I noticed the same thing about the 1st chapter while I was teaching an adult beginner. I thought the chapter was moving way too fast. I skipped over some topics so as not to overwhelm the student. I agree with your comments about the playing by numbers section. I didn't like it for the same reasons you gave. Thanks for doing this review.
I like the QR codes at the end of the song. I can listen to the song using my cell phone. I also like this book because of many reasons. The progress is slow. I can take time to build up my basic skills. I am 66 years old. I also like the music theory and finger practices included in the lessons.
Merci beaucoup for this. I'm using this as well as online videos. While I think I've progressed beyond just the book, I've decided to slog it out as well since I don't have a teacher.
Hi. I've just found your channel! I did piano adventures 1 and then for the 2 i decided to do alfred's as well. Conclusion: I am about to finish alfred's and i am not even halfway through p adventures. The songs from alfreds were more appealing to me. Now i am back on piano adventures but already playing the popular book 2 to cheer me up! I loved your channel! So good teachers are making videos especially for those like me without a teacher. Thanks
Hi I was just wondering how you found using Alfred and Piano Adventures together . I was thinking of doing this as I'm going to try and learn without a teacher . Also how did you use the both books together , did you do each unit of both books before moving on to the next unit . Thankyou
@@michelleinstrell3147 hi! I did piano adventures level one first then for the 2 i decided to do both. I would do a piece from each until it was good enough but i was finding alfred's pieces more fun so i progressed with it playing about 4 pieces for a week or so and left piano adventures in the middle now i am back to it. And yes i do recommend them. Alfred will help you more with pop music i would say but now that i am in level 3 there are quite a bit of classical on it. So itis up to you if you are able to do both i think it is great. But from time to time get easy original pieces and abrsm books to help. I hope i helped is some way. Please feel free to ask me!
@@fernandamccormack Thankyou I've not started yet my partner have got me a keyboard for christmas just to start with. I've bought both books already and looked through them , one thing I'm unsure of is they show you where to put your fingers middle C to G but how do you know what finger to use on the rest of the keyboard or do that come with practise . How have you found teaching yourself as some videos says yes you can and others you need a teacher . I'm only really doing it as a hobby as I did start lesson when I was a young girl but that was a long time ago but I've always had a interest in it
@@michelleinstrell3147 hi. Usually they put finger numbers at the top if they say middle c with finger 2 for example you just assume that if you play D after that D is finger 3 and so on. And yes it is possible to learn by yourself but it is going to be slower and a lot that could be told you in a second sometimes can take weeks to figure out. This teacher here is amazing and i hope he continues his channel for a long time!!! There are videos for each piece from the books on other channels. On let's play piano methods channel he gives you his opinion of the fingers to be used if you want it have a look. I intend to get a teacher in the future when i can afford but for me is also a hobby. Did you get weighted keys keyboard?
@@fernandamccormack I don't know weather its weighted keys until Christmas, I did not pick it . To be honest I didn't know about weighted keys until I started watching videos on here , but surprised how much I have learnt by watching them.
His complaints about the first chapter of this book is the same as the childrens’ book too. My daughter has been taking piano lessons for a month and her teacher uses the Faber’s system. The first part of the book can be confusing because the page has lots of text info. In my opinion, this system is good, but if your child younger (mine is 6) and is learning from this, I don’t think they’ll get the best from it if you have them practice alone without your guidance (because of all the text information to read). Also, they may need help accessing the online videos. Personally, I sit in on all my daughter’s lesson simply so that when we get home, I can help her remember and understand what the teacher was aiming for in the lesson. The Faber’s system seems very good and thorough, but it can be pretty deep for a little kid.
After watching some reviews like this I cancelled my order on alfreds book and I ordered this faber book. I'm quite happy with it. I'm just on page 70 now but it's great, i'm enjoying learning the sight reading language step by step and I think the pace is just great so far! I should have bought a method book a long time ago!
