From the publisher: "Celebrate Piano is a comprehensive, progressive, and carefully sequenced piano method.  The repertoire and activities are designed to facilitate the learning and retention of musical elements through the process of preparation, presentation, and follow up (reinforcement).  Concepts or elements are prepared in exercises and activities before their formal presentation." 

I love this series for how quickly it gets students really playing the piano. Although the illustrations and some of the activities are designed with young elementary students in mind, I have teenage students who love it, too.

Students should purchase both books 1A and 1B to begin with, and will likely complete both of them in less than 6 months; each costs about $16. Because this is a faster-paced program, students may need their next set of lesson books (red books called "2A" and "2B") sooner than they would with other curricula. 

Don't forget to add on a book of performance solos or two!  Suggested beginner solo books are listed below. 

From the publisher: "Piano Adventures Basic offers an exciting exploration. Its wide and varied 8-level curriculum includes appealing repertoire, probing theory, improvisation and composition, and a systematic technique program from the start. For teachers, the art of teaching can be seen as a wholistic process using the ACE triangle—analyze, create, express. This musical learning theory primes the student’s intellect, engages and sparks imagination, and nurtures a love of music at each level." 

I love this series for its thoroughness -- I feel confident that my Faber students are getting a fully taught, well-rounded education on proper technique and instrumentality. It's an excellent choice for students who truly want to play the piano itself with excellence (rather than just wanting to try out music lessons generally).

The purple Primer books are perfect for most elementary-age students; for late elementary students with prior music lessons or for middle schoolers, I recommend the tan "Accelerated Beginner" books instead.

Students should purchase the purple "Lesson Book, Primer Level" and "Theory Book, Primer Level" ("Lesson" has a yellow banner and "Theory" has an orange banner). Each costs about $8.

Don't forget to add on a book of performance solos or two!  Suggested beginner solo books are listed below.