Monday Mailbag – Adult Method Series
Do you have a favorite adult method series?
Honestly, no. I don’t really like any of the adult method books that I’ve used. For beginning adult students, I usually use the Faber Accelerated Piano Adventures. Many of the adult methods are more chord-based in their approach and I feel like that is a disservice to an older beginner who really needs to develop good technique and reading skills in both hands.
I also start adults almost immediately on scales, chords, and cross-hand arpeggios. They tend to have lots of questions and want to understand what they are playing, so I think learning applied theory is the best way to do that. In addition to the method book, I try to track down a supplemental book with a bit more challenging music along the lines of what they want to learn to play – hymns, praise songs, classical themes, folk music, etc. This is especially motivating and gives them a chance to learn big-sounding music or favorite tunes while still developing their reading and technique skills through the method books.
Well, that concludes our week of Mondays! 
That made a bit of a dent in the Monday Mailbag folder. It’s so much fun discussing these sorts of issues and getting input and different perspectives from other teachers. Thanks to those of you who have contributed to the discussion!
Remember, if you have a question you’d like to contribute to next week’s Monday Mailbag, leave it in the comments below or send me an e-mail sometime this week with Monday Mailbag in the subject line!
Hi Natalie,
I agree with your thoughts on adult method books. I am currently using the Faber Adult Beginner book, and while I don’t mind it, it is incredibly chord-based, which is a bit overwhelming for some students as they struggle to gain a concept of keys. In addition to supplementary repertoire books, I’m finding it helpful to have a separate technique book as well. Often adults have difficulty achieving even tone across the fingers or developing solid finger independence. I’m experimenting with the Dozen a Day series and receiving positive feedback from my adult students. Does anyone else have suggestions for supplementary technique books for adults? Thanks for your blog!
I currently have two adult students, one is a graduate student who wants to play beautifully and but also like pop music. For him I use Artistry (linear) and Faber Adult (more chordal) as a start. I also use sheet music as needed. Another is a student’s mom who is avid classical music listener and she wants to learn the right way. I use Artistry with her to begin, and will add Thompson Modern Piano course and later classical literature. One time I had a retiree lady who just wanted to learn to play and loved songs in all genre, Faber Adult worked fine with her.
I’d like to add that I avoid chords first though. I want to make sure they are comfortable with their handshapes and develop some independence of their fingers before introducing chords. I want to avoid the army boot stomping chord playing. So they develop playing line (5 finger scales works fine), intervals, and then chords.
I started my first adult student last year, knowing very little about what I was doing. I am amazed, however, to see that I am almost exactly following your methods!
I use the Faber Accelerated Piano Adventures and am very happy with it, though I don’t use Faber with any of my other students.
I wasn’t prepared for all the questions from my student as she sought to understand the “why” behind things, and I think I’ve overwhelmed her at times with my in-depth answers. I’m learning to sometimes say, “The reason ‘why’ is pretty complicated, but as you progress it will make more sense.” Is that OK? Do you always answer their questions?
Finally, do you use a theory book with your adult students? I want them to practice drawing all the musical elements and such, but most theory books (even Faber’s) can be beneath the adult at times.