Choosing Your First Music Books

Schools often do group lessons where you progress through the same book together. Your teacher will let you know what style and level of book to get! If you are doing private lessons, it will likely be similar. Your teacher will know what standard you are ready for and what the next challenge to tackle will be!

If you still are not sure where to start, here are some of the common places:

• Tricks to Tunes is a popular staple in young students and schools. They cleverly mix learning new and familiar songs with helpful scales and games. They take a step at a time to familiarise you with the new technique before moving to the next at a good pace.

• The Fiddle Time Series is very popular among young student individual lessons. These books are filled with fun songs and backing tracks to perform with! These teach a new note for each string, whereas other early books teach one string at a time. Both have their benefits! No matter the instrument, Fiddle Time, Viola Time and Cello Time continue to bring joy for its young players.

• Essential Elements takes a methodical approach & ensures you are skilled at each aspect as you move through the book. Like most beginner books, they are designed so they can be played with the other instruments at the same time. So if you play viola & a friend is on the cello, you can practice your songs together from different books!

• Maybe you are an adult learner, or even too mature for colourful pictures on your music pages. Suzuki Method books are a staple across so many instruments, & for a good reason. They have proven time & time again to not only propel skilled musicians, but well equip them for what is ahead.

There are, of course, so many books to choose from. Others include Encore on Strings, All for Strings, & String Basics. The above are just some of the most popular books available. After you have completed a beginner book or two, you should be ready for something more! There are so many options to choose from whether it be AMEB, more Suzuki or even some pop repertoire! Feel free to browse our stock online or in-store to find what you are looking for.

Happy Playing!