Piano book review: adult beginners (listen to repertoire samples)

[@OrionL7]

Thank you for taking the time to compile this, your efforts don't go unappreciated. I would love an intermediate-advanced book suggestion in the future.

[@XJarhead360]

I am 77 yo and bought the Alfred Book 1 for adults and totally agree with this teacher. I do not have a teacher but use my wife occasionally since she played for 15 years before she met me. Also I bought the Thompson (red book) Level one. I did not use it because it was confusing me and had already passed many of the elementary concepts. USE THE ALFRED OR FABER BOOKS and you will progress rapidly. BTW, I've only been playing 3 months and am learning the Donkey on p. 32.
I highly recommend the Alfred "Finger Aerobics" Book 1 to develop strength and agility of your fingers. Also I bought the Alfred "Basic Adult Theory Piano Book." These three books complement each other.
More Advice: 1) Buy a metronome; 2. Learn scales. Your teacher will be impressed.

[@michael.a.covington]

Thank you for this review! I am a retired linguist, and I see lots of parallels to the teaching of foreign languages (having taught myself several) -- you could use much of the same rubric. I am glad to have a systematic review rather than just someone's gut feelings.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I don't shop with Amazon, so I used my local music store to get my books. I ordered the Faber and Alfred books since we are in a French speaking area. They sent the Faber Volume 1, but the Alfred Volume 2. So I was using Faber. But when I went in to talk music at the store, I saw that I didn't know how to talk music in French. They had a La Methode Rose as a bilingual book, but it was French and British. Later on I found John Thompson, and I have Volume 1 and 2. The Thompson has become my favorite. I didn't buy the first introductory book of Thompson, which I would use if I was an absolute beginner.
LMR is not a beginners book, nor a childrens book. But I've gone back to it several times as a sightreading exercise. And I learned the Alberti bass very well.

[@Javaslinger7730]

One thing I ran into as an older student was very limited flexibility and finger independence for chords. Not sure if it was an old injury or what but I simply could not just jump into them with the Alfred book. In the Faber book, by the time chords began to be a regular part of the lessons, my hands had started to get some of that finger independence and strength they lacked initially. Love the Faber repertoire.

[@XJarhead360]

Part of the problem is age but go to YT and search for Jazer Lee. He has lots of good vids for beginners. Google a guy named LESCHETIZKY to understand why people have problems with finger flexibility and independence and his technigque to overcome the problem. Good luck with your playing.

[@sanishs7773]

Thank You very much for Your guidance for selecting adult beginners piano book. I was very much confused whether go for Alfred's or Faber book before watching this video. Now I have decided to purchase both book. Once again Thanks a lot

[@raniericampos9050]

Dr. Bronson, I need to say how important it was for me to find your channel. With your lectures, plus the accompaniment of my teacher, I have greatly improved my technique. Cordial greetings from the south of Brazil.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks so much for sharing this encouraging note. Great to hear the assistance of your teacher and these videos are helping you! Best wishes to you!

[@randlyons7278]

Absolutely the most intelligent review I've seen. I have both Alfred's and the Faber's work. I'm going to double my efforts.

[@scarlettrhettforever]

I have both also as I find them very interesting. Alfred hand exercises pictures are very interesting.

[@wjkwjk3484]

I am a senior student. I used Alfred for a year when I was a young girl. I am now using Faber Piano Adventure book 1. I like Faber because it is of slower pace, and it has more classical music which I heard frequently from the radio.

[@klaudiasmusicjourney]

It's such an amazing review :) You must have put a lot of work into it so I really appreciate it ♡ I just discovered your channel today, but I can already see that there will be a lot of quality content that I can learn from. I already have Alfred books, learning from the 1st book for now, but I'm always curious about the Faber books also since they are so popular. And I have to say I really enjoyed your interpretations of the pieces that you showed us. It's so amazing to hear professional pianist play them ♡ Can't wait to learn Somewhere over the rainbow after hearing your reendition^^

[@CaptainCaveman782]

I've used the Alfred book 1 and 2 and played every piece many times (I'm a slow learner) . The Piano Marvel app has all pieces in there so you can track you note and tempo accuracy using a digital piano and midi cable. However it can't track pedal , dynamics , note duration, rubato etc.
It's great for self learners

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks for sharing this resource!

