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Piano Safari: A Great Piano Method Book for Children

Piano Safari Method Book: A Teacher’s Review

Why do I, a professional piano teacher, think Piano Safari by Julie Knerr is a great method book for children?

It has enjoyable tunes that are humorous and are fun for the young pianist to play and sing. Examples include “I Love Coffee, I Love Tea” and “Charlie Chipmunk.” 

Many of the pieces in the Piano Safari books create analogies for children to understand such as bouncing like a kangaroo when they play the “Kangaroo” technique exercise to practice non legato playing and to create a relaxed and bouncy sound. Another example would be playing a loud, long note with a relaxed hand like a lion stuffed animal arm. 

Learning Techniques & Activities 

The Piano Safari method books consist of many learning techniques and activities that are useful to students and teachers. It contains reading pieces, sight reading exercises, rote pieces, theory, technique exercises, folk tunes, and improvisation. The book leans towards the Intervallic Reading Approach, but primarily uses an Eclectic Method.

Reading pieces in the Piano Safari Repertoire Book One start with just using black keys and printing all the finger numbers on the page for unit one. In unit two, students start playing on the white keys where the hand, note, and finger number are listed. All the finger numbers are also listed on the page. In unit three, students move to the grand staff. They use treble G as the landmark note for right hand and treble clef and bass C as the landmark note for left hand and bass clef. In Piano Safari Book One , students continue to stay on the landmark notes for the rest of the book. 

In Piano Safari Book Two , middle C is added as a landmark note in both treble and bass clef. It is not until the middle of Piano Safari Book Two that the students graduate from the landmark notes and start using all the notes on the grand staff. Piano Safari slowly moves the students from black keys, to white keys, and then the grand staff so that students can feel comfortable with reading notes and move at a slow and steady pace. When students start learning the grand staff, intervals are slowly introduced.

In book one, students start with seconds and then move to thirds. In the rest of book one, students practice moving in between seconds and thirds. In book two, they learn fifths, then fourths, and practice playing all the intervals together. In book three, they learn the other intervals such as sixths, sevenths, and octaves. It is great that intervals are introduced at a slow and steady pace so that students can become comfortable with intervals before moving to harder repertoire and sightreading. 

Sight Reading Exercises

For sight reading exercises, each method book has a set of color-coded sight reading card supplements, corresponding with the different units for each book or level. The cards are like flash cards. Each sight reading card in level one contains a melodic exercise for right hand in treble clef and a melodic exercise for left hand in bass clef.

In level one, the students will start marching the rhythms and use the syllable “ta” for the quarter notes, “ta-two” for half notes, “ta-ti” for eighth notes, and “ta-two-three-four” for whole notes. In level two, students graduate from marching and saying the ta’s. They move to metric counting, which is what professional musicians use.

For metric counting, the students do not march anymore, they tap the rhythms with both hands . The rhythmic exercises start simple at first such as the left hand playing whole notes while the right hand has a busy rhythm. The difficulty gradually goes up through each unit. 

In level two and beyond, the cards will start including exercises where both hands play together. All the cards in every level and unit also contain a rhythmic exercise where the students only practice rhythms. 

These methods help contribute to student reading skills.

Training to Play by Ear

One of the most unique activities that Piano Safari offers in its method books are rote pieces.

Rote pieces are ear training pieces where students learn how to play repertoire by ear. They are taught by playing the entire piece for the student first, and then dividing the music into different parts, usually line by line. I will teach one or two measures at a time to them and tell them to think of an animal or fruit name to help with the rhythm. 

After the first one or two measures are comfortable with the student, I will gradually add on the next one or two measures and review the previous measures consistently until the first part is learned.

After that, I will use the same system for the second part, and the other parts after that. I also constantly review the previous parts. If there are two hands involved with different melodies and rhythms, I will teach one hand at a time and then teach the other hand. 

Rote pieces can take up much time to teach, so typically when I teach a rote piece, I usually stretch it to at least two lessons. Piano Safari includes reminder videos on YouTube for the students to use to remember how to play the piece for when they practice at home. 

In each Piano Safari level, a theory book is included that contains new material that the students learn in each unit. Students get to practice writing the different clefs, time signatures, notes, and intervals. The theory book also contains review material in each unit to keep up the students’ skills and help them remember previous material. 

A unique aspect that the theory book has is compositional practice. This activity is when students are given the time signature, note values, which note to start on, and which intervals to use. Then, they are instructed to write a melody with the given material. The students are given the opportunity to come up with their own ideas or creative variations on the rote pieces.

Piano Safari contains technique exercises in each level that focus primarily on relaxation. In level one, technique exercises are part of the repertoire book and they start with simple exercises such as playing one note at a time with a strong and relaxed sound. In level two, there is a separate technique book from the repertoire book. 

Also in level two, students will start learning basic five-finger patterns in different keys and start early practices into playing scales and arpeggios. Students will start playing triads first before getting into arpeggios. In level three, students start learning Hanon exercises and beginner etudes. Technique exercises are typically taught by rote, then the student reads the music, and lastly the student can transpose the exercise into different keys.

Folk tunes are part of the Piano Safari repertoire books. Usually they are pieces such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,” “The Duke of York,” and “The Bear Went Over the Mountain.” They are similar to the reading pieces where the students practice reading music, but they also use their ears to play the pieces. 

