Faber's Adult Piano Adventures vs Alfred's Basic Adult Course - Piano Method Comparison

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[@piano_lessons]

I love this channel! It is so useful for a teacher! 🎹 I’m learning a lot myself. Thank you for your content

[@RA-el6zj]

Great channel. I appreciate the calm and relaxed way of explaining things. Liked and subbed. 🙂👍🏻

[@lindadainard7629]

Thank you very much fir your critique of these books. Most helpful, I will probably lean toward Faber.

[@kdl8439]

Love the Alfred program. Still the only series that comes with an ear training book to turn on your hearing sense and train you to play by ear as well as the notes.

[@user-mk8ms3de9j]

Thank you so much!!! I love these videos that review piano books and play the songs. It helps us newbies so much!!! :o)

[@aryanmishra2543]

Oh man! Thanks for sharing your experience about the first chapter of Faber's book . I was also wondering the same. Everywhere online I found that Faber is a preferred book in terms of pace and completeness, but man reading the first chapter as a complete beginner just confused and overwhelmed me. I thought this is what the pace is going to be in the entire book. Well I will keep your advise in mind while going through Faber. Once again thanks for this detailed analysis.

[@maxmaier2872]

Awesome video. Thank you so much !!

[@alexmoney77]

Hey just found your channel and have been binging your videos, love the content!!

[@SmartHomeMakers]

Great content !!!

[@planetplex]

So thorough thank you!

[@eljesus]

I just got the Faber's and love it and seems far better to me because I want to have a solid start and like both clasical and popular. Any way, the book is just part of the learning resources, these days with so many good online resources and software.

[@user-ol5bj4dm2v]

Thank you! This helped me to decide the Faber over the Alfred text.

[@phyllisgordon6577]

Thank you for your valuable service. I have been learning music for over three years as a retired adult and my teachers have kept me with children's books. I think I am going to persuade them to let me try an adult version. I feel so unmotivated but really want to pursue my lifelong dream of mastering the piano and playing my favourite hymns. Thanks again.

[@MsHappilee]

I’m an adult learner and unfortunately the first teacher I had for classical piano also started me with the piano adventures basic series level 1, which is more suitable for children around ages 7-10. However I must acknowledge that the series for children provides much more scaffolding and practice for the same concepts, even if the songs sound kiddish most of the time. And that scaffolding and reinforcement of concepts in piano adventures series for children became really useful for self learning after I stopped piano lessons with that teacher after half a year. Hang in there, the pieces start to be more engaging after a a while even in the children’s series :)

[@phyllisgordon6577]

Thank you for your support. I will hang I. There. Thanks.

[@aBachwardsfellow]

​@@phyllisgordon6577 -- it will all come together after a while. All the components are needed -- scales, intervals, chords - broken and blocked, inversions -- are all the building blocks for playing the piano. Even if they seem "childish" or are in childish pieces, they are the same elements used in all other pieces strive to become as good as possible with each assignment and you will progress.

[@orcharddweller1109]

Try Decplay, it will be easier, more enjoyable and give you back your motivation.

[@Grr8jon]

Perfect timing for me...I just got both those books today. Great review of both books.

[@mariecohen3052]

Yeah I think we could all be using both methods The more …

[@mariecohen3052]

Thank you for your amazing video

[@MichaelCarter]

Thank you. My teacher likes the Alfred book and I do like those chords.

[@easyon12]

There is now a piano app, Piano Marvel, that goes along with the Alfred 1 and 2 books. The app and the Alfred books together makes Alfred a clear winner.

[@franciscocalvo1980]

Thanks. I've bought a Yamaha Arius 164 and I've purchased both to don't be wrong. I'm learning jumping from one to another depending on how much time I have to practise.

[@jesse.taylor]

helpful, thank you!

[@mfurman]

Very good review (I used both books and watched quite a few reviews as well)

[@Mi-rinconcito]

Which one do you prefer?

