Hi Daniel, Welcome to AIO #1!

Sorry I missed your post from May 17 (I typically keep my eye on this thread).

I have enjoyed the Alfred All-in-One method. I think it has been great for my development. As far as progression in terms of time, that is hard to say. I have supplemented this method with several different books; so it has slowed me down in terms of completing pages in the book. If anything I have taken on too much. But on the flip side, by doing many different things, I have really worked my fingers. I have been very happy with how I have approached self-learning the piano. Honestly, I am amazed at how quickly all of it has come together. For where I am right now - I am still a raw beginner - I am very comfortable at the keyboard, well except for the pedal part.

For me, "Blow the Man Down" did not take long to get; but that is because I learned "Ach Du Lieber Augustine" (from Alfred's All-Time Favorites) first.

The other material that I have worked on includes:
Alfred's All-Time Favorites - excellent supplement to the method books, but starting to realize that I do not enjoy the some of the arrangements, I may move away from this book

Alfred's Greatest Hits - similar to the All-Time Favorites

Keith Snell's Essential Piano Repertoire - using for finger strength development, phrasing, dynamics, and dexterity

Alfred's Masterwork Classics - just purchased, first impression is that I like it better than the Snell book

Martha Mier's Romantic Sketches Book 1 - using this for pedal development (submitted a recital piece from this book)

So after all I have said, I have been thinking of putting everything aside and just finishing the Alfred All-in-One book. I am not sure. I try to practice several times a day in shorter intervals. So I tend to enjoy working on different pieces.

This turned out to be more of an autobiography than anything else; sorry about that.

So Daniel, keep us updated on your progress. Feel free to share your work and any tidbits you may discover while on this journey.

Congratulations Danial on your speedy work through of book 1. I do think it is an excellent series.

I myself did not work through book 1 as I had a teacher and we worked on similar pieces albeit a lot faster. Others on this forum seem to take between six months to a year for book 1 but I guess that depends on how much time you can devote to it, teacher influence, and of course some natural ability.

Book 2 & 3 are more challenging with longer pieces and varying technique. I am working from both books (and others) selecting pieces I like. I find 2 & 3 less sequential in terms of technique build up and so the trick is to not let yourself get stuck on one piece until "you get it right". Sometimes just learning a little from a piece is enough.

Good idea to start formal lessons in June. teachers prevent us from our worst enemies.......ourselves

Thanks for the replies. I should note that, other than dabbling with the Alfred Masterworks, and some video game music, I haven't really touched anything outside the Alfred book. I do sometimes feel that I am simply memorizing the pieces and playing them out without truly gaining skill. I have faith that it just seems that way because I am steadily increasing my skill requirements.

Today, I decided to record some video of myself playing through the substantial pieces so far. I'm not going to post any video (yet). I decided to try a few pieces after Lullaby (Joy the Word, Cockles & Mussels) and was able to sight read them with no mistakes at a slower tempo. It looks like "Got Those Blues" will be the next challenge.

I have been wondering lately if the individual method and lesson books would be better than the All In One. This question has come up several times over the years in this topic, but it seems most people don't consider it. I looked at sample pages of the method book and compared to the AIO, same sections, and the method book has about twice as much material. For the moment, I have decided to just stick with the AIO. I have to remind myself that these are just lesson books to learn, not pieces I will be playing years from now. I'll just pick up more method from videos online or a teacher.

I am excited to get my lessons going, but it seems the teacher schedules are changing in June, and they want to wait until then to get me on a regular schedule.

Danial, if you are memorizing and playing without difficulty then nothing is wrong. No one is expecting you to sight read and play. It just sounds like are finding the Alfred book 1 a little too light. Do not worry there are challenging days ahead.

I am up to Marines Hymn, and I can play it well, except I am trying to figure out how to go from D down to G without looking down when starting the DC al Fine. In measure 3, I can move from D (finger 1) to B (finger 3) by feeling for the B flat key, but I don't have a easy landmark for G.

Is this just a matter of learning the key placement or finger spacing over time? Should I just look down since it is at the end, and finding my place at the start will be relatively easy?

Is that down a fifth, D to G (rather than the much bigger move, down a twelfth)? I think you will start to be able to find it without looking over time, at least that's what I have experienced.

Don't worry Daniel, in time your fingers will find their way to the keys without the need to think much about notes and intervals, even I found out I could magically do that at some point, just keep going

Your left hand is not doing much at that point so no harm in looking. It isn't a sin.

If you're familiar with an octave stretch with a fifth played by your second and/or third finger the fingering for this whole piece changes and very little looking (or finger changing) need be done at all.

It's just down a fifth, but my finger 2 is on D, and I need to get thumb all the way to G. I guess I'll just get used to moving a fifth with thumb. I can do 5th, 6th, and 7th no looking with finger 5, but down with thumb hasn't occurred much so far.