Whether you are new to teaching or a veteran teacher, our rote and reading approach will enable your students to thrive in lessons and enjoy music for the rest of their lives.
Trusted for more than a decade by thousands of piano teachers and parents around the world
Piano Safari's innovative, research-based method provides a holistic approach combining ears, eyes, and imagination that allows children to become musically literate at the piano.
We balance technical development with creative exploration, supported by a rich library of supplemental materials. We help your students develop confident reading skills while equipping them with a solid artistic foundation for lifelong musical engagement so they continue to find joy in playing long after lessons end.
Our reading approach trains students to recognize melodic contour and musical patterns. This meticulously sequenced progression develops reading fluency, makes transposition intuitive, and expands skill without requiring memorization of every note name. Unlike traditional methods that rush through concepts, our intervallic approach provides the repetition necessary to ensure concept mastery before advancement, building confident readers who understand the structure of music.
Our method includes pieces taught by pattern recognition and demonstration, allowing beginners to play engaging and musically rich music from the start. This approach introduces stylistic variety beyond what students can initially read, utilizes the full range of the piano, and allows focus on playing with correct technique while listening for a beautiful sound. Students develop into motivated and secure performers while their reading skills develop in parallel.
Our research-based technique exercises use engaging animal imagery to develop foundational gestures essential for healthy piano playing. These exercises establish proper movement before introducing traditional scales and chords, creating a more natural technical progression. Students build a solid foundation while having fun—making technique practice something they look forward to rather than avoid.
Our method includes improvisation activities from the very first lessons, encouraging students to explore and create their own music alongside learning to play repertoire. These structured yet flexible exercises develop musical intuition, deepen understanding of theory concepts, and build confidence in self-expression. When composition and improvisation are a natural part of learning rather than a separate advanced skill, students develop a more personal connection to the piano and greater musical independence.
We have carefully curated a diverse collection of supplements from various composers, including rote pieces, sheet music, holiday and sacred selections, and ensemble works. Whether you teach private or group lessons, work with beginners or advancing students, or instruct children or adults, you'll find something to suit your needs. Our supplements support different learning styles and help students strengthen their weaknesses while celebrating their strengths.
Trying something new can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join our thriving global community of piano teachers on Facebook, where educators share their experiences and successes with our method. Additionally, the Piano Safari Institute offers training through prerecorded courses, providing the support you need every step of the way.
The Piano Safari method has helped me structure my lessons such that I prioritize all aspects of music making, not just reading. I especially appreciate the detailed teacher guides and essays that explain the pedagogy and provide techniques to help manage students in both private and group settings. The intervallic reading approach is so consistently successful with my beginning students - I never cease to be amazed at how well Piano Safari students comprehend notation as they progress! I will always recommend Piano Safari to every teacher I meet because the method and its philosophy are truly exceptional.
As an experienced piano teacher of 40 plus years, Piano Safari energized and refreshed my teaching. I became excited about teaching beginners again. I love the 7 animal techniques, introduced in Piano Safari Level 1, that can be related to all ages and levels. Who doesn’t like “stuffie” animals to demonstrate a piano technique? Teaching a beginner by rote enables a student to learn proper technique in a fun and relaxed manner, without having to learn to read notes at the same time. Once the technique is “easy,” then we start reading by intervals. Continuing to learn as teachers is so important! Piano Safari provides a wealth of resources for multiple levels. I always look forward to the new releases. I highly recommend Piano Safari!
While no method can be perfect or fit every student, Piano Safari contains so many of my pedagogical values that it is my go-to method. The intervallic approach to reading is consistent throughout and works effectively with my students. I love the strong emphasis on building a healthy technique, but even more, I love that this is taught in a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate way through the animal techniques and rote pieces. My students have so much fun playing the music in this method and play expressively because the repertoire is appealing and engaging. I wholeheartedly recommend Piano Safari to my colleagues and friends!
Discovering the Piano Safari method, shortly after moving to Columbus, OH years ago, was a game changer. I knew THIS is the teacher I wanted to be. I love that students are taught rote pieces along with reading pieces. They adore these pieces and are so proud when they have completed them. My students’ sight reading, rhythm confidence and ear training abilities have all improved tremendously. After using the method for nine years, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to any teacher wanting to provide a well-rounded approach to their teaching.
I started using the basic method with a handful of students 10 years ago, and now Friends, Piano Safari, and the Older Beginner series are my primary teaching methods. I love the mix of technique, rote, reading, and theory, and my students love the music! My students love the supplemental resources as well, especially the Christmas arrangements. In addition, Piano Safari is a treasure chest of resources, wisdom, pedagogy, and so much more.
I have found Piano Safari to be the most successful method for all ages I’ve ever found in 17 years of teaching. It smoothly integrates all the various aspects of well rounded training: rote learning, intervalic reading, creativity, and technique. I feel confident and equipped as a teacher using such comprehensive materials that students thoroughly enjoy. Students are engaged and eager to learn when they are getting such a solid foundation and they don’t ever feel overwhelmed since the learning is so fun! A special mention goes to Piano Safari Friends - it’s the first method I’ve ever found that is so joyful and successful to teach preschoolers/kids up to 6. Thanks Julie and Katherine for helping me be a better teacher and bringing joy and enthusiasm to my studio!
Piano Safari provides a holistic approach that balances technical skill, reading ability, and creative exploration. Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on note reading, we integrate rote learning, intervallic reading, improvisation, and carefully designed technique exercises to develop well-rounded musicians.
Our core method is designed for students who start around the age of 6 or 7. We also have a beginning book for younger students between the ages of 4-6, Piano Safari Friends, and an Older Student series for beginners age 12 and up. Our pedagogical approach adapts to individual student needs, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and learning styles.
Absolutely not! Whether you're a new teacher or a veteran, our method provides clear, research-based guidance. The materials are designed to support teachers at all levels, with comprehensive instructions and a structured approach that helps both new and experienced teachers succeed.
We combat student distraction through engaging, creative approaches like animal-themed technique exercises, rote pieces that allow immediate music-making, and built-in improvisation activities. Our method keeps students excited about learning by making piano fun and allowing them to create music from the very beginning.
Our comprehensive system includes method books, technique books, sight reading cards and books, repertoire collections, and supplementary materials. Each component is carefully designed to work together, providing a complete learning experience that develops musical literacy, technical skill, and creative expression.