[@barbaraarya64]

Your explanations and comparisons are very clear and helpful. I appreciate your chart for comparison of the books’ contents. That was very helpful to me as I teach mostly young beginners. Please continue to share your expertise. I’ll look for more of your lessons. ❤

[@alfredoarenales8210]

I saw your video for the first time today. I already have the Alfredo method and I think I will continue with it. However, I am glad that you are available for tutorials. Thank you.

[@Radiatoron88]

"Boomer" of 65 years of age here. Ignore my comments as appropriate. I started when I was 12 or 13 years old. I had a private piano teacher for a once-a-week 30-minute lesson for three
years. I was assigned the John Thompson Adult Preparatory Course Book 1, and that was followed by the John Thompson Modern Piano Course, books 1 and 2. I suppose the methodology
and pedagogy was not up to what is expected these days. But, and "for my money" the most important thing for a beginning student who is not hugely motivated from the start, I enjoyed most
of the music in the books. The emphasis was on classical music, simplified arrangements of famous classical themes, and also of some spirituals and other folk songs. In addition to easier
unsimplified classical pieces. My teacher would play through various of the pieces for me, and if I liked a given piece, that was great motivation to try to learn it myself. In any case, my love of the piano and music in general increased gradually, and over time I became crazy about the piano. The main thing, to me, is that the music was attractive enough to hold my interest. I've read through some pieces in Faber and Alfred in the past, and I felt they were ho-hum. Ho-hum is not good enough to inspire much enjoyment. If I were a piano teacher--I'm not--I would always play through
pieces for my students if they were not familiar with the music, so that the students could hear if the music interested them enough to want to try to learn a given piece. Ideally, I suppose, students should be able to listen to all of the pieces in various methods to see which method had the music that was most attractive to them. And then choose that method. It doesn't matter how great the "pedagogical content" is if the music doesn't engage students. Then again, what engages me might well bore younger people these days. In any case, thank you very much for this thorough and comprehensive review of four piano methods. I respect your obvious command of the principles of piano pedagogy!

[@debramorgan3536]

I like that the Alfred's book has the CD to listen to and play along with and that the Faber method has online videos you can watch. What I've done with the accompaniment is recorded the melody and play accompany that when I want a bit more of a challenge.
Thanks for your videos.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Great points, Debra! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.

[@parkersmithphoto]

Thanks, this was a great overview. I went with the Alfred All-in-One Course.

[@robbgregorrichard1009]

Hello Dr Branson,
I really like your in-dept tutorials and reviews and they are very helpful when I need explanations in piano practice. Though not originally geared toward adults, I learnt piano online with the Hoffman Academy or Hoffman method (they have their UA-cam channel and website) and got very solid foundations, which helped me learn pieces independently. And from there, I used the Faber piano adventure repertoire books as supplements, especially the collection "Piano literature - The developing artist". I have used the latter after 9 months of practice.
They are so good that I also strongly recommand them. At some points, I have tried the Suzuki books, but they are not always logical in the level of difficulty.
I have been learning piano for two years and have recently shifted to a private teacher, especially now that I am interested in piano exams. Thanks to what I have learnt so far, she thinks I would be able to take the ABRSM grade 4 practical exam.
Questions:
1/ Do you plan to make music theory video lessons in the future?
2/ Do you plan to make tutorials for pieces which are part of exam boards?
Greetings

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thank you for sharing your learning experience! We will keep those topics in mind for future videos.

[@jfan4reva]

Your comments about Alfred's using red to highlight important information immediately caught my attention. I'm red/green colorblind, so red highlights had me worried. (I once had to ask my supervisor at work to stop using pink highlighters because they were INVISIBLE to me.) Looking at the Alfred's book, they're not too bad. The color is dark enough so that it doesn't 'disappear', it just appears as a pink/gray. I might consider Piano Adventures with it's yellow highlighting as an alternative, although Alfred's content sounds like it might be better.

