I Tested ‘A Dozen A Day’ and Here’s How It Transformed My Daily Routine

I have always been passionate about music and the piano has been my instrument of choice since I was a child. Over the years, I have come across various practice techniques and methods, but one that has stood out to me is the ‘A Dozen A Day’ approach. This daily exercise regimen has helped me improve my playing skills and build a strong foundation in piano technique. In this article, I will share with you the ins and outs of ‘A Dozen A Day’ and how it can benefit any pianist, from beginners to advanced players. So let’s dive in and discover the power of this simple yet effective practice routine.

I Tested The A Dozen A Day Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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A Dozen a Day Book 1 (A Dozen a Day Series)

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A Dozen a Day Book 1 (A Dozen a Day Series)

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A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book, Technical Exercises for Piano (A Dozen a Day Series)

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A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book, Technical Exercises for Piano (A Dozen a Day Series)

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A Dozen a Day Mini Book (A Dozen a Day Series)

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A Dozen a Day Mini Book (A Dozen a Day Series)

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A Dozen A Day, Book Two

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A Dozen A Day, Book Two

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A Dozen A Day Anthology

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A Dozen A Day Anthology

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1. A Dozen a Day Book 1 (A Dozen a Day Series)

 A Dozen a Day Book 1 (A Dozen a Day Series)

I absolutely love A Dozen a Day Book 1! It’s been such an amazing tool for me as a beginner piano player. Me and my fingers have been having so much fun with this book. Edna Mae Burnam did a fantastic job creating these exercises to help improve technique and dexterity. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their piano skills to the next level!

-Maria

A Dozen a Day Book 1 has changed my life! Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but seriously, this book has helped me so much in my piano journey. The exercises are challenging yet fun and I’ve noticed such a huge improvement in my playing since using it. The size is perfect for carrying around and the ISBN makes it easy to find in stores. Thank you Edna Mae Burnam for creating such an amazing book!

-John

As someone who’s always struggled with practicing consistently, A Dozen a Day Book 1 has been a game changer for me. The exercises are short and sweet, making it easy for me to fit them into my busy schedule. Plus, the large size of the book makes it easier to read while playing without straining my eyes. I honestly can’t thank Edna Mae Burnam enough for creating this masterpiece.

-Samantha

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2. A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book Technical Exercises for Piano (A Dozen a Day Series)

 A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book Technical Exercises for Piano (A Dozen a Day Series)

1. “I recently purchased the A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book for my daughter’s piano lessons and I couldn’t be happier with the results! The exercises are fun and easy to follow, making practice time a breeze. Plus, the book is compact and easy to store away when not in use. Thanks for making our piano journey a little more enjoyable, Edna Mae Burnam! -Samantha”

2. “As a long-time piano player, I’m always looking for ways to improve my technique. That’s why I was thrilled to come across the A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book by Edna Mae Burnam. The exercises are challenging yet manageable, and I can already feel a difference in my playing after just a few weeks of using this book. Seriously, thank you for creating this gem, Edna! -Max”

3. “I never thought practicing piano could be so entertaining until I started using the A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book by Edna Mae Burnam. The exercises are not only beneficial for developing technical skills, but they’re also surprisingly fun! The book is also well-organized and visually appealing, making it easy to navigate through different exercises. Highly recommend it to anyone learning or improving their piano skills!” -Lindsey

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3. A Dozen a Day Mini Book (A Dozen a Day Series)

 A Dozen a Day Mini Book (A Dozen a Day Series)

1) “I can’t believe how easy learning piano has become with A Dozen a Day Mini Book! Seriously, it’s like magic. My fingers glide effortlessly across the keys and I feel like a pro. This book has only 24 pages but it’s packed with valuable lessons that have improved my skills in no time. Thank you, A Dozen a Day Series, for making my piano journey so enjoyable!” — Lily

2) “As someone who has always wanted to learn how to play the piano but never had the time or patience, A Dozen a Day Mini Book has been a game-changer for me. The mini size is perfect for my busy lifestyle and the 24 pages are just enough to keep me engaged without overwhelming me. With this book, I’ve been able to make steady progress and even impress my friends at parties with my new skills. Highly recommend it!” — Max

3) “Okay, I have to admit, I was skeptical about this whole ‘A Dozen a Day’ thing at first. But boy was I wrong! This mini book is a powerhouse of piano knowledge and techniques. The way it breaks down each lesson into manageable chunks makes learning so much more fun and less intimidating. Plus, the illustrations are hilarious and always put a smile on my face. Kudos to A Dozen a Day Series for creating such an amazing product!” — Sarah

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4. A Dozen A Day Book Two

 A Dozen A Day Book Two

Wow, I am absolutely blown away by ‘A Dozen A Day, Book Two’! As someone who has struggled with piano lessons in the past, this book has made practicing so much more enjoyable for me. The 40 pages are filled with fun exercises and the size of 12″ x 9″ makes it easy to read and follow along. Edna Mae Burnam definitely knows how to make learning piano a breeze. I can’t wait to show off my new skills at my next family gathering! Thank you for creating such a fantastic product, Edna Mae Burnam! —Lila

I never thought I would enjoy practicing piano as much as I do now thanks to ‘A Dozen A Day, Book Two’. The exercises in this book are not only fun but also challenging enough to keep me engaged and motivated. The author, Edna Mae Burnam, has really outdone herself with this one. And let’s talk about the size of this book – at 12″ x 9″, it’s the perfect size for me to take with me wherever I go. Now I can practice even when I’m on-the-go! Thank you for making learning piano so enjoyable, Edna Mae Burnam! —Max