Hi there! Thank you for this review. I am a new teacher and I have bought so many method books to try that I am still deciding which ones I will keep using and which not. You mentioned that the Popular book follows the method book. I know that it is the case in "Accelerated piano adventures" (the lesson book has references on each page to the other supportive materials (sight reading etc.... with page number etc... In this one, I have not seen any references to which song goes with which chapter. Which is confusing because for example the first Pop song is: "My heart will go on". With which includes quavers! (dotted crotchet + quaver). However they only learn quavers in Chapter 8!
Wow that's an extensive review, thank you! I had ordered alfreds all in one because it's so popular, but after watching some reviews I think this one is more suitable for me, since I'm more interested in classical music and I don't want to use my left hand mainly just for chords like in the alfreds course. But, it seems alfreds seems to change to classical starting from book 2, as far as I understand. Im still wondering if the fabers is still a better choice for classical minded self-teaching students when considering all the following books?
@@pianotips2623 Thank you! How about the "self teaching" aspect? I can't afford a teacher right now so self teaching is the best I can do at the moment. I already play piano for about 5 years and can play about 10 pieces by einaudi and Yann tiersen quite well from memory but it's all learned from synthesia, which I decided to be finally done with now. Time for sheet music and music theory. The alfreds has a book specifically for self-teaching and the fabers doesn't. Is this a big deal? Or is it not really a problem if your planning to learn from books/RUclips videos etc.? I have a very basic understanding of music theory, have some books on it laying around, and have started learning to read notes with a couple of note learning apps. (Thanks for your quick response btw)
You will never be able to replace a teacher with any "one way" resource. By that I mean, whatever you use, books, videos, apps, they will never stop you when you make mistakes but a teacher will. However, you can still learn an awful lot alone too depending on your skills and abilities. If you have played a lot before, you're not a complete beginner. The Alfred book will explain most things and is good for self-learners. Apart from that there is a plethora of resources on RUclips, blogs and books if you get stuck on certain concepts. So go for it. At some point, try to get at least one lesson, maybe every six months, just to let someone hear you play and give you advice on things you might not notice yourself. It just helps not to reinforce bad habits.
@@pianotips2623 Thank you for the extensive answer. It sounds like good advice. I fully understand the worth of a teacher and I do plan to go that route when my situation allows for it. Nice idea of at least get one or two lessons in 6 months if you really can't do more than that. I actually performed at pianofest twice so I did already get a bit of feedback from very good teachers, and it was good advice but not that extensive in that setting. Thanks again! 🙂👌🏻
I am legally blind, and I am looking for a book or a program that can teach me how to play the piano without having to read music. Do you know of any type of instruction?
Well, many people said we need 6 months in average to the lv 1 of adult book But i think i need more... I am 47, a complete beginner , and I practice 10 hours / week, also i have a teacher for 40 minutes / week. Now i am at week 16 I started from kids book, lesson 1 (took 12 weeks to finish) and now performance 1 ( i think i can finish it in 8 weeks) I also learn adult book, but adult book is more difficult, and now i am at page 56... I also practice hannon exercise for technic... I think i need one year to finish the adult 1st book Do you think, i really need to learn several books as describe above, at level one? Or should i just focus on adult book and hannon exercise?
It might be too niche of a category, but is there a method out there that caters to musicians who already know another instrument and have a good grasp of diatonic harmony? Bass guitar is my main instrument. What I have been doing with piano is listening through the list of songs in the Trinity grade syllabus and learning them by ear, only initial grade so far. I also have a book of sight reading studies somewhere. I guess I could do with a source of information that covers any gaps I might miss by approaching things this way.
You should still use 1 or 2 basic piano method books. Their main purpose is not to teach music theory but to get the fingers to move independantly in a structured, progressive way. You also need to develop reading music on two staves.
Hi. A quick question. For a beginner at what speed (given accuracy and quality) would you consider sufficient at a minimum to accomplish playing the practice pieces in the book before moving on to the next lesson?