[@Charlie-dm5ug]

I took lessons in my late thirties for about 8 months before life took over and I gave up piano. My teacher taught directly out of Alfred, and I never felt like I mastered the pieces or the concepts before she moved on to new material. In my seventies now, I'm trying again without a teacher, using the Faber book. Having a great time, and I like the pieces in Faber much better than those in Alfred.
****** One aspect of the Faber book that I have found to be enormously helpful is that for each piece or complex drill there is a QR code at the bottom of that page that, with your smart phone, takes you to a short video of a pianist playing that piece so you know exactly how it should sound. If you are self-teaching, that is huge. I didn't hear this presenter mention it, but I checked my book and most recent publication was this year (2022) so maybe that feature was added to my book, but was not in the book she used since it was an older publication.

[@XJarhead360]

I'm in my late 70s and started playing in May 2023 using an 88 Yamaha keyboard. I decided on being self-taught with the Alfred series and didn't know about the Faber books until after my purchase. Piano playing is for my own enjoyment and have no desire to play in recitals, or for friends and relatives. The thing that attracted me to my wife was 37 years ago when I heard her play. Apparently she took piano lessons for 15 years. Well, after we got married I bought her a baby grand but for the past 30+ years she plays it occasionally once or twice a year. BUT, she won't let me sell it. I use the piano occasionally because sometimes I get up at night to practice and don't want to disturb her. I will tell you that playing a keyboard and a real piano each have different feels to the keys.

[@tenacious2224]

This is one of the best piano channels on UA-cam and you are one of its best teachers. Thank you. 🎹

[@waranusornsataponwong5660]

Best review.❤
I bought both Faber and Alfred.

[@eljesus]

Thanks for this review, the best I have seen for helping us beginners to decide. I have already bought Faber's, and I love it. I might get Alfred's too, just because... why not? 🙂

[@miteshshah918]

Thank you this is so valuable! Subscribed and following along through all of your videos 🙌

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks so much!

[@chrismenezies7335]

This video is so well put together. Love the rubric. Thankyou ❤️

[@freshboots_77]

Excellent review; objective and succinct.

[@edtotman2952]

Very interesting and helpful!

[@ahmadsaeid]

I have never been more convinced of anything in my life :D wow, what a great video! I am so happy I found this channel. Thank you.

[@hotlineoperator]

Would love to see what kind of book you would create. You have so much practical knowledge.

[@jamidennisablard1618]

Agree!

[@LazerWonder1998]

I think it would be very nice if you can do videos on "how to teach piano." (Pedagoy) Sometimes, I feel like pianists (ergo, me) get thrown into a teaching position because their friends or their cousins or a friend knows someone who wants to learn and you're the only one they know. lol. For these "new teachers" who didn't plan to be a teacher but have accepted the challenge, what is the best way to go about doing it?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Great idea for the future! I'd love to share more of my pedagogy expertise in some future videos. Thanks for watching!

[@killaken2000]

The first book I used and finished was Alfred's with a teacher but then I started again with Faber after not playing for years.
I like that since Faber is so popular there's a lot of additional information from Faber as well as other teachers on UA-cam.

[@XJarhead360]

@PTP: I read many of the comments and you definitely have a great following. Although I am being self-taught I wouldn't mind having you as my teacher. My caveat is that I won't do recitals!

[@geraldoandradee]

This video is perfect. Thanks Dr. Janci!

[@mimicotom]

This is great! Thank you so much for this.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Glad it was helpful!

[@winniemillion]

Awesome video - thank you! I am going back into teaching and was so unsure as to what books to get for my adult students. This was so useful!

[@donseitan]

My god, what an amazing review. Thank you so much!

[@PK-se2jh]

thankyou

[@gracekarere4203]

Hi as a Kenyan, I had a dream to be a classical pianist today I have learnt from you the way to go I first started with individual finger exercises from Hanon and was almost starting the Alfred's

[@alexsiuwh]

Very informative, thanks so much for the valuable advice👍🙏

[@midnight4109]

I am committed to Alfred although I also use a Faber classical book for a supplement. I like the piano, but in the process of downsizing don't have room for even my professional upright so have gone digital.

