Choosing piano books for beginners can feel surprisingly confusing. Walk into a music shop or search online and you’ll find dozens of methods, songbooks and “teach yourself” titles, all promising to get you playing. As a teacher, I think a good method book is still one of the best investments an adult beginner can make. It gives you a clear sequence, a balance of reading, technique and theory, and pieces that grow with your skills.
In this guide I’ll compare four well-established adult method books, explain how they differ, and help you choose the one that suits your goals. I’ll also suggest how to add songbooks once you’ve found your feet.
How to choose piano books for beginners
Before looking at specific titles, it helps to know what you’re looking for. These are the questions I’d ask:
- Is it written for adults? Children’s methods move slowly and use childlike pieces. An adult method explains concepts more directly and uses music grown-ups enjoy.
- Is it all-in-one? Some methods split lessons, theory and technique into separate books. For self-taught adults, a single volume that combines them is much easier to manage.
- Does it include audio or video? Accompaniment tracks make practice more musical and help you check your rhythm. Video explanations are a bonus if you’re learning on your own.
- Does it suit your goals? Some methods lean towards reading and classical pieces. Others introduce chords and lead sheets early. Neither is better; it depends on what you want to play.
- Is there a next step? A series with a Book 2 and companion songbooks makes it easy to keep going.
The four adult method books compared
All four books below are adult all-in-one methods from established music publishers. Details are taken from each publisher’s own product pages, checked in November 2026. At the time of writing, each was listed at $19.99 on the publisher’s US website, but prices vary between retailers and countries and can change, so please check before you buy.
| Book | Publisher | What’s combined | Online extras | Pages (Book 1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred’s Basic Adult All-in-One Course, Book 1 | Alfred Music | Lesson, theory, technique | Editions with a DVD available | Varies by edition |
| Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Course, Book 1 | Faber Piano Adventures | Lessons, technique, theory | Online audio and over two hours of video | 184 |
| Hal Leonard Adult Piano Method, Book 1 | Hal Leonard | Lessons, solos, technique, theory | Over 150 online accompaniments with Playback+ | 96 |
| Bastien Piano for Adults, Book 1 | Kjos | Lessons, theory, technique, sight reading | Interactive Practice Studio access | 160 |
Alfred’s Basic Adult All-in-One Course, Book 1
Written by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus and Amanda Vick Lethco, this is one of the best-known adult methods. Alfred describes it as an expanded version of its Basic Adult Piano Course, combining lesson, theory and technique in one book. It adds hand exercises, finger-strengthening drills and written assignments that reinforce each lesson.
What stands out to me is its chord approach. The publisher highlights a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and you learn chords for both hands early, so pieces sound full rather than thin. The song list mixes folk, classical and popular-style pieces, including “Ode to Joy”, “Greensleeves”, “Scarborough Fair”, “Amazing Grace” and “The Entertainer”.
Alfred notes that the course is designed for use with a piano instructor, although many adults also use it on their own. It’s available in several formats, including a lay-flat wire-bound edition and an edition with a DVD of introductions and performances. A Level 2 book continues the course.
Good fit if: you want a traditional, thorough method with a strong grounding in chords and reading.
Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Course, Book 1
By Nancy and Randall Faber, this method is aimed at beginning adults and returning players. The publisher says Book 1 covers the fundamentals of music notation, chord playing and musical form, with lessons, technique and theory in one spiral-bound volume.
For self-taught learners, the online support is a real strength. Faber lists over two hours of instructional videos with Randall Faber and play-along audio for the book. It also includes lead sheets with chord symbols, sight-reading and ear-training activities, and short daily technique exercises. The music ranges across classical, jazz, folk and spirituals, with pieces like “Amazing Grace”, “Danny Boy”, “Greensleeves” and “The Entertainer”.
There’s a Book 2, plus companion collections at the same level, including Popular, Classics, Christmas, Disney and Literature books.
Good fit if: you’re learning on your own and value video explanations alongside a clear reading plan.
Hal Leonard Adult Piano Method, Book 1
Part of the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library and written by Barbara Kreader, Mona Rejino, Phillip Keveren and Fred Kern, this method combines lessons, solos, technique and theory in a single volume. Hal Leonard describes it as well paced, moving fairly quickly through new material, and says it works with a teacher or for self-instruction.
