10+ Best Beginner Piano Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect beginner piano books for 7-year-olds? Finding the right resources to kickstart your child's musical journey can be a game-changer. Whether you're aiming to nurture a mini maestro or simply encourage a new hobby, the right books can make all the difference. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of beginner piano books for 7-year-olds that are sure to capture their imagination and make learning fun!

Fun Beginner Piano Books for 7-Year-Olds

• My First Piano Adventure by Nancy Faber and Randall Faber
  • Illustrator: Victoria McArthur
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This series introduces young beginners to the piano, using fun songs, games, and adventures to teach the basics of piano playing and music theory.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for young children, making learning the piano an engaging and enjoyable experience, which can help foster a lifelong love for music.
  • Perfect for: Young beginners who are just starting to explore the world of music and piano.

• Piano Book for Kids 5 & Up - Beginner Level by Damon Ferrante
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beginner book offers a step-by-step guide on piano basics from the start, using a fun and comprehensive approach with illustrations and interactive content.
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies piano theory and practice into manageable lessons that are engaging for young readers and helps build a solid foundation in music.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in learning piano basics through a structured, yet fun, approach.

• Teaching Little Fingers to Play by John Thompson
  • Genre(s): Music, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A method book for the earliest beginner, combining rote and note approaches. It includes engaging songs and familiar tunes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces piano concepts at a pace suitable for very young children, helping them feel successful and motivated to learn more.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists who are taking their first steps in learning how to play the piano.

• Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book begins by teaching basic keyboard topography and fluent recognition of white key names in relation to black keys. It focuses on simple rhythms and prepares students for intervallic reading with entertaining songs and creative activities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's well-paced for young learners and uses a logical step-by-step approach that ensures comprehensive understanding of piano playing fundamentals.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who are ready to dive into piano lessons with a structured and clear path.

Educational Beginner Piano Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Young Pianist's Library by Denes Agay
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This collection provides a colorful and diverse selection of pieces specifically chosen for young pianists, including folk songs, classics, and original compositions by the author.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic piano techniques, music reading, rhythm, and musical expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a varied repertoire that keeps learning interesting and fun, promoting a more comprehensive musical education.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists looking to explore a wide range of musical styles and improve their playing skills.

• Piano Adventures Primer Level - Lesson Book by Nancy Faber and Randall Faber
  • Illustrator: Victoria McArthur
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This primer book introduces young students to the joy of playing piano through discovery, creativity, and adventure-packed songs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Keyboard basics, musical phrases, and critical listening
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses engaging, imaginative songs that capture children's attention and foster a love for music from the first page.
  • Perfect for: Beginner pianists who are just starting their musical journey and need a solid foundation in the basics.

• Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Book 1 by Barbara Kreader, Fred Kern, Phillip Keveren, and Mona Rejino
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book is designed to encourage a student-centered approach to learning piano, featuring a variety of music styles and comprehensive theory lessons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Note reading, rhythm counting, and the introduction to musical terms
  • Why we recommend this book: It's comprehensive and well-structured, making it easy for children to follow and progress at their own pace.
  • Perfect for: Students who thrive on a mix of guidance and self-exploration in their learning process.

• Music for Little Mozarts Level 1 - Piano Curriculums by Christine H. Barden, Gayle Kowalchyk, and E. L. Lancaster
  • Illustrator: Christine H. Barden
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This curriculum focuses on the adventures of Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse, designed to provide a comprehensive approach to musical learning with an emphasis on piano performance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Musical concepts, piano technique, and listening skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively integrates characters and storytelling into music education, making it highly engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy learning through stories and characters, making their musical education both fun and effective.

Challenging Beginner Piano Books for 7-Year-Olds

• A Dozen a Day: Book 1 by Edna-Mae Burnam
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book contains short warm-up exercises to be played at the beginning of each practice session, improving technique for beginner pianists.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces a variety of technical problems to solve, which are more complex than typical beginner exercises.
  • Why we recommend this book: These exercises help build strength and flexibility in the fingers, and the progressive difficulty encourages continuous improvement.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists who need challenging exercises to enhance their technical skills.

• Piano Scales & Broken Chords, Grade 1 by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
  • Genre(s): Music, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book provides detailed instructions and exercises for mastering scales and broken chords, tailored to students preparing for the Grade 1 examination.
  • Why this book is challenging: It dives deep into scales and chords, which are foundational but can be complex for beginners to master.
  • Why we recommend this book: Mastery of these elements is crucial for developing fluency and confidence on the piano, and this book provides a structured approach to achieving that.
  • Perfect for: Ambitious young pianists aiming to develop a strong technical foundation in piano playing.

• John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Part 1 by John Thompson
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This is a comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano.
  • Why this book is challenging: It moves quickly through the basics, offering new concepts and challenges in quick succession.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's visually appealing and straightforward, making learning fast-paced but manageable, keeping students engaged and progressing.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are quick to pick up new skills and enjoy a fast-paced learning environment.

• Piano Lessons Book 1 by Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, authored by Barbara Kreader, Fred Kern, Phillip Keveren, and Mona Rejino
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: Tailored for the young beginner, this book introduces piano fundamentals in an engaging and interactive way, with a focus on building a strong musical foundation.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes a diverse array of musical and technical content, pushing beyond simple melodies to introduce various musical styles and rhythms.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a balanced approach to learning the piano, combining ear training, theory, and keyboard skills in a cohesive manner.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who are ready for a comprehensive introduction to music through piano.

• Succeeding at the Piano: Lesson and Technique Book, Grade 1 by Helen Marlais
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book ensures a thorough approach to learning the piano, with emphasis on technique, theory, and musicality from the start.
  • Why this book is challenging: It integrates lessons on technique and musicality more deeply than most beginner books, requiring students to think critically about their playing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It nurtures musical expression and technical skills simultaneously, which is beneficial for overall musical development.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists who are serious about developing a comprehensive skill set from the beginning.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop good reading habits with their beginner piano books, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises designed specifically for young learners. These activities will not only enhance their reading skills but also make their piano learning journey enjoyable.

• Picture Walk Before Reading
  • What it is: Look through the pictures in the piano book before starting to play.
  • How it helps: Helps children predict the music and its mood, which enhances understanding.
  • Tips: Encourage them to describe what they see and guess how it might sound.

• Music Vocabulary Match
  • What it is: Create flashcards of music vocabulary from the book and match them with their meanings or symbols.
  • How it helps: Builds a strong foundation of essential music terms and symbols.
  • Tips: Play a matching game regularly to reinforce the terms.

• Read, Play, Repeat
  • What it is: Read a short section of the music, play it on the piano, then repeat.
  • How it helps: Reinforces reading skills and musical comprehension.
  • Tips: Start with very short sections to ensure success and gradually increase the difficulty.

• Sing the Notes
  • What it is: Sing the musical notes before playing them on the piano.
  • How it helps: Improves note recognition and pitch understanding.
  • Tips: Use solfege (Do-Re-Mi) for a fun and educational singing experience.

• Clap and Count Rhythms
  • What it is: Clap out the rhythms of the pieces in the book before playing them.
  • How it helps: Enhances rhythmic accuracy and prepares for tempo control.
  • Tips: Start slowly and increase speed as they become more confident.

These exercises are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, ensuring that your young pianist not only learns but also loves the process. Remember, the key is consistency and encouragement. Enjoy watching your child grow in their musical journey!