Learning the folk tunes introduces students to playing familiar pieces and how to learn songs and pieces that they know on their own by ear and reading music.

Improvisational Exercises 

Another interesting activity that Piano Safari offers in its repertoire books are improvisational exercises . In these exercises,  the students are told which notes they can play, and the teacher plays a bass line and or a melody. The students play the notes that they are told to play in any order and can make up a rhythm if they stay in time with the teacher. Improvisational exercises allow students to be creative, explore sounds, and imitate the teacher.

Piano Safari Level Breakdown

Here is a break-down of all the different levels. 

In Piano Safari level one, the students learn pre-staff notation, the grand staff is introduced, the intervals seconds and thirds are introduced, landmark notes are utilized, and students “march rhythms.” Level one includes a repertoire book, a theory book, and sightreading cards. 

In level two, students graduate from landmark notes and start reading all the notes on the staff. They start tapping rhythms, have trickier sight reading examples, and they learn the intervals fourths and fifths. Level two includes a repertoire book, a theory book, a technique book, and sightreading cards. In level three, students learn the other intervals, they start playing more advanced music, and start learning early etude technique exercises. 

Level Three 

Level three has a repertoire book, a theory book, a technique book, and sightreading cards like level two. 

Piano Safari offers all these great activities, and that is one of the reasons that I like to use it  with children.  My students who have used Piano Safari have developed good habits such as having excellent and relaxed piano technique, they do not look at their hands while reading music, they have a good understanding of rhythm, they are good at using their ears, and they enjoy music. 

Enjoying music is the most important thing for students when taking piano lessons. The goal, as teachers, is to keep students wanting to practice and get excited to come to piano lessons. Piano Safari aids the teacher in putting together fun pieces that students enjoy playing and the activities keep students happy and engaged during piano lessons. 

Why I Choose to Use This Method Book As a Teaching Guide

As a piano teacher myself, Piano Safari is my favorite method book to use because of all its fun activities it has for children. It goes along with my teaching philosophy which is teaching students good habits at an early age but also teaching them how to enjoy music. 

Piano Safari is very helpful for the piano teacher in that it provides teaching guides and teaching videos for teachers to use. It is imperative that teachers always plan before having students, especially when using Piano Safari, because there is so much information to cover. For beginning students especially, piano teachers must plan to make lessons efficient.  

When students become more advanced, teachers are mostly reactive to students, meaning students bring in repertoire and teachers aid them on what the students need help with. Piano teachers in general have so much to accomplish with their students. Teachers must break down difficult concepts into something that children can easily understand.  

What I appreciate about Piano Safari is that it helps the teachers introduce concepts one at a time to students and slowly walks them through learning how to play piano and become great musicians . 

To Conclude

I like to use the Piano Safari book with my students because it has the learning techniques of reading pieces, sight reading exercises, rote pieces, theory activities, technique exercises, folk tunes, and improvisation.

The blended Eclectic Method and intervallic approach create the best of two worlds. The result is a resource that provides students with a great way to read music notation, while learning interesting musical styles and listening skills. 

All of Piano Safari’s exercises include fun and silly songs that help students learn to enjoy music and is entertaining for the teachers to teach and introduce new material. I am hopeful that Piano Safari will start to become more popular in the piano teaching world and that more piano teachers will start using this method book for beginning students.

My students have really shown great progress with Piano Safari and they continue to play music and be successful with learning new material. As a music teacher, my goal is to introduce Piano Safari to different piano teachers and encourage teachers to introduce good, early habits and techniques to students so that one day they can become successful pianists. 

Author: Marisa Pickard

Marisa Pickard is currently a graduate student at DePaul University studying piano performance and teaches at the Christopher Laughlin School of Music in Northbrook, IL . She earned her Bachelors of Music in piano performance from the University of Alabama. Being an experienced piano teacher, she has taught piano lessons for five years and has served as president of the Music Teachers National Association chapter at the University of Alabama. During one summer, she participated in the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute.

Bibliography

“About Piano Safari.” Piano Safari. Accessed June 4, 2021. https://pianosafari.com/about/about-piano-safari/.

Crappell, Courtney. Teaching Piano Pedagogy: A Guidebook for Training Effective Teachers . New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.

Fisher, Katherine and Julie Knerr. Piano Safari Repertoire Book I . Piano Safari, LLC, 2018.

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Music Matters Blog

Inspiring Creativity

Review and Giveaway of Piano Safari Level 3

May 26, 2016 by natalie 69 Comments

Even though I believe that a good teacher can effectively utilize any method or curriculum to help a student achieve success, there is something invigorating about having well-designed resources that capture a teacher’s philosophy and vision for their teaching. That’s how I’ve felt about Piano Safari ever since it’s debut a couple of years ago . It has been the perfect complement to my desire to help students develop creative freedom, technical ability, and musical artistry at the piano while also building a solid foundation of reading and rhythm skills.

