20Frequently Asked Questions about Publications

1. What is unique about the Piano Adventures publications?

Piano Adventures is unique for its “triangle of learning” called ACE. The three component parts stand for Analysis, Creativity, and Expression.

Using the ACE triangle, Piano Adventures offers methods that recognize four different age levels. Each method caters to attributes of that age group for pacing, repertoire, theory, technique, and creative activities.

Here is a brief overview:

• My First Piano Adventure (ages 5-6)
  Written for the young beginner, this course captures the child’s playful spirit with five “friends at the piano,” charming songs, and rhythm and technique games.

• Basic Piano Adventures (ages 6-11)
  Piano Adventures Basic offers an exciting exploration. Its varied 8-level curriculum has appealing repertoire, theory, improvisation, composition, and a systematic technique program right from the start.

• Accelerated Piano Adventures for the Older Beginner (ages 11-17)
  Accelerated Piano Adventures offers an individualized, student-centered path to learn. Its wide and varied curriculum gives teachers a highly personalized approach with unique rewards for the accelerated student.

• Adult Piano Adventures (ages 17-100!)
  Ideal for the beginning adult or as a refresher course for the returning adult, the All-in-One Books teach skills to play hundreds of familiar songs. Enjoy online support with 3-Minute Theory and Technique pages.

One of the most notable features that sets Piano Adventures apart is the teacher and student support for all levels. Explore more at Resources.

2. Questions about specific series and books? See below.

Basic Piano Adventures

Primer Q&As       Level 1 Q&As       Level 2A Q&As       Level 2B Q&As

Level 3A Q&As    Level 3B Q&As      Level 4 Q&As         Level 5 Q&As

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My First Piano Adventure

A Book Q&As         B Book Q&As         C Book Q&As

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Accelerated Piano Adventures

Accel. Level 1 Q&As     Accel. Level 2 Q&As

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The PreTime to BigTime Piano Library

PreTime Q&As         PlayTime Q&As   ShowTime Q&As

ChordTime Q&As   FunTime Q&As     BigTime Q&As

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The Developing Artist Piano Library

Preparatory Literature Book Q&As    Piano Literature Book 1    Piano Literature Book 2

3. Are there e-books available for the publications?

All core Piano Adventures method books (American Editions for all ages) are available as an ebook from retailers such as Apple, Google, and Amazon.

The Primer Teacher Guide is not available as an ebook; however, it is available to purchase as an “online edition” from Piano Adventures. It is also available as part of the subscription to the Teacher Atlas.

Ebooks for International Editions is in progress

4. Why does the Basic and Accelerated method have four books per level?

The four core books— Lesson, Theory, Technique & Artistry, Performance— integrate learning based on the ACE triangle—analysis, creativity, and expression.

The four core books address things easy to miss in lessons: ear-training, sightreading, improvisation, and, importantly, its unique system of technique development for all 8 levels. Taking the time for deeper learning with the core books also prepares the student for success at the next level.

5. What are the Adventure Learning VideosTM? How do I use them?

The Adventure Learning Videos feature close-ups of the hands with simple text to taps the student’s “musical mind” for theory analysis and technique tips.

The videos can be used in different ways.

• The teacher has the student watch a video at home for a piece presented at the lesson. Since it offers unique practice support, the video reminds the student of key musical points for a successful next lesson.
• The teacher may assign a new piece not presented at the lesson. This fosters independent learning. Students “adventure” on their own and grow in self-confidence.
• The teacher could suggest using Adventure Learning Videos for a holiday vacation project.
• The teacher shares an Adventure Learning Video at a Zoom lesson.
  The student reads the text aloud in order to participate as well as watch.
• The teacher shows the video at a group lesson to introduce the piece.

Currently, the Adventure Learning Videos are available for the Primer Lesson Book in the Basic Piano Adventures Method. (More Adventure Learning Videos are planned for the next levels.)

6. My student is six. Should we start with Book A in My First Piano Adventures or the Primer in Basic Piano Adventures?

Each entry point is a little different. A teacher will usually know after a first interview with the student and parent which series is the best fit.

These descriptions may help.

My First Piano Adventure Book A for 5 to 6-year-old children was created to mirror the world of the child. Discovery at the piano is filled with friends, animals, and places for an imaginative learning environment. Children explore music through what they know how to do best—play, sing, move!

