Great video! I have only used Faber for one student (a transfer). I have used the supplemental song books with several students, and like them a lot. My reason for not choosing Faber is the way the pages seem cluttered to me. I've always included students in the decision of what method book to use next, and none of my students have ever chosen Faber, when I present it as an option. (I am asking them to pick the page-look they prefer.) My go-to method books are WunderKeys (I am totally sold on the early presentation of a modified staff), or Alfred, or Bastien New Traditions. I see your point about Faber introducing many styles of music and recognize the WunderKeys does seem to head in the direction of pop music. I do have a student who's far enough along in WK that we'll soon have a conversation about starting some "classical" pieces - I'm looking forward to seeing how he does, given his WK preparation. We're fortunate to have so many methods to choose from, so that each student can have what works best for them personally.
Thank you for weighing in! That is interesting to hear how other teachers choose method books. And I do agree, the page design of Faber is not the most exciting. I also love Wunderkeys! And use Alfred and Bastien New Traditions as well. I'm currently working on video reviews of some other series. I would love to hear an update on how your advancing WK student does! It's great to connect with other teachers. Thank you!
You are doing a wonderful job with your videos! Piano Adventures has been a rock solid method for years at our multi-teacher studio. I love the way there is unlimited options for moving sideways into supplementary repertoire. I do use a wide variety of other method books too and choose based on the student, but Faber has rocked their method for so many years and great for teachers needing stability and sequencing.
Thank you! I love how you describe "moving sideways." Brilliant. The Fabers have build up such a library over the years! You're so right. Even as a supplement to other methods, they are a great resource.
Thank you for your review and explanation! I'm a new adult learner. So my piano teacher has started me in the Accelerated Piano Adventures (For Adult Beginners) Level 1 book. I really enjoy the book quite a bit and I find the little songs fun to play. I kind of like the individual books too. While there is the Adult Beginner All-In-One book (which in hindsight I should've opted for), I opted instead for picking up the lesson book by itself, then also getting the theory, technique & artistry, and sightreading books after I saw a reference to them in the lesson book. It felt like I was collecting supplements and modules for a game, so it help fill that collect-all-the-books itch. Thank you again for your video!
I'm glad you said that because I agree that the pile of books piano students work out of is honestly kind of fun. I've tried the all-in-one version of some method books and it's just not the same! Something about having the theory and technique separate is just more organized and satisfying. And I have a full floor-to-ceiling bookshelf to prove it lol. Good luck on your piano adventures!
Yes and no 😄 Piano Adventures wasn't designed as a self-taught method, but of all the piano methods, it may just work for the right self-learner. The books contain a lot of easy-to-understand instruction, online recordings, and it moves at a nice, steady pace covering all the basics. However, with any method, you'll probably have some questions or challenges at some point just because of the complexity that is the piano! (If you're an adult, you might prefer Piano Adventures Adult Books, which I do have a video about) I hope that helps a little bit!
@@TheTattooedPianoTeacher Oh I didn’t know the Adult Series was a different series altogether. By the way how far will completing this or the Adult series get a learner. Let’s say Trinity Level 3? Or more. Thanks so much for the reply. Edit: I do have the one called Adult Piano Adventures. I think the one you have shown in the video is the one for kids?
@@accentontheoff Ah, perfect. Yes, this video highlights the kids series. There are only 2 adult books: Adult all-in-one Book 1 & 2. At the end of Adult Book 2, perhaps a students would be about Grade 1? However, the Fabers suggest that adults would then switch to the main series (the one in this video) for the rest of the levels. Upon completing Adult Book 2, students can choose one of the Level 3 books from the Basic Piano Adventures series to keep progressing.
Piano Adventures is great with a private piano teacher! But it is not designed for self-study unfortunately. You may find some success using the Piano Adventures Adult All-in-One series, but technically that is also designed for lesson with an instructor. There are a lot of books and courses designed for self-study though! They vary depending on the your learning style, previous experience, genre preferences and goals. But here is one course if you are a beginner wanting to start from scratch: cordamusiclessons.teachable.com/p/key-by-key-book-one-unit-one Best of luck to you!
I find it really depends on the student's dedication to practice and their previous musical experience. But to give a general average...Level Primer and Level 1 are usually 6-10 months each. Levels 2A and 2B usually take a calendar year. And Level 3A and up a year or more. For each level, I use a set of 4 books (Lesson, Theory, Technique & Performance). Perhaps my pace through the levels is slower than some teachers, but I inject a lot of other literature, skills, and performance outside of the book as well to keep things interesting. Maybe if another piano teacher out there is reading this, they could also weigh in on how long their students take to complete each Faber book!
I love Faber content but HATE the 4 book series concept, I love the all in one books but there's only 2 levels so if you want to continue you are STUCK with the 4 book shuffle and 4 book extra expense and I have had several teachers after moving twice that just don't want that 4 book shuffle and want to use Alfreds which is written horribly, progresses to aggressively with much less theory and explanation. If you are a parent and have young children or multiple kids at different levels you have multiple messes. GO BACK TO ALL IN ONE BOOKS.
Isn't it interesting that after all these years the Fabers have not introduced an All-in-One version of their books? I wonder why! Another question I'll ask Nancy if I ever meet her 😁
![My Favorite Piano Method Books [From a Veteran Piano Teacher]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lHIB6ndZsoE/mqdefault.jpg)
![My Favorite Piano Method Books [From a Veteran Piano Teacher]](/img/tr.png)
![What book should I buy after Piano Adventures Adult book 2? [Long time coming, I know!!!]](/img/1.gif)
Great video! I have only used Faber for one student (a transfer). I have used the supplemental song books with several students, and like them a lot. My reason for not choosing Faber is the way the pages seem cluttered to me. I've always included students in the decision of what method book to use next, and none of my students have ever chosen Faber, when I present it as an option. (I am asking them to pick the page-look they prefer.)
