Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course [Method Guide + Review]

[@Jenny_bell_key]

The gentleman who teaches on the Let’s Play Piano Methods channel on KZbin goes through many method books page by page, which is so helpful for those of us going it alone without a teacher. (I believe I found him on your recommendation.)

[@kaiowasdesign878]

Thanks for a very interesting article, here are a few more tips on how to play the piano… Try practicing for 1 hour each day, or 30 minutes if you can't find time. Do more practice whenever you have more time. For example, on weekends you could do more than 1 hour, like two or 3, or even more. This is very helpful because it pulls you out of the routine of piano playing, and lets you practice more and perfect the pieces you play.

[@hughmungus2691]

thanks for the channel recommendation, i subscribed to that one for sure

[@dez5]

I love Gale Wolfe. kzbin.info/door/IeSnI-BmRMkxURGZ7nHtzQ

[@neeleshartist3032]

❤️❤️

[@MakeWay4CJ]

@Enrique Barreto Stop.

[@PianotvNet]

So I want to make a small correction to the video, having just flipped through all my Alfred books in more depth. The 2nd adult book covers most of the material of the 3rd basic-level book, and the series don't really cross over nicely (like they do with Piano Adventures). So I would just use the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Adult Alfred books, and then toss your method books aside. Finishing the 3rd Adult book would put you somewhere around a grade 2 level.

[@pianazi6184]

What grade level would piano adventures book 2 put me

[@saeedahmad8361]

@@pianazi6184 Grade 1 or start of grade 2

[@fr4nk45]

pianoTV I respectfully diasgree. The third adult book finishes with Moonlight Sonata and it also has Fur Elise for exemple. I think those pieces are beyond grade 2, right?

[@crystalmontalbano9798]

@@fr4nk45 It depends on the arrangements - I have several different arrangements of these pieces in different books and sheet music, and they range from very easy to super difficult (as written by Beethoven)

[@fr4nk45]

@@crystalmontalbano9798 I am talking about the arrangements in the book itself which are the original arrangements.

[@KlavierKannNichtMehr]

Hi and many thanks for this video. I am 69, and I started one year ago with my piano teacher (85, classically trained). I have almost finished book 1 of the Alfred Adult series (unfortunately the German version, I live in Germany). Your comments are very useful, as I play blues and jazz guitar finger style so I am not a beginner to music, but a complete beginner to the piano. Fortunately we also use some other classic based material, and I am also now after 1 year starting on my own with the Czerny exercises - very tough after a chord-based approach. I have to say that spending zwo weeks on Cockles and Mussels was pretty soul-destroying, but my teacher is an absolute perfectionist, and it is surprising just how many small mistakes you can make even with simple pieces. I have also purchased books two and three, but I see them as the „kindergarten“ stage that I went through learning the guitar about 50 years ago. Your video has certainly encouraged me to continue, while it has also made me realize just what a beginner I am. I have a deal with my 85-year-old teacher: after 10,000 hours of practise I will be ready to go on stage in Düsseldorf and perform, say at the age of around 85 - and my wonderful teacher Lotti has agreed to introduce me - she should be around 120 by that time. Never give up - that is what music passion is all about. Best regards to all other learners from Germany!!

[@pabloentrenador3274]

I am starting piano at 49. I thought it was too late to start. I am so happy that you are starting at 89. It gives me inspiration and energy to pursuit. Thanks and good luck 😁

[@annakahle1262]

Oh there is a german Version? Well I just ordered the english one:D

[@michaelrobinson9023]

YES! More of these videos! I feel overwhelmed by the amount of piano course books out there and I have trouble as a new piano teacher exploring/comparing the benefits/downsides to each one. Thanks!

[@terryallen6044]

I've been using the all-in-one and I'm nearly finished with the first book. I definitely recognize the songs you named though. My first real sticking spot was Blow The Man Down. The difficulty seemed to jump way up with that one. Jericho was one of my favorites. Scarborough Fair and Almonds and Raisins sound like real songs as well, so they were fun to work on. Looking forward to book 2 and powering through!

[@getsetgarden]

"Blow The Man Down" - Agreed. Me too! Then with Lullaby.

[@ghostrider8307]

Blow the man down felt like a new book for me. I've started playing piano since a month.

[@pandicornlove08playin48]

Yea I'm on blow the man down took me about and hour to grasp and 3 to 4 to perfect (not actually perfected😂

[@AZmom60]

I use the All-in-one for my students. It's terrific.

[@midnight4109]

"Laura" is one of the prettiest songs in the book.

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

My path is kind of weird and I'm using these books for a bit different purpose. I've been "playing piano" for about 10 years now. I put that in quotes because it's been 10 wildly inconsistent years, with extremely varied levels of discipline. I did take formal weekly lessons for the first 2 years and that gave me a solid foundation of theory and basic technique (circle of fifths, 4 octave scales, etc.), but I always struggled with reading music and never took it as seriously as I should have. To be honest, I was a poor student. The way I've been playing piano over the years has been very inefficient, picking pieces that were a bit too hard, struggling to read through the notes with my poor reading ability, and then committing the piece to memory and dwelling on it for far too long. "Practice" being simply playing a few pieces from memory for months on end. Terrible, I know. My main purpose in learning piano in the first place was to aid my main goal and career aspiration of electronic music production/composing music for media. I've realized in the past couple years how important musicianship really is, regardless of how much technical music production knowledge one might have. So I've recently made it a mission to improve my musicianship and sheet music reading. I did a full reset. I'm currently about halfway through Alfred Adult All-in-One course Level 2 at a rate of a piece per day, not perfectly polished, but competently playable with a metronome. And I gotta say, it's perfect! This was just what I needed. Short, easy pieces to practice my music reading and get some more varied experience under my belt. TL;DR: If you're a beginner, just follow the method books as written, listen to your teacher if you have one, and keep learning new things! Don't get stuck at a comfort zone plateau and stop progressing. And don't rely on memory! READ music! If I had done this starting 10 years ago, I'd be SO MUCH better at piano now. I'm kicking myself for wasting all that time.

