by Mage, NCTM

At Mage Music, the instruments that we teach are guitar, piano, electric bass, and voice. We teach students who range in life stages from very young beginners all the way to adults and every age group in between. In this article we will give recommendations on starting instruments and focus on the corresponding method books for children at different ages.

Mage Music believes that children ages 9 and under would greatly benefit from the Music for Young Children program, also known as MYC, before starting with the method books listed in this article. The MYC program includes its own sets of method books that are tailored for the different age groups. From MYC: “MYC is the only early-childhood music education method that integrates and utilizes Conservatory repertoire within our own method, working towards each MYC graduate completing their first piano exam and theory exam.”

What is a method book?

In music, a method book is a textbook that covers either a certain instrument or a certain style or genre of music. Method books are best used when studying with a qualified teacher as it can be challenging to self-teach without the valuable interactive feedback that a certified teacher or coach can provide you.

In this article:

• ❓ How old does my child need to be in order to start lessons?
• 🎶 What instrument(s) should my child learn?
• 🎹 Best Method Book for Children Learning Piano
• 🎤 Best Method Book for Children Learning Voice (Singing)
• 🎸 Best Method Book for Children Learning Guitar Plus a Book for All Ages at the End
• ♭ Best Method Book for Children Learning Bass Guitar (or Electric Bass Plus One for Older Children at the End

❓ How old does my child need to be in order to start lessons?

Children as young as 2-3 years of age can get started right away through the Music for Young Children program. They are at what we refer to as the “pre-keyboard music and movement” stage.

🎶 What instrument(s) should my child learn?

For young children especially, it is important that they develop a solid foundation in music so that they can appreciate what they have learned through joy for their lifetimes. According to the Music Teachers National Association, “Piano and violin are the most common ‘starter’ instruments because the physical limitations of a child’s body will not allow them to play other instruments until they are older.”

At the college level, all music majors are required to be proficient on the piano; Tom Hynes, assistant assistant professor of music at Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA), backs this up with his article “Prepare to be a College Music Major.” At Antelope Valley College, where I also teach in both the music and commercial music departments, all students who wish to earn an Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer must complete three keyboard skills/piano classes.

In the Music for Young Children program, students learn how to sing and relate music to keyboard (piano) theory. The program makes learning these new concepts fun and exciting through various songs, critters, and activities.

🎹 Best Method Book for Children Learning Piano

If you prefer to use a traditional method book for children, Mage Music recommends the following two method books:

⭐️ Piano Lessons for Kids – Book 1: How to Play Piano for Kids (Progressive Young Beginner)

by LearntoPlayMusic

This book is suitable for children ages 4 through 8 years, and it does not require any prior musical knowledge. The Kindle version includes online access to video and audio tutorials that can truly enhance the learning experience. It covers musical language, theory, reading notation, and technique.

⭐️Piano for Kids: A Beginner’s Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions (Hal Leonard Piano Method)

This book is available in both Kindle and paperback formats, and both versions include the audio recordings. Like the Progressive Young Beginner series, Hal Leonard’s Piano for Kids also covers musical language, theory, reading notation, and technique.

🎤 Best Method Book for Children Learning Voice (Singing)

Singing Lessons for Kids: Songs for Kids to Sing

(Free Audio Available) (Progressive Young Beginner)  Available in both Kindle & Paperback

This book works well with young beginners who are learning to sing for the first time. The pace is gradual and will help your child learn how to sing songs, how to use ears to listen to pitch, and how to read music.

🎸 Best Method Book for Children Learning Guitar

Plus a Book for All Ages at the End

I would highly recommend Guitar Lessons for Kids – Book 1: How to Play Guitar for Kids by Progressive Young Beginner for children ages 4-8. It is available in both a digital Kindle eBook and a paperback. The eBook can be used on any device with the Kindle app. It starts young beginners with learning how to read the staff right away by introducing relatively easy to play notes. Students eventually get to learn rhythm, scales, chords, and techniques for playing the guitar.

Other Alternatives for Kids

Another very effective book is Guitar for Kids: Hal Leonard Method. It too is available in both a digital Kindle eBook and a paperback. It’s perfect for young beginners because of how it starts chords with only 3 strings and one finger at a time. Smaller hands that are still growing will ease into the stretching and development of finger coordination. The styles covered in this book are mainly popular and rock music, though there is “Ode to Joy” in there. Students will learn how to read standard notation–there is NO tablature (TAB) in this book. For those who wish to learn extra songs the Method & Songbook version of this book is also available.

With Frederick Noad’s First Book for the Guitar – Part 1: Guitar Technique, children can learn how to play properly and find it fun and engaging with Frederick Noad’s straightforward yet detailed approach to teaching the guitar. This has to be one of the best guitar method books for children, and a complete version is also available. The only downside is that this book is available in paperback format only, and there is no eBook.

Best Guitar Method Book for All Ages Including Kids

Solo Guitar Playing, Book 1, 4th Edition Bk/Online Audio by Frederick Noad is the most thorough method book on solo guitar. It has a logical approach that covers both the musical language and guitar technique. I would definitely recommend studying with a qualified teacher to ensure that you have the covered techniques down–that way you won’t develop bad habits. No sense in practicing mistakes! 😆

Best Bass Guitar Method Book for Kids

Plus One for Older Children at the End

Hal Leonard Bass for Kids: A Beginner’s Guide with Step-by-Step Instruction for Bass Guitar is suited for beginning bass students who are 12 years of age or younger. It contains access to practice audio tracks that can be slowed down. It also covers reading standard musical notation which helps for developing musical literacy. It is available on both a digital Kindle eBook and a paperback.

Best Bass Guitar Method Book for Older Kids, Teens, & Adults

Hal Leonard Bass Method – Complete Edition Books 1, 2 and 3 Bound Together in One Easy-to-Use Volume is suitable for beginning older kids, teens, and adults. Technique, theory, and playing a variety of modern styles is covered in this book which is available in both the Kindle and  spiral-bound versions. Plus you get three books in one and access to the digital audio practice tracks.

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