Your viewers may not know it but all the pieces in all these Alfred adult books are demonstrated on CZcams and it's almost like having a teacher. The man is a former teacher and he really has a lot of valuable information for each one of these pieces. The channel is called something like learning piano methods.
Excellent point. 92PianoKeys does an excellent job at demonstrating pieces played very well. And she has videos for almost if not all of Alfred’s books. She’s also very responsive in the comment section to provide thoughtful tips
I checked his channel and he does have them all so if I would want to start could I just use that guys videos or would I have to buy the books aswell? If anyone can answer this for me
Thanks a lot, really great overview. And I'm happy to hear that "It's never too late..." was a good choise, that's that one I happend to pick, when I started to play piano....22 days ago, now played 23 hours, and just started chapter four in the book. Thx again!
What an incredible review. So thorough and it is clear you have really tried your best to examine and analyse each book and give that information to us. You should do online piano lessons for true learners to follow! Brilliant!
EXCELLENT video! I've been teaching piano for many years, but have a new adult student who wants to learn to play as quickly as possible, especially in fake books. I got Holly McCann's Fake Book Fundamentals, but need a fast-moving chord approach method book too. Sounds like Alfred All-in-One or It's Never Too Late (which I'd never heard of) would be good choices. Thank you for saving me from buying all of these!
I love your shirt! I have found through the 30 years of teaching it always come down to MOTIVATION and for adults it can be tough as many might not want want to play "little kid songs" Although I am 50 but in 8 year old mind! Great advice about a teacher!
It takes lots of patience and practice for a long term commitment! The rewards make it worthwhile. I'm looking for a better sounding digital to supplement my acoustic. Yamaha C3.
@@PianoSpiceRackwithJim I like Classical, Jazz, Prog and some Electronic music and also world music like Indian, japanese, Chinese and African Drumming.
@@ornleifs that is awesome I was lucky when I was in graduate school I was able to study West African music, gamelan and music from Southern as well as Northern india. Forever grateful because now my mind looks at and hears things in a different way. Life changing even with the tuition bill :-)
Great rundown on what's out there with good recommendations! I got a little lost on the Piano Adventures books but these are not my first choice. I have been using Alfred's All In One which I highly recommend, if you like popular, as you have pointed out. It's Never Too Late by Pam Wedgewood particularly interests me in order to diversify my approach and also because it is a faster paced single book and I am advancing as beginners go. Thanks so much!
@@PianoSpiceRackwithJim I purchased the Adult Piano Adventures Classics to supplement my books of popular music. The review was very fast and there are so many options that I had to study it a bit in order to make sense of the program. Thanks for your concern!
Thanks for the review! Could you please tell how the "Classic Piano Course" by Carol Barratt and the "Adult Piano Course" by Michael Aaron compare? Which one ends with more difficult material, Classic Piano book 3 or Aaron book 2? There is no Aaron book 3, right?
Excellent overview, thanks! Do you have suggestions for piano methods for adults who are already very familiar with music in general and notation, but just aren’t so great with keyboard technique in particular? I myself have played viola, bassoon, classical guitar, classical saxophones and others, and I’ve even taken the usual (college) freshman and sophomore Music-Theory and Ear-Training classes at the community college. I never really took piano as such though, but, heading into retirement, I’m starting to like the idea.
Hello! It’s great that you have such an extensive musical background. 😊 I am a piano teacher, and in my experience, many of the methods have a separate book dedicated to technique. The technique books I have encountered so far only have exercises (like scales) with little to no explanation within the books themselves, so you would need videos or a teacher to supplement the book. Faber, for example, has technique books and a “skills library” online, which is a subscription-based video series to demonstrate certain arm/wrist movements. If you are interested in other visual examples, then Tonebase Piano videos can be very helpful-the teachers are some of the best in the field, and there is a free trial if you want to try it out first. It can be rather expensive, though. You could also watch CZcams videos of teachers working with beginners, like Muso Music Academy or Irina Gorin Piano Pedagogy. Even though these studios work with kids, the concepts are still applicable. Josh Wright is another (Julliard-trained) CZcamsr whose technique videos are geared toward adults, and he has many free resources that you can access before purchasing his full training course. Of course, I would always recommend having a teacher in person if possible! They will notice things that you are not aware that you are doing, like holding excess tension in a certain part of your body. But if you would prefer to study on your own, then I would recommend watching videos and then filming yourself from the side to see if your movements look the way you think they do. I hope that helps!