Each piece should have a different speed depending on the mood and tempo indication. As long as the upbeat/happy songs are faster than the melancholic ones, it's good enough. Focus more on accuracy than speed
Hi, I am 61 years old and just started teaching myself piano and got started using this method book. I have large hands and I think that this is probably the reason that I cannot naturally play the C Chord with fingers 135, it feels very awkward. It feels more comfortable and natural with fingers 124. Will this be an issue for me further along into the book?
There is no right or wrong when it comes to fingering. The whole reason why we use them is to make things easy and smooth. If you can use 124 and it's easy and sounds accurate, then it's not a problem. However, when playing triads - like a C major chord - it's good to develop a nice, rounded hand shape, which is easier with 135
OK, perhaps this is a silly question, but I’m confused about this. This book is titled “all-in-one”, but it appears to only be the Level 1 book. I have the Hal Leonard “all-in-one” for guitar and it contains the first 3 books in one. This Faber’s piano book seems to only be book #1. So it has several elements but all at Level 1? Please help. What am I missing?
"all-in-one" means that the method book contains music lessons, music theory, and music technique. Instead of having to buy three separate books covering music lessons, music theory, and music technique.
1:32 I don’t really understand what you mean when you say that after level 1 and 2 you are supposed to progress to level 3 ”which is the same as the kids use”? Does kids start with level 3 from the start? Why would adults need 2 whole books before starting at the level that kids do? Or am I missing something haha?
Kids start at level 1 with books for kids. Adults start at level 1 using books for adults. After level 2 they both progress on the same books for kids.
It's not something that you can accurately answer. It really depends on talent/ability too and how concentrated you are. You might develop bad habit that you are not even aware of if not pointed out by a teacher or someone else. However, from my own experience with students, if you practice 30-60 mins every day, it shouldn't take more than half a year. Another thing to consider is how well you want to learn each song in the book. It takes much longer to master a piece without any mistakes than to learn it well but not perfect. And in a method book, you don't necessarily have to learn each piece to perfection because they are just teaching songs.
I'm using this book because I'm more interested in classical music, even though the occasional folk or Beatles song etc are nice too. I have to say though, I'm in the middle of book 1 now, and the musical examples are becoming more soul-crushing boring and demotivating. Yet another baroque "dance" that is meandering between 3-4 notes at boring tempos, lots of silly non-melodies that are supposed to illustrate some concept. I have to fight hard to stay motivated. I still like the structure and the sequence how new concepts are introduced, but I find myself often to just take note of what the concepts are and then go search for other examples. It doesn't have to be that way, the Faber Adult Classics 1 book already contains nice beginner friendly classical pieces, and more technical drills like "A Dozen a Day" simply train skills without requiring you to play these dreadful non-melodies. It's a shame, but maybe it's an effect of the "all in one" concept, that they have to cram to much into single pieces just to make a point, and exclude more interesting or motivating examples because of that.
Excellent review however two slight criticisms: 1) When you hold the book up to show the page, maybe keep it on camera for a couple extra seconds. 2) Background piano music unnecessary and distracting.
I am a true adult 60 year old beginner. I have been working through this book and I totally agree with your comments. Thanks
@Joan Maloney: I am a beginner. I am 66.
Great! I've bought it and this is very useful
Informative video! Thanks.
Excellent review.
I noticed the same thing about the 1st chapter while I was teaching an adult beginner. I thought the chapter was moving way too fast. I skipped over some topics so as not to overwhelm the student. I agree with your comments about the playing by numbers section. I didn't like it for the same reasons you gave. Thanks for doing this review.
Thank you! I just ordered a used book from Amazon!
I like the QR codes at the end of the song. I can listen to the song using my cell phone. I also like this book because of many reasons. The progress is slow. I can take time to build up my basic skills. I am 66 years old. I also like the music theory and finger practices included in the lessons.
Merci beaucoup for this. I'm using this as well as online videos. While I think I've progressed beyond just the book, I've decided to slog it out as well since I don't have a teacher.
Going through this with my piano teacher. Getting through a unit a week so far.
