What Reviewers Say

Faber Piano Adventures is widely considered the gold standard for modern piano pedagogy by both homeschool parents and professional music teachers. Reviewers consistently praise the 'intervallic' approach, which teaches students to read music by identifying relationships between notes rather than memorizing fixed hand positions. This is often contrasted favorably against older 'Middle C' methods (like Alfred) that can lead to reading plateaus. While the four-book system (Lesson, Theory, Performance, Technique & Artistry) is lauded for being comprehensive and well-rounded, some parents find managing multiple books cumbersome and expensive. Critics and teachers on forums like Well-Trained Mind note that while the books are clear, students still benefit significantly from occasional professional feedback to ensure correct physical technique, which can be hard to judge from a book alone. Overall, the series is celebrated for its attractive graphics, catchy songs, and logical progression.

How It Works

A parent and child typically sit at the piano for 15 to 30 minutes daily, working through short assignments across four coordinated books: Lesson, Theory, Performance, and Technique. The parent acts as a guide, following the instructions in the Lesson book to introduce new musical concepts while the child practices several short songs and completes a workbook page to reinforce what they learned. Many families utilize the 'Piano Adventures Player' app, which provides orchestral background tracks to make the child's practice sessions feel like playing with a full band. The weekly goal is usually to 'pass' three or four pieces by playing them with the correct notes and rhythms before moving to the next set of pages. Because the system is so modular, parents can easily track progress by checking off completed songs in the table of contents.

Switching to This?

Faber does not offer a formal digital placement test, but they provide an online 'Leveling Guide' with sample pages that allow parents to match their child's current skills to the appropriate book. Most families with no prior experience start at the Primer level for ages 6–9, while children ages 5–6 begin with the 'My First Piano Adventure' series and older beginners (11+) start with the 'Accelerated' track. If switching from a 'Middle C' method like Alfred, parents should be prepared to start one level lower than expected to help the student adjust to reading notes by intervals (the distance between notes) rather than fixed hand positions. Families can transition at any time during the year, provided they start at the beginning of a level to ensure the student learns the specific technique and artistry gestures unique to this curriculum.

Curriculum Details

Price

$7 - $350

Books are typically purchased individually or in four-book level sets. Prices for individual books range from $7.95 to $12.95. A full set for one level is approximately $30-$40.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Print Digital Video Workbook

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Music

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

15-30 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, Piano Adventures moves the hands around the keyboard much earlier, preventing students from becoming dependent on finger numbers to identify notes. When weighed against the Bastien Piano Basics, Faber is frequently praised for having more sophisticated, modern-sounding compositions that feel less like 'kiddie' music. Compared to the Suzuki Method, which focuses on learning by ear, Piano Adventures prioritizes sight-reading from day one, making it a better fit for parents who want their children to be independent music readers quickly. Against gamified apps like Simply Piano, Faber offers a much stronger focus on physical technique, teaching students how to use their wrists and arms to produce a good sound, which apps often ignore. Finally, while programs like Music Tree are very academic, Faber is often seen as the more 'approachable' middle ground that balances rigorous music theory with colorful, engaging graphics for younger learners.

Getting Started