Again, thanks for the great ideas! Do you have suggestions for books that word books, or videos for that matter, that discuss in words technique concerns, posture, hand position, shape, and movement, and such topics? I haven’t looked yet, but for other instruments I’ve played, there’s a series of books called The Art of ____ Playing. The wind-instrument books talk about, among many other things, breathing technique, posture, and such. Aaron Shearer has an excellent such book for classical guitar about such topics to accompany his method book. Can you recommend something along those lines for piano?
I am learning with Alfreds Piano course and I am very pleased with the method of chords. I cannot notice that only the left hand is used for chords, mostly the melodies vary for both hands. Fabers method seems to me too slowly and boring. I am so sorry that I spent €33 for it. Hals method is also too slow but has some nice simple melodies. Alfreds brings you step by step into handkoordination. For me best choice.
As someone who's interested in the technical/mechanics part of playing the piano and not really interested in anything pop related. So this means I am aiming to play a lot of Etudes and Liszt pieces, is there any point in going with Piano Adventures? I know that it covers lots of things, but not sure if they are worth it due to my technical focus? I was also planning to dip my toes someday in Jazz, as I always loved that genre, but not sure if that would change the book preference. I will be self-teaching, but I am open to the occasional teacher visits.
Thank you for the excellent overview-this was very helpful! Can you tell me, please, where one can obtain free digital versions of the public domain instruction books?
Bastien Adult piano method book complements the Alfred All In One Books very well for someone who is self learning. Alfred Book 3 Adult Book correlates to Basic Piano Library Book 5-6 in the kids Library, as many of the same pieces are repeated. Once you finish Adult Book 3 Alfred, you would be done with the Alfred Method Books.
I want to play anime openings and some music from old cartoon series like Heidi is that pop music too? I need to use a book for pop music or can a use s classical book?
I didn't see a review of Bastien's Adult Piano Method. Did I just miss it in your presentation. If you didn't review it, was there a particular reason? Thank you!
Your youtube sessions are very informative thank you. Are you situated in the United Kingdom? Could you share your name, other than "piano tips" thanks
it really depends how much you remember. if you played as a 12 year old and 30 years have passed without playing, then it's like starting from the beginnings, so hard to tell
@@pianotips2623 that's fair! I played from like 12-19 and I'm 30 now. I think I mostly need to brush up on the notation of how repetition works exactly. And then my playing has become a lot worse obv because I haven't done it for ages.
It's a long video. I really would have liked to see more of what was inside each of the books. You show the cover a lot and occasionally look inside yourself. Maybe there's a copyright restriction or something...
What do first-year music school students use when they start music theory and need to learn piano? Many proficient high school instrument players know their instrument but not necessarily keyboard. Most music schools and music theory professors HEAVILY suggest knowledge of keyboard playing for scales, chords and voicings.
Czerny School of Velocity and Hanon complete art of finger dexterity are college freshman music majors standard expectation in addition to Bach the well tempered clavier. In other words a minimum of 4 years of piano under instruction and practicing at least 2 hours a day
I learn faster with books with my recent piano instructor I’m just given piece after piece and it’s becoming no fun for me to just look at sheet music.
Yes, you can use the keyboard for a while but in some pieces it will be restrictive. Upgrading the sooner the better but you can learn a lot on a smaller keyboard too
Thanks for your reviews, recommendations. Your diction and manner of speech are also appreciated. However, please eliminate video chaos - wear solid colored shirts. Then you'll be taken more seriously; adult seriously. Thanks again.