NB! There is also a nice Classics supplemental book, along with the Pop and Christmas ones. :)
Hi. I've just found your channel! I did piano adventures 1 and then for the 2 i decided to do alfred's as well. Conclusion: I am about to finish alfred's and i am not even halfway through p adventures. The songs from alfreds were more appealing to me. Now i am back on piano adventures but already playing the popular book 2 to cheer me up! I loved your channel! So good teachers are making videos especially for those like me without a teacher. Thanks
Hi I was just wondering how you found using Alfred and Piano Adventures together . I was thinking of doing this as I'm going to try and learn without a teacher . Also how did you use the both books together , did you do each unit of both books before moving on to the next unit . Thankyou
@@michelleinstrell3147 hi! I did piano adventures level one first then for the 2 i decided to do both. I would do a piece from each until it was good enough but i was finding alfred's pieces more fun so i progressed with it playing about 4 pieces for a week or so and left piano adventures in the middle now i am back to it. And yes i do recommend them. Alfred will help you more with pop music i would say but now that i am in level 3 there are quite a bit of classical on it. So itis up to you if you are able to do both i think it is great. But from time to time get easy original pieces and abrsm books to help. I hope i helped is some way. Please feel free to ask me!
@@fernandamccormack Thankyou I've not started yet my partner have got me a keyboard for christmas just to start with. I've bought both books already and looked through them , one thing I'm unsure of is they show you where to put your fingers middle C to G but how do you know what finger to use on the rest of the keyboard or do that come with practise . How have you found teaching yourself as some videos says yes you can and others you need a teacher . I'm only really doing it as a hobby as I did start lesson when I was a young girl but that was a long time ago but I've always had a interest in it
@@michelleinstrell3147 hi. Usually they put finger numbers at the top if they say middle c with finger 2 for example you just assume that if you play D after that D is finger 3 and so on. And yes it is possible to learn by yourself but it is going to be slower and a lot that could be told you in a second sometimes can take weeks to figure out. This teacher here is amazing and i hope he continues his channel for a long time!!! There are videos for each piece from the books on other channels. On let's play piano methods channel he gives you his opinion of the fingers to be used if you want it have a look. I intend to get a teacher in the future when i can afford but for me is also a hobby. Did you get weighted keys keyboard?
@@fernandamccormack I don't know weather its weighted keys until Christmas, I did not pick it . To be honest I didn't know about weighted keys until I started watching videos on here , but surprised how much I have learnt by watching them.
nice video
Can you please, please do full course 2 very soon 🙏
His complaints about the first chapter of this book is the same as the childrens’ book too. My daughter has been taking piano lessons for a month and her teacher uses the Faber’s system. The first part of the book can be confusing because the page has lots of text info. In my opinion, this system is good, but if your child younger (mine is 6) and is learning from this, I don’t think they’ll get the best from it if you have them practice alone without your guidance (because of all the text information to read). Also, they may need help accessing the online videos. Personally, I sit in on all my daughter’s lesson simply so that when we get home, I can help her remember and understand what the teacher was aiming for in the lesson. The Faber’s system seems very good and thorough, but it can be pretty deep for a little kid.
¿Cómo integro los libros de pop y Classics al método?
After watching some reviews like this I cancelled my order on alfreds book and I ordered this faber book.
I'm quite happy with it. I'm just on page 70 now but it's great, i'm enjoying learning the sight reading language step by step and I think the pace is just great so far!
I should have bought a method book a long time ago!
Does anyone know where to get the teacher duets as audio recordings?
Hi there! Thank you for this review. I am a new teacher and I have bought so many method books to try that I am still deciding which ones I will keep using and which not. You mentioned that the Popular book follows the method book. I know that it is the case in "Accelerated piano adventures" (the lesson book has references on each page to the other supportive materials (sight reading etc.... with page number etc... In this one, I have not seen any references to which song goes with which chapter. Which is confusing because for example the first Pop song is: "My heart will go on". With which includes quavers! (dotted crotchet + quaver). However they only learn quavers in Chapter 8!
Oh I meant chapter 6 not 8
Wow that's an extensive review, thank you!
