Practice is necessary for development as a musician regardless of whether or not you are serious, or you are just learning for fun. Sometimes practice can be stress inducing because we want to have fun, we can't focus, we're easily frustrated, or for other unmentioned reasons. Here are some great tips for how you can control your practice sessions without feeling overwhelmed or upset.

1. Follow your notes. Your teacher should be an excellent note taker. Bring a practice book to lessons with you, and ask your teacher to write down your assignments, and leave you helpful tips, strategies, and information. Your notebook should be a study guide for success. Write questions in it, put in practice information, draw some notes in there, etc.
2. Don't pick and choose. As tempting as it may be to only do the things you like, or to quit when you get discouraged, be authoritative. Tell yourself "No, I'm going to do this until it's done." Treat the unpleasant parts of practice like your least favorite foods or chores: Do them first, and they'll be over with! Everyone has to start with the basics, just like you did when you went to school for the first time. Everyone had to learn their ABCs. Music is the same. You can't truly learn anything until you've given it your best. Plus, you might find something out in the process! Many people discover they're good at jazz or ear training this way.
3. Use the "Chunking" method. We all run into tricky spots. Save your time and energy by practicing only the measure(s) that you struggle with, then adding a little around it at a time until you can play the whole piece. My personal philosophy is play your chunk until you can do it 3 times in a row with no mistakes, then you can play the whole song again.
4. Practice backwards. Every student I say this to has this insane look of incredulity on their face that says "That' not even possible!" But, I tell you it is! Start with the last measure of your song. Then play the last 2. Then the last 3. So on and so forth. It'll give you not only a new perspective on the piece, but give you insight into the sounds that you're creating. Out of context, they will sound unique, or different. This can greatly assist your ear training skills in addition.
5. Practice in a variety of environments. No, don't go out on the street corner and play (unless that's your jam), but try playing when you're in a quiet room, alone. Then try when the room is full of energy, people, or noise. Practice with people staring at you. Practice with people in the same room doing a different activity. Practice with a pet bugging you, practice with the doors/windows open. Try everything you can think of to make your experience a unique one, or a challenging one. Routines can become ineffective when we become too exposed. Stimulate your senses in other ways by challenging yourself in how you practice. Spend at least 1 practice session a week in a different environment to hone your focus, and your proficiency.
6. Move past mistakes. Everyone makes them. Get over it. We can't learn if we never miss an opportunity for a total flub. Ignore all mistakes and come back to them with the chunking method (see above).  Ignoring mistakes is good performance preparation. because you can't stop and restart during a performance. Make the most of the situation by learning from it.
7. Take frequent breaks from pieces. If this is the 99th time you've practiced that darn Mozart piece, let it wait. Take a day or two off of it completely and work on something different. Coming back to it later can give you a refreshed perspective on what you hear, see, and feel. You may also feel renewed energy with your practice.
8. Reward yourself. My motivation was always to keep a copy of a piece of music I wanted to learn handy, and tried a few bars or notes at the end of practice, or in between pieces. Maybe your motivation is to place a cookie on the piano, and as soon as you've practiced 15 minutes, you can eat it. Find what works best for you. I you're a techno-junkie, try 30 minutes screen time, 30 minutes practice time. Remember, it's all work and no play that will require some serious happy pills!
9. Surround yourself with support. You don't have to be a musical genius to play music. Remember, your family and friends should be kind and helpful when it comes to listening to you, giving you feedback, or offering guidance. If someone is negative, it can affect your whole output because your mind isn't in the right place. Be cautious of this. Simply not liking a song, and saying "That's terrible" are two different things. One is a personal opinion that doesn't affect you or your playing, while the other is potentially damaging. Parents should always say something encouraging during a practice session like "That was really good energy, could you play it again just like that?" or "Your attention to detail was great, and I think the more you practice the better it will get!"

These are just a few of my great tips to help you get the most out of your time at your instrument. Remember that hard work really does pay off and if you keep at it, you could really do something amazing with music! 

What are some fun things YOU do during your practices? I'd love to hear!

It might seem very clear that you need a set of books, and a willingness to learn. While these are great tools anyone must have, these are just the tip of the iceberg so to speak. So what do you really need?

