Faber All-in-One Piano Course Book 1

bassclef

I didn't find a discussion on the Faber Adult series here so I thought I'd create one. Is anyone else using Faber or Alfred king in these parts? If there is an existing thread, please point me there.

I chose Faber as it seems to be the most compatible with my learning style. I like lots of repetition of concepts but with variation in order to provide a slower overall climb. I also like what I think I remember a reviewer referring to as anchor or reference notes as opposed to a focus on positional playing. I may have that term wrong, but I like how Faber is guiding me to play given note with varying fingers as required.

I'm currently working on page 54, New World Symphony Theme. Lots of concepts making the simple looking piece more challenging that it seemed at first glance -- rests, slurs, carried notes, pedal, timing changes. Yeah, I'm new.

navindra

bassclef Welcome!

I always wish I had started with Faber instead of Alfred's. Have you seen the Faber YouTube channel?

It seems they've been pretty busy since I last checked it out:

https://www.youtube.com/@pianoadventures

Sophia

Welcome to the forum @bassclef 😄 I know there are a few Faberites here and definitely some Alfredos (that's the book I'm using).

Tell us more about yourself, how long have you been playing? What piano do you have? Are you self studying or with the help of a teacher?

bassclef

Hi @Sophia, thanks for the welcome.

My study log has me starting July 18. It's not the first time though. I gave it a go back in 2008/9, and didn't find my groove back then to carry me to any real progress. I underestimated the learning curve, over estimated how fast I could learn, and was underwhelmed by lesson material. I wasn't ready on more than one level, so quitting was inevitable.

About 6 years ago I started playing bass guitar and got much further. I learned how to enjoy the process and savor small victories and was on my way to being a decent bass player. Major changes in my life came, putting an end to that run. I spent the following 3 years working on the road, only getting home every few months.

I never got back into bass afterwards other than playing for personal enjoyment. I have the theory and practical usage that I learned, a decent relationship with timing, and I got pretty good at reading the bass clef. More importantly I learned how important music was to my soul.

I think I'm ready to make similar progress on piano now. I know it's a long journey and I have some music skills that I think will help. I pulled out my Yamaha CP33 that I bought back then and ordered some monitors for it. It's 88 keys with an amazing graded hammer action. It sounds so beautiful to me even with my simple lesson book playing. I'm also working on chords, progressions, arpeggios, scales, etc.

An instructor is not in the cards right now. I know it will be more challenging without one but I do have good discipline to always be watchful of the big mistakes.

iternabe

bassclef I'm also working on chords, progressions, arpeggios, scales, etc.

We are so like-minded 🤝

Animisha

navindra I always wish I had started with Faber instead of Alfred's.

So did I, but not because of the music, but because of the videos. They would have been of great value as I had no teacher.

But, as far as method books go, I am surprised nobody mentions Alfred's Premier lesson books. The pieces are so much nicer than the ones in AIO! They progress a bit slower, but that would have suited me fine.

bassclef

I did watch some of the Faber videos, and learned of the Faber phone app with additional content as well. I'm not very far in yet, but from what I've encountered so far, it's a great method, very logical and well paced.

I did the first couple of Alfred bass books, and part of the first Alfred book back in my earlier false start. More often than not, I found the choice of songs uninspiring. That's not the case for me with Faber. All the songs/compositions have been enjoyable. Faber is a class act from what I'm seeing. I'm happy with my choice.

Player1

bassclef

The Faber stuff is interesting in the beginning because it's all new. It gets just as terribly boring as the Alfred's stuff in short order. I'm on Faber's Adult Book 3B and trust me, it's just awful.

The problem is that the book doesn't give you a break from theory or practice. There's nothing in there for "fun" so everything is geared toward you learning instead of just playing.

So, some advise from a Faber student: Find material outside the lesson book and learn it. I'd recommend NOT using the companion books because they're just as horrible as the lesson book.

bassclef

Player1 The Faber stuff is interesting in the beginning because it's all new. It gets just as terribly boring as the Alfred's stuff in short order. I'm on Faber's Adult Book 3B and trust me, it's just awful.

