Leveled lesson books are the "textbook" that we use for learning to play the piano. There are several different brands of these textbooks; my two favorites are Celebrate Piano and Piano Adventures, but if a student has already begun with Alfred, Bastien, Thompson, or any other author, we can certainly continue with any of those.
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.
Leveled lesson books are an important part of learning to play a new instrument, but let's be honest: sometimes the textbook exercises just aren't that fun to play! Books of fun and engaging piano solos are an important part of fostering a love for the piano. They also provide students a wider selection of songs to choose from for performing at recitals and for friends & family. I strongly recommend choosing at least one performance solos book at a time, matched to the student's learning level. Students will come back to the solos that they learned throughout their lives when they sit down to just play for pleasure, even their simplest solos.
Solo books do not need to come from the same authors as the student's leveled lesson books. Choose books with songs that look like fun -- you can find books of familiar holiday songs, music from movies and TV shows, or even simplified versions of favorite pop and rock songs. Here are some suggested options for beginners:
PreTime Piano Disney Primer Level
Nancy and Randall Faber
PreTime Piano Favorites Primer Level
Nancy and Randall Faber
PreTime Piano Kids' Songs Primer Level
Nancy and Randall Faber
PreTime Piano Rock 'n Roll Primer Level
Nancy and Randall Faber
PreTime Piano Popular Primer Level
Nancy and Randall Faber
PreTime Piano Christmas Primer Level
Nancy and Randall Faber
Celebrate Piano Solos 1
Cathy Albergo, J. Mitzi Kolar, and Mark Mrozinski
Piano Adventures Primer Level Performance Book
Nancy and Randall Faber
Bastien Piano Basics Performance Primer Level
Jane Smisor Bastien
Alfred Premier Piano Course Performance 1A
Dennis Alexander, Gayle Kowalchyk, E. L. Lancaster, Victoria McArthur, and Martha Mier
Schaum Repertoire Solos Primer Level
Wesley Schaum
Online:
jwpepper.com (carries Celebrate Piano in stock)
pianoadventures.com/piano-books (best selection of Faber books)
halleonard.com (largest selection of pop/rock/movie solo books)
musicarts.com (can choose in-store pickup in Lone Tree, Englewood, or Littleton)
In person:
Allegro Music in Parker -- fairly small piano book selection, but super helpful staff
Music and Arts -- three locations in Denver
Flesher-Hinton Music in Wheat Ridge -- family-owned music store; can special order books for you