[@pierretremblay3130]

Hi,thank you so much for the reviews as I was looking for a user friendly book.Actually I’ve been taking private lessons since May starting from 40 minutes lessons to 30 minutes for the last few weeks.They’re using Alfred’s lessons book level 1B and I’m in the middle of level 2 .I really need to understand the basics before switching full time on the internet

[@palmaub]

I am using both the Faber and Alfred's to learn. Personally I find learning and practicing from the Faber book to be so enjoyable. The Alfred's is a chore to work through. I drag my feet as the material is very dry and the pieces are boring to play.

[@zackfishman3245]

I really appreciate this thoughtful review.

[@jordankiara]

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it! Super helpful and informative!

[@demetrioskosmas9695]

Very helpful, thank you. You have yourself a new subscriber. BTW, beautiful neck! :)

[@paul1963]

Many thanks for your videos, they are really down to earth and well presented, so for me, very helpful and much appreciated. I have both the Alfred's and the Faber method books along with the Faber Adult Classics Book 1 which I have started working through for the past couple of months. Would you recommend studying from both method books at the same time or is it better to just work through one book? Thanks again.

[@jj123123123100]

So comprehensive! Thanks!

[@ornleifs]

Thanks for this good review - I will post it in my Sheet Music group on Facebook.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thank you!

[@umeshkumarb6482]

Thanks madam😊

[@virginiafiume5751]

Thank you-very helpful indeed!

[@shinobi4025]

omyghad i lov u wit all my heartt, THANKYOUU

[@PianoTeachingPros]

You are very welcome!

[@HKUSAPDX]

Just buy both of the Alfred and Faber, and they are inexpensive.

[@Zachchaloux]

You’re a saint for this video

[@phyllisgordon6577]

It is such a pleasure learning from. So wishing had you when I embarked on learning piano. As a retiree learning for overcome years I consider myself still a beginner. What would you suggestvto improve my practice? I still struggle with left hand. Thank you.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Great to hear the video is helpful. These videos may help with your technique and hand independence: ua-cam.com/play/PLpNV0WAsaMNRm3oKXlUQgnEvuxdHexvQ3.html; ua-cam.com/video/iEGWpNmL_IM/v-deo.html; ua-cam.com/video/b-aBdQkYmps/v-deo.html

[@accentontheoff]

Hi there, loved the video, and the rubric, but I happened to notice that your initial choice at least seemed to be based entirely on Amazon‘s ratings. I’m pretty sure I’m missing something here but what if some of the better books are not on top of the Amazon ratings?

[@Sewmore]

What do you think of learning chord sheets like the online lessons “Simplified Piano” to start

[@arvendal]

A tremendous professional review! Thanks!

[@watchingyoutube7330]

Are you aware of any high quality keyboards or digital pianos that will show you the chord that you are playing on the LCD screen?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Different brands and models do have this feature, especially the models with graphical display. For example Yamaha DGX-660 and Casio PX-560. However, the usefulness of this function is limited, and I encourage you to learn music theory.

[@GemTappX]

This video rocks!

[@ernestoroma5157]

Vorrei acquistare il tuo corso di piano completo di video per favore mi dici il prezzo e dove trovarlo.Grazie

[@mr88cet]

Superbly methodical comparison! Thanks. I’d already decided to go with Adventures, and luckily that method rated well!
Do you have any suggestions - methods/supplements, or other types of piano-learning suggestions - for adults who already have a strong musical background, but just not specifically on piano? In my particular case, I have played viola, bassoon, classical guitar, classical saxophones, and have taken the usual (college) Freshman and Sophomores Theory and Ear-Training classes, but haven’t really done a whole lot on piano specifically.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

There are many piano methods written specifically for adults, but you may find them unnecessary with your background. Since you already have a solid musical background, the main thing you probably would need is piano technique. Our videos on posture, arm weight, forearm rotation, and wrist circles are great resources for that. Hope this helps!