What about adult who are level 6 enlightening of this same 1,2,3 levels! Wtf!!! So frustrating same nonsense in every video what about adults 5, 6 7 books??
for levels above 4 you don't need a method book, you play repertoire of your choice. I am going to publish a video this week about intermediate, post method book, repertoire books
Many thanks for this video. I'm a total beginner, only interested in classical. I'm going to be starting without a teacher on a 61 key keyboard (thanks too for already addressing the 61 keys in an answer to an earlier question here.) Is Faber still the best choice as you outlined in your summary, or because I'm only interested in classical, would it be better to try to use one of the classical suggestions you offered instead? P.S. I've found "The Classical Piano Method: Method Book 1" by Hans-Günter Heumann, and it looks like it matches my requirements. Do you happen to have any impressions of this book?
Your viewers may not know it but all the pieces in all these Alfred adult books are demonstrated on CZcams and it's almost like having a teacher. The man is a former teacher and he really has a lot of valuable information for each one of these pieces. The channel is called something like learning piano methods.
Let's play piano methods ? :) that's the one I've been using, he's great!
He also does Faber piano adventures and a few other method books on his channel. He’s great!
@LetsPlayPianoMethods
www.youtube.com/@LetsPlayPianoMethods
Excellent point. 92PianoKeys does an excellent job at demonstrating pieces played very well. And she has videos for almost if not all of Alfred’s books. She’s also very responsive in the comment section to provide thoughtful tips
I checked his channel and he does have them all so if I would want to start could I just use that guys videos or would I have to buy the books aswell? If anyone can answer this for me
Thanks a lot, really great overview. And I'm happy to hear that "It's never too late..." was a good choise, that's that one I happend to pick, when I started to play piano....22 days ago, now played 23 hours, and just started chapter four in the book. Thx again!
Thank you for your input, help and time.
Another excellent breakdown and explanation. Great video. Thank you!
yeah super clear!
Thanks for this guide!
Thank you. Very helpful review. I have the Adult Adventures 1&2 and I'm hoping to have gone through them by year's end.
Excellent presentation! Thank you!
Awesome review. Thank you.
What an incredible review.
So thorough and it is clear you have really tried your best to examine and analyse each book and give that information to us.
You should do online piano lessons for true learners to follow!
Brilliant!
Thank you so much, this was hugely helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Very, very helpful - thank you!
Thank you, this has been really useful to me.
Brilliant reviews... lots of detail/advice. I have several of these titles but lack experience as to which book to pick up 1st. Thank you.
Great overview
very helpful. Thank you
Excellent review
Excellent! Thank you.
Great video, thank you!
Thank you! The video was very useful and I loved the way you presented the books :D
Thanks for the video. I'm on the point of moving on so this helps.
EXCELLENT video! I've been teaching piano for many years, but have a new adult student who wants to learn to play as quickly as possible, especially in fake books. I got Holly McCann's Fake Book Fundamentals, but need a fast-moving chord approach method book too. Sounds like Alfred All-in-One or It's Never Too Late (which I'd never heard of) would be good choices. Thank you for saving me from buying all of these!
I love this video thank you very much❤
Adult Piano Adventures being spiral bound is a big win! Thanks for all the reviews!
I love your shirt! I have found through the 30 years of teaching it always come down to MOTIVATION and for adults it can be tough as many might not want want to play "little kid songs" Although I am 50 but in 8 year old mind! Great advice about a teacher!
It takes lots of patience and practice for a long term commitment! The rewards make it worthwhile. I'm looking for a better sounding digital to supplement my acoustic. Yamaha C3.
Thank you for sharing the books. its especially usful for me_ non-english-spoken one. Now I am able to choose the proper book for me. thanks again🙏🙏😍😍
All I can say is... GREAT JOB!!!!
Very good video, very clear and good description of the methods - I hope you will do more Sheet Music videos.
What kind of music do you like? I was involved for jazz for a long time, but now I enjoy (almost) everything!
@@PianoSpiceRackwithJim I like Classical, Jazz, Prog and some Electronic music and also world music like Indian, japanese, Chinese and African Drumming.
@@ornleifs that is awesome I was lucky when I was in graduate school I was able to study West African music, gamelan and music from Southern as well as Northern india. Forever grateful because now my mind looks at and hears things in a different way. Life changing even with the tuition bill :-)
Hey, great video.
What do you think of the Mayron Cole free piano method ?
Also, to which grade each of these books could take us to ?