The problem is that the book doesn't give you a break from theory or practice. There's nothing in there for "fun" so everything is geared toward you learning instead of just playing.

So, some advise from a Faber student: Find material outside the lesson book and learn it. I'd recommend NOT using the companion books because they're just as horrible as the lesson book.

I ordered a couple of song books to provide some additional material that, although still beginner level, will give me complete pieces to work on. I specifically did not get the Faber song books. One is 42 Famous Classics Arranged for Easy Piano, by Allan Small. It has some good reviews.

I'm still enjoying Faber though, currently at page 79, Simple Gifts. I pulled out my Alfred books and reviewed them, I still think Faber is far ahead with some of its selections. One thing that I disliked about Alfred were the arrangements with those honking G7 and D7 chords that found their way into so many of the early tunes.

iternabe

I recently finished Faber Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Book 1 through self study. @bassclef, I think you chose a good book/series.

I feel Faber hit a good balance moving a beginner like me on multiple fronts (technique, theory, reading, etc.) evenly and steadily. There are challenges on every new page, but none so difficult that a week’s practice cannot overcome.

As for the music, I like the variety in Book 1. The pieces on the early pages are obviously too short. But they get much better in the final one-third of the book. The arrangement done to accommodate beginners is also done well. The key, IMHO, is to play each piece to the best standard you can, but also to the standard required. In this regard, I benefited tremendously from the YouTube lessons by Gale in his “Let’s Play Piano Methods” channel. As beginner, I find myself not yet equipped to decipher all of the details printed in the music. Gale’s lesson will point out every one of them and what to do to make the piece sound right. I listen to everything he said, and I honestly think he is the best you can get for studying method books without a in-person teacher.

I already bought the Book 2. Before starting on it, I decided to first learn every piece in their companion book 1 for classical music. The music is really enjoyable to me. And just like the main book, there are some challenges on every page. But steady progress is well within reach - and that’s what motivates me every day.

bassclef

iternabe I already bought the Book 2. Before starting on it, I decided to first learn every piece in their companion book 1 for classical music. The music is really enjoyable to me. And just like the main book, there are some challenges on every page. But steady progress is well within reach - and that’s what motivates me every day.

I bought book 2 also. I couldn't help but want to look ahead! Then I tucked it away to focus on the current journey now that I know my next destination.

I also ordered the Faber sight reading books 1 and 2 which should arrive tomorrow. I think they may help reenforce and speed up my recognition of the notes. Although I read the bass clef well from playing bass, adding the treble clef and concentrating on it has not only introduced occasional hesitation on the treble clef, but bass as well occasionally.

Was the Faber book 1 your first method for piano? How long have you been playing?

hebele

I like my Faber Adult AIO 1. And it goes nicely together with "Lets Play Piano Methods" channel. I am on last third of the book now. Moving slowly because I got distracted by some other resources (technique, scales etc.). But I really enjoy following the book as a self learner. Mr Faber's videos are useful but they're mostly hints/clues/suggestions rather than in dept guides. There was a youtube commenter calling him "the hand wavy guy". I find it hilarious. Because Mr Faber is clearly master of this stuff but (like most pianists I see elsewhere) he waves his hands a lot 🙂

bassclef

hebele

Expressive! I watched an interview that he gave a few years ago while I was weighing Faber versus Alfred. I learned about the foundation and it was obvious that he is very dedicated and talented. I think I landed in the rights spot.

I've referenced that channel a couple of times already. Earlier I was wondering if 8va was referring to both staffs or just the treble and found my answer there. Good resource.

iternabe

bassclef Was the Faber book 1 your first method for piano? How long have you been playing?

I started in January this year. No prior music training. Faber AIO book 1 is my first book. I am also going through Alfred’s Scales and Arpeggio book daily.

Nightowl

bassclef I also ordered the Faber sight reading books 1 and 2 which should arrive tomorrow. I think they may help reenforce and speed up my recognition of the notes. Although I read the bass clef well from playing bass, adding the treble clef and concentrating on it has not only introduced occasional hesitation on the treble clef, but bass as well occasionally.

