My son is beginning Level 5 in the Hal Leonard series. He recently asked for a Wizard of Oz piano book.

I went to Amazon and see that Dan Coates has Wizard of Oz in two formats - Big Note and Easy Piano. What is the difference between these two formats? Is one early/mid elementary and one late elementary?

Would these be appropriate for my son or too easy? (I would prefer something easier vs. harder, at this point, so he can just enjoy playing the songs - but too easy would be boring for him.)

I've seen this before and never really could understand the difference between the two. I also have a child ending Level 3, so this would be useful for me to understand.

Thank you,

Dawn

This link might help you:

Level Guidelines

"Big Note" is most likely elementary. If your son is at Level 5 HL, I'd suggest the "Easy Piano" version.

Hal Leonard Level 5?? Big note or easy piano would be too easy for your son. Aim higher. Your son is considered "early intermediate" and can start playing more substantial music. Your son's piano teacher should make the selection of music book because he/she is most qualified to do so. As a piano teacher, I've seen students bringing sheetmusic that is way over their heads. I can't believe they tried to play that on their own.

"Big Note" is going to be easier than "Easy Piano". Pop music, Broadway, movie music, and the like are usually more difficult in general for elementary students because of the changing hand positions and syncopated rhythms. They just don't seem to follow what students are learning in method books. My level 3 students can usually do 'big note'. I would think your level 5 child could do 'easy piano'.

Thanks to all of you. Great advice. Thanks, too, for the level guide - very useful!

Dawn

i often find that easy piano is in fact, not easy. I've talked to other teachers in the area too and they agree. It all depends on the song. Easy piano certainly is easy, but you need to make sure your student understands rythm, key signatrues, how to play chords and move their hands around the piano.

Big note piano tends to have limited hand movements and chords, and easier keys to play in, more appropriate for younger beginners.