful at the very first lesson. Learning to read by interval on the staff is the main component of this method and in my opinion, makes for very strong readers. This is definitely NOT for a learner without a teacher, but when a teacher truly understands Piano Safari, it is amazing. The animal technique descriptions, the non-positional playing, and the well-written and fun teacher duets are some of my other favorite things. I would suggest that teachers who want to explore this method find a video by Katherine Fisher & Julie Knerr or by another teacher who understands the method. When I first heard of PS, I didn't understand it at all, but once I saw how it worked and understood their reasoning behind writing it, I was hooked. Best method book ever in my opinion.

[@closerwalkmusic]

I appreciate your in depth review. Thank you!

[@MarkWeathers-vr6mr]

My favorite method book!

[@secretmission7607]

I own just about every piano method on the market and am very familiar with a great many of them. Piano Safari is my joint favourite. The underlying pedagogy of the book has to be fully understood by the teacher. When that's in place, the results are often superior to other methods.

[@BillyRubinIII]

Nice review! I'm currently using Music Tree as I like the intervallic approach, and I use Little Gems for rote pieces. Can you recommend a fun way of teaching technique to go with that? The expense of PS puts me off.

[@JoanneMccall-n1k]

I think for young kids piano safari is great but i teach from 8 upwards so i still use John Thomson, James Bastien and John Schaum. These three books are so inexpensive so good for parents, my students learn very fast however i don't leave them long on middle c like these books do, i move them myself. I bought a few of Piano Safari and use a few piece from the book but i still prefer to use my tried and tested method books, old fashioned maybe but my students are amazing and flying through all these method books.

[@johnfox8912]

I highly recommend Der praktische Czerny from Schott. And Essential Piano Technique from Penelope Roskell. I find op.599 from Ricordi as the best edition of these studies. But you were right - these studies are great for a right hand. Left hand is almost the same in each and every studies. But still the best technique books are from Czerny, Burgmuller or Heller.

[@franciscocalvo1980]

Agreed. The level 2 for older beginners include some nice pieces, but if you're only interested on that particular pieces, is quitet expensive as a repertoire book.

[@sherriejohnson7776]

I have taught piano for 40 years using 3-4 other mainstream methods. I found piano safari about 4 years ago and have been thrilled with the results and wished I had been able to start all my students with it. Students are much stronger readers and able to count better too. Progress is faster in levels 2 and 3 due to the strong foundation that was laid in level 1. I did not find the rote pieces hard to teach and they added much enjoyment to the lessons. There is essential material in the online teacher’s editions that explains the how and why behind the pedagogy of this method that will not be understood if just looking at the books. There is a learning curve for the teacher but it is definitely worth it. I highly recommend Piano Safari.

[@PaulHirtle-v6v]

Excellent analysis

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Sounds like I'll give it a pass. I took your recommendation and really loved the John Thompson Method. I've finished Volume 1 (in french) and have started on Piano Tips Level 2. I also have La Méthode Rose (bilingual french-british). I discussed LMR with my piano teacher today. It is not a book for young kids, but it was used extensively 50 years ago. Maybe they were more motivated? It's challenging, but there are some good parts of the book.

[@dearally4787]

Have you ever reviewed the Piano Trainer Series or Kieth Snell’s series?

[@sandrafrancis3631]

Thanks for this indepth review. I would not bother with these books as an adult learner.

[@BillyRubinIII]

There is a separate series for older beginners apparently

[@DivineCodes101]

Nice hoodie btw

[@anandgodane8022]

Thank you so much sir ❤️❤❤❤