Piano Methods Compared: Faber Piano Adventures, Alfred's, Bastien, Suzuki and Simply Music

There are dozens of piano methods, but most students start with one of five: Faber Piano Adventures, Alfred's, Bastien, Suzuki or Simply Music. They all lead to the same place, a student who can play and read music. They differ in how they get there, who they suit, and how much fun the first year is.

I've taught from several of these methods since 2001, and I have strong opinions about them. Here's how they compare, who each one is for, and how to choose one for yourself or your child.

What's the difference between piano methods?

The biggest difference is when you learn to read music. Traditional method books such as Faber, Alfred's, Bastien, John Thompson and the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library teach reading and playing together from the first lesson. Playing-first methods, such as Suzuki and Simply Music, start with listening, imitation or patterns, and bring in reading later.

Beyond that, method books differ in how they introduce notes (some start with fixed hand positions around middle C, others with landmark notes and intervals), how fast they move into new keys, how much theory and technique they include, and, above all, how good the music is. A method with dull pieces makes for a student who doesn't practise.

For years I taught only from traditional method books. Over time, I noticed students tended to get stuck and quit at the same points in the reading process, when they wanted to play music they cared about and couldn't yet. That's what pushed me to study playing-first methods too. Today I think both have a place, and I'll tell you honestly where each one shines.

Faber Piano Adventures: my favourite method

Faber Piano Adventures is a graded piano method by the husband-and-wife team Nancy and Randall Faber, and it's the one I recommend most. Nancy is a composer and Randall a performer, and it shows: the pieces are original, varied and genuinely musical. In 2018 the Fabers received the MTNA Frances Clark Piano Pedagogy Award for Piano Adventures, according to the Faber Piano Institute.

What I like most is the pace. New concepts arrive steadily but not too fast, and they come back again and again in the pieces, so students actually retain them. The method also builds in creativity (improvising and composing) and technique from the start.

Which Piano Adventures book should you start with?

Choose the line by age, then start at the beginning of it. Piano Adventures has four separate courses:

• My First Piano Adventure (Books A, B and C) is for young beginners aged 5 to 6.
• Basic Piano Adventures is the main course for ages 6 to 11, in eight levels from the Primer to Level 5, taking a child from beginner to intermediate.
• Accelerated Piano Adventures for the Older Beginner (Books 1 and 2) is for students from about 11 to high school. It moves faster, then joins the Basic course at Level 3A.
• Adult Piano Adventures is two all-in-one course books for adults, plus companion books of classics, popular songs, Christmas music and more.

Levels and ages are from pianoadventures.com, which also has audio for the books and video support.

Ages: 5 to adult, with a course for each age group. Best feature: terrific original music and a well-judged pace.

Alfred's Piano Method

Alfred's Basic Piano Library, by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus and Amanda Vick Lethco, is one of the most widely used traditional methods, and I taught from it for years before I switched to Piano Adventures. The course is clear and logical, and it's a safe choice for students who like structure.

The children's library is divided into a Prep Course for children from five, the Basic Course, All-in-One books that combine lesson, theory and solo material in a single book, and Complete levels for students who start a little later (see Alfred Music). Alfred also publishes a newer series, Premier Piano Course, which uses a non-position, landmark-note approach to reading.

The Adult All-in-One Course is a mainstay for teachers of adults. It puts lessons, theory and technique in one book and covers a nice range of styles, including blues and jazz-flavoured pieces alongside classical and folk tunes. I also prefer the music in Alfred's children's books to the Bastien books at the same level, and I like the order in which Alfred's introduces theory.

Ages: 5 to adult. Best feature: the All-in-One courses, which save you buying several books per level.

Bastien Piano Method

The Bastien books, published by Kjos and written by the Bastien family, are among the most used method books, but they're not my favourites. Jane Smisor Bastien's methods became bestsellers around the world, so you'll find them in many studios and music shops, and they're usually inexpensive.

My reservations are personal ones. I find the music a little dull, and in my experience new key signatures, notes and rhythms arrive too quickly for many students to retain them. When I used Bastien, I always needed to add supplementary pieces. Quick learners who enjoy a brisk pace can do very well with it, though, and other teachers love it. I've written a full Bastien piano method review if you're considering it.

Ages: very young beginners through adults. Best feature: widely available and affordable.

Other piano method books worth knowing

• John Thompson's Modern Course and Easiest Piano Course, published by Willis Music (Hal Leonard). These are the old-school classics many of us grew up with. They're thorough and inexpensive, and there's an adult course too.
• Hal Leonard Student Piano Library. A full method in five levels, with an adult method and supplementary books. Hal Leonard highlights its improvisation activities at every level.
• The Royal Conservatory (RCM) Certificate Program. Not a method book series, but a graded curriculum with exams, from preparatory levels through Level 10. Many teachers in Canada and the US use it to structure lessons alongside a method.