I had ordered alfreds all in one because it's so popular, but after watching some reviews I think this one is more suitable for me, since I'm more interested in classical music and I don't want to use my left hand mainly just for chords like in the alfreds course.
But, it seems alfreds seems to change to classical starting from book 2, as far as I understand. Im still wondering if the fabers is still a better choice for classical minded self-teaching students when considering all the following books?
If you are classical minded, then definitely Piano Adventures.
@@pianotips2623 Thank you!
How about the "self teaching" aspect? I can't afford a teacher right now so self teaching is the best I can do at the moment.
I already play piano for about 5 years and can play about 10 pieces by einaudi and Yann tiersen quite well from memory but it's all learned from synthesia, which I decided to be finally done with now. Time for sheet music and music theory.
The alfreds has a book specifically for self-teaching and the fabers doesn't. Is this a big deal? Or is it not really a problem if your planning to learn from books/RUclips videos etc.?
I have a very basic understanding of music theory, have some books on it laying around, and have started learning to read notes with a couple of note learning apps.
(Thanks for your quick response btw)
You will never be able to replace a teacher with any "one way" resource. By that I mean, whatever you use, books, videos, apps, they will never stop you when you make mistakes but a teacher will. However, you can still learn an awful lot alone too depending on your skills and abilities. If you have played a lot before, you're not a complete beginner. The Alfred book will explain most things and is good for self-learners. Apart from that there is a plethora of resources on RUclips, blogs and books if you get stuck on certain concepts. So go for it. At some point, try to get at least one lesson, maybe every six months, just to let someone hear you play and give you advice on things you might not notice yourself. It just helps not to reinforce bad habits.
@@pianotips2623 Thank you for the extensive answer.
It sounds like good advice. I fully understand the worth of a teacher and I do plan to go that route when my situation allows for it.
Nice idea of at least get one or two lessons in 6 months if you really can't do more than that.
I actually performed at pianofest twice so I did already get a bit of feedback from very good teachers, and it was good advice but not that extensive in that setting.
Thanks again! 🙂👌🏻
What do you think of American music term?
I am legally blind, and I am looking for a book or a program that can teach me how to play the piano without having to read music. Do you know of any type of instruction?
Can I still use the same book for keyboard until I'm ready to buy a piano?
Wish all books had the spiral binding.
John Thompson book to keep it open is very annoying. Have to use my big music clips to keep it open everytime.
Well, many people said we need 6 months in average to the lv 1 of adult book
But i think i need more...
I am 47, a complete beginner , and I practice 10 hours / week, also i have a teacher for 40 minutes / week. Now i am at week 16
I started from kids book, lesson 1 (took 12 weeks to finish) and now performance 1 ( i think i can finish it in 8 weeks)
I also learn adult book, but adult book is more difficult, and now i am at page 56...
I also practice hannon exercise for technic...
I think i need one year to finish the adult 1st book
Do you think, i really need to learn several books as describe above, at level one? Or should i just focus on adult book and hannon exercise?
Hello, If I'm into pop more than classical this method book better than "Alfred basic adult all in one ? Thank you.
I would say Alfred puts more emphasis on pop
Do you have a course on this method?
It might be too niche of a category, but is there a method out there that caters to musicians who already know another instrument and have a good grasp of diatonic harmony? Bass guitar is my main instrument. What I have been doing with piano is listening through the list of songs in the Trinity grade syllabus and learning them by ear, only initial grade so far. I also have a book of sight reading studies somewhere. I guess I could do with a source of information that covers any gaps I might miss by approaching things this way.
You should still use 1 or 2 basic piano method books. Their main purpose is not to teach music theory but to get the fingers to move independantly in a structured, progressive way. You also need to develop reading music on two staves.
Thank you. Is this course only one book or more books following the same learning techniques?
The adult course has a Book 2 as well, after which you can progress onto the standard Piano Adventures 3-4-5. So 5 levels all together.
Hi. A quick question. For a beginner at what speed (given accuracy and quality) would you consider sufficient at a minimum to accomplish playing the practice pieces in the book before moving on to the next lesson?
