Books Lists
10+ Best Piano Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to introduce your little one to the world of music? Piano books for 4-year-olds can be a fantastic resource to spark an early interest in piano playing. From engaging illustrations to easy-to-follow lessons, these books are tailored specifically for tiny fingers and budding musicians. Keep reading to discover a variety of piano books that will not only entertain your child but also nurture their musical talents from a tender age.
Table of Contents
Fun Piano Books for 4-Year-Olds
- My First Piano Adventure: Writing Book A by Nancy Faber and Randall Faber
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This book introduces young pianists to the keyboard, note values, and the basics of rhythm and notation with engaging, colorful activities.
- Why we recommend this book: It uses fun, engaging activities that capture the attention of young learners, making the introduction to piano enjoyable.
- Perfect for: Young children beginning to learn the piano and who enjoy interactive learning.
- Piano-K: Play the Self-Teaching Piano Game for Kids by Victoria Mandly
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational, Interactive
- Synopsis: This book provides a game-based approach to learning the piano, using color-coded notes and simple exercises that make learning fun and easy.
- Why we recommend this book: Its game-based learning approach is ideal for keeping young children engaged and motivated while they learn basic piano skills.
- Perfect for: Kids who love games and are interested in learning piano in a playful, interactive way.
- Teaching Little Fingers to Play: A Book for the Earliest Beginner by John Thompson
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Instructional
- Synopsis: This primer book for young pianists uses simple melodies and exercises to teach the basics of the piano.
- Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for young beginners, making it easy for them to understand and follow along.
- Perfect for: Young children who are just starting out on the piano and need a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide.
- Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson Book, Level 1A by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This book introduces young students to the fundamentals of piano playing, focusing on the gradual mastery of basic concepts.
- Why we recommend this book: It's structured in a way that gradually builds up a child's skills, providing a solid foundation in piano playing.
- Perfect for: Children who are beginners at piano and need a comprehensive, step-by-step program to follow.
- Piano Book for Kids 5 & Up - Beginner Level: Learn to Play Famous Piano Songs, Easy Pieces & Fun Music, Piano Technique, Music Theory & How to Read Music by Damon Ferrante
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This beginner's book covers famous piano songs, easy pieces, piano technique, music theory, and reading music, all tailored for young learners.
- Why we recommend this book: It covers a broad range of essential piano skills and knowledge, all presented in a fun and accessible way for kids.
- Perfect for: Young pianists who are eager to explore a wide range of piano music and techniques from the start.
Educational Piano Books for 4-Year-Olds
- Little Mozarts Go to Hollywood by Christine H. Barden, Gayle Kowalchyk, and E. L. Lancaster
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This series introduces young children to music and piano playing through the adventures of Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse, as they explore Hollywood.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic music theory, piano skills, and understanding of musical characters
- Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines music learning with engaging storytelling, which helps maintain the interest of young learners.
- Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories and are beginning to learn the piano.
- Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Music Manuscript Paper by Hal Leonard Corp
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: A manuscript paper book designed for music writing, specifically tailored for piano students to practice notation and composition.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Music notation, composition skills, and creativity in music
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages young pianists to write their own music, reinforcing their learning and understanding of musical concepts.
- Perfect for: Young musicians who are interested in composing their own pieces and learning music notation.
- Pre-Reading Book of Pop by Nancy Faber and Randall Faber
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Pop, Educational
- Synopsis: This book features popular music arranged for pre-readers or beginners in piano, using simple, easy-to-follow notes and rhythms.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Early music reading, rhythm, and familiarity with popular music melodies
- Why we recommend this book: It uses popular music to make learning the piano more relatable and fun for young children.
- Perfect for: Children who show an interest in popular music and are just starting out on the piano.
- Music for Little Mozarts: Music Workbook 1 by Christine H. Barden, Gayle Kowalchyk, and E. L. Lancaster
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This workbook complements the lessons learned in the Music for Little Mozarts series, offering practice exercises and activities to reinforce musical concepts.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Musical concepts, piano technique, and cognitive skills through music
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a structured and fun approach to reinforcing the concepts introduced in piano lessons.