[@QueensWino]

I enjoyed this review of the Alfred Adult series very much! I am still on book one; I stalled out on "Blow the Man Down" (p. 107 in my edition) which I found difficult to pull off rhythmically. I plan to get back to regular practice and finish the book this year. I have supplemented my practices with beginner exercises from your videos for a bit of variety and plan to use more of them moving forward. I am a 50+ gentleman and I am in for the long haul. No rushing matters. Cheers from Queens, NY!

[@rickycoacola4859]

Have you finished the book yet?

[@QueensWino]

@@rickycoacola4859 Thanks for asking - I have not finished the book yet but I have not given up. I have taken a break as I recently moved to a new state and am just settling in...I still need to set up my piano! I will do that soon.

[@johndouglas7787]

Hi Alicia[ Piano TV ] I started piano lessons at age 5 with the John Thompson piano course called Teaching Little Fingers To Play then The John Thompson First Grade Book. At 6 the teacher, who was a young college student, introduced Hanon's The Virtuoso Pianist 60 Exercises and by the age of 7 the famous Clementi Sonatinas. I learned how to read notes and how to count the rhythm [out loud as I played]. Teacher had me do scales and arpeggios in all keys as well. I did not go through 5 or 6 levels of method material. My sight reading ability has always been off the chart ,don't know why because as you can see from my early training the method used has been frowned upon by piano teachers for years as being one of the worst methods to use. Didn't hurt me. I was immersed in classical music practically from day 1. At 13 I started giving piano lessons to neighborhood children. After High School I went to USC with a full scholarship majoring in Piano and Organ Performance for 1 year. I have played solo concerts and accompanied instrumentalists and Opera singers. This year will be my 50th year as a piano teacher. I agree with your take on the Alfred Adult Books. I myself am still looking for that A+ Method Book. I don't believe it exists. I have used The Alfred Adult books 1 and 2 but not 3 as well. I agree by close to the end of book 2 Adults' progress comes to a sudden halt. By that time however they should be able to do the kind of music they want [within their capabilities of course]. Sorry this is so long. My lifetime as a piano teacher has shown me that everyone is different, learns at a different rate, and in different ways. What is most important is practice. There is no way getting around that. You get out of it what you put into it. What one person, child or adult, can do in a year another may take 3 or 4 years to reach the same place. Patience and determination are key ingredients to musical success. To all the beginning students out there, please play Mary Had A Little Lamb and all the "hokey" pieces your teacher gives you. These are the building blocks to lay a solid musical foundation. We must walk before we can run. Wishing you much success, Alicia, with your own teaching and your You Tube Channel.

[@bunnyhaghjoo7920]

Lets say I have no musical talents whatsever Can i play pieces like la campanella with a lot of practice over 15 or 20 yrs? And what can i do for my slow fingers? Will they get faster by practice?

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

Really helpful review to this adult learner. I just had my 3rd lesson today but I am learning much from KZbin. I had bought the Alfred's level 1 book before finding an instructor, and then he said he uses that. After 3 lessons, just reaching pg 15. I understand why to move so slowly - don't advance until you achieve competency (not mastery!). The Alfred's series is really confusing as to where to go and your video clarified a ton with that. I learn a few things on my own to augment the lessons - probably practice 2 hours a day, on average, to get a jump. Interesting to see my brain to start working with my fingers. As long as I see progress I am happy. You have to be able to read the notes. You have to be able to hit the notes. I don't move forward until I feel I am advancing there. Thanks for the great video share. PS - I just ordered the Piano Adventures Adult 1 to compare to the Alfred's...

[@AZmom60]

As a teacher, I have found good success (musical comprehension) for ages 10&up, by combining the Alfred Adult All-in-one plus Piano Adventures (bk 1) for Older Students..

[@linmacias]

Thank you Allysia! I am taking my time learning from Alfred's Adult All-In-One Course. I love your videos because they are always so encouraging and informative.

[@zynthos9]

I wonder when when the piano adventures review will be posted

[@hipepleful]

As someone who has played through a decent amount of the "All-in-One" version of Book Three (basically, the series is just this, minus adding, or deleting a few pieces from the Basic Method series, as well as adding more Theory into it), the book can actually guide you to about an RCM grade 7 or 8 because it has "Fur Elise" and the first movement of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". The theory, though is quite lacking (in comparison to RCM, at least). It's about 144 pages long, with the "Fur Elise" and "Moonlight Sonata" at the tail end, in part of the "Ambition Section". It has an all-around approach, playing Jazzy songs, with Classical ones as well. The book has 3 sections. The first is mostly a review, adding a few new topics, like Alberti Bass and Arpeggios, and is about 56 pages long. Its second section starts with an American Hymn (Shall we Gather at the River), in A Major. This section goes into Rondo Form, all the keys that end in 4 sharps or flats (Major and Minor). At page 166, it reviews the ornaments, the long and short appoggiaturas. It continues the topic by adding mordens and trills. This section ends with a Rondeau by Mouret on page 120. The last section, which is my favorite section, is called the "Ambitious Section". It covers only 6 songs, but they can be played during most of the book. The songs are "Prelude in C Major from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' vol 1" by Bach, "Trumpet Tune" by Clarke, "Toccata in D Minor" by Bach (the famous organ piece), "Prelude in A Major" by Chopin, and the first movement of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". It also has a brief lesson on 32nd notes. The book recommends that you start this section when at around page 37.