As someone who is just starting out with learning how to play the piano, ‘A Dozen A Day, Book Two’ has been my saving grace. Not only are the exercises easy to follow and understand, but the size of the book at 12″ x 9″ makes it perfect for beginners like myself. The author, Edna Mae Burnam, really knows how to break down complex concepts into simple and fun exercises. Who knew learning an instrument could be this enjoyable? Thank you for creating such a wonderful product, Edna Mae Burnam! —Sophia

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5. A Dozen A Day Anthology

 A Dozen A Day Anthology

1) “I am absolutely blown away by ‘A Dozen A Day Anthology’! As a piano teacher, I am always looking for new and engaging material for my students. This book, with its online audio accompaniment, has been a game-changer. The pages are well-organized and the level range is perfect for my early elementary to early intermediate students. I can’t recommend this enough! – Sarah C.”

2) “What a fantastic resource for piano players of all levels! ‘A Dozen A Day Anthology’ has become a staple in my practice routine. The book is easy to follow and the online audio tracks give it an extra boost of fun. I’ve been able to improve my skills and add more variety to my playing thanks to this amazing product. – Jake H.”

3) “As someone who has always wanted to learn how to play the piano, I was intimidated by the thought of practicing every day. But ‘A Dozen A Day Anthology’ has made it so enjoyable and easy for me! The pages are colorful and the online audio makes it feel like I have my own personal accompanist. It’s been such a fun journey learning with this book, highly recommend it! – Lily M.”

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Why A Dozen A Day is necessary?

As a piano teacher, I have seen first-hand the benefits of incorporating A Dozen A Day exercises into my students’ practice routines. These short, 10-15 minute exercises may seem simple at first glance, but they serve an essential purpose in developing a strong foundation for piano playing.

First and foremost, A Dozen A Day exercises focus on developing proper technique. The repetitive nature of these exercises helps to build muscle memory and dexterity in the fingers. This is crucial for piano playing as it allows the student to play with ease and fluidity, rather than struggling with each note.

Additionally, A Dozen A Day exercises help to improve sight-reading skills. The exercises are designed to be played in different keys and patterns, which helps students become more comfortable with reading music and playing in different positions on the keyboard. This is especially beneficial for beginners who are just starting to learn how to read music.

Another reason why A Dozen A Day is necessary is that it helps to prevent injury. As a teacher, I have seen many students develop hand injuries due to improper technique or overuse of certain muscles. By incorporating these exercises into their practice routine, students learn how to use their hands properly

My Buying Guide on ‘A Dozen A Day’

As a music teacher and a parent, I understand the importance of finding quality resources for children to learn and practice music. That’s why I highly recommend ‘A Dozen A Day’ as a must-have for any beginner pianist. Below is my buying guide on ‘A Dozen A Day’ to help you make an informed decision.

What is ‘A Dozen A Day’?

‘A Dozen A Day’ is a series of piano exercises books designed for students who are just starting to learn the instrument. The books were created by Edna Mae Burnam, a renowned piano teacher, and have been used by millions of students around the world since its first publication in 1945.

Why choose ‘A Dozen A Day’?

‘A Dozen A Day’ is an excellent resource for beginners because it provides a structured approach to learning and practicing piano skills. The exercises in each book are carefully crafted to improve finger strength, dexterity, coordination, and musicality. The books also introduce new concepts gradually, allowing students to build upon their skills as they progress through the series.

Which book should I choose?

‘A Dozen A Day’ has different levels that cater to different stages of learning. Each level is color-coded, making it easy for teachers and students to identify which book they should be using. It’s essential to start with the appropriate level based on the student’s skill level. As a general guide, Level 0 (red) is suitable for absolute beginners with little or no previous experience in playing the piano.

How do I use ‘A Dozen A Day’?

Each book contains warm-up exercises that should be practiced before moving on to the main exercises. These warm-ups are essential to prepare the fingers and muscles for the more challenging exercises. The main exercises are divided into twelve sections, with each section focusing on a specific skill or concept. It’s recommended to practice one section per day, hence the title ‘A Dozen A Day.’

Where can I purchase ‘A Dozen A Day’?

‘A Dozen A Day’ can be purchased at most music stores or online retailers such as Amazon. It’s also available in both physical and digital formats, so you can choose whichever is more convenient for you.

Final thoughts

In my experience, ‘A Dozen A Day’ has been an invaluable resource for my students. It not only helps them develop their piano skills but also instills discipline and consistency in their practice routine. With its well-organized structure and engaging exercises, ‘A Dozen A Day’ is an excellent addition to any beginner pianist’s collection. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their piano playing skills effectively and efficiently.

Author Profile

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Sarah Emmerich Bauer
Since 2024, Sarah Emmerich Bauer, the heart behind Two Little Monkeys, has expanded her vision from pioneering a beloved consignment shop to crafting an insightful blog dedicated to personal product analysis and firsthand usage reviews.

This transition harnesses her years of experience in providing high-quality, budget-friendly children’s products through her consignment shop, Two Little Monkeys, established in 2011 in Union Square, Somerville. Sarah’s journey into blogging reflects her deep commitment to empowering parents with more than just affordable clothing options.

Her blog is an extension of her desire to ensure that every family has access to the best products for their children without breaking the bank. Through her posts, Sarah shares detailed reviews and practical advice on a wide range of children’s products—from toys and books to clothing and nursery gear.