Great rundown on what's out there with good recommendations! I got a little lost on the Piano Adventures books but these are not my first choice. I have been using Alfred's All In One which I highly recommend, if you like popular, as you have pointed out. It's Never Too Late by Pam Wedgewood particularly interests me in order to diversify my approach and also because it is a faster paced single book and I am advancing as beginners go. Thanks so much!
just curious how did you get lost with the piano adventures? I find that many of my adult subscribers enjoy that series, but everyone is different!
@@PianoSpiceRackwithJim I purchased the Adult Piano Adventures Classics to supplement my books of popular music. The review was very fast and there are so many options that I had to study it a bit in order to make sense of the program. Thanks for your concern!
I went to a teacher with the Adult Adventures book and that gave me a push past the mid book boredom. Now I can't wait to play each day.
Thanks for the review! Could you please tell how the "Classic Piano Course" by Carol Barratt and the "Adult Piano Course" by Michael Aaron compare? Which one ends with more difficult material, Classic Piano book 3 or Aaron book 2? There is no Aaron book 3, right?
Excellent overview, thanks!
Do you have suggestions for piano methods for adults who are already very familiar with music in general and notation, but just aren’t so great with keyboard technique in particular?
I myself have played viola, bassoon, classical guitar, classical saxophones and others, and I’ve even taken the usual (college) freshman and sophomore Music-Theory and Ear-Training classes at the community college. I never really took piano as such though, but, heading into retirement, I’m starting to like the idea.
Same question!!!
Hello! It’s great that you have such an extensive musical background. 😊
I am a piano teacher, and in my experience, many of the methods have a separate book dedicated to technique. The technique books I have encountered so far only have exercises (like scales) with little to no explanation within the books themselves, so you would need videos or a teacher to supplement the book. Faber, for example, has technique books and a “skills library” online, which is a subscription-based video series to demonstrate certain arm/wrist movements.
If you are interested in other visual examples, then Tonebase Piano videos can be very helpful-the teachers are some of the best in the field, and there is a free trial if you want to try it out first. It can be rather expensive, though. You could also watch CZcams videos of teachers working with beginners, like Muso Music Academy or Irina Gorin Piano Pedagogy. Even though these studios work with kids, the concepts are still applicable. Josh Wright is another (Julliard-trained) CZcamsr whose technique videos are geared toward adults, and he has many free resources that you can access before purchasing his full training course.
Of course, I would always recommend having a teacher in person if possible! They will notice things that you are not aware that you are doing, like holding excess tension in a certain part of your body. But if you would prefer to study on your own, then I would recommend watching videos and then filming yourself from the side to see if your movements look the way you think they do. I hope that helps!
Small correction: Easy Adult Piano Course only starts at 14:55
What book would you recommend for a beginner who is interested in jazz music?
Again, thanks for the great ideas!
Do you have suggestions for books that word books, or videos for that matter, that discuss in words technique concerns, posture, hand position, shape, and movement, and such topics?
I haven’t looked yet, but for other instruments I’ve played, there’s a series of books called The Art of ____ Playing. The wind-instrument books talk about, among many other things, breathing technique, posture, and such. Aaron Shearer has an excellent such book for classical guitar about such topics to accompany his method book. Can you recommend something along those lines for piano?
My coach is twaching me from the Alfred book lets see!
I am learning with Alfreds Piano course and I am very pleased with the method of chords. I cannot notice that only the left hand is used for chords, mostly the melodies vary for both hands. Fabers method seems to me too slowly and boring. I am so sorry that I spent €33 for it. Hals method is also too slow but has some nice simple melodies. Alfreds brings you step by step into handkoordination. For me best choice.
thankyouu
i just turned 18 and got a keyboard for my 18th bday and now im looking at adult piano books
man i feel old
As someone who's interested in the technical/mechanics part of playing the piano and not really interested in anything pop related. So this means I am aiming to play a lot of Etudes and Liszt pieces, is there any point in going with Piano Adventures? I know that it covers lots of things, but not sure if they are worth it due to my technical focus? I was also planning to dip my toes someday in Jazz, as I always loved that genre, but not sure if that would change the book preference. I will be self-teaching, but I am open to the occasional teacher visits.
