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Hello, I'm looking for what people prefer for piano book methods. I'm planning on teaching myself through the books. Currently i have Alfred's all in one and adult piano adventures, I've seen accelerated piano adventures also and I'm wondering if that might be better or not compared to the other booka I've listed.

Currently I'm leaning towards afult piano adventures as people have said Alfred's songs are boring and that it's based on c position.

Also does anyone have any experience with piano marvel?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

I use Alfred's AIO and as you progress, you can use the companion Greatest Hits for more contemporary pieces. "Boring" is a matter of opinion, I think.

I haven't checked out the Piano Adventures so I have no input there.

You might want to check out the thread on Piano Marvel. IMO it's good for reading music, playing from sheet music and timing. It won't help with nuances derived from the timing of notes (i.e. It doesn't know if you hold a whole note for the amount of time required, just that you played it) or with dynamics. The sight reading test is a popular feature.

I've been a fan of Piano Marvel for the last 4 months - see this thread

Piano Marvel Thread

I already had a basic grounding up to Grade 3 56 years ago, so I didn't really start as a complete beginner. But my daughter has just expressed an interest to learn alongside my 6 year old grandson and I went back to look to see if she could start at the beginning with Piano Marvel, and came to the conclusion that the PDF they give you with Level 1 would be enough to get started. It is encouraging you by being like an addictive video game - you want to get 100% on the exercise, so you keep at it until you can.

A word of warning though - it does have its limitations, there is no dynamics, fluidity in speed, use of pedal etc etc - so as you get beyond the very basics you will need to supplement it with something. I can only recommend a teacher - someone who can critique your playing and then help you to improve. I learn a major piece of music (a Beethoven Sonata) away from Piano Marvel and my teacher has been covering that. Although the majority of the lesson is about dynamics and expression as we slowly move through the piece, in the last lesson as we are addressing the final section she uncovered that fact that I was missing out a note, despite me having recorded myself numerous times and listened intently to the playback to see if I was doing it correctly and I had never noticed.

+1 for Alfred - it's logical and tells you why as well as what to do.

Remember though that any course will be boring if you do nothing else.
You need to look around and have a go at anything else you like the look/sound of to give it all new freshness.

I can quickly see what is too hard for me. so I'm sure you will be able to as well.
There is plenty of easy/graded stuff around to practise on as well, so supplement whatever you do with lots of other stuff - I quite like doing Hanon and Czerny exercises, and am currently on some easy Bach, Mozart and similar and easy ragtime/blues as well.

I've noticed that it doesn't matter whether you like listening to the music or not, if it's you doing the playing, then practically anything can be fun to play.

+1 on Alfred. It seems to be a solid method to start with. I’m doing the AIO. Best wishes.

I would recommend Alfred's All in One as well for several reasons...

1. If you don't have a teacher (which from your OP saying you're planning on teaching yourself with books, I'm guessing you don't) it's an easy course to follow on your own.

2. It's a solid method that builds up your skills logically and in a way that makes sense as you move through the book.

3. It's a popular course and quite a few of the people in this forum use it or have used it in the past. Because of this, there are dedicated threads here for each of the books in the series so, if you get stuck/frustrated or have any questions, there's a good chance that you can find some specific help and advice here from people who have been (or are) in the same position as you.

4. I've used Alfred's myself and, although I did find some of the pieces a little 'dry', I also found that I managed to learn something from most of them along the way. And a little tip from me is, if you do decide to use the Alfred's book, don't skip the pieces that you find 'boring' for this very reason. The things that you learn from them are usually worth putting up with them for.

5. Choosing a coursebook doesn't mean that you have to stick solely to that one source. You can always find supplementary materials to use alongside the course you've chosen to keep things interesting and mix it up a bit.

I've tried all the methods. For me, the most all around method for developing equal dexterity of intonation, flexibility, dexterity, dynamics, musicality in both hands is the Russian School of Piano playing by Nikolaev. After a long search, I finally found the book with a CD published no German which I purchased from England. Luckily there is a complete set of demonstration videos on YouTube. The German version is somewhat different from the Boosley Hawkes, but all of the essentials are there. Try this method vs any other and I guarantee you will notice a vast difference in teaching methods.

