10+ Best Beginner Piano Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect beginner piano books for 8-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 budding pianist or simply introduce a fun new hobby, the right book can make all the difference. Keep reading as we dive into various lists of beginner piano books for 8-year-olds that are tailored to help young learners flourish on the keys!

Fun Beginner Piano Books for 8-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, incorporating fun characters and engaging activities that make learning exciting.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a playful approach that includes singing, listening, and movement, making musical concepts accessible and enjoyable for children.
  • Perfect for: Young beginners who are just starting to explore the world of music and piano.

• Piano Adventures Primer Level - Lesson Book by Nancy Faber and Randall Faber
  • Genre(s): Music, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Designed for the early elementary piano student, this book sets the foundation for proper note playing using engaging songs, rhythms, and illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It effectively introduces musical basics in a logical and exciting way, helping children to build a strong foundation in piano playing.
  • Perfect for: Children who are new to piano and need a structured, yet fun approach to learning.

• Teaching Little Fingers to Play by John Thompson
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: A method that's tailored for the youngest beginners, focusing on easy-to-follow lessons that promote an enjoyable and productive learning experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's specifically designed for small hands, making it easier for young kids to start playing piano while having fun.
  • Perfect for: Very young children or absolute beginners at the piano who might find other books too challenging.

• Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson Book, Level 1A by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
  • Genre(s): Music, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic keyboard skills and musical concepts in an easy and progressive manner, encouraging students to learn at their own pace.
  • Why we recommend this book: The gradual introduction of new skills helps to build confidence and enjoyment in young piano learners.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists who are starting to develop their skills and need a comprehensive guide to the basics.

• Piano-K Play the Self-Teaching Piano Game for Kids by Victoria Mandly
  • Illustrator: Taryn Johnson
  • Genre(s): Music, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This innovative book uses a game-based approach to teach piano, incorporating stickers and visual aids to help children learn musical notes and rhythms.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive and visually stimulating method makes learning the piano engaging and accessible for kids.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive learning and games, making their piano education both fun and effective.

Educational Beginner Piano Books for 8-Year-Olds

• 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 part of a comprehensive piano method that uses clear, step-by-step instructions to introduce basic piano skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic piano techniques, reading music, rhythm, and musical expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's well-structured and uses a variety of music styles to keep lessons engaging and effective for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who need a solid introduction to piano fundamentals in an engaging way.

• John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Part 1 by John Thompson
  • Genre(s): Music, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This colorful and fun workbook is designed to create a rewarding first educational experience for children learning to play the piano.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Note recognition, motor skills, basic musical notation
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple and entertaining approach is perfect for keeping young children engaged while they learn the basics of piano.
  • Perfect for: Young beginners who enjoy colorful illustrations and fun, short exercises.

• 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 is specifically written for the preschool age group, combining music and storytelling to introduce musical concepts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Musical terms, piano technique, creativity through music
  • Why we recommend this book: It integrates musical learning with character-based storytelling, making it uniquely appealing to young children.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who can benefit from a gentle and imaginative introduction to music.

• A Dozen a Day Book 1: Primary by Edna-Mae Burnam
  • Genre(s): Music, Exercise
  • Synopsis: This book contains short, motivating exercises that help young students develop good piano-playing habits.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Finger independence, agility, piano technique
  • Why we recommend this book: The exercises are designed to be accessible and beneficial, helping to build the physical skills necessary for piano playing.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to learn piano and need exercises that are both effective and manageable.

Challenging Beginner Piano Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Lang Lang Piano Method Level 3 by Lang Lang
  • Genre(s): Music, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book continues the development of young pianists, introducing more complex rhythms and hand coordination challenges.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces syncopation and the use of the pedal, which are advanced concepts for young pianists.
  • Why we recommend this book: Lang Lang's method inspires creativity and expression in young players, making it a captivating way to advance piano skills.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists who are ready to tackle more challenging techniques and express themselves musically.

• Piano Time 3 by Pauline Hall
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book expands on earlier lessons and introduces new musical styles and more complex pieces suitable for developing musicians.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of musical styles and includes pieces that require a good understanding of musical notation and rhythm.
  • Why we recommend this book: It broadens musical horizons and introduces a variety of genres, enhancing the student's versatility and enjoyment of playing.
  • Perfect for: Students who have mastered basic skills and are eager to explore diverse musical styles.

• The Brown Scale Book by Frederick Harris Music
  • Genre(s): Music, Technical Skills
  • Synopsis: Focused on scales, chords, and arpeggios, this book is designed to improve technical skills and musical understanding.
  • Why this book is challenging: Mastery of scales and arpeggios is fundamental to advanced piano playing, requiring precision and control.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides comprehensive practice in key areas that are essential for advanced pianists, promoting strong technical development.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists who need to solidify their technical foundation and improve their overall playing ability.

• Upgrade! Piano Grades 2-3 by Pamela Wedgwood
  • Genre(s): Music, Performance
  • Synopsis: This collection offers a bridge between grades with exciting and motivating pieces that are slightly more challenging than typical grade 2 pieces.
  • Why this book is challenging: The pieces are selected to push the boundaries of what students at this level might typically play, both technically and musically.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges students to reach beyond their comfort zones, fostering growth and confidence in their piano skills.
  • Perfect for: Students looking for a challenge beyond their current grade level to accelerate their learning and performance skills.

• Get Set! Piano Pieces Book 1 by Karen Marshall and Heather Hammond
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book includes fun and progressive pieces for beginners, designed to complement the 'Get Set! Piano Tutor' book.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces a variety of musical styles and techniques early in a student's musical education, encouraging versatility.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its diverse range of pieces keeps lessons engaging and helps develop a broad skill set in young pianists.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who are progressing quickly and need varied material to maintain their interest and develop their skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into beginner piano books with your 8-year-old, enhancing their reading habits can be a game-changer. It not only aids in understanding music but also in retaining and applying what they learn. Here are some fun exercises that can help your child develop good reading habits while they learn to play the piano:

• Create a Music Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Compile a list of new musical terms and symbols found in their piano books.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of musical language, which is crucial for reading music.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to add to the list each time they practice and review it together regularly.

• Follow the Finger
  • What it is: Practice reading music by pointing to each note and naming it before playing.
  • How it helps: Reinforces note recognition and sight-reading skills.
  • Tips: Start slow to ensure accuracy before increasing speed.

• Musical Storytelling
  • What it is: Create a story or an image based on the mood and style of a piece they are learning.
  • How it helps: Builds a deeper connection with the music and improves memory and expressiveness.
  • Tips: Use their imagination freely; there's no right or wrong in musical interpretation.

• Note Flashcards
  • What it is: Use flashcards with musical notes on one side and the note names on the other.
  • How it helps: Quickens note recognition which is key to fluent music reading.
  • Tips: Incorporate a few minutes of flashcard games into daily practice sessions.

• Rhythm Clapping
  • What it is: Clap out the rhythms of different measures or entire pieces before playing them on the piano.
  • How it helps: Helps internalize rhythms and improves timing and coordination.
  • Tips: Clap along with a metronome to keep a steady tempo.

• Listening and Replicating
  • What it is: Listen to a piece of music and then try to play it by ear and from reading the music.
  • How it helps: Enhances auditory skills and the ability to connect sound with musical notation.
  • Tips: Start with very simple melodies to boost confidence.

Incorporating these exercises into your child's piano practice can make their learning experience more engaging and effective. Each exercise not only helps in developing their musical abilities but also enriches their overall approach to learning music. Happy playing!