I don’t know who has been awaiting the release of Level 3 with more anticipation – me or my students – but it’s finally here! The pack includes a Technique Book, a Repertoire Book, and a set of Sight Reading Cards. I’ve had a blast looking through the materials and preparing to teach it. It’s also exciting to see some of the same Classical Education principles that I’m discovering are essential for true learning applied in this method. Namely, repetition, both of content and of processes, is necessary in order for students to attain mastery. I love how this is emphasized in the Technique Book through the use of cool images that the students are instructed to color one small section at a time for every accurate playing of a scale.

For this reason, I see the Technique Book being used not so much sequentially, but more in a spiral learning approach where a student continues to revisit the previously learned scales and exercises to develop increased speed, fluency, and familiarity. The Technique Book also references the animal techniques to instruct the students how to play each scale. The visuals are attractive and helpful while maintaining a clean, uncluttered page layout. I also appreciate the various practice strategies emphasized throughout the book. Another great feature is the way that each introduction of a new scale/key includes the same process as previously learned, while also incorporating a new accompaniment style, demonstrating to the student how the chords and chord progressions can be used in a musical way. All of this is then woven together into the Technique Extravaganza at the end of the book that gives the student an opportunity to showcase all that they have learned in a fun, energetic duet!

The Level 3 Repertoire Book is a fabulous compilation of original compositions, duets, and Classical pieces in their original form. The pieces are in major and minor keys (C,G,F, and a,e,d), and there are helpful bits of information and questions for the student to consider, along with brief biographical sketches about the various composers. This thoughtfully designed book will leave students well-prepared to continue their exploration of every musical style!

Last, but not least, perhaps the most versatile element of the Piano Safari method – the Sight Reading Cards . Whether or not you use the method in its entirety, these cards are a must-have for any piano teacher! We use them in a variety of ways in our studio , and they have done wonders to help my students improve their rhythm and sight reading skills in a sequential and manageable way. Each card includes a 4-measure musical excerpt for the student to play hands together that incorporates dynamics, articulations, and the rhythms they have learned. There is also a single line of rhythm only that can be tapped, played on single notes, or used for a musical improvisation.

Now, for the best part! If you’d like a chance to check out Piano Safari Level 3 for yourself, Julie and Katie have graciously offered to give away a free Level 3 pack to one Music Matters Blog reader (a $45.50 value!). Just leave a comment below to be entered. One winner will be chosen using a random number generator at noon (CST) on Friday, June 3, 2016 . This could be just the thing to re-energize your teaching this summer or in preparation for next fall!

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Reader Interactions

Jennifer smith says

May 26, 2016 at 4:13 pm

I haven’t used this series but it looks like a great one! Would love to have a copy.

May 26, 2016 at 4:24 pm

I have started using Piano Safari so would love to win!

Mary Folkman says

May 26, 2016 at 4:26 pm

Your blog gives some very good information on the use of Level 3. I have one student in it, and would very much like to have my own reference copy.

Kerry Drombosky says

May 26, 2016 at 4:55 pm

I’ve been in search of a new method for a while now and have been hearing good things about this series. I’d love to be able to get a closer look at the materials so that I can decide if this is the direction in which I need to go.

Catharina De Beer says

May 26, 2016 at 5:00 pm

I started using Piano Safari this year and my students are loving it!

Brianne Loberger says

May 26, 2016 at 5:10 pm

I love this method, but haven’t used Level 3 yet! Your review got me excited about it, though!

Barb Grout says

May 26, 2016 at 5:19 pm

I have really enjoyed using the first level of Piano Safari and would a preview of the 3rd level.

Lois O'Brien says

May 26, 2016 at 5:20 pm

I love Piano Safari! I am starting all of my beginners using this series, but haven’t seen level 3 yet.

Nancy Osborne says

May 26, 2016 at 5:26 pm

I have used the first two levels but do not yet own Level 3. Would LOVE to win, but I never do, but I’m hoping!! I think the material is excellent!

Irma Khouw says

May 26, 2016 at 5:47 pm

I love Piano Safari! Currently I have 2 students working on this series and they absolutely love it. The repertoire selections are awesome and I like how scales, chords, cadences, and accompaniment patterns are presented in the technique book 3. Hope to win level 3 pack.

Nancy Wang says

May 26, 2016 at 6:00 pm

I am very interested in trying this method. Thank you?

Juanita says

May 26, 2016 at 6:10 pm

I really like Piano Safari and just started a student on Level 2. I’d love a level 3 set!

Elena Lin says

May 26, 2016 at 6:15 pm

I saw their webinar a few weeks back through MTNA and loved the way they created a fun way for students to learn technique even through their rote pieces. Would love to try it out with some of my students. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

Sheila says

May 26, 2016 at 6:18 pm

I love teaching using Piano Safari!

Brenda P says

May 26, 2016 at 6:22 pm

I am very interested in exploring Piano Safari and would love to win this giveaway.

Debbie Oliver says

May 26, 2016 at 6:29 pm

Piano Safari is on my list of must haves – Thanks for a chance to win a copy

Cherie Norquay says

May 26, 2016 at 6:50 pm

I love Piano Safari and don’t own Bk 3 yet.

May 26, 2016 at 6:59 pm

I would love to receive these Piano Safari books! The method looks superb!