[@dayanavanduzor8101]

yes, review of Piano Adventures please!!

[@cjhcheermom]

Thank you so much for your informative and interesting videos.

[@arthouston7361]

One way I have gotten past the "hokeyness factor" is to supplement my learning with music that was a part of my desire to learn piano in the first place. Players like Vince Guaraldi for example. Even though I am not able to play Linus and Lucy right now, I am working on the basic framework of the left hand pattern and the two note chords in the right, because it reminds me of why I am here, and then the simple child oriented songs are not so annoying, and those pages become a means to an end. I did the same thing with Joni Mitchell's "River." At first, there was no way that I could play that left hand pattern, and move it around, while playing those sixths in the right hand, but after working with the Alfred book, and learning to play all 12 majors with hands together (another task I gave myself outside the book) I was able to come back and make a reasonable attempt at "River" in the past two months, and that is another reminder of why I am doing this. Being able to make just a little of the music you love is a key ingredient in maintaining motivation. When I look back over the past two years, I remember that I never thought I could actually do any of this when I first sat down. What I have done so far is not only a pleasant surprise, but it shows me that I can move along even farther down this path, if I am willing to put in the work.

[@Bobik1998]

Great overview. Thank you.

[@emmakeyser1459]

Hi. thank you for this video.Great. I just started piano a month ago just using a chord and scale approach but no reading skills and no books.I am an older man who has a 40 year guitar background but without really knowing what I was playing when it came to note/scales.Oh I'm quite an advanced player but after just one month on piano I realize just how much harm I have done to my ability to learn without help from a teacher or book. I guess I was lazy and stubborn. I ordered level 1 of Alfred's all in one and I hope it won't bore me too tears. I have already covered the white keys chords and scales .I am having memory problems with the Flat chords ABDG type so I decided to order the book or books.since my age is so advanced, I am hoping to get through the three books in one year but my back will not let me set for more than an hour.well thank you for this video. you guys provide a valuable service for free to people you have never met. there's something good and godly about that. bless you.

[@Oturtlegirl51]

I bought The Great Courses "How To Play Piano" course, and I'm determined to finish all 35 lessons. I'm on lesson 21 so far. It comes with a book and DVD of the professor explaining the lesson. It's difficult, to say the least, when you can't clarify with questions, but then I look for answers on You Tube, and while it's not an easy way to learn, it's all I have available to me.

[@audreyschley8517]

I'm having to do lessons with zoom now, because of the covid, so I can appreciate not being able to ask questions. However, I am allowed to text my teacher with any problems, so that helps

[@TTVbygowtham]

Well explained. Thanks for your video

[@midnight4109]

The pieces at the end of book one pose a challenge for the beginner, at least the all in one book. It is gratifying to go back after finishing to see how much easier the early and mid stuff is to play. It blends into book two which starts with a thorough review.

[@BlazertronGames]

Honestly, those last pieces in the book are actually what I'm most excited for. I don't get why people would want to skip them! The Entertainer and At Last look really fun to play, and some clips I've seen of people performing those arrangements look quite good!

[@laurie242424]

Very good advice. I’ve finished the first one and I can definitely relate to your observations. Gutted to hear I’m still at kindergarten level though!

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

You describe exactly my experiences with this method, including the points I got stuck. Due to circumstances I have to learn without a teacher. One thing that surprised me there are no pictures or drawings of hand positions. As long as only white keys were involved everything went fine, but I was struggling for weeks, calling friends that could play for advice, when I had to play my first chord with an f#. But I quit the Alfred method completely because of the cheesiness of the pieces. Like I wrote in another comment, most of them are for toddlers and old people's homes. You can't make adults play "The wheels of the bus.." level, in my opinion (although I understand many people will like to play a well-known tune for a home audience, and I certainly dreamed of impressing friends and family with Let it be). I played guitar in a band, we played 5/4 time signature etc. Hence I know most of the chords. I know a lot of classical music, and I like Schubert's Impromptus, but also write and play pop and even EDM on my computer, on MIDI-keyboards, including chord accompaniment. Cockles and mussels was my favorite tune from book 1. But I hated La cuccaraca as a hit song and it killed of my Alfred committment when I was traumatized again by it in my piano course. In my opinion there must be engaging tunes that are not hard to play and suitwble for education. I went 'guessing', as you call it, searching for fun material, and finding the first exercises by Czerny was such a relief. I tried to play Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights (too hard, but my brain was desparate. Alfred can feel like a lobotomy). I then overstretched my capabilities when I started with Clementi's method book. The first exercises were fun, but number 4 is keeping me busy for weeks now. My technique certainly is improving, but I can't play two bars of it by heart. Your videos are very helpful in finding the right material. So a big thank you to you. I'd like to add the in Europe the CRM books are not easy to get, and they are rather pricey.

