here is why.
in addition to being a great method.
most of the songs from the third grade onward can be found on youtube.
seing little kids and adults alike playing the songs is inspiring.
hearing what you can do watching posture. because most of the kids have been taught by good teachers
it is pretty inspiring.
John thompson also offers supplementary material for each of the grade levels.
I must admit the third grade was the most difficult for me to get past.
for some reason I lingered in this zone for almost 9 years.
I just didnt want to move forward but then one day I began to play through the book 3 and realized my reading had improved although my fingering had become awful
so I have to pay close attention to fingering which slows me a little.
most of the thompson supplementary material can be found on amazon or ebaY.
i RECOMMEND AT least buy the etudes that go along with the books
this is the p[erfect way to practice your scales or appeggios in a musical way.
the apeggios are meant to be read and memorized and perfected.
so that you develop good technique.
pay close atention to the tempo suggestions
allegro means
nryerrm 120 and 167 beats per minute/
take your time but build up to this measurement and your playing will get professional.
the material is mostly classical but the occasional spiritual and hymn is inserted
like in book three
green sleeves is in there a beautiful cross hands example
which is the same melody as amazing grace /He looked beyond my fault.
I am sure there are other methods out there
but I remember I hada one legged professor who swore by these books.
he taught all his students from these method books
he felt there was excellent material in the pages to help the seroius student become a great pianist.
I must say I agree.