[@mfurman]

@@Mi-rinconcito I mostly used Adult Piano Adventures (Book 1 and 2) although I learned some tunes from Basic Adult Piano Course (Book 1 and 2). I also have some other Faber books and Alfred's Basic All-in-One Course Book 3 (it is quite good). From my perspective of learning to play piano from books and also going through online courses, I would probably choose Alfred's books. I think that the course books are more concise and arrangements of the pieces of music are better. On the other hand Faber book cover theory in more detail. I did not like many of their simplified arrangements. It all depends what kind of music you want to play in the future. The online course I initially used was Pianote. I had subscription for ~ a year and I would still use it if I were interested in popular music and a bit of classical music. The course that I most benefited from was ArtistWorks course with Zachary Deak. He is a very good teacher if you want to play classical music. Be prepared for very good and detailed reviews. He is a better teacher than any private teacher I had. I currently consider myself to be an advanced beginner/early intermediate piano player (RCM Level 3-4). I mostly play classical music (I also have a life Tonebase subscription) with some plans to learn jazz. Michael Ps. Alfred’s Basic Adult or Basic Adult All-in-One Course books are better for future reference.

[@amybuchler8874]

Also, can you review Bastien Adult? The structure and order of topics is similar to Alfred, but the music difficulty doesn't increase as quickly.

[@kingofthefoothills1863]

I just bought both lol happy 🎹 practicing!

[@monchaichan]

So I bought the Faber books on kindle and I'm just waiting for my digital piano to arrive! My concern was looking for a method that will develop both hand coordination equally and from your review that will not be an issue with the Faber course. I feel I might finish these 2 books quickly because I have a musical background in playing the violin for 10 years up until college. However, I haven't played or studied any music for the last 10 years. I'm just so excited to finally have the time and money to invest in learning to play the piano as an adult! Thanks for the review!

[@KaiOpaka]

Hi how is the Faber on Kindle working for you? I've been debating between that and spiral bound. Also I have played violin as well. It really messes with my head to learn and play bass clef with my left hand. Do you have any tips or thoughts?

[@monchaichan]

​@@KaiOpaka​ hi there! I purchased the Kindle version of Faber Adult Piano Book 1 and 2. What I did was create it into a PDF so I could mark them on my iPad. I did the manual way by taking a screenshot of each page and then combining them into a file. Time consuming. So I think if you want to write on the pages it would be better to get the spiral bound. I finished Book 1 and started Book 2. But realized the Adult book 2 is very similar to the Faber Piano Adventure Level 3 series, which I have in physical form. I'm using that one now.

[@monchaichan]

​​@@KaiOpakasorry forgot the answer to your other question. Like you, I have no issue with treble clef. Bass clef reading is getting better. I memorized the most important reference notes on the bass clef like middle C, low F, low C, bass F, and bass C. I also used digital flashcards. I used to "transpose" treble notes into bass notes, but that was very inefficient. Right now I'm using the Faber Sight Reading series to improve my sight reading ability to get used to reading the grad staff as a whole, which is challenging but it's really helpful! Good luck on your piano journey! It's been a year for me and I'm enjoying it so much! There have been some ups and downs, but it's so rewarding!

[@julesm9081]

Thank you so much! I think I have decided on piano adventure s!

[@maxthemax65]

Thanks a lot

[@benniemaine1790]

That is to answer. When you are starting out you want to here and play thing you are failure with or have had. I a beginner.

[@cliffylikesthings]

thanks

[@trinifella1]

I'm in the last quarter of the Alfred's and one major gripe I had was when I hit page 89- Bow the man down! HOLY!!!!!!!!! This is the first point in the book (page 89 out of 144) where you begin to learn independence in both hands. The melody for the first time is totally off rhythm from the left hand and you've suddenly wondered what you have been doing the last 88 pages. I don't know if Piano Adventures accomplishes this sooner but I sure hope so

[@mj3175]

😮I skipped that song. I don't know. With 🙏🏽 the 2 hands are coming along and moving a little bit around on the keyboard. I'm in the last quarter as well. Somewhere around pgs 100 to 106 now.

[@paulasimson4939]

That's exactly where I am now in the Alfred's book and I honestly almost gave up the piano, it's such a difficult piece. My piano teacher said that it's completely misplaced in the book - it should be much further on. I worked on it for 2 weeks, got it so-so and now I've moved on to Lone Star Waltz. So much nicer!

