If you would like to provide feedback about the PianoPronto book series, please email: jennifer@pianopronto.com

A recent review by piano instructor Jennifer Foxx on her blog:

I’m really excited to tell you about a piano method that you might not be aware of.  It is called Piano Pronto.  About a little over a year ago, I had bought a few Piano Pronto books but hadn’t had the chance to really look and play through them until I got a couple of transfer students this year that I really was stumped in what method I wanted to put them in.  So I brought out the Piano Pronto books that I had bought and began to play and explore what was inside.  The more I explored, the more excited I got about the books so I wanted to share what I found.

First a little background…

Piano Pronto is the brainchild of Jennifer Eklund who you can read more about here. The series start out with the primer book, Prelude that starts students reading on the staff right away.  After Prelude, the books advance through the Movement levels 1-7.  You can read more details about each level here.

There were 3 big things that made me really excited about this series.

First would be the music itself.  Jennifer is a talented arranger and uses many songs that students will recognize and be motivated to play.  Traditional folk songs and classical pieces are found numerous throughout each level in addition to her own compositions.

Second, the theory is not only built into the books but applies directly to the new piece that they are learning.  For example in the Prelude book for Ode to Joy there is a “Before You Begin” on the page prior where students will do or answer the following to their music:

-Find the eighth notes and circle them

-Write the correct letter names under the notes in measures 8 and 16.

-Does the repeat sign at the end of the piece take you back to the beginning?

-What is the tempo (speed) of this piece?

Third, would be the Pronto Prep section that students will work on before they learn the full piece.  Jennifer has taken the more difficult sections of the piece and has broken them into one line “exercises” if you will, before they even learn or look at the full piece.  I really like this because even though I may tell the student to practice difficult sections first at home, chances are high they just tackle the entire piece.  Piano Prep literally preps the student so they are more successful when it’s time to learn the new piece.  Love this!

Keep in mind Piano Pronto does move a little quickly, thus the Pronto…  So depending on the student you may need to supplement with other pieces if there is a concept a student is struggling with or needs more reinforcement.

Now for some of the supplemental materials that are available.  The Greatest Hit books are a compilation of favorites from books 1-4 and 5-7 that would make a great supplement for students that weren’t in the Piano Pronto series.

Jennifer has also created another supplement book with more to come.  The first one is on Beethoven.  It is designed for late beginning to intermediate level students. It features twelve individual lessons that teach students about the life and historical context behind some of Beethoven’s most well-known pieces.  The Mozart book is due to come out next week.

I would encourage you to take a look at the series.  If you go to the Piano Pronto website you will notice that you can peak inside many of the pages to get a feel for the books and levels.

Hi Jennifer,

Just to let know that my son is so excited to play CLEMENTINE and YANKEE DOODLE from Movement 1 (Level 1). This is the very first time he grabed the music and played it all by his own since he started music lessons. I was so thrilled that how the songs are easy and so familiar for the younger kids. Thank you again for all your good works and efforts! They are incredible!

Best,
Kristie (Mom & Piano Teacher)

Jennifer,

I had bought a few Piano Pronto books about a year or so ago but didn't have much time to really look through them yet. I have a transfer student that is starting this year and I was having a hard time figuring out what books to put her in. I have been looking and playing through the books I have (Prelude through Movement 2) and I'm so excited! This fits the bill perfectly!

I LOVE the "Before You Begin sections" applying the theory directly to their music as well as the "Pronto Prep" to prepare students for the more difficult sections in the piece before tackling the piece.

I think this is going to become my new favorite and from what I can see will be a perfect segue for my Pianimals students when they finish with that series.

I'm looking forward to trying the series out this year!

~Jennifer Foxx (Piano Teacher in AZ)

Dear Jennifer,

My niece contacted me recently and wanted to get a recommendation for piano method books for her family (I am a retired instrumental music teacher). Her husband wants to work as a family to learn to play piano in a 'self-taught' mode. I told her that nothing replaces a "good" teacher but if they couldn't find on of those, I would see what I could find to help them out.

I ran across your Piano Pronto site and checked out your books. I was looking for an approach that would teach kids to play a song from day one, included familiar songs, and also taught music notation. Your books fit the bill perfectly! I think you have something really good here and I hope you have success promoting and selling your method.

Sincerely, Tim

Jennifer,

I used the Beethoven book samples this week with a student who was coming an hour a day for summer camp. The main focus of the camp was hymn playing.  On day 2, she played "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" set to Beethoven's Ode to Joy. This led beautifully into a short study of Beethoven and his music.  On day 3, I used your "Moonlight Sonata" lesson from the new book.  She enjoyed the background information and the "In Focus" page was helpful to analyze the piece.

I like the way the book can be used with beginners and more advanced students.  I've attached a letter from Tayler, the 11-year old student who previewed the book. Thank you for allowing us to "test-drive" your new book.

Lee Cain
The Music Box Piano Studio
Valdosta, GA
www.musicboxpianostudio.com

Dear Ms. Jennifer,

This week, I tested one of the lessons from your new Beethoven book. I played Moonlight Sonata. I enjoyed the arrangement because it keeps the beauty and integrity of the original piece while making it simple for me to play. The background information helped me understand the feeling in the music and it also gave me a useful bit of knowledge. It might be interesting to add a timeline of corresponding events that happened in the world during the times in Beethoven's life that are mentioned in the general information.

I also wanted to let you know that your composition, Journey's End (part of the Piano Pronto lesson book series), is one of my favorites!

Sincerely,

Tayler

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