What level does the Classic Piano Course end at?
Thank you for the excellent overview-this was very helpful! Can you tell me, please, where one can obtain free digital versions of the public domain instruction books?
imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page
Bastien Adult piano method book complements the Alfred All In One Books very well for someone who is self learning. Alfred Book 3 Adult Book correlates to Basic Piano Library Book 5-6 in the kids Library, as many of the same pieces are repeated. Once you finish Adult Book 3 Alfred, you would be done with the Alfred Method Books.
so do bastiens piano book once alfreds all in one is completed ?
I want to play anime openings and some music from old cartoon series like Heidi is that pop music too? I need to use a book for pop music or can a use s classical book?
I would say so. You will need to read music in the classical sense, but the rhythms will be more pop
I didn't see a review of Bastien's Adult Piano Method. Did I just miss it in your presentation. If you didn't review it, was there a particular reason? Thank you!
Can we get the e book on Amazon
Hi there! I’d like your opinion or even a video on James Bastien method. Thank you.
Me too. Thank you in advance!
Your youtube sessions are very informative thank you.
Are you situated in the United Kingdom? Could you share your name, other than "piano tips" thanks
Which book do you suggest after completing the EASY ADULT PIANO COURSE?
Do you have any tips for books for adult returning players who played when they were younger?
it really depends how much you remember. if you played as a 12 year old and 30 years have passed without playing, then it's like starting from the beginnings, so hard to tell
@@pianotips2623 that's fair! I played from like 12-19 and I'm 30 now. I think I mostly need to brush up on the notation of how repetition works exactly. And then my playing has become a lot worse obv because I haven't done it for ages.
It's a long video. I really would have liked to see more of what was inside each of the books. You show the cover a lot and occasionally look inside yourself. Maybe there's a copyright restriction or something...
The Easy Adult Piano Course timecode says 13:00 but it should be 14:55
A 1941 book has three to four times the info per page, Wagness adult piano
I can’t find the Michael Aaron for free
What do first-year music school students use when they start music theory and need to learn piano? Many proficient high school instrument players know their instrument but not necessarily keyboard. Most music schools and music theory professors HEAVILY suggest knowledge of keyboard playing for scales, chords and voicings.
Czerny School of Velocity and Hanon complete art of finger dexterity are college freshman music majors standard expectation in addition to Bach the well tempered clavier. In other words a minimum of 4 years of piano under instruction and practicing at least 2 hours a day
I learn faster with books with my recent piano instructor I’m just given piece after piece and it’s becoming no fun for me to just look at sheet music.
Any words about Piano Safari?
Soon! It's not a book that I use with my students will do a review soon.
Why are all the links Amazon I will never use amazon if I can find something somewhere else
I got 61 keyboard, i am total beginner can i learn something with faber book ?
& when should i upgrade to 88 piano ?
Yes, you can use the keyboard for a while but in some pieces it will be restrictive. Upgrading the sooner the better but you can learn a lot on a smaller keyboard too
@@pianotips2623 thank you for reply , I really love your content & your tips ♥️
Verdict: Faber.
Thanks for your reviews, recommendations.
Your diction and manner of speech are also appreciated.
However, please eliminate video chaos - wear solid colored shirts.
Then you'll be taken more seriously; adult seriously.
Thanks again.
What about adult who are level 6 enlightening of this same 1,2,3 levels! Wtf!!! So frustrating same nonsense in every video what about adults 5, 6 7 books??
for levels above 4 you don't need a method book, you play repertoire of your choice. I am going to publish a video this week about intermediate, post method book, repertoire books
Czerny & Hanon exercises come to mind...
Many thanks for this video. I'm a total beginner, only interested in classical. I'm going to be starting without a teacher on a 61 key keyboard (thanks too for already addressing the 61 keys in an answer to an earlier question here.) Is Faber still the best choice as you outlined in your summary, or because I'm only interested in classical, would it be better to try to use one of the classical suggestions you offered instead? P.S. I've found "The Classical Piano Method: Method Book 1" by Hans-Günter Heumann, and it looks like it matches my requirements. Do you happen to have any impressions of this book?