[@lizzybach4254]

I'm currently doing the John Thompson method books (modern course), would love to see you make a video about that. One thing I really love about it is that it's almost entirely focused on classical music, obviously it has the rhymes and stuff, so would love to see you make a video about that:-)

[@wm1208]

Good information! I was in the Alfred's Adult Book 1 and then found I couldn't keep going after getting so far. Then I switched to the Alfred's Basic Piano Library Series. I tend to like this series better. Presently in the Level 3 book. I find this level challenging for me, however, feel like I 'm learning a lot and like the songs.

[@mozartrn1]

Thanks for evaluating this series. I have some beginning teen students and don't like giving them younger child oriented curriculum even though the basics are so important.

[@andreovski80]

Excelente review! I am an adult learner and i am learning from piano adventures. I thought it would more fun to play when i compared both and after your review it confirmed i did the best choice. I prefer classical music and they have great easy more classical orierented pieces. they also have the classical book wich i am using along with the method book and the pieces are amazing. I am sure alfred is a good book but i am so happy with faber and with my progress. Thanks again! Love your videos!

[@sdm151]

I'm finishing book 2 and the Hokeyness Factor has been brutal. I call them Nursing Home songs (e.g. songs you could play in a nursing home to really get the crowd excited). I also noticed in book 2 I really had to start slowing down my practice and focus on difficult sections. The self-doubt phase has definitely been strong but I'm powering through it. My teacher supplements with some pieces from Magrath's Masterpiece Classics to keep things interesting and feeling like I'm learning real music. You pretty much nailed all of the struggles with the first 2 books and it was good to hear that I'm not alone there. Knowing that I'm still in kindergarten is both exciting and discouraging. Thanks, as always, for your videos.

[@PianotvNet]

Nursing Home songs - love it!! Yeah there's a pretty steep jump in book 2 that can be discouraging. Keep at it! :)

[@jfan4reva]

"Mary Had a Little Lamb" reminded me of a story I heard about an elementary school kid who got home, and his mother asked him how school was. He said that it sucked, went over the piano and started pounding out "Mary Had a Little Lamb'. No explanation, just sat down and started pounding away at the piano.

[@musicformed]

Very cool!

[@sarabarbeau3241]

I just love when you do books review. I start learning piano 2 1/2 years ago with Alfred Adult Method and I switched to Piano Adventures All-in-one second book. I preferred Piano Adventures, I”m almost at the end of the book. Apparently, I should follow with book 3B from the regular serie. I take piano lessons but I didn’t use it much with my teacher. I found that it gives me the tools to explore by self which feed my needs of a self learner. Side books were very good and I found arrangement richer that the one found in Alfred”s.

[@crystalmontalbano9798]

Thank you for this. It is useful - and thank you for the reference to the Faber books. I have ordered the 2nd Alfred's book to start with as I am not a complete beginner. I will supplement it with a lot of other material so I don't get bored.

[@junlee3810]

Really helpful information! Thanks much!

[@Mortezu1982]

Thank you for this review! I'm at the first book atm and very happy with it. There's indeed lots of hokeyness in it but that's ok. I'm a beginner so I start at the beginning. I had to go back in the book one time to relearn a couple of things because I kept writing letters under the notes, which if any beginner is reading this, musn't do! Thank you Allysia and good luck everyone!

[@RoxiTube1]

Yes I 've got all three book... but my teacher uses Aaron Michael series... its quite good.

[@geniecroy4606]

Thank you

[@kennardc1867]

All was more or less OK playing chords till I got to the 'G position' and I could tell as I went through the pieces that my inability to coordinate left and right hand was beginning to catch up with me -- and I agree "Beautiful Brown Eyes" was where this inability was most exposed. Now I am looking at other books (Thompson's for example) to try to develop this crucial LR skill. Thanks for this video.

[@randlyons7278]

19:30 . It's easy for you to say !

[@alejandromedina2349]

Yes Indeed! I would love a review of the Piano for All method which has a lot of faves from learners and relies heavily in rythms and chords.

[@parepidemosproductions4741]

This is the book I was taught for my brief formal piano years!!

[@user-kt7mi3yy8j]

Learning as an adult myself, my instructor started me on,'Adult Piano Adventures' by Faber (available via Hal Leonard) several years ago. It was fine for the first 5-6 months, but I then abandoned it and went straight into scales/arpeggios/chords and picked easier music and haven't looked back. For me it helped to just learn the basics, but learned more via hands on because I personally cannot do easy to play pieces.

[@davidshimp5116]

What method course would you recommend for someone wanting to focus more on classical than on pop? Really interesting, what you said about left hand chord practice vs. left hand independence for playing notes!

[@raymondvandevorst9913]

piano adventures

[@kassandraahuero7962]

Faber piano adventures

[@kertheshima9939]

I just got the piano adventure adult one and I do recommend it

[@minr6851]

Beyer! I’m so intrigued that with this many commments, no one talks about ‘Beyer’ and czerney?

[@chrispy.247]

Thank you for this review/walkthrough! I have all 3 adult books (overachiever lol) and wanted some clarity as I’m towards the end of the 1st one.

[@lenab6672]

Could you also talk about the piano adventures and review it?

[@Lifetap]

This was very helpful :) thank you

[@45zapatero]

My main interest on piano is to learn how to comp but I want to have some basic skills first. So the chord focus is great for me. The cd version has backing tracks for each piece. Although they may sound a bit "cheesy". I still love them because I can play "with other instruments right away. BTW : I overcame the difficult pieces in the middle already ;-)

[@filipemosca3858]

Please, do the Faber review

[@justjacksmusic2106]

Suzuki Piano books are great, even if the songs are a little hooky, it is great for classical players... i love. it...