1. A teacher you are comfortable with. If the person you've hired seems distant, disengaged, unenthusiastic, overly strict, or really awkward, chances are you may have picked the wrong person for the job. Don't be afraid to establish a cordial relationship where you ask each other how your day was, and to engage in small talk about anything exciting that has happened, or is going to happen. Whomever you hire, make sure that after a good solid 2 months of lessons, you feel confident in that teacher's skill, and charm. If you can't name 3 positives that will keep you happy and connected, find a new teacher.

2. Discipline. It takes a lot of focus and concentration to do everything you need to do. You must be able to sit correctly, hold your arms/hands in the right way, read the music without watching your hands, and so on. Self-control is the core of learning your instrument. If you are indulgent and lazy, you will not make the best student, and teachers will spend countless time correcting you - which in turn could make you less likely to enjoy lessons and more likely to quit at some point. Think hard about what you want to achieve, and make that goal a reality with perseverance. Don't give up.

3. A voice. When you don't understand something, speak up! If you love a song, tell your teacher. If you really enjoyed an activity or exercise, express that enthusiasm. If something is difficult, explain why. You are the one who is benefitting from the music, not the teacher. Be vocal about your needs, and your feelings and your teacher will know what you need.

4. Encouragement. Whether it's mom, dad, sister, cousin, aunt, grandma, or friend, have a support system in place. They should be willing and able to give you constructive feedback, and help set boundaries. If you have no one who is supporting you, it will be more difficult to be the star in your show.

5. A reward system. Clearly, learning something new can be difficult. Especially music, which is like learning another language. Be upfront with yourself on the time you have available to devote to music, and stick to a plan. If you have a favorite TV show to watch as an example, practice for 30 minutes, and then watch your television show. Make getting your music done less of a hassle through gifting yourself an indulgence. Finish practicing 1 song that felt like it took 3 hours? Eat a dessert of your choice. Feel stressed out and without enough time in your day? Practice after getting up in the morning, and then take a relaxing shower/bath.  Make music work for your lifestyle and hobbies with a reward system.

6. An attitude of humility. No one is perfect. You are going to make mistakes, and that is part of learning. Don't let your mistakes tether you. Let them happen, and then work through them. Everyone is capable of a break through. Think of it as if you were a 5 year old learning their alphabet in kindergarten: everyone has to do it, and some take longer than others. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Be gracious when you do something correct as the feedback will always be more useful. Don't let a bad attitude spoil your education. You could miss out on a great experience or learning opportunity you might not otherwise have had.

7. Be honest. Never try to hide the fact that you didn't practice, or didn't complete an assignment. Learning music should always be at YOUR pace. If you have a super busy week, there are still things you can accomplish during the lesson even if you weren't able to practice. If you never practice, then you have to be honest with yourself. Maybe you need a better incentive to practice, or maybe you need to make the time for music in your day, and learn to cut other things out. Or maybe, music just isn't for you. And that's okay (and rare).
​
Knowing these things can make you or break you in your success as a student of piano. Getting the job done well should be part of everyone's goal when learning music. If you want to enjoy music, you must come willing to commit to these. Anyone can love music, but it takes an exceptional person to learn it. Let that be you!

DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor, or person who holds a degree or position in the medical, scientific or research field. My education has come from my own experiences, so please speak with a medical professional before treating or handling any injury, and follow their advice. Make sure to tell them you (or your student) are a musician, and that this is important to your body's health and maintenance. This may help them determine how to go about your treatment without detriment. None of these statements are endorsed by a medical professional, or by the FDA.
 
Hand care is of the utmost important to all musicians. Injuries stemming from systematic abuse or from extraneous accidents can endanger the livelihood of a player at any age. Respecting your body and its comforts or limits is something we don't appreciate at a young age. That is why a football injury from high school can mean loss of enjoyment in life20 years later because you might be unable drive your daughter safely or comfortably to her soccer game, or swing her around in your arms, and so on.

Some of the most common injuries are the hardest to treat because healing can be a long process. Blisters, calluses, cuts, broken bones, pulled muscles, bruises, tendonitis, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome are among the most rampant issues we deal with as a musician. And, let's face it. Our hands are often the key to our instrument. So how should we care for them?

