Piano Lessons Books

Please Note: This page has Amazon.com and SheetMusicPlus.com affiliate links. It’s a simple way to support my Website without costing you anything.

Introduction

If you want to know how I provide books to my piano students, which covers how I order Piano Safari books, please read A Word About Books. This includes some common sense guidance to shopping music titles on Amazon.com, which also applies to that site in general.

Method Books

Piano Safari

For students who start lessons with me, or transfer into my studio at a beginner level, I typically recommend switching to Piano Safari. There are separate series for children and older learners. The older learner series is for anyone around 10 or older, though I choose this more for kids than for adults.

To learn more about my use of Piano Safari in lessons, please visit this link.

Faber Piano Adventures

I would encourage you to check out Volume 1 on the Faber Website. It’s a decent alternative to the Piano Safari Older Student series. I would suggest purchasing these, though, on Amazon.com. I list the cheaper spiral-bound version, but you can pick up the CD/DVD version for a few dollars more.

Although I like All-in-One approach, I do also like the Accelerated Piano Adventures as well. It is broken into component books, like the approach for children. However, when I teach Faber, I only use the Lesson and Performance books.

Faber All-In-One

Faber Piano Adventures All-in-One Course Book 1 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Faber Piano Adventures All-in-One Course Book 2 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Faber Accelerated

Faber Piano Adventures Accelerated Lesson Book 1

Faber Piano Adventures Accelerated Performance Book 1

Faber Piano Adventures Accelerated Lesson Book 2

Faber Piano Adventures Accelerated Performance Book 2

Faber Piano Adventures

Faber Piano Adventures Lesson Book Level 1 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Faber Piano Adventures Performance Book Level 1 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

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How to Look Inside Piano Books

If you’ve ever shopped paperback or hardcover books on Amazon.com, you’ve used their Look Inside technology to preview your selections. However, you may have noticed that you can rarely preview music books.

There are two levels of help. If you are just browsing books in general, without a particular publisher in mind, go first to SheetMusicPlus.com. They have many of the same previews you will see on music publishers’ Websites.

However, if you do know the publisher, go directly to their Website. Some publishers are more generous in samples than others. Sometimes the links are easy to find, and sometimes you really have to dig.

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Repertoire Books

Standard Repertoire Collections

Each series has its strengths and weaknesses, and each comes in at a different price point. Once I start a student with one set of books, I tend to stay in that series, to keep the leveling consistent and to avoid duplicate pieces.

The Magrath editions are lightly edited, a good thing, but the repertoire selection ends with early 20th century composers like Kabalevsky and Bartok. Also, the included CD is only valuable to those students who have a CD or DVD player. However, they are the least expensive books and the easiest to order, since they are fully listed on Amazon.com.

The Marlais books includes contemporary composers and the recordings are available via a download code inside the cover. They are more heavily edited than the Magrath editions, which I don’t like. However, the editing is good despite being excessive at times. The selection of pieces is also quite comprehensive and offered at a compelling price.

The RCM books have the best assortment of pieces, and more pieces than the other collections. However, they are double the price of the other collections.

The Level numbers are only important within a particular series. If you complete Alfred Masterworks Level 2, go to Level 3 in the same series. However, the levels are not comparable between series. As an example, the Alfred Masterworks (Magrath) Level 3 is roughly equivalent to FJH Festival (Marlais) and RCM Level 2. Leveling is especially important for those kids who want to participate in the leveled ASTMA Regional Festival.

Alfred’s Masterworks Classics (Magrath)

Masterworks Classics – Levels 1 & 2 (One Book)

Masterworks Classics – Level 3

Masterworks Classics – Level 4

Masterworks Classics – Level 5

Masterworks Classics – Level 6

Masterworks Classics – Level 7

Masterworks Classics – Level 8

Masterworks Classics – Level 9

Masterworks Classics – Level 10

FJH Festival Collection (Marlais)

All of these FJH books are newly published and warehoused by Alfred. The transition has been extremely bumpy with many out-of-stocks. Although the books are now back in stock, only about half of them can be ordered through Amazon.com.

