Around half my students are adults, either complete beginners or those returning to the piano after learning as children. I regularly get asked what the best piano books for adults are as a lot of piano methods are geared primarily towards children.
There are books out there for adults, it’s just that there are less of them and it’s harder to find information on them. There is no one book I would recommend above others as it depends on your (or your student’s) learning style. However, there are four that I use regularly that are detailed below.
So what are the best piano books for adults?
Nancy & Randall Faber: Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Piano Course
This course comes in two volumes – Book 1 & Book 2. I can highly recommend them to use as a comprehensive approach to learning for the complete beginner as they encompass technique and theory as well as standard lessons. All the basic concepts are covered in a lot of detail.
They work well as stand-alone books to work through methodically, or alternatively as a supplemental book to dip in and out of alongside another method book (such as Pam Wedgwood’s It’s Never Too Late To Learn, reviewed below).
The course is suitable for teachers to use in lessons, but also for the self-taught learner. Concepts are introduced at a fairly slow pace to start with so if you are a particularly quick learner you may find that you move forward through the first half of Book 1 fairly rapidly.
What I particularly like about these books is that they introduce the concept of chords and how to play from lead sheets alongside learning how to read notation. In other words, they cover all bases – whether you want to play classical piano from notation or play pop music in a band, this course has got you covered.
There are audio accompaniment tracks available online to download as mp3 or MIDI files, each with a slow practice tempo and a performance tempo. These are really fun to play along with and bring each piece to life.
I have found that on average for a complete beginner, Book 1 usually takes around a year to complete and Book 2 a further year after that. I have found Book 2 a useful starting point for adults returning to the piano after a number of years (assuming they know the basics).
There are a lot of great repertoire books in the Adult Piano Adventures series to use alongside this course that focus on classics, pop and jazz, depending on the interests of your students. For additional information, visit the Faber Piano Adventures website.
Pam Wedgwood: It’s Never Too Late To Play Piano
This book has proved to be very popular with my adult students. The 15 units are clearly organised, with tips and facts throughout each. As well as plenty of pieces you will recognise, Pam has included a lot of her own great compositions which are a lot of fun to play.
Although you could use this book as a self-taught learner, I would say it’s better to use alongside a teacher in structured lessons – this is because the book goes at a slightly faster pace than the Piano adventures series and you may find it more of a challenge to progress on your own after the first three or four units.
It comes with a CD with play-along tracks which adds to the experience. As you progress through the book and reach the more challenging pieces, you will find it helpful to listen to the performances of the pieces on the CD. There are some wonderful concert pieces at the end of the book to aim to perform.
Pam’s book is a great place to start as an older beginner – although it doesn’t cover as much theory as the Piano adventures series, it makes up for that in it’s attention to technique and inspiring pieces. This book will generally last the complete beginner a couple of years.
For more information and other Pam Wedgwood publications, visit Pam Wedgwood’s page on Faber.
Emily Howell: Vivace Piano course
Of the four series of books mentioned here, this series is certainly the most vibrant and joyful to learn from! Very imaginative with beautiful illustrations, Emily Howell takes you on a creative journey around the world, gradually introducing new elements and the fundamentals in a fresh, yet also methodical way.
Encompassing two course books with accompanying exercise books, the Vivace course really allows the student to explore the piano innovatively. There are well-written accompaniments throughout that really bring the imaginatively titled pieces to life right from the start. The duet parts can be played by a teacher, or are available as backing tracks on YouTube.
Written and drawing activities, along with opportunities for exploration, help consolidate learning. Book 1 takes you from complete beginner through to an approximate Grade 1 level, whilst Book 2 develops your skills to a Grade 2 level.
I would definitely recommend using these books alongside a teacher, or as a supplement to another method book. My students have really enjoyed playing the pieces – and Emily’s explanations of concepts have occasionally been lightbulb moments.
For further information on these books and Emily Howell, visit the Vivace Arts Academy site.
Melanie Spanswick: Play It Again Piano
This series is very much aimed at the returning player who has spent some time away from the piano. There are two books – the first ranges progressively from around a UK Grade 1 to 4 (elementary to intermediate) and the second covers pieces in the UK Grades 5 to 8 (intermediate to late advanced) range.
Every piece in the books is deconstructed and plenty of helpful tips on technique and theory are given. They are perhaps aimed more at the independent learner than for use in structured lessons with a teacher – however, I have introduced a number of these pieces to different students at different stages to demonstrate particular techniques. I have found the practical tips before each piece really useful for helping to explain to students how to achieve a certain technique or sound.
The pieces are hugely varied and include well known composers as well as lesser known ones – my students have found them hugely enjoyable. For more information, have a look at Melanie Spanswick’s website.
I hope you have found this post useful – please also have a look at my recommended pop piano books for adult beginners.
If you have children or grandchildren who are starting to show an interest in the piano, have a look at my Introduction to the Piano course – it would make a great birthday or Christmas present and the first lesson is free!
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