2021 EDITION
Watch your students fall in love with the piano, using the Supersonics Piano method – starting with this Level 1 book for beginners.
These fun, inspiring pieces will excite your students from the get-go, encouraging them to develop a regular practice routine and take pride in their progress.
Book 1 of the method takes a playful, open-minded approach to teaching students to read music, developing core techniques, learning to transpose and harmonise.
It features creative activities for students, encouraging them to make up their own melodies, train their musical ear and consolidate learnings with repetitive melodic patterns across fun-to-play pieces – making it easy to understand and integrate new music.
You can access the online theory, rote pieces, improvisation exercises and teaching resources for free in the Supersonics Plus App or you can combine this book with the Level One Theory and Level One Resources books if you and your students prefer to work from printed books.
2021 EDITION
Watch this video to see what’s new in the 2021 edition 🙂
LOOK AND LISTEN
The main emphases in this module are technique and rhythm. Students should aim to play their pieces in time, with a graceful Rocket Launch technique (detached single note technique). The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
Students’ technique is expanded in this Module to include Lift Off (for joining short phrases). The reading in this Module is based around melodic patterns. Students will continue to work on their transposing skills for the rest of the level. The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces the Blast Off technique (for wrist staccato). Check for a supported, elastic wrist. We also introduce dynamics. The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces flats and features several pieces that require a greater degree of coordination between the hands. Use this Module to make sure that the student’s technique is rock solid. The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces the Radar Wrist technique (for longer phrases and lateral wrist and arm movement). The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces quavers (or eighth notes). Any rhythmic naming system can fit with these pieces. The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This module reinforces the Radar Wrist technique (for longer phrases and lateral wrist and arm movement) and expands the note-reading range outwards. The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces dotted rhythms. As this is a difficult rhythm to master there are lots of opportunities to work on it! Any rhythmic system will work with these pieces. The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and backing tracks. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This module features pieces that are great fun to play and make excellent concert pieces. It’s a chance for students to consolidate and really enjoy their playing. We also introduce Harmonic Exploration pieces. These teach you how to construct all the types of chords you need to know about (major, minor, diminished, etc.)The samples feature a mix of the teacher duets and solo recordings. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces the Lava Keys technique (for finger staccato). Check for strong finger joints and a crisp staccato touch. The left hand note reading now expands upwards to incorporate Middle C. The samples feature the solo recordings. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
In this module we introduce sharps and expand the dynamic range. The samples feature the solo recordings. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
This Module introduces the final technique for the Level, Robot Rotate (for rotational movements). The samples feature the solo recordings. Listen to the free backing tracks and view the online support material
ONLINE SAMPLES COMING SOON!
SUPPORT MATERIAL
Level One features integrated theory sheets. You can either complete these online for free or purchase the print book.
The Rote Pieces are designed to be used as an integrated part of the progression through Level One. I recommend using these pieces to introduce the new techniques and rhythms before you begin teaching the notated pieces in each module. This allows a student to focus on acquiring the new skill without having the added pressure of reading. Online scores and recordings are available in the Supersonics Plus App
The Improvisations are designed to introduce a student to basic improvising and also enhance a student’s technical and rhythmic development. You use one piece per Module. Online scores and recordings are available in the Supersonics Plus App
All the resources required to teach and learn Level One are available online for free
FEATURES
- Content: 160 pages with 1-2 years of teaching material for complete beginners (approx. ages 6-12). This book contains 129 original pieces, arrangements, compositions tasks and simple harmonisations.
- Musical preparation: Set your students up for success by developing fundamental musical skills and techniques.
- BONUS FREE ACCESS to Supersonics Plus material: Get rote pieces, backing tracks, teacher duets, theory, rhythm builders and improvisation pieces that work with this method, to give you a fun and rich teaching experience for you and your students.
- Studio licencing: Print books are licenced one student per book. UPGRADE TO SUPERSONICS PRO to legally print this book for all your students. You also get a 20% discount on print books. Pass on the full cost of additional books to your students or charge a resource fee to cover the cost of your Pro membership. Learn more about Supersonics Pro.
- Teaching Support via our Facebook Group: Join our Supersonics Piano Facebook Group to join a lively community of piano tutors using our method.
FAQ
Q: How do I access the material in Supersonics Plus?
A: Simply go on supersonicsplus.com and start by watching the Video Guides. All the resources you need for this book are organised by Module.
Q: What if I want to use the Supersonics Piano Method for more than one student?
A: Each Method Book is licenced for one student. If you’d like to use the Supersonics Method for your entire studio, we recommend upgrading to Supersonics Pro so that you can either legally print copies of this book for all your students or use the 20% discount on print books. You can offset the cost of the membership by charging the full price for print books or by adding a resource fee to your lessons.
Q: What ages / grades is the Method Book 1 suitable for?
A: The lessons taught in Level 1 of the Supersonics Piano Method are suitable for children aged 6+ years.
Older students and adults might find the accelerated learning in Quick Start A provides a more suitable lesson pace.
Learn more about the flow of the Supersonics Method.
Q: If I want to transfer my students to your method from another, how do I know where to start?
A: The best entry points into the Supersonics Piano Method are at Level 1, Blast Off Bridge and Level 4.
Read more information about transferring from other methods here.
Q: What techniques and skills will my students master by using this piano method?
