Bastien Piano Basics: Piano Level 1

by James Bastien

Piano, Level 1 provides essential review of basic information presented in Piano, Primer Level, and presents important new information for the student. The learning sequence is carefully graded to assure steady progress, while the full-color illustrations entertain and reinforce along the way. The selection of pieces includes original works as well as familiar folk songs and pop styles in creative, enjoyable arrangements.

BASTIEN PIANO BASICS is a method designed for achievement and success. We offer you our best wishes for the rich rewards music can bring to each child's life.

Genres: Music

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

The American piano pedagogue and musician, James (Jim) W. Bastien, was born to a musical father, Clarence, who played the violin, and to a mother, Dorothy, who was a writer and a high school Latin and journalism instructor. After living in Seattle and Florida, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where James began his piano studies with Frances Mulkey North. Subsequently, he studied with the late Ariel Rubstein, the late Louis Artau, and the late György Sándor. He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from Southern Methodist University.

James Bastien was a former member of the faculties of Notre Dame University, Tulane University, Loyola University (New Orleans), and the summer faculties of Tanglewood and the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan.

James Bastien met his wife Jane Smisor in New Orleans in 1960. They performed as the duo-piano team, Smisor and Bastien. In addition, he was a Columbia Artist accompanist whose collaborative career included appearances with Richard Tucker and John Alexander. During this time Jim and Jane started writing music to address the needs of their students. This was the beginning of the Bastien piano books that have inspired so many piano students and teachers.

The Bastien piano books have been published worldwide by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company since 1963 and are now translated into 14 languages. In 1999, The Music Teachers National Association presented Jim and Jane with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the association's highest honor, in recognition of their outstanding career in music and contribution to the music profession. During his long career, Jim became internationally known through his contributions to piano teaching, composing, writing, adjudication, and performing. With more than 300 publications to his credit, the Bastien name has become synonymous with innovative piano pedagogy.

Reviews

[Tanya Karpova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I llllove this book so much. The melodies are fun to play, and the colourful pictures are so adorable! I think Bastien is going to be my preferred series. What I loved about it is how interesting the arrangements in it are: I like how the authors introduce flats and sharps, which make the melodies sound less like exercises. The method is more well-rounded compared to Alfred's, as it uses a more classical approach (which I like, this is what I want to play) but also covers simple chords, rock patterns, C, F and G 5-finger positions, basic theory and technique. It builds on itself by reintroducing repetitive patters and something new in each lesson. My favourite songs are "Cops and Robbers" and "Persian Bazaar", but others are great too. I love how playing staccato makes it sound like I'm playing a tune for a cartoon. I feel super accomplished now that I've finished it, and I'm ready to conquer the second book!
And drawings are lovely and funny, I don't know why they don't put more drawings in adult books.