Method Books

These methods are used in divisional programs for Divisional Arts, the AOK Conservatory of Music, and the AOK Guitar School. We recommend these books for use in corps music programs.

All Salvation Army publications are available directly from the Supplies and Purchasing Department.  Many of them are also available through jwpepper.com, as are the non-army publications. Jwpepper accounts are very easy for a corps to set up.


Beginner’s Brass Method

Essential Elements 2000 Interactive – Book 1

Tim Lautzenheiser, John Higgins, Charles Menghini, Paul Lavender, Tom Rhoades & Don Bierschenk  - Hal Leonard Corp.

•    Bb Trumpet
•    Eb Horn
•    Baritone T.C.
•    Low Eb Instrument
•    Low Bb Instrument
•    Percussion
•    Score


Intermediate/Advanced Methods 

 The Brass Gym

Sam Pilafian & Patrick Sheridan - Focus On Music

 •    Trumpet Book

• Baritone Treble Clef

Arban's Complete Conservatory Method

Jean Baptiste Arban - Dover Publications Inc.  

Daily Scale Builder

Rob McGregor         - Carl Fischer LLC                                                 

Concert Studies

Philip Smith - Curnow Music Press

The Breathing Gym

Sam Pilafian & Patrick Sheridan - Focus On Music  

Exercises to improve breath control and airflow. 

 

 

Children's (6-1 2) Piano Method 

Succeeding at the Piano

Helen Marlais - FJH Music Company Inc 

 •    Preparatory
•    Grade 1
•    Grade 2
•    Grade 3

Theory Time

Heather Rathnau - Theory Time

 •    Primer
•    Grade 1
•    Grade 2
•    Grade 3


Teens and Adults Piano Method  

Piano 101

 E. L. Lancaster & Kenon D. Renfrow         - Alfred Music Publishing

 •    Book 1
•    Book 2

Scale Skills

Keith Snell - Neil A Kjos Music Co

 •    Level 4
•    Level 5


Theory  

Explorations in Music

A seven book series that moves at a comfortable pace. Teachers books are also available.


Percussion

Essential Elements Interactive

Tim Lautzenheiser, John Higgins, Charles Menghini, Paul Lavender, Tom Rhoades & Don Bierschenk- Hal Leonard Corporation 

•    Book includes snare drum and keyboard percussion (bells, xylophone, marimba, etc)

•    Follows the Essential Elements band method, so it can taught at the same time as brass players.

 

Alfred's Drum Method

Sandy Feldstein & Dave Black - Alfred Music 

Beginner-intermediate snare drum method. Includes bass drum and cymbal parts, as well as over 20 solos. 

Simple Steps to Successful Beginning Percussion 

Kenneth Wylie - K. Wylie Publications

Complete method for beginning-intermediate percussion. Covers snare, bass, mallets, cymbals, timpani, auxiliary, Latin, and drumset. Comes with play along CD's. 

Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone

Morris Goldenberg-Alfred Music

Intermediate-Advanced keyboard percussion method. This is the basis of many collegiate programs.

 

A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion

Mark Wessels-Mark Wessels Publications

Beginner method for keyboard percussion.

 

Modern School for Snare Drum

Morris Goldenberg-Alfred Music

Intermediate-Advanced snare drum method. Includes orchestral excerpts.

Portraits in Rhythm

Anthony J. Cirone-Alfred Music

Intermediate-Advanced Snare Drum Etudes. This is the basis for many collegiate programs and professional auditions.

Master Studies

Joe Morello-Hal Leonard Corp.

A classic book on stick control. Develops speed, technique, and precision.

Alfred's Beginning Drumset Method

Sandy Feldstein & Dave Black-Alfred Music

A beginner drumset method.

Modern Method For Tympani

Saul Goodman-Alfred Music

Classic Timpani method. Divided into 4 sections: Fundamentals, 2 drum,s, 3 & 4 drums, orchestral repertoire.

Exercises, Etudes, and Solos for the Timpani

Raynor Carroll-Carl Fischer LLC.

Timpani Method that includes a number of etudes, exercises, and orchestral excerpts.


Guitar and Bass

The Contemporary Guitarist

James Cox  - Salvation Army, USA Southern Territory

Designed to quickly and effectively train guitarists to accompany worship. Each book comes with a CD and a DVD that covers every lesson.

Hal Leonard Guitar Method

Will Schmit and Greg Koch - Hal Leonard

A thee part guitar complete course that teaches note reading, chords, and various techniques. This works with all ages. 

Music Reading for Guitar

Starting at the elementary level and progressing to advanced techniques, this comprehensive method is like a complete two-year guitar course in book form. Works best with ages 12 and up.

 

Mel Bay's Electric Bass Method

Rober Filiberto - Mel Bay

This bass method is very widely used, and is perfect for training bass guitarists. 


Creative Arts 

Dance Curriculum

The Salvation Army

 

Drama Curriculum

The Salvation Army

 

Children's Praise

The Salvation Army

Perfect for Singing Company groups. Multiple volumes available. Comes with accompaniment CD. 

Sing to the Lord

The Salvation Army

Children's Voice and Mixed Voice Series

Excellent series for junior choirs and songsters. Accompaniment CD available for volumes 10 and up. 

Sing Praise

The Salvation Army 

Adult choral series in three parts (SAB). Designed for choirs with limited vocal range and easy to moderate difficulty levels. A very useful publication for corps songsters!  CD of accompaniment is available.

 

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

The Salvation Army 

Gospel and contemporary vocal settings for all ages!  1 and 2 part choral settings for any choral group. CD of accompaniment is available. 

 

Evoking Sound

 Sabine Horstmann- GIA Publications

Great tool for leaders. This innovative approach is a collection of warm-ups, exercises, posture, breathing, diction, and suggestions for planning your choir's warm-up.  

 

Sing Legato

Kenneth Jennings - Neil A Kjos Music Co 

Unique studies perfect for vocal training. Teaches basic aspects of singing such as intervals, diction, dynamics, and ear training. This method teaches the techniques through songs written for that purpose. Examples are Sing Legato, Staccato is Short, The Third Comes in Two Sizes, etc.