Starting to learn a musical instrument can be one of the most rewarding decisions you can make for yourself or your child. Music-making is the gift that keeps on giving, encouraging wellbeing, investment and achievement in school, a healthier work-life balance, and access to a community of like-minded people. There’s never been a better time than NOW to start learning that instrument you’ve always wanted to play. Or indeed, to give your child the opportunity to begin a life-long journey in music-making. But knowing where to begin can be a little overwhelming. Whether you are lucky enough to consider lessons with a professional teacher or you’re starting out on your own, Hal Leonard’s renowned method series will teach you what you need to know to get playing. Written by world-leading specialists, Hal Leonard Methods have been trusted by millions to guide them through those first musical steps. And with an unrivalled, continually expanding roster of instruments, there’s something for everyone. So go on, dive in and discover a world of music-making with the Hal Leonard Method series!
Progression, Confidence, Motivation
As every teacher knows, one of the major hurdles for new learners (young or less young) can be frustration born from a perceived lack of progress. Although catering for the idiosyncrasies of individual instruments, each book in the Hal Leonard Method series is connected by a golden thread of pedagogical and visual clarity. With embedded music theory, easy-to-read notation, clearly sequenced learning goals, and a healthy dose of stretch-and-challenge, each book is designed to motivate the learner by making progression easy to recognise. With the confidence that comes from this, new learners are motivated to practise more, catalysing a positive cycle that leads to greater levels of improvement and enjoyment.
Great Music in Every Book
Hal Leonard Methods are packed with some of the world’s most famous music, expertly arranged and sequenced alongside instrumental tuition to get learners playing right from the start. From pop hits to movies, musicals, jazz, folk, and classical, you’ll find each method- book boasting a song list designed to motivate, carefully curated and painstakingly graded to suit both the particular instrument and stage of learning. And if that’s not enough, Hal Leonard Methods also boast a diverse range of original compositions from our world-leading authors.
With Hal Leonard Methods, you’ll be exposed to great music from the earliest stages of your learning; whether it’s Disney or The Beatles, Tchaikovsky or an original contemporary work by Dame Evelyn Glennie, they’ll be something to impress your friends and develop your technique at the same time! Some methods even come with accompanying songbooks, giving you even more access to music that will inspire and delight!
For Kids and Big Kids
The Hal Leonard Method series covers tuition written specifically for children, teenagers, and adults. For younger children the “Kids” range enjoys extra-large notation, illustrations, a more embedded music-theory curriculum, and motivational reward system. Books geared towards the adult learner boast specially tailored song lists with quick-fire music-theory summaries, getting you to read and play the music you love faster than ever before! And in between, books for teenagers, with music and language carefully considered to encourage, motivate, and challenge.
Book, Video, Audio
Triple-lock your learning with the Hal Leonard Method series. Sensitive to addressing the diverse range of learning styles that encourages progression, many books in the series come with accompanying tuition videos to allow for more accessible teaching and learning. Access tuition from some of the finest musicians, right there in front of you! In addition, play-along audio with fully orchestrated backing tracks, provides motivational opportunities for performance, regardless of whether or not you have access to a band or accompanist. Demonstration tracks allow you to assess your learning and progress more quickly. Powered by our exclusive PLAYBACK+ multi-functional audio player, you can slow down or speed up audio tempo without impacting on pitch, or even set loop points for more granular practice sessions. Download all learning media to your computer, tablet, or phone, or stream live. Hal Leonard Methods give you flexibility and diversity, allowing you to make the most of the time you have by maximising every learning opportunity with a wide range of resources.
You can stay up to date on new releases by subscribing to the Musicroom newsletter. The Hal Leonard Method series covers a huge spectrum of instruments and genres. Here’s just a taste of what’s on offer.
Hal Leonard Guitar Method: Book 1
The world’s most successful guitar method, the Hal Leonard Guitar Method, is designed for those first steps on acoustic or electric guitar. It is based on years of teaching guitar students of all ages, and it also reflects some of the best guitar teaching ideas from around the world. “Book 1” includes tuning, playing position, musical symbols, notes in first position, C, G, G7, D, D7, A7, and Em chords, rhythms through to quavers, strumming and picking, and over 80 great songs, riffs, and examples, with downloadable audio.