[@APetula]

Hi Alyssa! I'm happy you mentioned Piano Adventures because it is the one in following and I like it. I did find that without a teacher though I eventually plateaued by the end of the first book. The lessons were intellectually understandable but ny practice could not follow easily and I got very, very discouraged. Like, by the end if the book it is still challenging to play with both hands for me...

[@huqiao]

The difficulty with Beautiful Brown Eyes and/or Alpine Melody, especially the latter, resides in using pedal, in my opinion. However I think that it's great that pedalling is introduced earlier in the book 1.

[@annewright7291]

I used this book alongside graded ABRSM music, as you were talking about. Maybe some of the 'hokeyness' didn't bother me as I am a GREAT deal older than the majority, so these have a familiarity. Found it good to use on my own away from my lessons which concentrate on ABRSM.

[@timmiethecat2342]

Thanks for your great videos. I am using Schaum method books. Some good pieces with lots of simplified classical. Never boring and keeps me interested. Maybe you could please review when you have time

[@nikt7883]

The only books i used are the so called "russian klavierschule". Has anyone heard about them?

[@LylyBennett]

Thanks for the pointers. Been looking for material to restart learning piano. It is hard to find good material that is informative but not too slow since I've taken violin courses and already have basic musical knowledge, and also have had piano classes in the past.

[@MiCa-zd8iq]

Please help me to learn to. play piano with Alfred’s book. Thanks.

[@sorinoprea5365]

One of the biggest problem for adult piano beginner is finding other people to play with. Usually musicians about 40-50 yo already have been playing for 20-30 years and they are not very welcome with us beginners or intermediates. Please make a content about this problem I'm sure is a very common problem.

[@duartepintodamata]

When should i study the sclales arpeggios etc from alfreds book library? Right now im halfway through the level 1 from him. The preparatory level.

[@h.j.vanrooijen1924]

I use the All in One books and at page 100 (which corolates to page 62 in the Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course book 1) they start with the scale and chords of C major.

[@TheRabbitpaws]

I took various private piano lessons using these and other methods of learning. What I found was that Alfred's Book series is great in terms of being able to learn on your own if you take a short break from your piano lessons but you definitely should be subsidized with other type books such as Hannon and Czerny to help with both chord progression as well as finger exercises.Also, the books over all were great with that said it got to the point I just asked my teacher to play a song from there and then I would choose to todo that one. So in other words I didn't go in any specific order. although I did complete the entire series albiet on my own pace.I recommend this as a starter however in terms of actual learning regardless you would want to invest in a piano teacher who can not only steer you in right direction, correct you but also motivate you to play and or practice harder pieces.

[@nehajain8190]

At what stage do u recommend supplementing the Alfred adult books with hanon for a beginner?? Thanks in advance..

[@TheRabbitpaws]

I would right from beginning. First it will help with your finger dexterity for later pieces but also conditioning and finger positions. To be honest I rather used Hannon and Czerny as it was more enjoyable than simply doing chord progression and scales. it was more enjoyable to listen to a song or something rather be doing same old same old. However that's just my opinion. Some people may LOVE doing scales... I haven't met anyone yet but there maybe.

[@angepianogospel]

I think the reason why it is in chords, is because it is quicker for the individual to learn how to play. Most adult learners don't have the time it takes to learn music the traditional way as classical music. Just a thought 😊

[@rickt7826]

I discovered this series just researching for something to help me self-teach (no teachers here). I really liked it and I probably breezed through it faster than I should have since patience isn't my forte (isn't that a musical term?). Anyway, the pieces are really hokey as you mention. I know in at least the third book they have an "Ambitious" section. Ok, now here you have the type of music that drew me to the piano in the first place. However, the selections in that section are probably too ambitious, e.g., 1st movement (Moonlight) of Beethoven's op 27 no 2. Love this piece and not crazy difficult but truly over my head at that point. So yes, good series if you're on your own.

[@michaelelliott4224]

I've owned The Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Book 1 since college. It's an excellent book for learning the fundamentals of the basic physique techniques in finger dexterity and Music Theory. When I play the Major Scales 2-octaves with both hands, the fingering is tricky for me because I have short fingers therefore, it hinders my ability to maneuver them around the keyboard. Do think you could suggest anything that would be more ergonomic for fingers to execute the correct keys around the piano? I'm just trying to warm up my fingers again before going back to college this Fall Semester. The primary instrument that I play in school is percussion. I am very familiar with the keyboard layout of the grouping patterns of black and white keys because all of the mallet percussion instruments have the same layout as the piano. I can ergonomically execute the bars with a pair of mallets on the marimba or glockenspiel as opposed to placing both my fingers on the piano. I've tried setting up this tempo loop on my metronome that will change the tempo number after it completes 8 or 10 repeated measures per tempo. That strategy short of helps, it causes my fingers then feel achy afterward.

[@rdelamadrid]

Hi! I really enjoy the way you present material on your channel. So many well intentioned folks trying to do the same thing you are doing just drone on and on and can't hold attention/interest. You are very engaging so thank you for that. I have a friend with a degree in music who, unfortunately, lives far away. He swears by a piano instruction method called "the landmark method". He says if he were in my city that he'd use it to teach me piano. Have you heard of the landmark method and, if you have, what do you think of it? Thank you!

