All About Faber’s Piano Adventures Method Books: A Comprehensive Review

If you’re a piano teacher, a parent of a budding musician, or even a late-starting adult learner, chances are you’ve come across the Faber Piano Adventures method books. Created by husband-and-wife team Nancy and Randall Faber, this widely respected method series has become a go-to curriculum in the piano education world — and for good reason!

In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes the Faber method unique, how it works, its pros and cons, and whether it might be the right choice for your student’s piano learning journey.

What Is the Faber Piano Adventures Series?

The Faber Piano Adventures series is a comprehensive piano method designed to take students from the very beginning stages of learning all the way to intermediate and early-advanced levels. The series combines technical training, musical artistry, theory, and performance skills in a cohesive and thoughtfully sequenced curriculum.

The main series includes:

• Lesson Books (core instruction)
• Theory Books
• Technique & Artistry Books
• Performance Books
• Sightreading Books

Each level offers a holistic approach, with materials that complement and reinforce each other. From playful beginner tunes to expressive intermediate pieces, the Faber method is known for balancing structure with creativity, and is a great choice for all different kinds of learning styles!

What Ages and Skill Levels Is This Book Designed For?

Faber Piano Adventures comes in several formats tailored to different age groups:

My First Piano Adventure (Ages 5–6)

Features large print, sticker-friendly pages, and songs geared toward early elementary learners. It’s full of imagery and movement activities to keep young children engaged.

Basic Piano Adventures (Ages 6+)

The main curriculum, starting with Primer Level and continuing through Levels 1–5. This is the most commonly used track for school-aged beginners.

Adult Piano Adventures

An excellent option for adult learners, this series blends well-known pieces, chords, and technique in a format that’s friendly for older beginners or those returning to the piano after a long break.

What Are the Strengths of the Faber Method? 

Musicality from the Start

Unlike some methods that focus heavily on note-reading before introducing musical expression, Faber weaves in artistry early on. Students are encouraged to play with dynamics, phrasing, and emotion — even in the first few months that they start with My First Piano Adventure.

Engaging, Familiar Repertoire

Faber books include a mix of folk songs, original pieces, and simplified classical themes. This keeps students motivated by offering songs they already recognize and enjoy playing.

Integrated Learning

The coordination between lesson, theory, and technique books helps reinforce concepts in multiple ways. For example, a student might learn about legato in the Technique book, apply it in the Lesson book, and analyze it in the Theory book.

Great Support Materials

There’s a wealth of supplemental materials available — from the Piano Adventures Player app (which includes backing tracks) to video tutorials, downloadable PDFs, and more. There’s even an Online Teacher Atlas for instructors.

How Does Faber Compare to Other Methods?

Compared to Alfred or Bastien, Faber tends to place a stronger emphasis on expressive playing and musical artistry. Where Alfred may lean more on traditional notation and Bastien on faster progression, Faber finds a balanced middle ground.

If your goal is to nurture well-rounded musicianship — not just mechanical note-reading — Faber is an excellent choice. That said, students who thrive on a faster pace or who are more self-directed may benefit from mixing in other materials!

Q1: What makes Faber’s Piano Adventures unique among method books?

Faber’s Piano Adventures stands out for its integrated approach combining technique, theory, creativity, and expression. It also introduces improvisation, ear training, and artistry early on, making it ideal for students who want to develop a deeper understanding of music.

Q2: How does the pacing of Piano Adventures compare to other methods?

Piano Adventures progresses at a moderate to slightly faster pace, especially in note reading and technical development. Compared to Alfred or Bastien, students may encounter new concepts sooner, which can be beneficial for motivated learners!

Q3: How student-friendly is Piano Adventures compared to other methods?

Piano Adventures is highly student-friendly, offering colorful visuals, engaging songs, and digital tools like apps and backing tracks. It balances classical and popular music styles, which appeals to a broad range of students. While Alfred is known for its familiar tunes and Bastien for its simple structure, Faber excels in inspiring musical curiosity and creativity through varied repertoire and imaginative teaching elements!

Tips for Using Faber Effectively As A Teacher

• Pair the Lesson Book with Theory and Technique: These three work together to reinforce concepts and improve retention.
• Use the Piano Adventures App: Students can play along with backing tracks — a great motivator and rhythm builder.
• Supplement When Needed: If your student craves more modern music, add in lead sheets or pop arrangements.
• Don’t Skip the Duets: They teach listening, timing, and ensemble skills!

Final Thoughts

The Faber Piano Adventures method books are a tried-and-true resource that continues to evolve with the needs of modern students. Whether you’re a teacher looking to enhance your student’s lessons, a beginner or intermediate piano player, or an adult student, the Faber method offers a rich and well-rounded musical foundation!

Are Faber books perfect? Not quite — no method is. But they strike an impressive balance between structure, creativity, and progression, making them one of the most respected piano curricula available today!