Lizbeth Atkinson says

May 26, 2016 at 7:21 pm

I have been using Piano Safari for about a year now and have fallen in love. My students are thriving and enjoying their lessons. We are having a great time. A level 3 set would be a great addition to the studio. Thank you for this fabulous review!

May 26, 2016 at 7:25 pm

I would like to try this. The approach looks great.! Thanks for the opportunity!

May 26, 2016 at 7:39 pm

I would love to try this!

Lana Doncov says

May 26, 2016 at 7:43 pm

I love Piano Safari and so do my students !

Lauren Sonder says

May 26, 2016 at 8:13 pm

Excited about Piano Safari 3!

Annalise E says

May 26, 2016 at 8:53 pm

I have been hearing such wonderful things about Piano Safari! I am excited to explore what this curriculum has to offer!

May 26, 2016 at 10:05 pm

I have Levels One and Two, and I’m so excited that there is now a Level Three! I have not yet found the right student to begin with Piano Safari, but I plan to begin trying this series out soon. It incorporates all the things I find important to teach my students!

May 26, 2016 at 10:18 pm

I am very interested in this curriculum and would love the chance to learn more about it!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that I’m the lucky winner!!

May 27, 2016 at 12:00 am

This looks so exciting!

Katherine Hutchinson says

May 27, 2016 at 12:37 am

Level 3 looks an exciting extension of an already great piano method. Thanks for the review.

May 27, 2016 at 2:26 am

Piano Safari newbie here. I’ve used Piano Safari a little bit with beginners, and am very curious to check out level 3.

Karen Skelly says

May 27, 2016 at 4:10 am

Thanks for the detailed review. I’d love to win a free copy of level three!

Linda Jamer says

May 27, 2016 at 6:32 am

I have a student who I started out in another method but I am going to switch him over to Piano Safari. After observing and determining his learning style, I feel this method is a perfect match because he is an auditory learner. I believe this method incorporates learning by rote and is not so focused on note learning initially. Haven’t used it yet but am excited to do so! Hope I win the Level 3 packet. Thank you for the opportunity.

Marjasanders says

May 27, 2016 at 7:03 am

After buying the first two books and cards I would love to learn more about the next step and introducing it to my Dutch collegues since they are not familiar with your teaching methods

Marcia says

May 27, 2016 at 7:17 am

I am very interested in reviewing the Piano Safari curriculum for possible use in my studio next year! Your reviews have gotten me very excited about this curriculum, but I have not yet had a chance to actually review it.

Kamy K. says

May 27, 2016 at 7:33 am

I would love to try this series with my students.

Janice says

May 27, 2016 at 8:56 am

I’m interested in finding out more about Piano Safari. Thank you for offering the giveaway!

Helen Grosshans says

May 27, 2016 at 8:57 am

I have used the sight reading cards and like the music and rhythmic notation on each card. Short and easy to include in one lesson.

Tiffany says

May 27, 2016 at 10:36 am

I haven’t used this method but it does sound intriguing! Thank you for the chance!

May 27, 2016 at 3:06 pm

I would love to try-out Piano Safari, as I have heard great things about it from one of my piano pedagogy groups.

Nancy N. says

May 27, 2016 at 3:09 pm

I have heard great things about Piano Safari and would like to try-it-out.

Laurie Sorman says

May 27, 2016 at 4:02 pm

I have a student in Piano Safari Level 1 and will be moving him to Level 2 in the fall. I’m sure Level 3 is just as great as the rest of the series!

May 27, 2016 at 4:55 pm

I have read lots about this method and would love to try it. Thought the visual example shown for C scale was great and am always open to different ways of teaching important technique. Thanks for the opportunity.

Sylvia Thomson says

May 27, 2016 at 5:05 pm

I have been reading about Piano Safari for a few weeks now and I’m excited about adopting this new method. I’d love to win a free pack of Level 3 materials.

Elizabeth M Grace says

May 27, 2016 at 6:31 pm

I just ordered Piano Safari and can’t wait to start using it. Such sound pedagogical material. Thank you!

Lena Purnell says

May 27, 2016 at 10:20 pm

Always looking for new ideas as each student is different

Joy Blumell says

May 27, 2016 at 10:22 pm

I’m liking Piano Safari for my youngest beginners. I’m looking forward to trying level 3

Laura Francis says

May 28, 2016 at 1:24 am

Started using Piano Safari last summer. I especially love the rote pieces! My students are having a blast and learning so much! Looking forward to Level 3!

Karen Lien says

May 28, 2016 at 4:54 am

My students love Piano Safari. I cannot wait to see what’s in level 3.

Mary Pat Todd says

May 28, 2016 at 6:25 am

I’m always drawn to a new method, especially one recommended by fellow teacher Amy Chaplin. The think the idea of a safari will appeal to my young readers.

Barbara Housewright says

May 28, 2016 at 4:14 pm

My most advanced student is now ready for Level 3. She would love the idea of a safari!

Morgan Weisenburger says

May 29, 2016 at 4:48 pm

I’m totally in need of some new ideas and approaches!

Nicole says

May 29, 2016 at 9:08 pm

I started a beginner on Level 1, and am really enjoying it! I also appreciate all the resources on their site. I would love to win!