[@danwhite1983]

After about a year of using the Simply Piano app I’m going back to basics with the first book

[@smxky9710]

Lol

[@bodaciouscans]

Do you go through all the level books? Just seems daunting to me - when do you move to traditional repertoire?

[@lumpichu]

Great video, thank you! Is there a path for someone (like me) wanting to switch to Piano Adventures after completing the Alfred Level 1, or would I need to start from scratch?

[@eugeniotuorto]

Great video! My question is whether I'll be able to improvise and eventually compose when I finish the Alfred's adult series.

[@swanny5584]

On day 3 and jingle bells wants me to go play with fast moving traffic at 80bpm ha

[@davemitchell469]

Hi Allysia. A quick question. For a beginner at what speed (given accuracy and quality) would you consider sufficient at a minimum to accomplish playing the practice pieces in the book before moving on to the next lesson?

[@Pelinca]

VIDEO ABOUT THE PIANO ADVENTURES METHOD!!!

[@ericcopeman7882]

This is an excellent piece as it gives me the heads up on the elements. I am just starting in on the book and I am one of the people concerned about the hoakynees of some of the tunes. In the past year I have been experimenting with the piano and doing some of the 2 octave scale exercises. I have also been working on learning the baseline rythums to Take Five as well as Riders on the Storm. They are a lot more interesting to work with than playing Christmas Carols etc. They are a lot more complicated. I have also started to create some of my own little improve pieces that came about from doing my scale exercises. I am hoping that I will not get bored with the tunes in the book. I am big on learning good fundamentals though. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions, Allysia.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Does it have midi tracks so I can load them into my yamaha and play them to help learn? Thanks

[@MiserableLittleDoomGoblin]

A very helpful video Allysia! I do have a question about the "cheesy music" part (something all adult learners for many instruments have to deal with). Have you ever tried to make the song more interesting for the adult student by trying a different rhythm, or even encourage creation of a variation of the song? For a lot of these simple songs I've found it more engaging when I've tried to add a second melodic line, or play the melody as a round, or play with a syncopated rhythm, or just try to improvise over the song's chord progression. I know they use these songs in part because there's no copyright, and playing them as written can often be drudgery. But sometimes it's fun to do what Mozart did to Salieri's piece in "Amadeus" and see where your imagination can take you. 🙂 Thanks again for your amazingly helpful videos!

[@alexf0101]

LMAO at extreme close up for Mikrokosmos "it doesn't really sound like real music" :D Takes some getting used, and some people love it. Supposedly very good teaching material too.

[@23ritik]

Please make a video on Trinity piano books... I am using alfred level 1 book should I switch it to Trinity books or else. Can you give a roadmap of books from start to end

[@alla9859]

@pianoTV Hello! Hope you are doing fine. I was wondering if you could offer your opinion regarding Piano Marvel. Are you familiar with it? It's a program for lessons online. I used it for some time and I really liked it. Due to budget issues I had to stop for a while, but I was just wondering if, in your experience and opinion, something like Piano Marvel is a good way to learn. Any insights? Thanks! Stay safe.

[@2logj]

Amazing information for all.please can you do a video on books like Bortok series .which book to start and how to proceed.thanks.

[@Mi-rinconcito]

Will it be the same for Alfred book all in one? Years ago I took lessons for a year and I used this book but need to learn again. I was thinking on getting the Faber books but I am not sure if stick with Alfreds 😅😢

[@joewger]

The books for kids and levels are confusing which books to get. I have never seen course books so confusing as the way they are numbered.

[@markweathers5085]

Review of Piano Safari!

[@davidhamilton8108]

How would you say these books compare to the modern app methods?

[@godoyander]

Hello, thanks for the video. I’m wondering whether you also have a the same kind of review for Piano Adventures. I wasn’t able to find it

[@kassandraahuero7962]

Piano adventures method books are far superior I've learned a lot in a year I'm almost to level 3 the songs are fun I get the children series songs like meet the Flintstones the lion king take me out to the ball game my country tis of thee Christmas music jazz and blues their is so much variety I don't get board and lots of classical music their is 13 books on each level they have songs like star wars Disney themes and musicals love these books💓

[@sidescrollmusic]

Suzuki method if you haven't done it yet please!

[@annehodgson]

Thank you! I'd be curious to know: How does this course compare to Bastien (which I have started).

[@xtobalxtbl4551]

Please try piano marvel method in your chanell. Particulary their SARS exam. Kind regards

[@isabellebigos8905]

Thank you for the video. I'm an adult learner, but played keyboard/piano as a child, mainly by ear. I am comfortable with early grades 1-2 (I'm just one of those perfectionists who needs to play every single piece dead right before moving up the grade and that means literaly hundreds.. lol). I have recently purchased Piano Adventures 1, just in case I had missed something out but I feel I have wasted my money, as there was nothing new in there for me, and it felt it was below my level. So I am not sure if I should spend more money on any other method books...? Further reviews would be much appreciated :) I love your channel btw, please keep doing what you're doing x

[@TheSunshinedreamer1]

