For beginning students ages 5 to 6
Use My First Piano Adventure®. My First Piano Adventure® captures the child’s playful spirit. Fun-filled songs, rhythm games and technique activities develop beginning keyboard skills. My First’s three levels, A, B, and C, each have a Lesson Book with CD and a Writing Book. Book C of this young beginner course leads into Level 1 of basic Piano Adventures®.
For beginning students ages 7 to 11
Use the basic edition of Piano Adventures®, starting at Level 1 (Spanish Edition). All students need the Lesson and theory book and the Technique and artistry Book. As the student finishes the pre-reading units, let the student choose one of the books from the Student Choice® Series, Level 1. Young students enjoy selections from the Christmas and Popular books. Older students appreciate the Classics. For fun and work on rhythm, use Jazz & Blues o discover the different styles in Studio Collection.
For older beginners ages 11 to 17
Use Accelerated Piano Adventures for the Older Beginner®. This course begins with Book One, eliminating the use of a primer. The pieces and illustrations are appropriate for an older age. The repertoire is sufficiently different from the basic course to allow two siblings to both use Piano Adventures®. The Lesson Book is essential. It is ideally supported by the Theory Book, Performance Book, and Technique & Artistry Book. A proficient student in the Accelerated edition may go directly into a Level 1 Student Choice book midway through the Lesson Book. The older beginner progresses from Book 1 to Book 2 of the Accelerated course, then into Level 5 of the basic course.
For adult beginners
Use Adult Piano Adventures® comprehensive, “All-In-One” books. Book 1 introduces the concepts of music notation, chord playing, rhythm, harmony, and musical form—all through engaging music. Book 2 applies the basics of music theory using “lead sheets” with chord accompaniment patterns. Each unit includes a “3‑Minute Technique” page to develop finger dexterity and a “Music Theory” page to develop understanding of rhythm and harmony.
Introduction to literature
At level 4, students may be introduced to the traditional piano literature with Preparatory Piano Literature of the Developing Artist® Library. The Developing Artist® Library presents authentic keyboard repertoire compiled and edited by Faber & Faber. The Piano Literature series continues with Books 1 and up. The Developing Artist® Piano Sonatinas (Books 1–4) take the student progressively through this important repertoire to the easier sonatas of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
For additional recital repertoire, see the Achievement Solo Sheets. This sheet music series by the Fabers is correlated to the method by level.