My go-to method books are WunderKeys (I am totally sold on the early presentation of a modified staff), or Alfred, or Bastien New Traditions. I see your point about Faber introducing many styles of music and recognize the WunderKeys does seem to head in the direction of pop music. I do have a student who's far enough along in WK that we'll soon have a conversation about starting some "classical" pieces - I'm looking forward to seeing how he does, given his WK preparation.
We're fortunate to have so many methods to choose from, so that each student can have what works best for them personally.
Thank you for weighing in! That is interesting to hear how other teachers choose method books. And I do agree, the page design of Faber is not the most exciting. I also love Wunderkeys! And use Alfred and Bastien New Traditions as well. I'm currently working on video reviews of some other series. I would love to hear an update on how your advancing WK student does! It's great to connect with other teachers. Thank you!
I like the way you explained everything.
Thank you! I appreciate your comment very much 🥰
You are doing a wonderful job with your videos! Piano Adventures has been a rock solid method for years at our multi-teacher studio. I love the way there is unlimited options for moving sideways into supplementary repertoire. I do use a wide variety of other method books too and choose based on the student, but Faber has rocked their method for so many years and great for teachers needing stability and sequencing.
Thank you! I love how you describe "moving sideways." Brilliant. The Fabers have build up such a library over the years! You're so right. Even as a supplement to other methods, they are a great resource.
Thank you for your review and explanation!
I'm a new adult learner. So my piano teacher has started me in the Accelerated Piano Adventures (For Adult Beginners) Level 1 book. I really enjoy the book quite a bit and I find the little songs fun to play.
I kind of like the individual books too. While there is the Adult Beginner All-In-One book (which in hindsight I should've opted for), I opted instead for picking up the lesson book by itself, then also getting the theory, technique & artistry, and sightreading books after I saw a reference to them in the lesson book. It felt like I was collecting supplements and modules for a game, so it help fill that collect-all-the-books itch.
Thank you again for your video!
I'm glad you said that because I agree that the pile of books piano students work out of is honestly kind of fun. I've tried the all-in-one version of some method books and it's just not the same! Something about having the theory and technique separate is just more organized and satisfying. And I have a full floor-to-ceiling bookshelf to prove it lol. Good luck on your piano adventures!
Thank you for this video. Just wondering, would you recommend this series for a self-learner. 😊
Yes and no 😄 Piano Adventures wasn't designed as a self-taught method, but of all the piano methods, it may just work for the right self-learner. The books contain a lot of easy-to-understand instruction, online recordings, and it moves at a nice, steady pace covering all the basics. However, with any method, you'll probably have some questions or challenges at some point just because of the complexity that is the piano!
(If you're an adult, you might prefer Piano Adventures Adult Books, which I do have a video about)
I hope that helps a little bit!
@@TheTattooedPianoTeacher Oh I didn’t know the Adult Series was a different series altogether. By the way how far will completing this or the Adult series get a learner. Let’s say Trinity Level 3? Or more. Thanks so much for the reply.
Edit: I do have the one called Adult Piano Adventures. I think the one you have shown in the video is the one for kids?
@@accentontheoff Ah, perfect. Yes, this video highlights the kids series. There are only 2 adult books: Adult all-in-one Book 1 & 2. At the end of Adult Book 2, perhaps a students would be about Grade 1? However, the Fabers suggest that adults would then switch to the main series (the one in this video) for the rest of the levels. Upon completing Adult Book 2, students can choose one of the Level 3 books from the Basic Piano Adventures series to keep progressing.
@@TheTattooedPianoTeacher Ah ok, thanks then. Will try and follow that.
I started learning sight reading, should I choose paino adventures? I am self learning.
Piano Adventures is great with a private piano teacher! But it is not designed for self-study unfortunately. You may find some success using the Piano Adventures Adult All-in-One series, but technically that is also designed for lesson with an instructor. There are a lot of books and courses designed for self-study though! They vary depending on the your learning style, previous experience, genre preferences and goals. But here is one course if you are a beginner wanting to start from scratch: cordamusiclessons.teachable.com/p/key-by-key-book-one-unit-one Best of luck to you!
Hello there! How much time do you usually spend on each book? One semester each?
I find it really depends on the student's dedication to practice and their previous musical experience. But to give a general average...Level Primer and Level 1 are usually 6-10 months each. Levels 2A and 2B usually take a calendar year. And Level 3A and up a year or more. For each level, I use a set of 4 books (Lesson, Theory, Technique & Performance). Perhaps my pace through the levels is slower than some teachers, but I inject a lot of other literature, skills, and performance outside of the book as well to keep things interesting. Maybe if another piano teacher out there is reading this, they could also weigh in on how long their students take to complete each Faber book!
great video! thanks!
Thank you so much! I love doing these reviews and I hope to do more in the future. :)
I love Faber content but HATE the 4 book series concept, I love the all in one books but there's only 2 levels so if you want to continue you are STUCK with the 4 book shuffle and 4 book extra expense and I have had several teachers after moving twice that just don't want that 4 book shuffle and want to use Alfreds which is written horribly, progresses to aggressively with much less theory and explanation. If you are a parent and have young children or multiple kids at different levels you have multiple messes. GO BACK TO ALL IN ONE BOOKS.
Isn't it interesting that after all these years the Fabers have not introduced an All-in-One version of their books? I wonder why! Another question I'll ask Nancy if I ever meet her 😁