Learning to play the piano is a rewarding journey, and like any meaningful journey, it helps to have a guide. Piano method books have existed for a long time, and provide just a clear path for students to follow as they build foundational skills in piano. In this article, let’s look at the different types of piano method books, and which book is the best for beginning students.
What are Piano Method Books
Piano method books are designed to introduce and develop the essential elements of music in a structured and progressive way. While each series has its own unique features, most method books include:
- Music reading skills, including notes, rhythm, and key signatures
- Proper hand position and playing technique
- Basic music theory, often integrated with playing pieces
- Practice pieces that reinforce new concepts
- Duets (usually between teachers and students) to encourage musical interaction
The structure of a method book helps students move forward with confidence, step by step. It provides consistency while still allowing for flexibility in teaching and learning.
In fact, for self- learners who are new to piano and music, starting off with a piano method book is likely the best choice to learn piano.
Common Method Books
There are many piano method books available, each offering its own approach and strengths. Here are a few of the most commonly used ones:
Faber Piano Adventures: My First Piano Adventure Lesson Book
Faber books are known for being engaging and well-rounded. They combine strong pedagogy with appealing repertoire, and include supplemental books for theory, technique, and sight-reading. These books are especially popular with younger students. The beautifully designed books are also very appealing to young learners.
Alfred’s Basic Piano Prep Course
This long-established method is known for its clear progression and solid foundational approach. It includes multiple coordinated books for lesson, theory, technique, and recital. It’s a dependable choice for students who benefit from a comprehensive and consistent structure.
Bastien Piano Basics
Bastien books are colorful and approachable, often used with younger children. They progress at a comfortable pace and include lots of visuals and familiar tunes, making them an inviting introduction to piano.
Suzuki Piano Method
The Suzuki approach is unique in that it emphasizes listening and imitation before reading music, similar to how children learn language. This method places a strong focus on musical expression and parental involvement, making it ideal for younger learners.
Piano Safari
This newer method blends traditional and creative teaching strategies. It uses a combination of rote learning and reading, along with imaginative “animal techniques” for developing technique. It also encourages improvisation and rhythmic play, which many students find inspiring and fun.
John Thompson’s Easiest Piano Course for the Piano
John Thompson’s method has been a classic in piano education for decades. Known for its traditional and disciplined approach, this series focuses strongly on developing reading skills from the very beginning. The pieces are carefully graded and sequential, allowing students to build confidence as they progress. While the illustrations and language reflect an earlier era, many teachers still appreciate the clarity and thoroughness of the material. It’s especially effective for students who do well with a more classical foundation and a clear emphasis on note reading and technique.
I have a lot of love with this series as my beginning years are mainly with this piano method books. And through years of teaching, this book is the one that is so comprehensive. Some people lament that it is boring, old school, etc. But honestly, it’s really comprehensive. And because you learn just a few concepts in each lesson, and practice with relevant repertoire, through my experience, students who typically use this series tend to build up very good foundation. If you were to complete the 8 books in John Thompson’s Easiest Piano Course, most students can move on to prepare for the Grade 2 Piano Exams and Music Theory easily.
Also, for anyone on a budget, John Thompson’s Easiest Piano Course is available on IMSLP. IMSLP or the International Music Score Library Project, is an online library that offers free access to public domain sheet music and scores from composers around the world.
John W. Schaum Piano Method Book
This is another series that I really like, and unlike many other piano method books which repertoire pieces are forgettable, I can remember many pieces from this series that I played more than 30 years ago.
The John W. Schaum Piano Method is a well-known and widely used series of instructional books designed to teach students how to play the piano. Developed by John W. Schaum (as the series name suggest), a respected American pianist, composer, and educator, this method has been a staple in piano education since the mid-20th century. There are many books in the series, each given a “colour” as well, based on the front cover. The letters indicate progression (with pre-A being the easiest, followed by A, B, etc.)
Pre-A: “The Green Book”
Book A: “The Red Book”
Book B: “The Blue Book”
Book C: “The Purple Book”
Book D: “The Orange Book”
Book E: “The Brown Book”
Book F: “The Grey Book”
Book G: “The Violet Book”
Book H: “The Tan Book”
Book I: “The White Book”
Which Piano Method Book to Choose?
As a piano teacher, I work with a wide range of students, each with their own personality, pace, and learning style. That’s why I don’t use just one method book—I choose the approach that best fits the individual student.
Some students respond well to method books that are very systematic and organized. These books provide a clear roadmap and steady progress, which can be very rewarding for learners who enjoy structure and step-by-step goals.
Other students are more motivated by creative elements, pretty designs or varied repertoire. They may enjoy books that introduce improvisation, storytelling, or expressive playing early in the process. For these students, a method that feels more playful or imaginative can keep their interest high and spark their enthusiasm for music.
Every student is unique, and so is their learning process. One of the most enjoyable parts of teaching is finding the method that makes each student feel engaged, successful, and excited to continue learning.
There is NO BEST Piano Method Book
You might come across discussions or reviews suggesting that one piano method is better than another. But the truth is, there is no single best book. All reputable method books are created with the same purpose—to teach students the skills they need to become confident piano players.
Each method may present material in a slightly different order, use different repertoire, or offer different teaching tools. But they all aim to help students build technique, understand music, and enjoy playing the piano.
So when choosing a piano method book, focus on what feels right for the student. Whether it’s the style of music, the pace of the lessons, or the teaching approach, the most important thing is finding a resource that supports consistent, enjoyable progress.
The best book is the one that inspires you to play.