1. Short Nails = Better Control. The biggest benefit from short nails is control. It's like wearing sneakers to drive your car - you can feel and asses the road better than in flip flops or high heels. Short nails also = a less risky way to use our body, and mush less opportunity to contract tendonitis in the fingers (trigger finger).
   1. Trim your nails weekly.
   2. File rough edges and smoothly round the edges.
   3. Keep your nail about 1/4cm or about 1/16th of an inch below the puffy skin at your finger tip.
2. Trim cuticles and hangnails  IMMEDIATELY! This will keep your skin from tearing and creating sore spots on your fingers. Plus, you don't want to expose more germs to the piano with blood, plasma or infection pus. If you can feel it or see it, snip it gently away as close to the skin as possible.
   1. If you're like me and have a hard time trimming them down dry, soak your fingers, or make a habit out of doing this after you bathe.
3. Properly bandage any cut or blister, and use an antiseptic to clean it, and take a break from playing practice. Instead, choose writing or visual exercises that don't agitate your hand. I don't recommend playing with a band-aid on as your touch sense will be very off.
4. Use wash hands/sanitize and lotion religiously. Keep yourself protected. Even a small hang-nail can attract germs. Also, the lotion will help soften your hands to make them flexible and responsive. It also helps smooth rough, dry or itchy skin and works gently on calluses.
5. Use a round shape of the hand when playing, and try to keep your wrists straight at all times. This will fight against the potential for abusing the yielding joints young musicians or beginners may have. Follow your instructor's advice on the best techniques for your body, and your personal playing style/issues.
6. Only use finger power when necessary. Don't overuse your energy by always using finger power. Let your arm weight and wrist movements help guide your music in a flowing way to stay resilient. Chords should usually be played with arm weight. Quick passages should usually be played with finger power. Treat each section or measure in music as its own thing, and treat it accordingly with the right type of weight and body use.
7. Exercise Regularly. Like, every day. Do technique or technical skills, work your Hanon or your scales at a steady pace that gently stretches and warms up each finger and joint set. Keeping your fingers warmed up will make you more productive. Without those gentle stretches, you might find that attracting arthritis is easy. There are a lot of ways to exercise your fingers.
   1. Playing a scale
   2. Playing a technique study
   3. Playing an etude
   4. Gentle hand pumping
   5. Band stretches (weighted rubber bands that you can stretch with just your fingers
   6. Clip pinches (using a clip or something that pushes your muscles using weight)
   7. Reflexology, Yoga, Physical Therapy
   8. Washing hands in warm water, and drying them off (seriously, warms them up in two ways!)
8. Think before you act. This seems obvious, but don't reach for that heavy jar filled with prunes with one hand. Don't do volleyball directly before you play. Don't strain or push yourself without thinking of the potential hazards, or future consequences. You might be young and strong, but when you're 40 your body won't be if you don't put effort into how your joints, muscles, tendons, and bones are used in your hands.
9. Relax! This is something everyone gets frustrated with - an unresponsive or uncooperative hand/finger. If you just relax and stay persistent, you will achieve better results and more quickly too. Don't place tension in your hand if unnecessary. And don't go around giving everyone an "arm burn" either. Just be positive and let the stressed out finger sit comfortably, as if you're relaxing with your hand on the couch arm.

At the end of the day, you want your hands to feel good. You don't want to wake up a week from now with an aching pinky because you put all kinds of torque and pressure on your joint when playing. It would take weeks to months to years to heal properly if not caught and cared for. Be aware of how your hands are cared for. Stuff lotion in every possible place. Keep nail trimmers everywhere. Gently exercise and stretch before playing. Treat your body and hands with the respect they deserve.
​
I'll end with my favorite analogy for my younger students: Does Usain Bolt get up out of bed and run a marathon every morning? Nope. No marathon runner would do this without warming up and stretching. No one in their right mind jumps out of bed straight into a race without throwing on clothes, using the bathroom, washing up, stretching, etc. So, don't just sit down and play or practice. Put some thought into how you want to succeed, and you can accomplish anything.

If you, like many people, are limited on space, having a creative mind is key when it comes to enough space to practice, and also to store things. Musicians need places to hold books, scores, tools of the trade (metronomes, Kleenex, cleaning supplies, etc.) and their instruments, without impeding their lifestyle. And, unless you have a room you can dedicate to practice, you likely have to solve a problem with storage and cramping your home up, making it feel smaller than it is.