You will be challenged and enjoy learning from Alfred's Adult All-in-one Course: Lesson• Theory•Solo Level 3 you may want to use Level 2 for sight reading and theoretical purposes. If you enjoy Classical music I highly recommend John Thompson's Supplementary Melody All The Way Level 1-b is one of my favorites and can be used for sight reading, ear training and improvisation if you are so inclined as well as Reharmonization exercises. Another favorite of mine is of the same series level 3-b. Also a book I wish I would have known about 20 years ago is one that I will not ever part with now as it features original repertoire that are rated in the book in one of three categories: Elementary (Like "Joyous Farmer" by Schumann and Avalanche" by Heller and 19 other pieces by 19 other composers, including Beethoven), Intermediate (like one of my absolute favorites- Waltz Of The Flowers by Tschaikowsky and 30 other pieces by 28 other composers, including Chopin), and Advanced, (featuring the first Movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata Adagio in Key of C# Minor and 15 other Advanced pieces from 12 other composers. Enjoy advancing in your musicianship. If these are too difficult for you and you love Classical music John Thompson has a wonderful Series entitled John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Parts 1-8, I highly recommend Levels 6-8, you may want to start with Part 5 and move upward starting with John Thompson's arrangements for pieces like The Campbell's Are Coming a Scotish Folk Tune. One short excerpt from Mozart's " The Magic Flute" An excerpt from Brahms "The Emperor Waltz" a 2-page adapted from Danube Waves a 3-page excerpt of Spring Song in A Major by Felix Mendelsshon. There are Etudes, and a new lesson with each piece. If too challenging go backwards till you find your level and progress to Part 8 and upon completion you can graduate to John Thompson's Modern Course For The Piano The Fourth Grade Book. Then if you Like Romantic Era you can branch out into composers like Randall Hartzell, Martha Mier, Carolyn Rollin and her instructor, William L. Guillock's " Lyric Preludes In Romantic Style" Alfred has a terrific Classical series of Masterworks introducing the Masters so you may wish to start with Introduction to Bach and progress from Baroque through the eras of Music History. This opens up a whole new world of piano to you. Best:)

[@isabellebigos8905]

@@TheSunshinedreamer1 Thank you, will have a look at some of your recommendations.

[@martywilsonlife]

Karen Loader Thanks for all your insight on which piano courses could work for an advanced beginner.

[@michaelkklam]

Thanks Allysia for doing the method book review series. I am just curious if anyone still using the John Thompson books (red cover)? I remembered when I start piano 20 years ago my teacher was using this book. After finishing book 1 then jump me right into Piano Pieces for Children (the green book).

[@TheSunshinedreamer1]

Hi, I am a John Thompson's student still sight reading in most of Grade 3, but will be working through the Preludes, Chopin's, and CPE Bach' Solfgietto, I also am working in Grade 4, and I also started Grade 5 there are some great Classics in this one. I supplement with Melody All The Way improvising and learning reharmonization in Book 1-b and sight-reading and memorizing in Book 3-b. Also working through his Technique Book II, his Third Grade Velocity, his Keyboard Attacks, his Fourth Grade Etudes, I also started his All On One Page: Twenty-four Preludes and his Fifth Grade Technique. The past two Christmasses I am enjoying his Grades 3 and 4 Christmas Solos, as well as his Grades 3, and 4 Popular Piano Solos and I adore his Adult Piano Popular Solos Book 2, his Classic Piano Repertoire: 12 Masterful Piano Solos Intermediate to Early Advanced! His music is mastery at its best and there is so much to learn, not to mention the fifty pieces we are to supplement Grade 5 with, two of which are Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Debussy's Claire D' Lune. Best:)

[@jjaimecff]

Do you have any tips/comments about learning piano for adults who have some experience playing in childhood? How much can my previous experience help in terms of time/effort to go through the preparatory levels? I feel like I need to start from scratch as I don't remember anything about technique, but I'm afraid it could be boring to do the very initial stuff diligently as I do feel like I have some memory in my hands. Thanks for the videos!

[@nehajain8190]

Hi Alyssa.. great video!! N your bang on about the books being chord dominant!! Being more inclined towards classical music I was wondering if it's a good idea to supplement the books with mikrocosmos as well?? Kinda do both together?? What do you guys think??

[@sdka9922]

microkosmos is really not in the classical style. Its good to practice but the harmony is rather different than say young Mozart to take a point of reference. Essentially the type of book you use depends on your objectives and the time dedicated to music per day. I am not a great fan of Alfreds all in one. Its ok for people that have little available time. I find the order of presentation to be rather illogical and jumping from one topic to another unrelated one. Its the consequence of trying to keep it within a given grade level. So you learn concepts in a piecemeal fashion and it then takes a long time to assemble into a consistent understanding. Assuming you have the time for it, It is much more efficient to learn music theory from a dedicated book so you have all the concepts properly presented in their full complexity. Now from a pure technical practice standpoint at grade 1 or 2, any practice book will do. I like Beyer op 101 and also Czerny op 599 but both go up rather quickly. You can also try Mozart Nannerl book; there are a few easy pieces at the beginning.

[@lindabasham313]

michael aron series please!

[@jakeliujakeliu]

Can you talk about Suzuki Piano series?

[@MonserratFoster]

Is there a method for adults that uses classical instead of chords?

[@mikecipriani7792]

Il tuo accento italiano è dolce. Way back when I used Michael Aaron's books.

[@FeonaLeeJones]

I am thinking of switching to this book since I need a breather from Piano Adventures!

[@PianotvNet]

What Piano Adventures book are you in again?

[@rebeccalee2507]

Please talk about adult piano adventures :)

[@predatoria_aquatica]

I’m surprised u notice the difficulty slope in some parts of the book..I thought it was just me lol..u said the first book takes a year.. are u supposed to memorize the pieces? I play the songs till Its good then move on.I’m on the song Jericho and I’m on my 3rd month.. am I doing anything wrong?i play like 3-4 hours weekedays and around 4-5 on weekends.

