Based on reviews and publisher descriptions, here is a general overview of each book in the "A Dozen a Day" series, from a user and teacher perspective.
General Impressions of the Series
"A Dozen a Day" is a very popular series, and for good reason. It's not a method book in itself, but rather a collection of short, daily warm-up exercises. The key strengths that are consistently mentioned in reviews are:
Breaks down technique: The exercises are short and focused on one specific technical skill, like finger dexterity, coordination, or scales. This makes them easy to master and integrate into a daily practice routine.
Engaging and fun: The exercises are given creative, descriptive names like "The Push-Up," "Brushing Teeth," and "Chinning Yourself," which helps make them relatable and enjoyable, especially for younger students. The use of simple stick-figure illustrations also adds to this appeal.
Effective warm-up: Many teachers and students find that doing a few of these exercises at the beginning of a practice session really helps to warm up their hands and prepare them for more difficult pieces.
Helps build strong habits: By encouraging students to do just a "dozen" exercises every day, it helps them build the discipline and consistency needed for long-term progress.
Review of Each Book
Mini Book
Target Audience: Absolute beginners, often used before or alongside a primer method book.
Review: This is the starting point for many young pianists. The exercises are extremely simple and focus on basic hand positions and finger independence. The exercises don't require the student to read music on the staff yet, making it a gentle introduction to finger dexterity and coordination.
Preparatory Book
Target Audience: Late beginners, typically after the Mini Book and alongside a level 1 or 2 method book.
Review: This book bridges the gap between the most basic exercises and more complex ones. It introduces exercises that require more hand-stretching and finger independence. It's a great tool for building foundational technique.
Book 1: Primary
Target Audience: Early elementary students.
Review: This is one of the most widely used books in the series. It expands on the previous levels by introducing more complex rhythms and hand movements, including simple scales and arpeggio-like patterns. It helps students develop solid technique in a very accessible format.
Book 2: Elementary
Target Audience: Elementary students.
Review: Moving beyond the primary level, this book introduces more challenging exercises. The exercises begin to incorporate more complex finger patterns, scales, and chords. This book is for students who have a good grasp of the basics and are ready to push their technical skills further.
Book 3: Transitional
Target Audience: Students transitioning to the intermediate level.
Review: This is a key book for students who are beginning to play more challenging repertoire. The exercises focus on skills needed for intermediate pieces, such as faster scales, more intricate rhythms, and exercises that require greater hand flexibility and control. It's a solid bridge to more advanced technical work.
Book 4: Lower-Higher
Target Audience: Lower-intermediate to higher-intermediate students.
Review: As the title suggests, this book is for students who are no longer beginners. The exercises are more complex, with more challenging rhythms and wider hand spans. Reviewers note that this book is excellent for preparing students for intermediate repertoire and helping them master more advanced technical challenges.
Book 5: Intermediate
Target Audience: Intermediate students.
Review: This is the highest level in the main series. The exercises are significantly more difficult, requiring a high level of finger strength, speed, and coordination. This book is for dedicated students who are serious about their piano technique and are playing intermediate to late-intermediate level pieces. It's an excellent resource for maintaining and building on technical skills.