How are you getting on with these books - are they useful to help with sight reading? Also, are the pieces quite enjoyable or is it just a case of tolerating them as exercises to improve your sight reading? They say that playing a variety of easy pieces is good for sight reading and I'm considering buying some books like the ones you mentioned.

Nightowl

Hi @bassclef, I have not used the Faber book but it seems to have a good reputation. I use the Alfred's AIO books and am currently about a third of the way through book 2. From discussions I've read on various forums it seems that whichever method book you choose, there will be many pieces that are less than inspiring (and some that are actually dire), so it's a case of plodding through them, knowing that each piece has been chosen to help you build new skills.

I was curious about the selection of pieces in Faber, so had a quick look online at the contents page of book 1. I found that several pieces appear in both Faber and Alfred's Book 1 - here's a list, in case anyone is interested:

Happy Birthday
Amazing Grace
Can Can
When The Saints Go Marching In
Ode To Joy
The Entertainer
Greensleeves
Merrily We Roll Along
Jingle Bells

There are 63 pieces in Alfred's AIO Book 1, but some of them are just small extracts. I guess that Faber has similar snippets from various classical pieces which are not included in full because they would be way beyond the grasp of most beginners.

I have found Gale's tutorials on Let's Play Piano Methods very helpful - he is great at explaining things in a no nonsense way. Keep posting, it's always good to hear from other beginners as they progress through their journey.

bassclef

Nightowl

Thanks for the reply. I've already encountered one on that list, and another will be tonight or tomorrow. I don't mind some of those tunes, it's part of the process that leads to the reward. I just hope to find plenty more of the simple and instructive, yet pleasing melodies that have comprised most of the pages so far.

I have one exception that list, though. In a similar vein to Meatloaf's line "I'll do anything for love, but I won't do that," I won't play The Entertainer. No bribe, reward or coersion can change that. 🙂

Nightowl

bassclef OMG, bassclef those words you posted about The Entertainer are pretty much the same as my own words, posted a few months back on another forum! I was adamant that I wasn't going to play it and no one was going to make me! In the end various people persuaded me that it was a key piece and I'd be wise not to skip it, so I caved in. I never grew to love it, but I learned new techniques from it and saw the rationale for including the piece in the book. I even enjoyed playing certain measures, but it's not a piece I revisit often. One additional benefit for me was that I ended up doing some research about Scott Joplin's life and watched a film based on his biography - so that added a new dimension for me. I did skip a couple of other pieces though, and did not linger too long on pieces I didn't like.

bassclef

Nightowl

I don't know. It's just too bubbly for me. The sooner I get to the minor keys, the better. Knowing the tune in my head makes me wonder if the benefit is the quick bounces between certain chords. There must be other material out there that offers similar technique practice. I stand strong on this one.

Sophia

I notice that too with several pieces. I thoroughly disliked some and they miraculously grew on me when I forced myself to practise them.

Of course I too have my limits and flatly refused to even look at Jolly Good Fellow 😂

Nightowl

Sophia Ha, it's a pity you don't feel the same about Hokey Pokey, Sophia. 🤣 [Shudders at memory of multiple versions posted by some clown on forum who shall remain nameless.]
@bassclef - Just be thankful that from what I've seen Faber does not (appear to) include the widely despised piece Little Brown Jug... I still have nightmares when I recall that piece! But we all have different tastes and for every person who loves/loathes a piece there will be others feeling the opposite way. 🙂

bassclef

Sophia

So many great songs to love! 🙂

iternabe

Sophia Of course I too have my limits and flatly refused to even look at Jolly Good Fellow 😂

Not sure what Alfred’s version is like. Faber’s “Jolly Good Fellow” is a lead sheet. It only requires student to do blocked chords. But Gale suggested try broken chords, too. I ended up trying two patterns and spent a huge amount of time on that song 😓

Nightowl

bassclef There must be other material out there that offers similar technique practice. I stand strong on this one.

Ha ha ha, that's the spirit my friend! Don't let anyone grind you down, stick to your guns on this! 🤣😁 [Wonders how long it will be before Player1 comes along to pull newbie into line. Smiles at thought of another victim.]