[@scarlettrhettforever]

Use to learn from Leila Fletcher books in 1988 What do you think of the adults books?

[@TheSunshinedreamer1]

Great video-Alfred also has an Adult-All-In-One: Lesson• Theory• Solos Series of three books, the third book, once completed brings you into early advanced that is really fantastic and it has excellent theory work sheets and challenging Classical pieces, oh I wish they did a Book 4 that would teach early advanced into advanced piano because their text is excellent! There is also John W. Schaum's Series from books A to H and then Beyond the H book 1 and also Beyond the H book 2. Allysia, one day as time permits, would you please take us through the 2 books Beyond The H Book books 1 at a Grade 6 level & book 2 a Grade 6 1/2 level. Alfred also has a Premiere Piano Series, that I Judge As Excellent for students though Level 6 Also for young children, Helen Marlais does Succeeding At The Piano: A Method For Everyone Series Grades1-5 (she also shows many of her classes on youtube, which is why I purchased Grades 4 and 5 with the Recital books, really a fresh way of teaching and learning piano with great pieces and some more modern and newer repertoire by current day composers including a variety of pieces through most all of the musical eras, including the Romantic era that lead into their advanced books affiliated with the FJH Music Company Inc. to do theory, technique ear training and chords daily as well as early advanced books like the FJH Pianists Curriculum In Recital For The Advancing Pianist Original Solos Book 1 and I noticed Book 2 is also available for daily pianistic enhancement. There may be more-They also publish the FJH Contemporary Keyboard Editions Series that focuses upon 20th and 21st centuries. They also have they also have the Succeeding With The Masters Series and The Festival Collection books 1-7 as a companion text to the previous:) Thank you:)

[@PianotvNet]

This is amazing, Karen - just makes me realize how much is out there that I've never seen before. I want to start spending some more time with method books and explore the different varieties!

[@TheSunshinedreamer1]

@@PianotvNet Yes-that sounds great. I do highly recommend John Thompson's Adult Piano Course (even for serious teens and adilts) as far as I can tell it is a series of 2 Books and can be supplemented with any method. I recomend supplementing some lessons into Randall Hartsell's texts of the Hal Leonard Library. His text entitled "Portraits Of The Sky: Original Piano Solos by Rabdall Hartsel" He starts students from Elementary levells. Supplemental texts could also include John Thompson's Classic series works, and Popular Solos, especially the Adult Piano Book 2 a 5 star music text a lifetime keeper excellent , also Melody All The Way series could also be used as a supplemented with his First Grade Etudes, and his John Thompson-Hanon Studies books 1&2 that I still refer to from time to time. All On One Page and Keyboard Attacks from Grade 3 upward his theory books, the Popular Solos and Christmas Solos for Grades 3 and 4 allow you to play real satisfying musical arrangements that really sound great and are so much fun to play and hear! This series will line up nicely and could be supplemented with Alfred's Adult Piano Course All In One: Lesson• Theory • Solos comb bound, can fold into an 8×12, showing one page or remain fully open to a 2 page spread. Levels 1-3. I really enjoy my Level 3 text the theory sheets throughout the series takes you through the entire Circle of Fifths and chords are taught according to scaler theory and the Roman numeral differentiation of chords by key from 1 to 7 scale degrees per scale up to about 4 sharps and flats with their dominate 7th chords and arpeggios including relative minors. After completing Alfred's All In One Level 3 you have already played 1 piece in the Early Advanced Repertoire and sight reading at the Late Intermediate Level or above. You can also supplement with the Encore Series Books 1-3. I started with Level 3 and what a challenge of master classics-fabulous! I highly recommend Piano Pieces For The Adult Student-this collection will be a lietime keeper alongside any Piano Method. Also John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course series of Parts 1-8 includes general theory, scale, Etudes, Reading music, and some technique pages throughout each book in John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course and you can coordinate them from Part , preceded by Teaching Little Fingers to Play or wherever students are in their sight reading somewhere between his Easiest Piano Course Books Parts 4-6 or before; Books Parts 7-8 introduce Classical style pieces and it's series completion can be used to prepare for Grade 4 of John Thompson's Modern Course For The Piano that leads to his Grade 5. He also has Octave Studies and Wrist Attacks. Also around this point you can begin working with the Master Composers through Alfred's Masterworks Series. A class act series fantastic to learn about the specific anthologies of a specific composer one at a time and technique books such as Czerny and List and others, including Sonatina texts are also available in this worthwhile, practically indispensable series. Anytime I learn a new composer, I begin with Alfred's Masterworks Series as the print is clear and all the ornaments are written out note for note. Each text is fully researched with references, Instructions and Editor's notes are given with some recomended fingerings and Interesting history and style of each composer with interesting life stories their musical style and interpretations and music phylosophies of a featured composer is found in each book. Each text has a beautiful, fill coloured professional painting on the paperback cover, making for a highly attractive Musical Library. Best:)

[@TheNo149]

What about the Aaron series? Any good for an adult beginner who's had a few months of learning by a teacher?

[@JackieHakalaJackson]

What would you suggest for people looking to make up for the 'gaps' in these books regarding more classical playing style? I've been using Alfred's books because they're affordable and easily available where I live, but my heart is in playing classical and I'd like some supplementary practice.