- Perfect for: Young students who are part of the Music for Little Mozarts program or any beginner looking to solidify their musical foundation.
Challenging Piano Books for 4-Year-Olds
- Bastien Piano Basics: Piano for the Young Beginner Primer A by James Bastien
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This book introduces the very basics of piano playing to young children, including posture, finger numbers, and the keyboard layout.
- Why this book is challenging: It moves quickly through fundamental concepts, requiring young learners to adapt and learn at a faster pace.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a thorough and concise introduction to piano that establishes a strong foundation in musical education from an early age.
- Perfect for: Young beginners who show quick learning capabilities and a keen interest in music.
- A Dozen a Day - Book 1: Pre-Practice Technical Exercises for the Piano by Edna-Mae Burnam
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Instructional
- Synopsis: This book contains sets of short technical exercises to be done each day before practicing to improve piano technique and musicianship.
- Why this book is challenging: The exercises focus on developing a strong technical base, which can be quite advanced for a young age.
- Why we recommend this book: It helps build essential skills and discipline that are crucial for advancing in piano performance.
- Perfect for: Young pianists who are ready to develop their technical skills early on.
- John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Part 1 by John Thompson
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: Designed to present the easiest possible approach to piano playing, complete with colorful illustrations and a very clear layout.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces a broad range of musical concepts and requires the student to learn and remember multiple elements simultaneously.
- Why we recommend this book: It's engaging and comprehensive, making it a fun and effective way for children to start their musical journey.
- Perfect for: Children who are new to the piano but ready to dive into a variety of musical concepts.
- Piano Adventures Level 1 - Lesson Book (2nd Edition) by Nancy Faber and Randall Faber
- Illustrator: Not applicable
- Genre(s): Music, Educational
- Synopsis: This book provides a comprehensive approach to learning the piano, focusing on proper technique, theory, and engaging music content.
- Why this book is challenging: It integrates both reading music and playing technique from the start, which pushes the student to develop multiple skills concurrently.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a balanced mix of technique, theory, and performance that is both educational and entertaining.
- Perfect for: Young students who are serious about learning piano and appreciate a challenge.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Introducing your 4-year-old to piano books can be a delightful and educational journey. To make the most of this experience, here are some exercises designed to help young children develop good reading habits, enhance their understanding of music, and enjoy their learning process.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Before starting a new piano book, go through the pages and discuss the pictures.
- How it helps: Helps children understand the story or concept through visual cues.
- Tips: Ask your child to guess what the music might sound like based on the pictures.
- Find the Notes
- What it is: Have your child point out different musical notes and symbols on the page.
- How it helps: Familiarizes them with musical notation and symbols.
- Tips: Turn it into a game by asking them to find as many similar notes as they can on a page.
- Sing the Words
- What it is: Sing the words of the song or the instructions aloud together.
- How it helps: Enhances phonetic awareness and makes it fun to follow along.
- Tips: Change your voice to match different characters or emotions in the song.
- Clap the Rhythm
- What it is: Clap out the rhythms of different songs or exercises before playing them.
- How it helps: Teaches rhythm and helps with timing when playing the piece on the piano.
- Tips: Start with simple rhythms and gradually increase complexity as your child becomes more comfortable.
- Story Time
- What it is: Create a small story around the song or piece they are playing.
- How it helps: Increases engagement and makes the learning process more memorable.
- Tips: Let your child come up with parts of the story to boost their creativity.
- Repeat After Me
- What it is: Play a note or a simple melody and have your child repeat it.
- How it helps: Improves auditory memory and note recognition.
- Tips: Praise your child for correct notes and gently correct mistakes.
These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in developing a young child's love for music and enhancing their reading skills. Remember, the key is to keep the sessions light and enjoyable, allowing your child to explore the piano and its music at their own pace. Happy playing!