Drawing on the Kodály approach, there is a strong emphasis on singing. Students are initially encouraged to sing short melodies before going on to play them. Divided roughly into four sections, the book covers: Karen Marshall must be one of the few people who has inspired as many teachers as she has students. It is always a pleasure to review her publications because they have clearly been tried and tested in practice. My First Piano Book is no exception. This book contains over 30 carols for the beginner pianist, featuring a range of techniques and quizzes to support musical development from the very first lessons to Grade 2. Some pieces have straightforward teacher duet parts to encourage ensemble playing from the start, and there are lots of music theory puzzles and activities to consolidate learning and offer an extra layer of fun and exploration. The book is illustrated throughout in the charming Get Set! style, and students are encouraged to decorate and colour in the drawings to reflect their progress. Suitable for children aged 5+.

Karen will soon be writing a regular blog series called “Karen Marshall’s Music Room”. Look out for first first blog post very soon! AVAILABLE ON My First Piano Book introduces young children to the piano and music-making through fun activities, rhymes, songs and pieces. Although music is written on the stave and is divided by barlines, no time signatures are included; Suitable for children aged 5 years and over, this book facilitates a seamless transition from pre-stave reading onto stave reading, leading effortlessly into the highly acclaimed Get Set! Piano Tutor Book 1. These are the best books ever! I love all the characters as they help me to remember all the things I’m learning about music.” Isabelle, age 7 Get Set! ChristmasKaren Marshall said: “Myself and Heather hope students and teachers enjoy these new resources. It’s our way of saying thank you for your continued support and interest in the series (more will be added in the future!). We wish everyone a wonderful start to the term (whether online or face-to-face teaching). Stay safe, everyone, and happy music-making.” Systematic and Progressive – going from the known to the related unknown, making sure that progress is steady and solid.

Any teachers looking for a book that precedes the level of Get Set! Piano Tutor Book 1 may be interested in My First Piano Book written by Karen Marshall (launched in May 2020). This book can be used from 5 years of age and seamlessly moves onto Get Set! Piano Tutor Book 1 if a student is a younger beginner or needs more foundational work of pre-notation reading and general music-making. The book is complemented and supplemented by My First Piano Pieces, Puzzles and Activities. After the success of the first four books Karen embarked on writing two books for younger beginners aged 5 to 7 years that could come before Get Set! Tutor 1. These books took five years to complete having tried and tested the material over and over in small group lessons and one to one lessons in two primary school as well as in Karen’s private practice. This was done to ensure the two primer books seamlessly move to Get Set! Piano tutor 1 and Pieces book 1 or any other tutor with the child having a foundation in musicianship and the workings of the piano (eg. Where the notes are on the keyboard). Many teachers (including Karen and Heather) have already had much success using these books before Get Set! Tutor 1 (launched in May 2020). Parents too have enjoyed using the books at home with their children. Here’s some quotes from a Mother and Daughter who have previous used the titles. Legato and staccato are not included, but there is always the option for individual students to add these where they are capable; Get Set! Piano Pieces Book 1 is an exciting new collection of pieces by Heather Hammond and Karen Marshall, arranged and written specially for the twenty-first century child.The books are designed to introduce young children (from the age of around five) to the piano and music-making through ‘fun activities, rhymes, songs and pieces.’ The author writes: To accompany the first book, My First Piano Pieces, Puzzles & Activities both follows and supplements this. It provides a range of additional pieces, puzzles and activities for students from around the age of five. Overall, it is designed to reinforce the material in My First Piano Book. Get Set! Piano is an exciting new course by Heather Hammond and Karen Marshall, written specially for the twenty-first century child. Rhythmic values include crotchets, minims and semibreves, with quavers introduced later in the book; There are plenty of opportunities for improvisation and teacher accompaniments are provided for most of the songs and pieces. My First Piano Pieces, Puzzles & Activities