I have listed only the levels that have Amazon links that point to the newly published levels. All of the other levels should be ordered through a music retailer like SheetMusicPlus.com to avoid being gouged by third-party sellers.

Festival Collection – Preparatory [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 1 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 2 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 3 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 4 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 5 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 6 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 7 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Festival Collection – Book 8 [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com]

RCM Piano Repertoire

I recommend ordering these through SheetMusicPlus.com versus Amazon.com, since Amazon.com charges well over the retail price for these books. These books are available Levels 1 to 10, plus Preparatory A and Preparatory B. I currently list just the levels I most frequently teach from this series.

RCM Piano Repertoire – Level 3 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

RCM Piano Repertoire – Level 4 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

RCM Piano Repertoire – Level 5 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

RCM Piano Repertoire – Level 6 [SheetMusicPlus.com]

Sonata/Sonatina Collections – Single Composer

Bastien, Jane Smisor

Three Mini Sonatinas – Mid Beginner

First Sonatinas – Late Beginner

Beethoven, L.V.

Beethoven Three Sonatas WoO 47 (Henle) [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Early Advanced

Haydn, Franz Joseph

Complete Sonatas, Volume 1 (Wiener Urtext) [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Mid-Intermediate to Advanaced

Olson, Lynn Freeman

Beginning Sonatinas: Five Original Works in Varying Styles for the Early Grades – Mid to Late Beginner

Four Sonatinas in Varying Styles [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Late Beginner

Poe, John Robert

Silly Sonatinas: Four Non-Traditional Sonatinas in Traditional Form – Early to Mid Beginner

Vandall, Robert

Sunrise Sonatina [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Late Beginner

Woodland Sonatina [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Late Beginner

Festiva Sonatina [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Early Intermediate

Jazz Sonatina (Sheet Music) [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Early to Mid Intermediate

Jazz Sonatina (Download) [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Early to Mid Intermediate

Four Original Sonatinas [Amazon.com] | [SheetMusicPlus.com] – Early to Mid Intermediate

Sonata/Sonatina Collections – Mulitple Composers

Sonatina Masterworks (Alfred/Magrath)

Sonatina Masterworks, Book 1 – Alfred/Magrath – Late Beginner – Early Intermediate

Sonatina Masterworks, Book 2 – Alfred/Magrath – Early to Mid Intermediate

Sonatina Masterworks, Book 3 – Alfred/Magrath – Mid to Late Intermediate

Piano Sonatinas, Book One (Faber)

Piano Sonatinas, Book One – Faber – Late Beginner – Early Intermediate

Sonatina Album: A Collection of Favorite Sonatinas

Sonatina Album: A Collection of Favorite Sonatinas, Rondos, and Other Pieces for the Piano – Early Intermediate to Early Advanced

Single Composer Collections

Bach, J.S.

Inventions and Sinfonias: Two- and Three-Part Inventions (Alfred Masterwork Edition) – Advanced

Bober, Melody

Solo Xtreme, Book 1 – Early Beginner

Solo Xtreme, Book 2 – Mid-Beginner

Solo Xtreme, Book 3 – Mid-to-Late Beginner

Solo Xtreme, Book 4 – Early-to-Mid Intermediate

Solo Xtreme, Book 5 – Mid-to-Late Intermediate

Solo Xtreme, Book 6 – Late Intermediate to Early Advanced

Burgmüller, Friedrich

Twenty-Five Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 – Early Intermediate

Eklund, Jennifer (Piano Pronto)

The two sets of books are offered as the most popular choices among a very large selection offered by Piano Pronto. The Songs I Love to Play are tasteful arrangements of classical music, whereas the Spotlight Solos are original compositions in a broader style by Eklund. Supplemental books like these can help offer students the variety they need to stay motivated to practice.