I was reading blogs and searching Pinterest today for some great ideas on space saving. My personal favorite that I've been using for years is using magazine holders to store books, scores, etc. They often fit perfectly into your bookshelf, and neatly organize all your music. You can leave them open to pull things out of, or turn them for a more aesthetic look.

If you don't have room in your piano bench, you need more dual purpose furniture. I read a great blog today by Kristen Uppercue that shows a fabulous way to hide shoes ... in your ottoman. An ottoman is perfect home accent if you share music space with living space. Stuff your books, reeds, metronome, flashcards, and other like materials into a storage ottoman that can be used during the normal times as a foot stool or sitting space. If you have an actual music room, it's handy to have these around for seating instead of a regular chair.

Shelving is obvious; you must have furniture to put things onto. Pick up a cheap bookshelf at IKEA or Target for less than the cost of dinner out for two, and neatly arrange your repertoire and materials close by your instrument. You could even store your instrument on top if you get a mid-sized shelf.
Another option Uppercue points out is that floating shelves can do wondrous things if put in the right locations. If you have a little nook by the door that isn't being used, buy or build a few floating shelves to use the space. If you have a really narrow space, floating shelves with a lip edge can hold up books like an art gallery, leave space to charge your device or even hold it up to record, and also to store pens/pencils/cleaning rods and things. If you are a keyboardist with a small electric or digital piano, these are fabulous to place above the instrument, within easy reach.

Throwing a rug down doesn't seem necessary to most people, but a tiny space means sound travels. If you have a saxophone student living in the 10x10 bedroom right next to yours, chances are there could be a great chance a rug on the floor (or even the wall) can help catch a little more of the sound reverb from bouncing off the walls. Uppercue thoughtfully points out that a lighter color will not only brighten up your space, but make it appear larger.

A performer needs a mirror. This sounds silly, right? But think about it. If you're a violin player, you might catch out the corner of your eye that having your hair long and loose isn't the best for your playing style. Having a mirror (or set of mirrors) handy within eye line can improve performance style. You can see if you're bobbing your head too much with the rhythm, or if your instrument is awkwardly grasped, etc. And added bonus, mirrors reflecting light create the illusion of airiness and space.
 
Placing a lamp close to the music stand, or having excellent lighting is important. You must clearly be able to read your music without eye strain. If you're a piano player without a desk lamp/piano lamp, you should check out sites like Amazon, PianoLamp.com, Target or Wayfair for relatively inexpensive to moderate solutions that won't break the bank and are stylish additions to your home. I personally recommend a metallic color that matches the color scheme of your home, not the hardware of the instrument. If you match the instrument, you run into monochrome issues, and the instrument itself should truly stand out - not the lamp. If you can't afford a good desk/piano lamp, getting a small book light and clipping it to your music stand as a very cheap way of making this work.

Use thoughtful arranging to make everything easy to reach. Small baskets with cleaning supplies or office supplies are important to have close at hand. If you have oddly shaped and stored objects like a metronome, this is a great way of getting things out of the way. If you can't grab a pencil while you're playing your instrument, you're not practicing efficiently.

If you have windows in your practice space, place the instrument to the side of the window, never directly in front. You don't want to be distracted or blinded, but you want good lighting and inspiration. Curtains and/or blinds are also a great idea if the outdoors are too distracting or bright, and great to close and keep light in the practice space at nighttime. If you're using curtains, Uppercue recommends matching the wall color to give the appearance of space. This works especially nicely with a linen or sheer fabric, which can let a little light in as well without feeling boxed in your practice area.

Finally, place your practice area close to a corner. Small space equals encroachment of the worst kind if you're a serious musician, or a child with developing organization skills. Let that area primarily serve as a practice space for this reason. Fill the space as vertically as possible, with as much storage as possible. A folding stand/chair and again dual purpose furniture will really help out here. Don't be afraid however, to spruce up this area with a plant, or decorative object like a bookend or inspirational quote. It'll help the flow in your home as well as look organized.