Basic Piano Adventures Primer Book for 6 to 11-year-olds begins staff reading sooner than “My First” Book A. The Theory Book requires the ability to write— more than simple circling used for Book A. Sophisticated artwork and song titles span the 6-11 age group well. Sample titles include “My Invention,” “Petite Minuet,” “The Dance Band,” “Football Game,” and “Yankee Doodle.”

7. Are there answer keys available for the Theory books?

Yes!  In the top Menu click Resources and look under Support. Here is quick link: Theory Answer Keys

8. Are there background accompaniments for Level 4?

We are keen on continuing to add more audio support. While we prepare Level 4 method audio files, please enjoy the Classics, Popular, Christmas and Hits content at Level 4 inside the Piano Adventures Player app, and the BigTime Piano Christmas accompaniments available in the Audio Cloud.

In addition, Level 4 Technique & Artistry performance demonstrations are available in video format inside our Technique & Artistry Online platform. It’s included with a Teacher Atlas membership or standalone Faber Technique & Artistry plan.

9. How are the Performance Books different from the Gold Star Performance Books?

The Piano Adventures Performance Books are available at 8 levels, Primer through Level 5. They are carefully correlated with the Lesson Book, unit by unit, piece by piece.

The Piano Adventures Gold Star Books are available for the first four levels: Primer through Level 2B. As the title suggests, “Gold Star” pieces are especially appropriate for recitals and other musical events and are labeled, “Challenging pieces with changing hand positions.”

A fun feature of the Gold Star Books is that they include engaging audio performances with children singing the songs.  The young children’s vocals bring out the character of the pieces, encourage singing, and make listening fun. The Gold Star Books include online access to audio for both listening and play-along.

10. What is the difference between the PreTime to BigTime Christmas Books and the Piano Adventures Method Christmas Books?

PreTime to BigTime Christmas Books are a 7-book graded series intermingling sacred and seasonal favorites with famous Christmas copyright hits such as “Winter Wonderland,” Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” Rudoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.” The early levels feature Teacher Duets.

Piano Adventures Christmas Books is also a 7-book graded series but is closely tied to the Lesson Book content. Moreover, these books feature “Sightreading Stocking Stuffers” for each piece. These little melodies spin from the pieces and offer 5 days of sightreading per song. Songs, sightreading, and seasonal fun!

11. Do you have a sightreading series?

Yes! Basic Piano Adventures has a 7-book sightreading series from the Primer through Level 4. This inventive sightreading course uses sets of exercises based on melodic and rhythmic patterns from the Lesson Book.

Students play one exercise a day, completing one set per week. Fun musical characters question students on notes, rhythm, and other theory concepts.

There is also new digital support! Piano Adventures Sightreading Coach offers great motivation and a “self-assessment” adventure.

12. For an older beginner, should I use the Accelerated Series or the Adult All-in-One series?

A teacher or older beginner could use the age recommendations of the Accelerated Course for ages 11-17 and the Adult Course for ages 17-100.

Also helpful in making the decision is that each of the two levels of the Accelerated Course has 4 core books: Lesson, Theory, Technique & Artistry, and Performance.

The Adult Course is a spiral-bound “All-in-One” Course with two course books: Adult Book 1 and Adult Book 2. Each volume really packs a punch of information! Also included are 3-Minute Theory and 3-Minute Technique exercises within each book.

Supplementary repertoire books are available for both courses. The PreTime to BigTime Series is well-suited for the accelerated student, although these books could also be used by an adult. The Adult Course has its own dedicated series, Adult at the Piano, that features Christmas, Classics, and Popular Books.

13. What comes after Accelerated Book 2? What comes after Adult Book 2?

After Accelerated Book 2, a student could begin Basic Piano Adventures Level 3A and continue up the next levels of Level 3B, Level 4, and Level 5.

At Level 3A, students can also begin the FunTime Piano Series that has many musical genres from which to choose: Christmas, Classics, Disney, Favorites, Hits, Hymns, Jazz & Blues, Kids’ Songs, Music from China, Popular, Rock ‘n Roll, and Studio Collection.

In addition, students may also The Developing Artist Preparatory Book or Piano Literature Book 1. Also available is The Developing Artist Sonatina Book 1. All of these collections have audio performances available to model sounds, styles, and form.

14. What do you recommend for students when they complete Level 5?

Level 5 is a student bridge to the great piano repertoire. The level promotes recognition of harmony in many keys. Technique is guided with a focus on scales and arpeggios—playing these fluidly and tension free. Students have studied pieces by Clementi, Burgmüller, and Bach, among others. Folk tunes with active L.H. accompaniments mingle with jazz and blues standards.