Linda Wilson says

May 30, 2016 at 6:29 am

I am so excited to learn about Piano Safari. From the materials I see, Level 3 will be perfect for 3 students I’m teaching this summer. I’m anxious to learn more about Piano Safari. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Safari Level 3 giveaway. 🙂

Evelyn Yearty says

May 30, 2016 at 7:10 am

I’ve never used Piano Safari, but am always looking for new, refreshing methods to motivate my students. Would love to win this!

May 30, 2016 at 11:03 am

I have a few young students starting with me this fall, and I’m thinking Piano Safari might be a great fit for them!

Anna Fagan says

May 30, 2016 at 3:33 pm

Studying Levels 1 and 2 this summer, and would love to have Level 3!

Sherrie Johnson says

May 30, 2016 at 9:33 pm

I have never seen this series and would be excited to give it a try!

Andrea Bentz says

May 31, 2016 at 5:20 am

Just started using Level 1 with a student and both of us are loving it! I would love to have level 3 also!

Rebecca says

May 31, 2016 at 2:50 pm

I would love to have the level 3 set – I only have kids on level 1 so far, but it’s been great!

May 31, 2016 at 2:56 pm

I just started using Piano Safari with some of my students and am loving it so far! Can’t wait to use Level 3 soon!

Lori Supernaw says

May 31, 2016 at 5:59 pm

I’ve been looking at Piano Safari for quite some time and would love to win this!

Sophi Albert says

June 2, 2016 at 12:43 pm

It would be great for my students to be introduced to other books, materials.

June 2, 2016 at 2:55 pm

Looks like a fun new book to try!

Julia Andrews says

June 2, 2016 at 10:29 pm

I’m just starting to explore piano safari with my beginners and would love to see how the ideas are developed in level 3. This is a really useful review – thank you!

June 3, 2016 at 9:50 am

Id love to try these books!

Elizabeth says

June 3, 2016 at 9:52 am

This is my new favorite method series

June 3, 2016 at 9:54 am

I’m curious to see the Piano Safari way to transition from a method to “real” classical music 🙂

Kendra says

June 3, 2016 at 10:31 am

I always love trying new materials!

Elisabeth says

June 3, 2016 at 10:32 am

I much prefer to use “current” materials where I can contact the authors and ask lots of questions!

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The Technique Exercises of the Piano Safari method

On Friday, my local MTNA chapter held a workshop given by Katherine Fisher and Dr. Julie Knerr, co-authors of the Piano Safari method.  Piano Safari has been on my radar for quite some time, although I have not yet used the method books with a student.  I have, however, been experimenting with the technique exercises they have developed.

Piano Safari is a unique method in many ways, one of which is the integration of rote pieces alongside reading pieces.

Some time ago, I ordered their supplemental book “Technical Exercises & Rote Pieces” (view it in their online store here ).  I was particularly interested in the technical exercises which are taught to students by rote.  The exercises were developed based on Julie Knerr’s dissertation research in which she observed lessons taught by a handful of well-regarded piano teachers across the United States.  She found commonalities in the ways these teachers taught technique and developed exercises based on those commonalities.

Below is a list of the seven exercises used in Book 1 of Piano Safari and the technical motions developed by each exercise:

• Lion Paw: Arm weight.
• Zechariah Zebra: Repeated notes with firm fingertips.
• Tall Giraffe: Non-legato articulation.
• Tree Frog: Legato articulation with arm bounce.
• Kangaroo: Repeated notes with firm fingertips.
• Soaring Bird: Legato articulation in a three-note slur.
• Monkey Swinging in a Tree: Rotation.

Below is a quick video by Katherine Fisher briefly demonstrating the exercises:

I am a big believer in the importance of giving even beginner students some kind of warmup exercise to play every day.  In the past, my student’s warmup assignment generally consisted of a number of 5-finger patterns (aka pentascales) in various keys.  But in recent months, my students have also been playing various incarnations of Zechariah Zebra and the other animal exercises.  🙂

Since incorporating the Piano Safari exercises, I have seen a huge improvement in my beginner students’ technique and overall physical ease at the piano.  It is so beneficial for students to have a simple exercise/piece where their entire focus can be on developing the basic hand motions that are fundamental to making beautiful sounds at the piano.

Arm weight is an important example.  Sometimes, students do not learn to utilize arm weight until very late in their piano study.  Developing a beautiful tone and a beautiful legato touch is nearly impossible without the proper understanding and use of arm weight.

The wrist roll is another important example of a basic technical movement that is so often required in music.  A wrist roll makes the end of any phrase or slur much more beautiful sounding.

At the Piano Safari workshop last Friday, I gained much more insight into the rest of the philosophies behind the Piano Safari method (besides technique, every method has a unique approach to note reading and rhythm).  I purchased a complete set of books at the workshop and I hope to continue to experiment with this unique method with my students.

You can learn more about the Piano Safari method on their website , where you will find an array of pedagogy articles and videos.  The books are available for purchase also on their website.