You can see Uppercue's full article with helpful picture tips here: www.hercampus.com/school/wvu/decorating-tiny-apartment

An essential oil is most easily described as the lifeblood of a plant or tree. Aromatherapy has proven that smells affect emotions and mood. As a musician, we have a unique perspective on emotions as mood. How we practice or perform can affect what our beliefs are, how we feel, and what we want or do not want.

There are 3 ways to use an essential oil

1. Through a Diffuser  (Electronic or jewelry) or Inhalation
2. Topical Application
3. Internal (food, drink or supplement)

My suggestions are mostly for diffusing or inhaling an essential oil to affect our temperament and mindset. However, there are tons of great topical uses for essential oils and the musician. I'm going to hit the key needs any musician needs in their practice, or performance, and which oils might be the best solution for enhancing our environment.

Focus and/or Clarity - Raise your hand if you have ever (or always) have a hard time staying on the page? Many kids struggle with being sensitive to their surroundings and atmosphere when learning music. Sometimes we just need a little help to tell ourselves to focus, or to see things more clearly.

• Bergamot
• Clary Sage
• Cypress
• Eucalyptus Globulus
• Fennel
• Frankincense
• Lemon
• Rosemary
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
• Vetiver

Performance Anxiety - Whether at the lesson, or in a public forum, anxiety attacks many people when it comes to the pressure and nerves. These oils can ease our thoughts and minds, and give us a sense of calm.

• Cedarwood
• Clary Sage
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Neroli
• Orange
• Palmarosa
• Vetiver
• Ylang Ylang

Creativity - If you want to compose, or need ideas to work on, using oils can boost your state of mind to foster a productive and original setting in which we can work.

• Bergamot
• Jasmine
• Lemon
• Lime
• Orange
• Patchouli
• Rose
• Ylang Ylang
• Basil
• Cardamom

Alertness - Be honest with yourself, are you (or your student) practicing at your most alert state of mind? Likely, the cause of not being alert is tiredness, soreness, or hunger. Should you feel a lack of energy, these oils might be able pick up the senses to get you going.

• Angelica
• Bergamot
• Black Pepper
• Eucalyptus (Blue, Radiata, Globulus)
• Geranium
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Melrose
• Orange
• Peppermint
• Pine
• Rosemary

Relaxation - We all get stressed and burned out. To promote a healthy process of releasing emotions, tension and stress, we can try using some of these oils to get us to that point.

• Bergamot
• Chamomile
• Cinnamon
• Clary Sage
• Clove
• Geranium
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Nutmeg
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Rose
• Vetiver
• Ylang Ylang

Enjoyment - Whether you have a poor relationship with your practice or music, or you just don't feel like it, using an essential oil for a boost of satisfaction or delight can make the difference in your music. Try a few of these to get your happy juices flowing.

• Bergamot
• Chamomile
• Citronella
• Grapefruit
• Jasmine
• Lemon
• Lime
• Neroli
• Orange
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Ylang Ylang

Wellness - Are you sniffling? Is your throat sore? Are your ears ringing or inflamed? We all have times we don't feel our best. These suggestions may give you general support if you feel under the weather.

• Cinnamon
• Copaiba
• Eucalyptus Globulus
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
• Thieves

Moodiness -Face it; sometimes we have a love-hate relationship with ourselves, our teachers, our audiences, and our life. We all want to just have a crap day now and then, but that can affect our progress and growth as a musician. Want to stop feeling so unpleasant and ambivalent? Try these oils to mellow your mood and level yourself.

• Chamomile
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Coriander
• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Lavender
• Patchouli
• Sandalwood
• Tangerine
• Ylang Ylang

Stress - We all get a little stressed out with music at times, and that's valid. It's difficult with the pressures associated. Try letting some of that go with an oil or two that can unwind your body and mind.

• Bergamot
• Cinnamon
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Patchouli
• Rose
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Vetiver
• Ylang Ylang
• Ylang Ylang

You want to make sure you are using a quality product that has no additives and was produced by a responsible and transparent company such as Young Living. Do NOT buy oils if you haven't done proper research on WHAT exactly is in them, WHO is producing them, HOW they are being produced, and whether or not they comply with the FDA regulations.

