The 8 Best Piano Books for Beginners
The Complete Piano Book Guide for Children and Adults
Top 8 Piano Method Books - Updated 2024
Piano method books are essential for piano learners of all ages and levels. They stand out for their clear and comprehensive concept explanations and a well-structured format, making them favorites among many pianists. These books prove highly effective, especially when used in piano lessons under the guidance of instructors.
Here are the 8 best piano books for beginners, handpicked by our expert piano teachers at Lesson With You.
For Young Piano Beginners (Ages 6 to 12)
Faber Basic Piano Adventures series is perfect for beginners ages 7-11. The first level starts with the Primer Level with four core books: Lesson Book, Theory Book, Performance Book, Technique & Artistry Book.
Faber uses colorful illustrations, simple directions, and concept summaries with creative questions to spark students’ imagination.
In the Primer Lesson Book, students will learn key names, note values, and reading music on the Grand Staff. They will also learn the C 5-finger scale, steps and skips, and explore dynamics with the pedal. We highly encourage students to use their Theory Book at the same time to improve their music theory knowledge.
Students can also explore a wide variety of songs and diverse music genres through the Faber “PreTime Piano Series.” Currently, the series includes 11 books that feature Christmas tunes, Classical, Popular hits, Rock & Roll, Disney tunes, Hymns, and much more. It’s a fantastic opportunity for beginners to widen their piano repertoire!
For students under 6, start with “My First Piano Adventures” which features easy and enjoyable songs, along with rhythmic games that will spark the playful spirit for children.
The ‘Alfred’s Music’ brand has been publishing piano books since 1922. This series is beloved by people of all ages for its ability to explain concepts into smaller ideas and easy-to-follow steps.
Their first level starts as Lesson Book 1A along with Theory Book 1A, Recital Book 1A, Notespeller 1A, and Technic 1A. Then it goes to 1B series once the student masters 1A level. The following levels are Lesson Book 2 series and then Lesson Book 3 series.
Young beginners including our own piano students typically start with Lesson Book 1A and Theory Book 1A.
- Lesson Book 1A: Students will learn the basic layout of the keyboard and practice to be able to recognize the names of the white keys in relation to the black keys. It also focuses on simple rhythms and uses songs to prepare them for reading intervals and lines. Later, it will cover elements such as the bass and treble clefs, as well as sharps and flats.
- Theory Book 1A: It includes games and quizzes that solidify the concepts introduced in the Lesson Book. Students can have fun and practice the concepts even when they’re not at the keyboard.
The Bastien Piano Basics method offers a range of five levels, starting from Primer level and progressing through levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. In addition to the main lesson book called Piano, there are three other course books available: Theory, Performance, and Technic.
Beginners can start from the Primer level piano book which takes a step-by-step approach, introducing multiple keys gradually.
Students will begin reading music in the C five-finger position, and each page of the course focuses on one musical or theoretical concept at a time. This approach is perfect for students who prefer to learn one thing at a time. Bastien Piano Basics also uses engaging full-color images to make learning enjoyable, and it also provides short practice directions to guide students through their practice.
For young students under 7, we recommend their pre-level series called “Piano for the Young Beginner,” which includes Primer A and Primer B.
This piano course is perfect for young beginners between the ages of 5 and 7. The series consists of four parts and features a simple and straightforward layout, with minimal text and helpful images. There are also fun worksheets for children to review and practice writing and reading notes.
In Part 1 book, students will start by learning where the middle C is on the keyboard, and then gradually explore different notes, meters, and rhythms.
Each concept is introduced separately but carefully arranged so that students can focus on learning one thing at a time. The songs in this course sound simpler compared to other piano method books as well.
For children under 7, we recommend starting with their “Teaching Little Fingers to Play: A Book for the Earliest Beginner.” This book is designed for early beginners who are new to learning notes. The melodies are thoughtfully crafted, intentionally kept simple, yet refreshing. All the music is designed to be easily played with the small hands of a child.