Also, for supplementary material, I like Suzuki Piano school (video denotations available on YT) and makingmusicfun.net (has audio demonstrations).

Can you let us know where you got the book with a CD? I have the books but no CD or DVD. Thanks for any help...

Hi NH,

This is the link for the German versions with and without CDs.

Russian Method of Piano Playing German Version

Here is the playlist of this book.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLomfRFag_heUiVd-Z9E9HGkcjMd2iJ5qZ

If you tried out Illinca Vartic's course you might notice the vast difference in the music demonstrations. However, I feel it is an adequate substitute for those just wishing to develop dexterity an musicality through the study of these books. At some point I may resubscribe to Illinca's course but at this point the price point is above that which I wish to spend.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Richrf. Illinca Vartic's demonstrations are VASTLY different. Unfortunately, she is priced out of my range now. Hopefully she will reconsider her pricing?!

It is unfortunate that the price was increased. I did enjoy her demonstrations. My plan is to leisurely move through the Russian Method books as well as the Suzuki books and when I feel I need some additional visual and aural ideas, pay for a month or two of Illinca's course.

My piano teacher started me on the Alfred All-In-One (2 months ago). I like it fine.

Allysia PianoTV recommends both the Alfred and the Adult Piano Adventures books, though she leans toward the Adventures one a little more. Says the progression or organization is a little better, something like that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=b6cGELJwfDQ

Which ever one you choose this instructional channel link below should help you if you do not plan to hire a teacher.

Perhaps you could try each of the method books through the first couple of sections to see which one you like the best.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeSnI-BmRMkxURGZ7nHtzQ

Wow, what a helpful resource. Thanks!

I use
- Alfred's Adult All-in-One Course - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adult-All-...alfreds+basic+adult+piano+course+level+1
- Bela Bartok: Mikrokosmos - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bela-Barto...p;sr=1-1&keywords=mikrokosmos+bartok
- And a teacher


Also have the following which has everything on what it says in the title. Just pick little bits at a time. Like I am only starting so doing only parallel/contrary scales and chords for the major key I am currently on in the Alfred book.
- The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-A...&keywords=scales+and+arpeggios+piano

I like the Piano Adventures one because they aren't so hand position based like the Alfred books. And while you learn chords, the left hand has to do more work in general, which is a good primer for learning Classical music.

The Alfred books are very chord focused, which is totally fine if you're wanting to get more into pop and contemporary music. But I find the PA books lead into conservatory books (grade 1, grade 2, etc) a little better.

I started out using The Complete Keyboard Player Omnibus Edition by Kenneth Baker and although it was good at getting you started if you hadn't played piano before I felt it was too left hand block chord based -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1844496...F8&me=&qid=1522796429&sr=1-1

I quickly switched to The Complete Piano Player Omnibus Edition by Kenneth Baker, it doesn't appear to be as popular as the Alfred's piano tutorial books but I much preferred the songs/music in the Kenneth Baker books - it's easy to follow and uses a good selection of popular songs alongside classical music

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0825624398/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=


I also used Bela Bartok Mikrokosmos Vol 1 you can download all 3 volumes free from IMSLP

I also recommend The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences.

Try the Masterwork Classics series if you're looking at learning a purely classical repertoire - it's part of the Alfred's series and goes up to level 8 - I bought books level 1-2, 3 and 4.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterwork...p;keywords=masterwork+classics+level+1+2


After 8 months of self teaching I now have a piano tutor who specialises in jazz who's got me going through The Beatles Complete Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beatles-Co...sr=1-1&keywords=the+beatles+complete

I have both, but I quickly switched to the Adult Piano Adventures. I personally think the songs are much more interesting, and the other books that go with each level really hold my interest:

*Adult Piano Adventures - Classics, Book 1: Symphony Themes, Opera Gems and Classical Favorites
*Adult Piano Adventures Popular Book 1: Timeless Hits and Popular Favorites
*Adult Piano Adventures Christmas - Book 1

The same holds true for Book 2 series. I personally am enjoying them...