• Level 5 graduates may continue the classical tradition with The Developing Artist Piano Literature Book 3 and Piano Literature Book 4.

• The Developing Artist Sonatina Book 3 and Sonatina Book 4 offer a wealth of fine literature as a bridge to sonatas of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

• When learning the style of a composer, a good guideline is to learn 3 pieces by that composer. We begin to understand the “composer’s voice,” styling, harmony, and pianism. Students may enjoy the following publications:

3-PIECE COLLECTIONS

The Keyboard Artist: Chopin: Three Mazurkas
The Keyboard Artist: Chopin: Three Easier Waltzes
The Keyboard Artist: Grieg: Four Lyric Pieces

OTHER COLLECTIONS:

The Developing Artist: Selections from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach
The Developing Artist: Music for a Dark and Stormy Night

ACHIEVEMENT LITERATURE SHEETS

BAROQUE

J.S. Bach: Prelude in C

CLASSICAL

C.E.P. Bach: Solfeggietto
Beethoven: Für Elise
Beethoven: Sonatina in G Major
Beethoven: Sonata in G Major
Mozart: Rondo alla Turca
Mozart: Sonata in C Major

ROMANTIC

Chopin: Prelude in D-flat Major, “Raindrop”
Pieczonka: Tarantella

IMPRESSIONISTIC

Debussy: Clair de Lune
Debussy: La fille au cheveaux de lin

CONTEMPORARY

N. Faber: Egyptian Rhapsody

15. What is Technique & Artistry Online? How do you use this with the publications?

Technique & Artistry Online offers an innovative step-by-step approach to technical motions with 30 Technique Secrets carefully conceived from early to advanced levels. Teachers may delve into the “language of technique” with descriptive, memorable words, physical motions, abundant exercises, and artistic pieces.

Browse the three areas:

• Piano Adventures Method
• Basic Technique Skill
• Piano Repertoire

For close-up videos and a wealth of information, visit pianoadventures.com/technique

16. I’m searching for a particular song in the Piano Adventures catalog. Can you help me find it?

While we’re working on a full song search feature across all publications, try using the Search tool inside the current print catalog.

• Click on the magnifying glass/document icon.
• Enter the desired text and press the Return key (for more results, try just a portion of a song name).
• Click on the page result to jump to it.

17. Can my students live stream performances from your books for recitals on YouTube and Facebook?

Our publications are written and distributed for educational purposes. No permission is required to use the publications for in-person and online teaching. However, we ask that you follow copyright and fair use guidelines for teachers and schools when using our works outside of a classroom or studio lesson. This would include videos, performances, recordings, photocopying, scanning, or other reproduction. Any use outside of normal class instruction should be non-commercial in nature, only include a non-substantial portion of the work, and not significantly impede the holder’s right to distribute the work. Additionally, if you use the work in a distributed fashion such as an online recital or pre-recorded performance, we ask that you credit the work. This could be in a YouTube description, recital program, event listing, or social media post. For example, a credit could read like this:

“Whirling Leaves” performed by _______________________. From Piano Adventures Level 2A Lesson Book by Nancy and Randall Faber. Copyright © Dovetree Productions, Inc. Used by Permission.

18. When do you start using the Developing Artist Piano Literature Books? How do you correlate these with the Piano Adventures method?

A student could start Preparatory Piano Literature in Level 2A at UNIT 7 where minor 5-finger scales are presented. Students can then recognize the major or minor 5-finger scale used in the pieces. Students are also equipped to transpose the pieces to major and minor keys.

A Level 2B student could begin Preparatory Piano Literature right in UNIT 1. The independence of the hands and suggestions for transposition offer a great review while delving into classical music!

• Explore Q&As for Preparatory Piano Literature.
• Explore Q&As for Piano Literature Book 1.

19. Can you help me find a teacher in my area that uses the Piano Adventures books?

Yes, there are several ways to locate a teacher using the Piano Adventures curriculum. Your local music store or piano teacher organization may be of help. In addition, check out the Piano Adventures Teacher Locator which is a communication hub connecting Piano Adventures teachers throughout the United States to interested persons desiring lessons.

20. Where can I purchase Piano Adventures Books and other Faber materials?

Books can be purchased at your local music dealer, if there is one in your area. Books can also be purchased on the QUICK SHOP on this website as well as many online retail sellers.