Best piano method books for adults

For an adult beginner, I'd start with Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Book 1 or Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course Book 1. Both are complete, well-paced and cost about the same. If you're a teenager, or an adult who wants to move faster, Accelerated Piano Adventures is a good alternative.

Here's a review from another piano teacher who goes through the Faber adult books in detail:

Play video: Faber Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Books Review (YouTube)

If you're learning without a teacher, these books still work, but you'll need to be your own coach. My guide to the best piano books for adult beginners compares them in more depth, and how to teach yourself piano covers how to use them on your own.

Playing-first piano methods

These methods do teach music reading, just not at the very beginning. They start with what children (and many adults) naturally want to do: play.

Simply Music

Simply Music is a playing-based method developed in Australia by Neil Moore. Students learn to play real pieces from the first lessons and add reading once playing feels natural. You can learn with a trained Simply Music teacher or through the online self-study program (see simplymusic.com).

What won me over was how quickly students can play satisfying music, and how that changes their attitude to practice. Many students who believe they “aren't musical” simply haven't had the chance to play something that sounds good. Parents are often skeptical of a delayed-reading approach at first. What usually reassures them is hearing their child play, and seeing them sit down at the piano without being asked.

Ages: children, teens and adults. Best feature: playing real, expressive music right away.

Suzuki Piano School

The Suzuki method, developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, teaches music the way children learn to speak: by listening and imitating first. Students listen to recordings of their pieces every day, copy the teacher, and learn to read later. A parent is closely involved, usually attending lessons and guiding practice at home, and students also take part in group lessons and performances (Suzuki Association of the Americas). Children often start very young.

When I was moving away from traditional methods, I looked seriously at becoming a Suzuki teacher. In the end, a playing-first approach for all ages suited my teaching better, but I have great respect for Suzuki. It's a wonderful choice for a young child whose parent can commit to the daily listening and practice.

Play video: Suzuki Piano Lessons: Introduction to the Suzuki Method (YouTube)

Ages: mainly young children. Best feature: natural learning, a great ear, and strong parent involvement.

Chord-based online courses for adults, such as Pianoforall, are another kind of playing-first method. If you're learning online, my guide to the best online piano lessons compares them.

How to choose the right piano method

Start with the student's age and goal, then find a teacher who teaches that method well. Here's my rule of thumb:

• What music do you want to play? Classical and reading fluency points to a method book. Pop, songs and playing with friends points to a playing-first or chord-based approach.
• How much support is there at home? Suzuki needs a committed parent. Method books need someone to keep practice regular.
• What does the student enjoy? Look through the books together. If the music doesn't appeal, it won't get practised.
• Who's teaching? A great teacher with an average method beats an average teacher with a great one. Visit studios, ask for a trial lesson, and trust your instincts.

This video from another teacher compares method books for young beginners, including Alfred's and Piano Adventures, if you're choosing for a 5 to 7-year-old:

Play video: BEST Piano Methods Books for Young (5-7) Beginners (YouTube)

Whatever you choose, regular, focused practice is what makes it work. These piano practice tips help with that, and if you're just starting out, piano basics: a beginner's guide to the keyboard is a good first step.

Above all, believe that you, or your child, can learn to play. The right method and the right teacher are out there. Don't settle for one that doesn't make you want to sit down at the piano.

Piano methods FAQ

What is the best piano method for beginners?

For most beginners, I recommend Faber Piano Adventures, which has separate courses for young children, children aged 6 to 11, older beginners and adults. Alfred's is a strong, structured alternative.

Is Piano Adventures better than Alfred?

Both are excellent. I prefer Piano Adventures for its original music and steady pace. Alfred's is more traditional and very clear, and its All-in-One books combine lessons, theory and pieces in one volume.

What age is Piano Adventures for?

All ages. My First Piano Adventure is for ages 5 to 6, Basic Piano Adventures for ages 6 to 11, Accelerated Piano Adventures for older beginners from about 11 to high school, and Adult Piano Adventures for adults.

What is the best piano method book for adults?

Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Book 1 or Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course Book 1. Both have a list price of $19.99 and cover lessons, theory and pieces in a single book.

What is the Suzuki piano method?

A method developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki that teaches music the way children learn language: daily listening, imitation, close parent involvement and group lessons, with reading introduced later.

At what age can a child start Suzuki piano?

Suzuki students often start very young, from around 3 or 4, but the right age depends on the child and the teacher. Ask a local Suzuki teacher whether your child is ready.

Do playing-first methods teach you to read music?

Yes. Suzuki and Simply Music both teach reading. They introduce it later, once the student is already playing comfortably.

Which piano method is fastest?

No method is fastest for everyone. Playing-first methods get students playing satisfying music sooner, while method books build reading from day one. Regular practice and a good teacher make the biggest difference.

Can I teach myself with a piano method book?

Yes, especially with an adult all-in-one book that includes online audio. Go slowly, follow the order of the book, and consider a few lessons with a teacher to check your technique.