Piano Methods
Real Information and Reviews

Confused by all the piano methods out there?

I don't blame you!

Tired of biased reviews? Of course, every publisher wants their method books to sound like the best.

I'll give you real information you can use for great piano lessons.

Traditional Piano Methods

Still the most widely taught, traditional piano methods are the books you'll find at your local music store. These books and programs teach you to play piano by learning to read music.

"That's logical," you might be thinking. "What other way could there be?"

Actually, there are many other ways to learn piano. And to learn to read music, for that matter. You can read about them below, in the alternative methods section.

Traditional piano methods all teach piano playing and music reading at the same time. Beyond that common link, though, there are differences. Each method approaches introducing musical concepts, rhythm, theory, and piano technique differently. And every piano teacher has his or her own opinions!

I've chosen three of the most popular traditional piano methods to review and included a brief introduction. Your local classical teachers - unless they've developed their own teaching methods - probably use one of these.

Piano Adventures Piano Method

Far and away my favorite of the traditional piano methods, Piano Adventures is a graded piano curriculum written by the husband-wife team of Randall and Nancy Faber. Nancy is an award-winning composer and pianist, and Randall is a celebrated performer.

If you're sold on the traditional method, these are the books I'd highly recommend for you!

Ages: books for young beginners, older beginners, and adults
Best feature: terrific, original, interesting music

Click here for a full review of the Piano Adventures method

Alfred's Piano Method

Before I discovered the Piano Adventures series, I taught using the Alfred's books. The Adult All-in-One books are a mainstay with many teachers because they include different musical styles and music theory in one volume.

I prefer the music in the Alfred's children's books to the Bastien books of the same level, and I like the order of the theory teaching better, too.

Ages: books for young beginners, older beginners, and adults
Best Feature: The All-in-One courses include a range of musical styles including jazz and blues

Click here for a full review of Alfred's Piano Method

Bastien Piano Method

The Bastien method books are among the most used by traditional teachers. However, they're not my favorites. I find the music a bit uninspiring. In my opinion, the unfolding of musical concepts happens too quickly for good retention.

Ages: books for very young beginners, children, older beginners, and adults
Best Feature: widely available

Click here for a full review of the Bastien Piano Method

By the way...

Are you a musician yourself? Understand music theory and pedagogy? If you'd like a detailed overview comparing the top five beginning piano methods, there's an excellent comparison chart here.

If you're not a musician already, much of what's detailed here will be Greek to you! :-)

Alternative Piano Methods

You might be getting the picture that I don't teach traditional method piano! :-) Actually, I did for many years.

But as time went on, I grew more and more frustrated by the drop-out rate of my students. Their challenges and difficulties followed patterns - always happening at the same points in the music-reading process. Students wanted to express themselves and just play - but they couldn't.

Many students developed beliefs that they weren't smart enough or musical enough to play piano. I knew it wasn't true - but didn't know how to give them the experience they wanted.

I decided to investigate other piano methods. I discovered some wonderful alternatives!

In case you're wondering: the alternative methods listed here DO teach music reading. Just not at the very beginning. Now, the only method I teach in my studio is Simply Music.

Simply Music

I discovered Simply Music by hearing a student play. Amazing, rhythmically complex music. My jaw dropped. I asked how long the student had been taking lessons. "Oh, about six months!" came the cheerful reply. Other adults were also shaking their heads in wonder. I transitioned all of my traditional students, over time, to this method. The parents of my students, who were initially very skeptical of a delayed-music-reading approach, are delighted. My students are practicing without being asked. Many of them are composing and improvising on their own.

Ages: 5 to 105! Kids, teenagers, and adults.
Best Feature: immediate access to self-expressive piano playing - 2 hands! Also, parental involvement and ease of learning.

Click here for a full review of Simply Music

Suzuki Method

The Suzuki Method is probably the most recognizable alternative piano method. In my journey away from traditional methods, I researched becoming a Suzuki teacher. I eventually decided that the Simply Music approach fit better with my teaching philosophy.

However, I respect and admire the Suzuki method. In a nutshell, this approach begins with imitation: watching the teacher (and other students), listening, and repeating. Parents are involved, and kids start young into the program - even as young as three.

Ages: children
Best Feature: natural learning style, good parental involvement

Click here for a full review of the Suzuki Method

Best for YOU?

The reality is, every student is different.

No one method will work for everyone. No one teacher is right for everyone.

As you are learning about playing piano, really give time and energy to finding the right piano method and the right teacher for you. Visit studios. Trust your instincts. What appeals to you?

But most of all, really believe that you - or your child - can learn to play piano. The right teacher and the right method are out there. Even if you live in a small town (I do - and there are many piano teachers here). You can learn.

Don't settle for less than a method that makes you happy and inspires you to play!

More About Piano Methods
Just click the links below:
Piano Adventures method | Alfred piano method | Bastien piano method | Simply Music method | Suzuki method