Its standout feature is audio. The publisher lists over 150 orchestrated accompaniments, accessed online with a code inside the book. They can be streamed or downloaded and use Hal Leonard’s Playback+ player, which lets you slow tracks down without changing pitch, set loop points and change keys. Practising with a backing track is one of the best ways I know to develop steady rhythm.
At 96 pages it’s the slimmest of the four. Companion books include Popular Hits, Popular Favorites, Christmas Favorites and Traditional Hymns.
Good fit if: you want a brisk pace and enjoy playing along with accompaniments.
Bastien Piano for Adults, Book 1
By Jane, Lisa and Lori Bastien and published by Kjos, this course was designed specifically for adult beginners. It combines lessons, theory, technique and sight reading in one book, and the publisher describes it as gradually paced to build confidence.
The music selection is one of the broadest: famous classical themes, folk songs, spirituals, ragtime, blues, boogie, jazz and original pieces. The current edition includes access to Kjos’s online Interactive Practice Studio, which provides a digital book and the accompaniment recordings.
Good fit if: you like a gentle pace and a wide variety of styles, with sight reading built in.
Which beginner piano book should you choose?
Here’s how I’d decide:
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want strong chord skills alongside reading | Alfred’s Adult All-in-One |
| Are self-taught and want video explanations | Faber Adult Piano Adventures |
| Want to play with backing tracks and move briskly | Hal Leonard Adult Piano Method |
| Prefer a gentle pace and lots of variety | Bastien Piano for Adults |
Honestly, any of these four can take you from complete beginner to a solid early level. The best book is the one you’ll open every day. If you can, look at sample pages on the publishers’ websites and choose the layout and music that appeal to you most.
If you’re learning without a teacher, a method book works well as the backbone of a self-study plan. My guide on how to teach yourself piano shows where a book fits into a step-by-step routine, and my article on self-taught piano looks at how to fill the gaps a teacher would normally cover.
Adding songbooks once you’ve started
A method book gives you structure, but most adults also want to play music they already love. Once you’re a few weeks in, a songbook at the right level keeps practice fun. Look for these labels:
- “Easy piano” or “beginning piano” arrangements: simplified versions of popular songs, usually with fingering marked.
- Companion books for your method: many methods offer songbooks matched to each level, so the difficulty lines up with what you’ve learned.
- Lead sheets or “fake books”: a melody line with chord symbols above it. These suit anyone learning chords, because you build the accompaniment yourself.
Before buying anything, you can also start with free material. My list of easy songs to learn on piano includes letter-name melodies and simple chords for well-known tunes, and my guide on how to learn piano chords will help you make sense of chord symbols.
Books vs apps vs courses
Books aren’t the only option. Apps offer instant feedback and courses add video lessons. Some adults use a book alongside one of these. If you’re weighing those up, Pianoforall, for example, is a video course built around a set of downloadable ebooks with a chords-first approach. You can read my honest Pianoforall review to see whether that style suits you.
You’ll find more song lists and beginner music in the Songs & Sheet Music section.
Frequently asked questions
Can I learn piano from a book without a teacher?
Yes, many adults do. Choose an adult all-in-one method with audio or video support, work through it in order, and practise a little most days. Recording yourself now and then helps you catch problems a teacher would normally spot.
Should I buy a children’s piano book as an adult?
It’s usually better to choose an adult method. Children’s books move more slowly and use pieces aimed at young learners. Adult methods explain ideas more directly and use music adults are more likely to enjoy.
How long does it take to finish a beginner piano book?
It varies a lot with practice time and how carefully you work. Many adults take several months to work through a Book 1 thoroughly. There’s no prize for speed, so make sure each piece feels comfortable before moving on.
Do I need more than one book to start?
No. One all-in-one method book is enough to begin. Add a songbook at your level once you’re comfortable with the first few units.
Final thoughts
The best piano books for beginners give you a clear path, a good balance of skills and music you’ll enjoy playing. Alfred, Faber, Hal Leonard and Bastien all offer that in slightly different ways. Pick the one whose style suits you, commit to it for a few months, and add songbooks as you go. A well-chosen book on the music stand can be the steady guide that keeps you moving forward.