A: By the end of Level One, students will be confident and effective players and be able to:
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- link musical symbol to sound
- read effectively
- learn pieces by rote
- transpose
- play in time
- play with good technique
- display a wide dynamic range
- understand and express a range of musical gestures
- play simple pop chords
- harmonise simple melodies
- respond to creative stimuli
- and much more
View the techniques and skills the method teachers in this overview.
Q: It looks like a lot of the pieces are in “C position”. Is this the case?
A: No. By using different finger combinations, wide-ranging rote pieces and transposition early in the book and small stretches and moving around the thumb later in the book students avoid getting locked into a 5 finger mindset.
PIECES
This book includes the following pieces:
MODULE 1
The C Song
The D Song
First Steps
Hold On
Can You Count?
The E Song
That’s Easy!
Stepping Around
“Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Call and Response One
MODULE 2
Sticky Fingers
Join the Dots
Stepping Up
Stepping Up and Down
Up and Down Again
Skipping
Step and a Skip
Graceful Waltz
Spinning Top
I See a G
Sticky Steps
Left Hand Waltz
Left Hand Steps
Look! Both Hands!
Piano Pro
Don’t Let Go!
All Together Now
Skip To It
Call and Response Two
MODULE 3
Dynamic Duo
Blast Up!
Build It Up
Lord of the Keys
Let’s Get Loud!
Triple Treat
“Hot Cross Buns”
Call and Response Three
MODULE 4
Sad Steps
Flatter-E
Ghostly Waltz
Happy and Sad
Little Mary’s Lost Her Lamb
Call and Response Four
MODULE 5
Mountain Trail
Q and A
Hidden Valley
Shadow Waltz
Dandelions
Morning Bells
“Girls and Boys Come Out to Play”
Call and Response Five
MODULE 6
Beats Divided
Running
Don’t Stop!
That’s Hot!
Epic Beat
Running Scared
Say It Again
Texting
Waltz It Up
Triple Trouble
In the Dark
The Chase
“Hot Cross Buns”
Call and Response Six
MODULE 7
Pushing the Limits
Stretchy
Reach the Stars
That’s So Sad
“Brother John”
Call and Response Six
MODULE 8
Dot It
Dotted
Dotty Waltz
Waltzing Up
“Alouette”
“London Bridge”
Call and Response Eight
MODULE 9
Castle March
Sneaky
Sad Times
Secret Agent
A Sad Canon
Sounds From Below
“Hungarian Folk Song”
“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
“Skip to My Lou”
Call and Response Nine
Pop School (chord piece)
MODULE 10
Burning Up
Keys on Fire
Fireflies
Pixie Dust
Sir Prance-Alot
Ghosts and Ghouls
Peekaboo
Call and Response Ten
Bubble Pop (chords piece)
MODULE 11
Chit Chat
Finger Twister
Spooky
Snakey
Dungeon Run
“Musette” (Anon.)
“March Slav” (Tchaikovsky)
“When the Saints Go Marching In” (Purvis and Black)
“The Princess Pat”
The Beginning
A Tragic Tale (chord piece)
MODULE 12
Mysterioso
Trapped in the Maze
Elevate: One
Elevate: Two
Flight Over the Mountains
Spin and Twirl
Composition task
Momentum (chord piece)
FREE ONLINE PIECES
+ 26 rote pieces (not included in the printed book – these are available online for free in Supersonics Plus)
+ 13 student improvisations with teacher duets (not included in the printed book – these are available online for free in Supersonics Plus)
TIPS
- Use this method with the Supersonics Plus App to access all the free supplementary material.
- Combine this book with the Level One Theory book and the Level One Resources book
- Upgrade your access to the app by subscribing to Supersonics Pro to get discounts on print books, new pieces every month, and an online portal for students to access and practice at home. Bookmark their pieces, mark theory, print additional sheet music and much more.
- Use this book as the repertoire, technical and creative base for your teaching/learning. The flexibility of the method means that you can very easily add your own material to create personal musical journeys for every student.
BUY NOW
- Printed and shipped from the USA, Australia and the UK
- FREE SHIPPING to the USA, Australia, the UK and Europe
- Pro members save 20% (grab the discount code here)
- Coil bound
BUY AT AMAZON
- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT AMAZON
- Printed and fulfilled by Amazon with worldwide delivery
- Eligible for Prime shipping
- Perfect bound
PRINTING AND SHIPPING FAQ
DELIVERY TIMES
Amazon orders
Orders made through Amazon will be printed and delivered according to the delivery time you choose during the order process. All Supersonics books are eligible for Prime shipping.
Printed by Supersonics
You can expect delivery in the following time frames:
United States
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- Standard shipping: 5-15 business days (trackable)
- Priority shipping: 4-10 business days (trackable)
Australia
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- Major urban areas: 2-5 business days (orders over 500g are trackable)
- Rural areas and WA: 4-10 business days (orders over 500g are trackable)
United Kingdom
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- Standard shipping: 5-10 business days (not trackable)
- Priority shipping: 3-6 business days (trackable)
Canada
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- Ground shipping: 10-15 business days (trackable, cannot ship to PO boxes)
New Zealand
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- Expedited shipping: 4-10 business days (trackable)
Europe
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- Standard shipping: 8-12 business days (not trackable)
- Priority shipping: 5-8 business days (trackable)
Please note that we can only deliver Supersonics printed books to the following countries: Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Italy. If your country isn’t listed please contact us and we will see if we can add you to the list.
Please also refer to our Shipping and Returns page.
BOOK BINDING TYPES
We use three types of binding depending on the type of book and who prints it. All three are hard-wearing and widely-used.