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Published by Joy Morin

Joy Morin, MM, is a teacher, pianist, composer, speaker, and writer of a blog at ColorInMyPiano.com. A devoted teacher and lifelong learner, she teaches students of all ages at her independent piano studio near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joy is a frequent attendee and presenter at conferences and workshops, and enjoys connecting with fellow piano teachers through her blog and beyond. View all posts by Joy Morin

7 thoughts on “The Technique Exercises of the Piano Safari method”

Interesting! I wish I can get the preview online, or perhaps will available in my country, since I also search a fun book to motivate my students to practice regularly 🙂

There are some previews on the website — take a peek here: http://pianosafari2.weebly.com/available-materials.html

Thanks for sharing. I’ve been curious about Piano Safari and I would love to be able to see a presentation about the method. Maybe we can get them to come do a workshop in Fort Worth sometime!

Or better yet AUSTIN!!… I am ordering today the technical exercises Please do come to Texas!

Great article! This is my first time hearing about the piano safari method!

I especially enjoy the lion paw exercise. Teaching arm weight is very difficult, and with this exercise, a student can begin working with arm weight at a young age. I personally disagree with the school of thought that weight should be taught once a student is more advanced.

I look forward to incorporating these exercises with my students one day!

Ha. I’m at a Piano Safari workshop in Athens, OH at OU and they just mentioned you and this blog in relation to rhythm notation cards.

Very cool, Karin! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂

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Piano Safari Piano Method Books

Piano safari conversation with katherine fisher and julie knerr.

Piano Safari Interview: Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr visit the-piano-studio.com to discuss their collaborative piano method book series called  Piano Safari.  We talk about how they met, how the series came to light, how best to use this method in your studio, and what’s coming next for Piano Safari .

Meet Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr

Katherine fisher.

Katherine Fisher is on the faculty of the Athens Community Music School at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She teaches private piano lessons and coordinates the Piano Safari Program (group lessons) for children who are beginners at the instrument.

A native of Ohio, Katherine received her degrees from the University of Oklahoma (MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy) and the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (BM in Piano Performance).

Dr. Julie Knerr

Dr. Julie Knerr teaches piano at her home studio in Windsor, Connecticut. Formerly, Julie taught applied piano, piano pedagogy, and group piano as a faculty member at the University of Missouri, Oklahoma City University, and Ohio University.

Julie holds a PhD in Music Education with an Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. Additional degrees include MM degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where Dr. Knerr studied piano and harpsichord; and a BM in Piano Performance from the University of Puget Sound.

1. With so many method books out there, why did you decide to develop Piano Safari ?

Julie Knerr and I met at the University of Oklahoma when we were working on our graduate degrees, and we found we had a mutual dream of writing a piano method for young beginners. This desire was born out of a love for pedagogy and for teaching children. We genuinely enjoyed debating pedagogical topics in the university piano pedagogy library and found it exhilarating to put our ideas down on paper. We wanted to create a product that combined our favorite pedagogical traditions in a new and creative way. We began this process in 2002 and have been working on the method since this time. We began to sell Level 1 in 2011, almost 10 years after we began! This length of time was not for lack of working on the book, but because we were going through a constant process of revision and testing. Level 2 was finished in 2013, and we just released Level 3 in April 2016!

2. What problems with traditional methods did you hope to solve with Piano Safari ?

As a result of our examination and use of various piano methods, we have come to believe that the primary goal of some of the early level methods is not necessarily to teach children to play the piano. Instead, the goal of these methods is to teach children to read music notation at the piano. Because of this intense focus on reading, these methods can be compared to a grammar book intended to teach a student an ancient language.

Although a person may learn to read and write in ancient Greek through a grammar book, it will not be useful for learning to speak the language the way it sounded in the time of Alexander the Great. In order to speak the language correctly and become fluent, one would need to hear the language spoken and practice speaking it.

In the same way, a piano method that is focused exclusively on reading music notation may guide the teacher in teaching students to read music notation, but it may not teach them to understand music aurally or to express it artistically.

Also, students may become disillusioned and uninspired when all the pieces in the book are at the same reading level with the same texture of single line melodies and simple rhythms. Most children have been exposed to complicated music since birth, and they are capable of playing more difficult music than they can read.

Teaching students by rote (i.e. by imitation without extensive reference to the score) allows students to develop their ears, technique, and memory without the added complication of reading the notation. Music is an aural art, so students must learn music with their ears as well as with their eyes. A balance between pieces taught by notation (eye) and those taught by rote (ear) will help students deeply understand and fully express music. Piano Safari was designed to achieve this balance. We include patterned pieces that are to be taught by rote alongside an intervallic reading approach.

An additional element we felt needed to be addressed was in the area of technique. Most method books provide little instruction as to how a piece is to be played. Legato? Non legato? With fingers? With arm? These questions drove Dr. Knerr to write her doctoral dissertation on the subject of beginning technique. (You can read the entire dissertation at the Piano Safari website under Teacher Resources–links are at the end of the article). This research led to the seven animal techniques found in Piano Safari Level 1. Each animal represents a technical motion or articulation that students should master at the beginning of study.

3. Are you targeting your books toward a certain age range? Is there anything coming for adults and teens?

Piano Safari was designed for the average age beginner (5-11) but we have found that it also works with students as young as 4. We plan to design a version for older beginners (teens and adults) and also write a book to ease younger preschoolers into Level 1.

Our Sight Reading & Rhythm Cards may be used with any age of student and are great for teens and adults. Some older beginners also enjoy our Rote Pieces. These may be found as individual sheets or in the Technical Exercises & Rote Pieces Book.