Songs I Love to Play (Vol. 1) – Late Beginner (PianoPronto.com)

Songs I Love to Play (Vol. 2) – Early Intermediate (PianoPronto.com)

Spotlight Solos (Vol. 1) – Late Beginner (PianoPronto.com)

Spotlight Solos (Vol. 2) – Early Intermediate (PianoPronto.com)

Kabalevsky, Dmitri

24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39: Piano Solo (Schirmer’s Library of Musical Classics) – Mid to Late Beginner

Schumann, Robert

Schumann – Album for the Young, Op. 68 – With 2 CDs – Intermediate

Schumann – Album for the Young, Op. 68 – No CDs – Intermediate

Jazz Collections

I am currently only listing the resources by Christopher Norton, though there are other good choices offered by Forrest Kinney, Bradley Sowash, and others that I plan to eventually add.

Christopher Norton’s Microjazz

These books are going through redesign and stock issues at UK publisher Boosey and Halkes. Each of these volumes retail around $20. Beware of third-party sellers charging significantly more than this.

Separately, the leveling on these books is only meaningful in this series. Level 1 in this series would be equivalent to Level 3 in most method books, or RCM Level 2.

Microjazz 1

Microjazz 2

Microjazz 3

Technique

Scales Book

The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios, etc – Late Beginner to Advanced

Czerny, Carl

Although these books can be purchased in bound form with the links below, I would recommend you download for free from IMSLP.org, print, and place in a 3-ring binder. My students can find these available through the Online Resources inside MyMusicStaff.

How to Practice

Practice Pie – Nicola Cantan’s step-by-step guide to helping your child enjoy their music practice.

Metronome

My favorite Seiko analog metronome is available once again. It has a dial, which you’ll love when you want to go from slow to fast in a quick turn. I also list two other digital models, of which I prefer the Korg. If you want a phone app instead, I would recommend the paid version of the Tempo – Metronome with Setlist (iOS and Android).

While I love the traditional Wittner Mahogany Pendulum Metronome that sits on top of my Yamaha U1, it’s not suitable for most kids. However, if you want an old-fashioned mechanical metronome, this is the brand. It’s available in several sizes and price points depending upon what type of wood or plastic is used.

Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome – This is the favorite metronome of musicians for several decades.

Korg MA-2 Digital Metronome (Red & Black) – This model also comes in blue, so check to see which one is cheaper. It has several functions, but it doesn’t appear to be built to last.

Seiko DM51B Metronome – If you’re looking for a digital model, I prefer the Korg instead due to its several functions this one doesn’t have.

Theory Textbooks

There are lots of ways to get good fundamental theory training, without having to buy any special book. All of my method books have it included. I have access to an entire syllabus from the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association.

However, if you’re a high school student or adult, and want a separate choice of books, here are two I can recommend. The first book might be all you need. The second one is a textbook used at many of the leading music conservatories, including Juilliard. I bought it but have not cracked the spine.

Barron’s AP Music Theory – Nancy Fuller Scoggin

The Complete Musician – Steven G. Laitz

Miscellaneous

Little Red Book

Wide Staff Manuscript Paper – Can also be purchased at any music store. You can also download and print your own. I’ve found this site to be safe, but heed all warnings when downloading anything for free.

Piano Lesson Books Organizer

Ballucci File Organizer Paper Sorter, 5 Tier – I bought this after seeing it in use in a student’s home. It easily fit the lesson and repertoire books for three students with room to spare.

It looks great on top of an upright piano. If you have a digital instrument, make sure your surface is load bearing since the rack plus books could be quite heavy.

Pedal Extender

Behning & Sons Pedal Extender – This is the device I bought for my studio. This is a single pedal model that screws onto the damper pedal, and requires a raised platform like a stepper box to hold the child’s feet.

Although this is made in Japan, it doesn’t appear to be rugged enough for random abuse (no kicking). Use with care and consider storing it when not needed.

Zoom Recorders

Zoom Q2N-4K Handy Video Recorder with XY Microphone – Video Recorder

Zoom H4n Pro 4-Track Portable Recorder – Digital Audio Recorder