[@trinifella1]

@@paulasimson4939 Glad to hear an instructor said that!! Was really really tough. Great to hear you got it down, so did after after alot of time!

[@MsHappilee]

Coincidentally had played “Bow the man down” when I read this comment 😂 I’ve completed piano adventures level 3A and had just returned to Alfred’s, which I had given up on years ago, as additional practice. Had found Alfred’s difficult for a self learner actually. The Piano Adventures basic series (as I used the basic series rather than the adult’s) does help in building hand independence, and is scaffolded pretty well.

[@Herodollus]

I loved the adult course, i’ll be forever in gratitude

[@lalehhassan9076]

Thank you for this useful video. Since one has to go back to children’s piano books after finishing either of these adult book, which children piano books are best for medium pace? Alfred’s, Faber’s or Bastian’s?

[@Alon-Filler]

Love the video... Can I ask what watch you are wearing?

[@pianotips2623]

Frederique Constant

[@jimmyponds5504]

I really enjoy your "reviews/comparisons/whatever" of the different piano methods books. I do not wish to sound "picky," but your video title reads Alfred's Basic Adult Course, yet the book you displayed is the Alfred's Adult All in one Course. I have both series of Alfred's along with the Faber's Adult Piano Adventures. It seems that I have a collection of piano methods books! ha I have been taught from Alfred's but never from Faber's, so I bought several methods books to compare. I am beginning in Level 2 of the Alfred's Adult All in one Course books. I agree that the contents of each series are similar, yet different (if that makes sense). In my lessons, I have been taught primarily by note-reading, but it seems that I have never been taught to learn/understand the connection between note-reading and chords. When I see a piece of music, I see notes and not chords. ha The information is in Alfred's but it has not been brought to my attention. It's almost that I must learn such by "osmosis." ha Slowly, I am beginning to have those "aha" moments in recognizing chords within the music. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to go on and on. Again, I really appreciate your videos!! I'm looking forward to more of your comparisons. Thanks!!

[@pianotips2623]

Good point! The title is already so long that "All in one" just didn't fit in anymore. Anyway, it's the same book with a few extra pages. RE chords, yes, you should really try to understand how they are created and recognise their shapes. It will be soooooo much easier to play and make music that way.

[@6nilu]

Thanks a lot for your advice , i have started Alfred All in one Adult Basic Course Level 1, i find it useful as it also teaches sight reading, but i need to have a mix of both pop and classical music , so Should I refer Fabers after completing Alfred Adult Basic Course Level 1, and secondly for sight reading and finger exercises is it required to refer supplementary books if yes which are those books. Thanks once again from India

[@tutan1997]

thanks for the info. I got stuck in the middle of alfred's book, so I'll try the faber's boook

[@jantineschep]

Thank you for the great content. Any thoughts on how Faber uses the left hand position with the thumb on middle c vs. I learned to have my left hand no. 5 on c an octave lower? My mother learned playing (the organ) with her left hand thumb on middle c a lifetime ago. Are there pros and cons to either approach?

[@pianotips2623]

It's a different approach. Both work as long as they don't stay too long in the same position.

[@manuelgonzales6483]

I have them both to work out of. I'm an adult beginner 🔰

[@bluesealz]

May I ask what grade does it equivalent to abrsm if I finish the alfred ones and the faber ones?? Thank you.

[@duzonaleeahalessandrag.934]

faber sounds so interesting too bad i can't find the book here locally

[@Lunolux]

nice

[@amybuchler8874]

As a self learner who has worked about 1/2 to 2/3 the way through each of these books, I found the structure and order of Alfred easier to follow.

[@cor3944]

Same here. Don’t like Faber at all. I wasted 33€ on it.

[@tiaelisha2366]

I have both too but I’m not sure how to structure my piano practice. Did you do 1 chapter of each or finish one then the other?