Each piece should have a different speed depending on the mood and tempo indication. As long as the upbeat/happy songs are faster than the melancholic ones, it's good enough. Focus more on accuracy than speed
@@pianotips2623 Okay thanks a lot. Much appreciated!👍🏾
Hi, I am 61 years old and just started teaching myself piano and got started using this method book. I have large hands and I think that this is probably the reason that I cannot naturally play the C Chord with fingers 135, it feels very awkward. It feels more comfortable and natural with fingers 124. Will this be an issue for me further along into the book?
There is no right or wrong when it comes to fingering. The whole reason why we use them is to make things easy and smooth. If you can use 124 and it's easy and sounds accurate, then it's not a problem. However, when playing triads - like a C major chord - it's good to develop a nice, rounded hand shape, which is easier with 135
OK, perhaps this is a silly question, but I’m confused about this.
This book is titled “all-in-one”, but it appears to only be the Level 1 book.
I have the Hal Leonard “all-in-one” for guitar and it contains the first 3 books in one. This Faber’s piano book seems to only be book #1. So it has several elements but all at Level 1?
Please help. What am I missing?
"all-in-one" means that the method book contains music lessons, music theory, and music technique. Instead of having to buy three separate books covering music lessons, music theory, and music technique.
Isn't there a supplementary Classics songbook that goes with the course too?
Yes, but somehow it wasn't on the back of my lesson book. I think it was a later addition.
If im not wrong Faber's piano adventures are more into classical/classics and Alfred's is more on pop music?
Also i wonder what books you would recommend before proceeding to Faber's Piano adventures?
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?
Not really, sorry
1:32 I don’t really understand what you mean when you say that after level 1 and 2 you are supposed to progress to level 3 ”which is the same as the kids use”?
Does kids start with level 3 from the start? Why would adults need 2 whole books before starting at the level that kids do? Or am I missing something haha?
Kids start at level 1 with books for kids. Adults start at level 1 using books for adults.
After level 2 they both progress on the same books for kids.
do you think Faber is better than Alfred for adults if I'm interested in pop and classical?
i like faber as it gives really good lessons and goes at a nice pace for self taught learners
If self learning and commit 30min - 1 hour for the practice. How long it will take to finish 1st book?
It's not something that you can accurately answer. It really depends on talent/ability too and how concentrated you are. You might develop bad habit that you are not even aware of if not pointed out by a teacher or someone else. However, from my own experience with students, if you practice 30-60 mins every day, it shouldn't take more than half a year. Another thing to consider is how well you want to learn each song in the book. It takes much longer to master a piece without any mistakes than to learn it well but not perfect. And in a method book, you don't necessarily have to learn each piece to perfection because they are just teaching songs.
Can I use this book for 61 keys keyboard
You can but will need to omit a few notes. You'll be able to play 95% of the pieces.
Yes I’d rather see the notes on the staff, even at an early stage. Finger numbers are confusing.
Same like I started with thr alfred piano and then bought the faber one and was so confused rhere were no staffs??? Just floating notes..
Like from me
I'm using this book because I'm more interested in classical music, even though the occasional folk or Beatles song etc are nice too.
I have to say though, I'm in the middle of book 1 now, and the musical examples are becoming more soul-crushing boring and demotivating. Yet another baroque "dance" that is meandering between 3-4 notes at boring tempos, lots of silly non-melodies that are supposed to illustrate some concept. I have to fight hard to stay motivated.
I still like the structure and the sequence how new concepts are introduced, but I find myself often to just take note of what the concepts are and then go search for other examples. It doesn't have to be that way, the Faber Adult Classics 1 book already contains nice beginner friendly classical pieces, and more technical drills like "A Dozen a Day" simply train skills without requiring you to play these dreadful non-melodies. It's a shame, but maybe it's an effect of the "all in one" concept, that they have to cram to much into single pieces just to make a point, and exclude more interesting or motivating examples because of that.
Excellent review however two slight criticisms: 1) When you hold the book up to show the page, maybe keep it on camera for a couple extra seconds. 2) Background piano music unnecessary and distracting.