[@mr88cet]

@@PianoTeachingPros, great thoughts! Thanks.

[@mr88cet]

@@PianoTeachingPros, and to make things even more interesting, I’m especially interested in playing Lumatone than actual piano:
ua-cam.com/video/cpYBnzaWZqU/v-deo.html
But that’s another topic altogether! 🤓 Really interesting topic though, if you’re into Microtonality!

[@Lunolux]

great video

[@tedb.5707]

I was a fairly skilled woodwind player, and after many years I'm tackling the keyboard. How do college-level music students who don't play piano learn piano? In auditing some of the college level music theory lectures on YT, almost every teacher advises his music theory students to learn a solid piano ....even if they're not piano students.
I'm particularily-challenged by polyphony and the left hand. As a woodwind I was trained to follow one melody while hearing the other parts, with piano there's two, third or even four parts...or stacked notes in either hand that are not chords. Is there a music school book, or they just pick it up by doing?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks for your comment. I teach college students how to play piano in group piano classes. They learn from Group Piano for Adults Books 1-2, 2nd editions. I also supplement those books with my teaching tutorials. It takes time and patience to learn the piano. Enjoy the journey.

[@b.n2350]

ty!!!!!

[@user-wv6xz4kr1b]

Can you recommend any books that teach rock and roll piano?

[@chay9247]

As a complete beginner, I have this book (alfred adult all-in-one). I'm just wondering, how will I know when to progress to the next topic/page?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

It's always good to build a solid foundation before moving forward. I recommend you go over our playlist and review the relevant topics, make sure you understand the concept and play at ease: ua-cam.com/play/PLpNV0WAsaMNTZ3wyaXQfgNWnNJF-r4npN.html; feel free to ask if you have more questions. Happy practicing! - PTP Team.

[@StefanUrkel]

Dr Janci and others: Do you recommend the All-in-One or the late beginners advanced series? I read the latter seems to provide more content?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

"Late Beginner" methods are designed typically for older kids and teenagers. I'd recommend the All-in-One books for an adult.

[@plekkchand]

How do they even have PhDs in "Piano P{edagogy"?

[@keith4230]

What’s your opinion of Daman Farrante’s Beginning Classical book? How long is reasonable to get through it? I’m using it and supplemented it with a scales/arpeggios book. No pedaling shown in this book either, but figuring it out on my own. I’ve been at this about seven months and working on Gynopedie, but still not perfect on previous songs, so still working on those as well.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

We have not yet reviewed the book you mentioned. Everyone is different, so the speed of progress really depends. The key is to build a solid foundation with good techniques. Feel free to check out our playlist on Performance Model & Discussion, there are some nice beginner pieces over there: ua-cam.com/play/PLpNV0WAsaMNR-kF282YL9hPlaCwllyGsX.html; Happy practicing! - PTP team

[@bluefox169]

Do you recommend buying the Alfred book with the CD or DVD?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

I do suggest that you buy the book with the CD. It is important for beginners to hear the correct demo. However, you may also find demos on UA-cam as well; just a little more tedious. Happy practicing!

[@Mia-tz1pd]

Would you recommend Alfred Adult All in One for a 13 year old beginner (fast learner, who doesn't seem interested in learning classical music) Thank you!

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Alfred's is an excellent method book. If condition allows, the most effectively way is to learn from a good piano teacher. Also our tutorials are here to help. Thank you! - PTP team.

[@summerbreezenight]

I have early childhood experience in piano, but have dyslexia. I have visual memory. I'm starting as a beginner after so many years. Many people like Faber, but a piano teacher recommended "Hal Leonard Adult Beginner". What would be your recommendation?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

We did not have chance to review this book. But Alfred's and Faber are both excellent choice as reviewed in our video. = PTP Team

[@Jellybeantiger]

One thing I find confusing i s that bass clef notes are written on different parts of the staff on different books,which is right?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

It's hard to say without taking a look at the sheet music. It could be the music is transcribed to different keys. - PTP team

[@bk6131]

Thanks for sharing the competition Janci. May I ask as an adult learner, any suggestion after completing the Alfred? Thank you.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

I'm working on that book review right now!