I have chosen to do all of this, and become a member of the most responsible company on the planet who owns their own farms and has a fully transparent process that is open to the public.You can sign up to become a member and find out more from the experts on the subject, Young Living through this link:www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=10456767&enrollerid=10456767&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member

Where can you get a great jewelry diffuser? You really want something that is stainless steel, and has an opening in the design allowing the oil fragrance to waft out. I prefer a necklace, but there are other types of bracelets and things as well. I use one of these: smile.amazon.com/Rose-Gold-Essential-Diffuser-Necklace/dp/B01IF1OJX4/ref=sr_1_18_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1505000900&sr=8-18&keywords=jewelry%2Bdiffuser&th=1
​
Should you have questions or need advice, I'm a great resource and happy to recommend you to what works best for your musical dilemma. I diffuse during my lessons, which gives my studio the mood it needs every day to be successful. I change up what I use often as well, to make sure the benefits of all types of oils are available to be used by anyone needing its aroma.

Piano teachers have to stay up to date on the latest literature and methods for their students and their studio. Piano Adventures by Faber is one of the leading methods in the United States. With 3 separate focus approaches, they are a leader in methods available for beginning students. Piano Adventures presents several great and contemporary methodology series. Below is a list of those series, the levels incorporated, the age groups they are intended for, and the type of material they incorporate:

My First Piano Adventure
Preparatory A-C
5-6
Pre-Reading - Early Beginner

Piano Adventures
Primer - 5
6-11
Beginner - Intermediate

Accelerated Piano Adventures
1-2
11-17
Elementary - Early Intermediate

Adult Piano Adventures
1-2
18+
Elementary - Intermediate

 
In addition to the method studies, Faber has a vast catalog of supplemental material that will make any student's heart skip a beat. Each level of the standard piano adventures has a corresponding set of books (i.e. PreTime, PlayTime, etc.) with the following:

• Christmas
• Favorites
• Kids' Songs
• Hymns
• Popular
• Classics
• Jazz & Blues
• Rock 'n Roll
• Rag Time & Marches

If you think that isn't enough choices of materials to play and enjoy, there are even FURTHER sets of books. The Studio Collection is another neat addition. It is a set of pieces from the PreTime, PlayTime, etc. book sets that match each level of the method. For Example, the Level 1 Studio Collection has pieces from Kids' Songs, Classics and Favorites combined in one small anthology. Perfect for a variety or a student who just can't decide which they like best.
I Can Read Music, Scale and Chord Books, Once Upon A Rainbow, Piano Literature, and the Discover Improvisation books are additional supplements.

What are the benefits of using the Faber Piano Adventures Methods and supplements? Good question. Faber approaches music with a strong emphasis on the following:

Strong focus on developing music reading in logical sequence, illustrations are simple and do not detract from the material presented, printing size is large and appropriate, balanced musical styles presented from classics and traditionals to originals, students explore the entire keyboard by using a variety of hand positions early on, beginning off the staff allows for strong rhythmic development, reinforcement of each concept, pianistic pieces and/or arrangements, technique focused on using the body correctly and comfortably, logical introduction of patterns, development of both hands is equal and well structured, emphasis on the music itself as art, appealing music and lyrics, duets and improvisation, countless supplementary materials.

These are just the broad highlights of the Faber Piano Adventures method. As a teacher, I enjoy the Piano Adventures for the most part. Music is introduced in a highly approachable way. The likelihood of successful development as an artistic musician with using the Faber method is high, making it a competitive choice among piano teachers today. My only drawback is that this is a slower method, and as such, students will usually complete their books a lot sooner than expected. Personally, I wish there was a stronger emphasis on Theory with this series, and this is seriously lacking. The Theory books seem a waste of space as they often don't add much value to what is being learned. Drawing what you read is an integral part to understanding it - just as we all learned in pre-school or kindergarten with the alphabet. However, I have many requests to play favorite songs at recitals and these books really do justice to the performance aspect of music. I have never had a difficult time with this series, but I have had to move students to other methods due to the slow pace these take.

My preference for most students is the Alfred method. I do like this method though, and tend to use it with the very young beginner, and slower paced students. The books are inexpensive, easy to find at all music dealers and definitely worth an investment in the supplemental methods.

You can find a complete listing here:   pianoadventures.com/