In addition, the Hal Leonard Method series boasts a full range of associated guitar methods, including rock guitar, classical guitar, folk guitar, jazz guitar, blues guitar, and fingerstyle guitar!
Hal Leonard Guitar for Kids
In a special edition for UK teachers and children comes one of the world’s best-selling guitar methods for children. Adapted by leading UK guitarist Chris Woods, this special edition of Hal Leonard’s Guitar for Kids is a fun, easy course that teaches children to play guitar through a carefully guided pace. Popular songs such as “Yellow Submarine,” “ABC,” and “Every Breath You Take” keep pupils motivated, and the clean, simple page layouts ensure their attention remains focused on one concept at a time. The method is equally suitable for children using electric or acoustic guitars. It can be used in combination with a guitar teacher or parents, even if they’ve never had any musical training themselves. The accompanying online audio contains more than 30 tracks for demonstration and play-along!
There are many more books in the Hal Leonard “Kids” range, including the kids’ guitar songbook, bass guitar, drums, and piano!
Hal Leonard Jazz Piano for Kids
Described by Pianodao.com as “jazz education of the very highest order” and Music Teacher Magazine as “a classic,” Hal Leonard’s Jazz Piano for Kids is written by leading UK jazz pedagogue Richard Michael. This is a fun, easy course that teaches children how to improvise and play jazz piano faster than ever before. Children will stay motivated as they improvise on popular children’s songs arranged in a jazz style, while the opportunity to play alongside video accompaniments will inspire a love for performance. Every song seamlessly integrates a new improvisatory skill, systematically building upon previous learning and enabling the student to progress with confidence. Including exclusive access to video tutorials, this book is the definitive introduction to improvisation and jazz piano.
Hal Leonard Drumset Method: Book 1
The world’s most widely-used introduction to drums, Hal Leonard’s Drumset Method is comprehensive and easy-to-use. It includes hours of audio tracks for demonstration and play-along, plus video lessons by drum master Gregg Bissonette! Topics include: drum setup and fundamentals; tuning and maintenance; basic music reading; grips and strokes; coordination and basic techniques; basic beats for many styles of music; and drum fills.
Hal Leonard Glockenspiel Method
Perfect for the classroom or the home! Written by world-famous percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, Hal Leonard’s Glockenspiel Method is designed for anyone just learning to play the glockenspiel. This easy-to-use guide provides step-by-step lessons and meticulously graded original compositions. Video tutorials with Evelyn Glennie, demonstration audio, and accompaniment backing tracks are also included, making this book ideal for individual or whole-class learning.
Hal Leonard Rhythm and Counting
Hal Leonard’s Rhythm and Counting is the best-selling handbook for mastering rhythm. Designed for students and musicians of any instrument or voice, this book provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to understanding rhythms, rhythmic devices, and how to count them. Packed full of practical exercises, this book also makes for an ideal self-instruction method. Every exercise is accompanied by play-along online audio, featuring useful metronome clicks for rigorous practice. For use in individual or group instruction, Rhythm and Counting is the must-have guide to rhythm for all music teachers and students.
Hal Leonard Blues Keyboard Method
Hal Leonard’s Blues Keyboard Method is the authentic guide to traditional and modern blues keyboard playing, with rhythm and soloing concepts for piano and organ. Build your blues vocabulary with ideas for ensemble playing, including: intros; turnarounds; licks and endings; piano and organ accompaniment; phrasing and soloing; and much more. Written by Marty Sammon, the keyboardist in Buddy Guy’s acclaimed band, this book includes access to audio demonstration tracks online for download or streaming featuring Marty and his band!
Hal Leonard Ocarina Method
The best-selling method for beginner ocarina! Get playing at home and in school with Hal Leonard’s Ocarina Method. Inside you’ll find loads of techniques, tips, and fun songs to learn and play. Accompanying online videos featuring author Cris Gale provide further instruction, as well as demonstrations of the music in the book. Topics covered include: a history of the ocarina; types of ocarinas; breathing and articulation; note names and key signatures; rhythmic notation; fingering charts; and many classic folksongs!
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