4. Your website says you can use this course of study to supplement other methods. How would you recommend incorporating this?

Several of our products may be used to supplement other material. For example, if a teacher desires to teach the Piano Safari  Rote Pieces and technical approach, they may purchase the Technical Exercises & Rote Pieces Book, which contains excerpts from Repertoire Book 1 and 2. This book may be used with a student who is learning to read notation from another method.

The Sight Reading & Rhythm Cards use an intervallic reading approach in Levels 1-2 and a multi-key approach in Level 3. Although they correspond directly with our series, they may also be used to supplement another method. Teachers interested in this option may purchase our Sight Reading Card Pack, which contains all three levels of cards.

5. Can you take us through an ideal mini-lesson plan of a teacher using your Piano Safari course?

A 45 minute lesson with a first year student using Piano Safari might include the following activities:

• 10 minutes: Sight Reading & Rhythm Cards. We help the student analyze the intervals for each reading exercise and then play it three times. They tap the rhythm exercise on the piano or the drum.
• 5 minutes: Work on a new technical exercise or review a previous exercise.
• 10 minutes: Work on current pieces to refine them. The pieces in each unit can be assigned in any order to achieve a balance in the assignment between Rote Pieces and Reading Pieces.
• 10 minutes: Introduce one or two new pieces.
• 5 minutes: Review pieces. We enjoy having students keep many pieces in their repertoire so that they eventually can play an entire unit in the book. Keeping review pieces over an extended period allows students to gain confidence and technical fluency. We like to add creative variations to the Review Pieces. For example, the student can play a piece in a different octave, play the drum while the teacher plays the piano, transpose the piece, play it at various tempos or dynamic levels, etc. This creates a musical experience at the lesson for the student.
• 5 minutes: Improvisation or a theory game. We have several Improvisation Pieces included throughout the book.

6.  What do you hope that teachers and students will take away from learning your course?

• Master the reading of notation through a systematic intervallic approach that allows for extended practice with each interval before adding other intervals.
• Gain a solid technical foundation that will allow students to progress to higher and higher levels of pianism.
• Develop motivation and love for music though fun and colorful Rote Pieces

When we started teaching students using Piano Safari , we found that along with the three areas above, students also gain a fearlessness at the piano, confidence, and the ability to express their creativity in composition and improvisation.

7. What’s coming next for Piano Safari ?

• Exploring options for making our materials more easily available to the international market. Shipping from the U.S. is expensive, so we are working to make more of our materials available digitally.
• Teen/Adult beginning method
• Preschool primer

Finally, we will continue to write pedagogical resources that will support all piano teachers. We are pedagogues at heart, and we love to write materials that aid teachers in their work.

Want to read more about Katherine Fisher and Julie Knerr’s  Piano Safari   books, or looking to purchase these method books? Visit their website at www.pianosafari.com .

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Beginning Students Using Piano Safari

Do you have beginning students using Piano Safari?

Visit the SproutBeat Library and check out the “Methods” section to see a curated list of games and worksheets that correspond directly with Piano Safari Book 1, including the Intro Unit.

Book 1, Intro Unit

Just head to the main screen of the web app, click “Methods,” and then select “Piano Safari” from the drop-down list. From there you can choose which book and which unit within that book.

To supplement the Intro Unit, we’ve created customized games and worksheets specific to Piano Safari. Have fun with the rhythm words for Charlie Chipmunk , Kangaroo , and Zechariah Zebra . Explore the different rhythm patterns from the sight reading cards. Build auditory awareness through simple ear training samples that correlate directly with this method. Review basic music terminology, like measures and bar lines, in ways that make sense to new beginners.

Supplementing with SproutBeat during the week can really solidify students’ learning and help them progress faster, setting them up for even more success later.

Learn more about the Piano Safari method here.

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Piano Safari: Older Beginner Level 1 Pac Paperback – August 15, 2018

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• Language English
• Publisher ALFRED PUBLISHING CO (LARGE)
• Publication date August 15, 2018
• Dimensions 8.94 x 0.55 x 11.93 inches
• ISBN-10 1470612585
• ISBN-13 978-1470612580
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ ALFRED PUBLISHING CO (LARGE) (August 15, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1470612585
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1470612580
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.33 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.94 x 0.55 x 11.93 inches
• #3,219 in Piano & Keyboards

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Home » Piano Safari Method

Piano Safari Method

The journey begins here.

This page contains Piano Safari Method products for children and older students .

Curious about our method? Read about Piano Safari and how it works. You can also browse sample pages from the core method products here . Individual product pages contain samples, as well.

If you already have the products listed on this page, you can find the teacher guides you need organized by level in our  Piano Safari Teacher Resources section.

Note: a code for corresponding audio tracks is located in the front cover of the Repertoire Book 1 and Repertoire Book 2.

Children 10 and under start learning with the Piano Safari Level 1 materials.

Click the links to visit individual product pages, or browse all Level 1 products via the button below.