[@bk6131]

@@PianoTeachingPros cool! Thank you for preparing the information for us in advance. Looking forward to seeing it :)

[@PianoTeachingPros]

@@bk6131 Here's the Classical book review! ua-cam.com/video/_5b0Fk3PoSQ/v-deo.html

[@bk6131]

@@PianoTeachingPros thx Janci. I saw the notification and browsed quickly. Plan to watch in detail and take note this weekend :). It very helpful for adult student like me. Thank you again!

[@johndavid9973]

❤

[@A3Kr0n]

As far as I know, you get the books your instructor tells you to get. At least that's the way it used to work back when I took lessons. I hate Leila Fletcher BTW.

[@CodyHazelleMusic]

I can't help but feel the 4.9/5 is a bit pedantic...Is there a book out there you would recommend that is a 5/5? If not...shouldn't faber and alfred just be 5s?

[@scientistplayspiano7422]

I actually think the rating was spot-on, there is no perfect book. Maybe the perfect one is still waiting to be written. It is more important to know the other two bestselling books are no good for beginners.

[@CodyHazelleMusic]

@@scientistplayspiano7422 This is the age-old debate, though. If there is "no perfect X" then 5/5 can never exist, in which case 4.9/5 actually *is* 5/5. Plus, 5/5 does not mean "perfect" and it never has. Plenty of great works of film, literature and music are rated as 5/5 but have moments that the work could probably do without. Sgt. Pepper's is a 5/5, but do we really need fixing a hole?

[@scientistplayspiano7422]

@@CodyHazelleMusic I hear your point. 4.9 is actually higher than Amazon 4.75 average. Also the reason was given in the video, neither Alfred or Faber teaches inversion, Faber repertoire is limited to classical, Alfred has a faster pace. My personal preference is Alfred, however also find Faber useful after watching this video.

[@luciusrex]

@@CodyHazelleMusic dude u okay? Lmao mad at a 4.9? A 4.9 is a 4.9. She used a very detailed rubric and presented the scores on a spreadsheet. I understand that may be too academic but it's as objective as you can get. Take it as her "top" recommendations. Arguing about a 4.9 lmao

[@digitalmunky]

Why leave it at 5/5? Why not round it down to 4 out of 5? Why not 4.95 or 4.9999999 out of 5? I mean, if the issue is with perfection vs imperfection, why round it up to 5 instead of the imperfect 4 of 5?... Better yet, why bother with anything other than 1 or 5 with nothing in between?... This is one person's opinion and a general idea of where their head is when judging the provided subjects. To complain about HER method of scoring is persnickety and screams "look at me!"
How about you take some time to learn that a critique isn't always a negative thing, nor do all people take criticism as inherently bad or degrading. Many take it as a means of understanding how others feel about their work and use it to "better" themselves or future work... Notice how I used quotes around "better?" So as not to be confusing, it's subjective and relative to each person to determine exactly what that means.
Now... maybe reflect on why you felt compelled to whine about the OP's choice or rating system?

[@alvktt]

You have such a pretty face 😊

[@craigferge4702]

Great video but what kind of sicko uses decimals and rates something on a scale of 1? "Yeah I'll give this a 0.32 out of 2/3" lmao this would make way more sense if you just rated things on a scale of 10 like a normal human being

[@michelprimeau4531]

Any book with Jiggle Bells doesn't deserve to be bought or that page should ripped off and burned. Alfred All-in-One for Adult is a well built but I was disappointed. I was already playing for a year with a teacher. I went through it during 2 months in summer. I can't say that I'm an intermediate player after 2 years but I believe that I'm already passed that. I would still recommend it. It's not very expensive and it's self-regarding for people having trouble to be motivated since it's very easy to play except 2 or 3 songs.

[@notofthisworld7777]

Go ahead if you want to spend $1498, flowkey is cheaper.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thank you for the comment. All these resources can be helpful, depends on how you use them. - PTP Team