Students over 7 or 8 years old can also start with John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano (First Grade). This series is designed to give students a strong foundation in piano playing, helping them think and feel the music. It’s ideal for those who can read longer paragraphs and are eager to learn piano quickly.
Another great thing about John Thompson’s piano book series is that they offer books in Spanish.
This book is perfect for students who catch on to concepts quickly and are aged over 8. It’s organized in a logical way, making it easy to follow along. Although the pages don’t have many interesting full-color illustrations, the explanations and directions are easy to read and helpful.
The series consists of a total of six levels, providing a thorough learning experience for young students. Using their theory books alongside the lesson books is also a great idea.
Their “A Dozen A Day” technical method book is a well-known collection of short warm-up exercises specifically designed for beginners to play at the beginning of each practice session. It’s perfect for diving into a wide range of music, and the best part is, it has numerous short pieces so you won’t get bored!
For Beginning Adults (Ages 17+)
Written by the Faber Piano Adventures, this comprehensive All-in-One piano book covers everything you need in a single volume – lessons, technique, and theory.
This series consists of two books, which are ideal for beginning adults or as a refresher course for those who have had a few months of lesson experience.
In Book 1, adult students will learn basic music notation, chord playing, and musical form, all while exploring a wide range of familiar songs.
This piano book covers a lot of different topics, so it may take a bit longer than you think. But it’s important to really understand and review each concept and theory to build a strong foundation in piano playing. The All-in-One Books provide the skills to play hundreds of melodies with the 3-Minute Theory and Technique pages that help adults learn fundamentals of music notation, chord playing, and musical form.
They also provide a variety of music books, including Christmas songs, Classics, and Popular Hits, which you can explore once you have learned some keys and chords from the All-in-One Course.
This course is designed for beginning adults and focuses on teaching the basic layout of the keyboard and music reading skills. It provides a quick introduction to the concept of chords and explains various ways to form and play them with both hands.
It’s an excellent resource for adults who have either self-taught themselves for about a month or who have had brief piano lessons before.
To improve your understanding of chord formations and keys, using their “Basic Adult Theory Book Level 1” is highly recommended. It will provide additional theory support and help you grasp the basic concepts even better.
This all-in-course is an expanded version of Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course which combines lesson, theory, and technique in a convenient format. It includes features like hand exercises, finger strengthening drills, and written assignments that solidify the concepts taught in each lesson.
Note that learning the concepts in this comprehensive course, which combines the lesson book, theory, and technique all at once, may take more time compared to Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course.
Final Thoughts
Learning to play the piano is a lifelong journey that takes time for every beginner. But along the way, you will discover the joy of learning a new skill that brings you happiness, enjoyment, and a deep passion for music.
Piano books are an excellent resource for learning the piano, particularly when guided with professional teachers. At Lesson With You, we offer live online 1-on-1 piano lessons led by exceptional piano instructors from renowned music schools. Not sure about online lessons? Try our complimentary 30-minute lesson and find out how it works for you. SIGN UP FOR TRIAL
FAQs
Can I use multiple piano method books simultaneously?
Yes! In fact, using two to three piano books works well for many students. Start with a core piano lesson book and then select a theory and/or technique book to improve your overall piano foundation. You can also use books from different publishers, but it’s a good idea to ask your piano teacher for more information.
Are piano books a primary source for learning the piano?
Piano books are not the only resource for learning piano, but they are considered the best when used with guidance from piano instructors. You can also use online lesson courses or YouTube videos as supplements. But piano experts don’t usually recommend using apps since they don’t provide real-time feedback or personalized guidance and plans.
Can adults use the same piano method books as children?
Yes, adult beginners can use the same piano books as children, as long as they are all-in-one books. But it’s recommended to use the piano books specifically written for adults. These books provide more detailed explanations of concepts and cover a wider range of topics at once.
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.