Level 1 products include:

• Level 1 Pack – Includes Repertoire Book 1 and Sight Rhythm & Reading Cards 1. The Pack contains the core of the method and is designed to promote the well-rounded development of each student.
• Repertoire Book 1  – Included in the Level 1 Pack. Contains repertoire, technique, improvisation, and some theory pages.
• Sight Reading Cards 1  – Included in the Level 1 Pack. Correlates with the Repertoire Book but can be used to supplement any standard method.

The following items are not included in the Level 1 Pack and must be purchased separately.

• Piece Cards 1  – Provides motivation for students to learn and review pieces in Repertoire Book 1.
• Theory Book 1  – Supports the Repertoire Book and Sight Reading & Rhythm Cards.

Browse all Piano Safari Level 1 Products

We also provide a range of teaching resources to accompany our Level 1 products. Please see the  Level 1 Teacher Resources section for accompaniment transpositions, unit maps and more.

Level 2 is for students who have completed Level 1, or for transfer students that have a grounding in the 7 Animal Technical Exercises and Rote Pieces from the first level. For more information about how to transfer students into Piano Safari, read this blog post .

Level 2 products:

• Level 2 Pack – Includes Repertoire Book 2, Technique Book 2, and Sight Rhythm & Reading Cards 2.
• Repertoire Book 2  – Included in the Level 2 Pack. Contains repertoire, improvisation, and some theory pages.
• Technique Book 2  – Included in the Level 2 Pack. Accompanies Repertoire Book 2, but may also be used with any piano method as a supplement.
• Sight Reading Cards 2  – Included in the Level 2 Pack. Correlates with Repertoire Book 2 but can be used to supplement any standard method.

The following items are not included in the Level 2 pack and must be purchased separately.

• Piece Cards 2  – Helpful for students practicing and reviewing pieces.
• Theory Book 2  – Reinforces concepts of Level 2. Includes metric counting and rhythmic values, along with grand staff and note identification.

Browse all Piano Safari Level 2 Products

Make sure to take advantage of our Level 2 Teacher Resources section where you can find accompaniment transpositions, unit maps and more.

Level 3 products:

• Level 3 Pack  – Contains all of the items listed below: Repertoire Book 3, Technique Book 3, and Sight Reading & Rhythm Cards 3. Level 3 includes engaging music for students at the late elementary/early intermediate level.
• Repertoire Book 3  – Included in the Level 3 Pack.
• Technique Book 3  – Included in the Level 3 Pack. Designed to accompany Repertoire Book 3, but may be used to supplement any method.
• Sight Reading Cards 3  – Included in the Level 3 Pack. Correlates and reinforces the seven units in Repertoire Book 3, but may be used with any standard method.

Browse all Piano Safari Level 3 Products

Just like the previous levels, we provide a range of teacher resources for Level 3 to accompany the products.

Older Student Method

Piano Safari for the Older Student employs the same pedagogy used in the series for children. We modified this version to include more sophisticated themes. There are three levels of Older Student materials.

Older Student Level 1 products:

• Older Student Level 1 Pack – Includes Repertoire & Technique Book 1 and Sight Reading & Theory Book 1.
• Repertoire & Technique Book 1 – Included in the Older Student Level 1 Pack. Moves at an accelerated pace compared to the core Piano Safari Method for children. Recommended for students age ten through adult.
• Sight Reading & Theory Book 1  – Included in the Older Student Level 1 Pack.

Browse all Older Student Level 1 products

Please see our teaching resources section for guides to go with our older student method products.

Older Student Level 2 products

• Older Student Level 2 Pack – Includes Repertoire & Technique Book 2 and Sight Reading & Theory Book 2.
• Repertoire & Technique Book 2 – Included in the Older Student Level 2 Pack.
• Sight Reading & Theory Book 2  – Included in the Older Student Level 2 Pack.

Browse all Older Student Level 2 products

Older Student Level 3 products

• Older Student Level 3 Pack – Includes Repertoire & Technique Book 3 and Sight Reading & Theory Book 3.
• Repertoire & Technique Book 3 – Included in the Older Student Level 3 Pack.
• Sight Reading & Theory Book 3 – Included in the Older Student Level 3 Pack.

Browse all Older Student Level 3 products

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Piano Pronto Review

by Lauren Lewandowski | Feb 10, 2015 | Reviews

Here are a few features of the series:

• No pre-reading . Students start reading on the staff immediately from C-position in the right hand.
• Familiar tunes. Almost all of the pieces in the series are arrangements of familiar tunes from classical, jazz, folk, and pop genres. The use of arrangements in this series can create quite a discussion. Check out Jennifer’s article about arrangments here: https://www.pianopronto.com/piano-teacher-tips-classical-arrangements/ .
• Pace . The series introduces rhythm values like eighth notes and dotted quarters very early. It also does not take long to introduce compound meter and key signatures.
• Clean design . “Pronto Prep” sections allow the student to practice a new concept before it is applied in a piece.
• Teacher duets. The first three levels of the series have a corresponding book of teacher duets. Jennifer is a great arranger and the duets are really nice.
• Discussion forum . Jennifer manages an active Facebook forum for teachers to ask questions about the series. She responds to the forum and emails almost immediately.

More information about the series can be found at www.pianopronto.com .

Lauren teaches piano to students of all ages in New Orleans, LA. Teaching is her passion. She enjoys creating resources for her students and is the author of Ready for Theory®.

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