[@pawgaj634]

Hello, After watching your videos I am thinking about buying Faber book. I am more into learning proper techniques and reasons why things are what they are. It helps you understand the context of what are you planing to play/write. I do have 2 questions tho. 1. You compare first book of Alfred and Faber. But how does it compare with the rest of the course. Alfred have another 2 after level 1, so maybe in your opinion, considering the whole course, the 3 level Alfred course is better then Faber 2 level course, because maybe in the second one they catch up with techniques. Or maybe after 2 lvl Faber you recommend to switch to 3 lvl Alfred. Or Piano adventures Is generally better for someone who want more in-depth piano,music knowledge? 2. At the moment I was able to afford to buy yamaha psr e373 keyboard. No weight on the keys but they are touch sensitive. I have a good sustain pedal too. Do you think the Faber book is still good for me or you recommend something else. Will those 61 keys will be a problem with the books really fast? Or they are not using all the octaves at the same time straight away? Thank you very much for very informative video. :)

[@pianotips2623]

1. Piano Adventures continues to level 3 standard fro level 2 adult, so you can go onto level 5 with it. There is no better, they are just different. Piano Adventures moved a bit slower and gives more practice material. Whichever you go with, you will need extra books at some point for sight-reading, technique and more repertoire. Piano Adventures is easier if you learn alone without a teacher. 2. Both books explore the whole keyboard in book 1. So 61 keys is not enough. If you don't want to invest right away, you can just omit those notes. It's always better to have a better piano with heavier keys but it doesn't mean that you can't learn on what you have.

[@joshcain4853]

@@pianotips2623 fantastic review and insights, I just wish I’d seen it a week or two earlier. After doing lots of research online and getting a little overwhelmed by all the information and options, I finally decided to purchase the entire Alfred’s all in one series, a sustain pedal and keyboard thinking that I had all the basics I would need. I compromised on price by not getting weighted keys and just a 61 key keyboard as I thought that would be good enough (as most reviewers suggest) to cover a beginners needs. This is the first I’ve seen any mention of the Alfred’s and Piano adventure books requiring the full 88 keys to get the most from the books. 🙁

[@lifeismusic5529]

Can you do a review on the “John Thompson Modern Course for the piano” series? It has 5 books. What abrsm level would you say it goes up to? And can you compare it to the “John Thompson Adult Piano Course”?

[@jfan4reva]

Sounds a bit like a choice between waffles or pancakes. Still have to mix up the same batter, just a matter of whether you like crunchy or smooth. I prefer crunchy myself....

[@cor3944]

I found Fabers approach boring and too simply. The price is also very high (€33). I prefer after having compared with Faber, Thompson and Hal and some German books, Alfred’s All in one course. I am very scary of handkoordination as a beginner but Alfreds has a slow approach. 😅 For me, Alfreds is best choice.

[@anthonyclark8564]

I'm at the end of Alfred's but I still feel there's gaps in my knowledge...would it hurt to buy piano adventures and work through it or should I stick to 1 format? Good comparison video btw I've added a like 👍

[@DivineSource444]

Get yourself a good beginners theory workbook.

[@anthonyclark8564]

@@DivineSource444 yup, I recently got a theory book, it's helped a lot...Ty for advice🙂

[@user-if3do6jg2f]

,s

[@jewguy667]

@@anthonyclark8564 May i ask which one did you get?

[@anthonyclark8564]

@@jewguy667 I got Bastien, Piano for Adults book 1. And I'm very happy with it.

[@patrykfitzner8697]

Which one do you recommend for someone whose target is Jazz?

[@pianotips2623]

both of them have jazz basics. However, I'm sure there are method books specifically for jazz but that's the one genre I never got into, so can't really advise.

[@Sn00ze]

There's one method book for jazz that looks great, it's called Jazz Piano Fundamentals by Jeremy Siskind. The first book is designed to orient you for the first 6 months of jazz studies, however they recommend as prerequisites to have knowledge of scales and the coordination needed to play a Chopin Nocturne or Bach Invention. I'm guessing that would be the equivalent of something like Grade 3, maybe?

[@daniellem_24]

faber also offers Jazz books in their Pretime to Bigtime series

[@lystic9392]

Hmm I guess I'll do both.

[@Medina-xh2mz]

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