Faber Piano Adventures is a set of piano method books by Nancy and Randall Faber. The main series has eight levels, from Primer to Level 5. The level names can confuse a new parent, since there is a 2A and a 2B but no plain Level 2. This page explains the levels, the books, and where a child starts.
Four series for four ages
Faber publishes a different series for each age group.
| Series | Faber’s age range | Books |
|---|---|---|
| My First Piano Adventure | Ages 5 and 6 | Books A, B, and C |
| Basic Piano Adventures | Ages 6 to 11 | Primer, then Levels 1 to 5 |
| Accelerated Piano Adventures | Older beginners, about ages 11 to 17 | Books 1 and 2 |
| Adult Piano Adventures | Adults | Books 1 and 2 |
Children who start between about 6 and 11 use the Basic series. The rest of this page is about it.
The eight levels of the Basic series
- Primer
- Level 1
- Level 2A
- Level 2B
- Level 3A
- Level 3B
- Level 4
- Level 5
Faber calls this an eight-level course that runs from beginning to intermediate. A beginner of 7 to 11 starts at the Primer level.
The four core books at each level
| Book | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Lesson Book | The main book. It introduces each new idea. |
| Theory Book | Written work and games on the same ideas |
| Technique and Artistry Book | Exercises for the hands and for expression |
| Performance Book | Extra pieces to polish and play for others |
Faber also sells extras, such as Sightreading books, Gold Star Performance books for Primer to Level 2B, and books of popular and Christmas music. A teacher may use two of the core books or all four. Ask before you buy.
On Faber’s site in November 2026, a Level 1 Lesson Book lists at $9.99 US.
What each level teaches
This list comes from Faber’s own chart of concepts.
| Level | Main new ideas |
|---|---|
| Primer | Hand position and finger numbers. The names of the keys. Steps and skips. Quarter, half, and whole notes. The first notes on the staff. |
| Level 1 | Reading across both staffs. Intervals up to a 5th. Smooth and detached playing. Rests. The first chords in C and G. |
| Level 2A | Eighth notes. Getting louder and softer. Minor five-finger patterns. Moving a tune to a new key. Tempo words. |
| Level 2B | The pedal. The dotted quarter note. Full scales in C, G, and F major. Three chords in each of those keys. |
| Level 3A | Time signatures of 3/8 and 6/8. Triplets and swing rhythm. Ledger lines. One-octave arpeggios. |
| Level 3B | Octaves. Scales in A minor and D minor. Chord inversions. Sixteenth notes. |
| Level 4 | Key signatures with sharps. Two-octave scales in six major keys. More chord inversions. |
| Level 5 | Key signatures with flats. The circle of fifths. Three forms of the minor scale. Two-octave arpeggios. |
For the terms, read how to read music for parents and major and minor scales explained for kids.
Why eighth notes come late
Parents who learned from other books sometimes ask why Faber waits until Level 2A for eighth notes. Faber’s answer is that Primer and Level 1 use longer notes at a flowing pace. It says early eighth notes can make a beginner’s playing sound heavy and uneven.
Where a child starts
| Child | Where Faber starts them |
|---|---|
| Age 5 or 6, new to piano | My First Piano Adventure, Book A |
| Age 7 to 11, new to piano | Primer level |
| Age 11 or 12 and up, new to piano | Accelerated Book 1 |
| Finished Accelerated Book 2 | Level 3A of the Basic series |
A child who has had lessons in another method needs the teacher to place them. Faber publishes a chart that matches its levels to other method books.
How long a level takes
Faber gives no number of months for a level. It depends on the child’s age, the practice time, and how many of the books the teacher uses.
Faber does give practice advice.
| Stage | Faber’s practice guide |
|---|---|
| New beginner | 15 to 20 minutes a day |
| Level 1 and up | 30 minutes a day, six days a week |
| By Level 3B | About 45 minutes a day |
| Level 5 and beyond | About an hour a day |
Read how long should kids practice music each day for a view by age.
The PreTime to BigTime books
Faber has a second set of books with pop, jazz, classics, and other styles. Each title matches a level.
| Piano Adventures level | Matching library |
|---|---|
| Primer | PreTime Piano |
| Level 1 | PlayTime Piano |
| Level 2A | ShowTime Piano |
| Level 2B | ChordTime Piano |
| Levels 3A and 3B | FunTime Piano |
| Level 4 | BigTime Piano |
A child who loves film music can have a book of it at the right level.
What comes after Level 5
Faber points Level 5 graduates to its Developing Artist books of classical piano literature and sonatinas. A student can start the first literature book as early as Level 3A.
Some students move into an exam system at this point. Read Faber Piano Adventures and RCM levels: how they line up.
Faber’s own exams
Faber runs online exams for the Primer to Level 4. There is a theory exam and a performance exam with set lists of pieces. Ask the teacher whether their studio takes part.
Related pages
- Piano method books compared for parents
- Traditional piano lessons: what the first year looks like
- Composers in piano lesson books: who they were
- Music teaching methods for kids compared
Sources
Checked in November 2026.
- Faber Piano Adventures. Basic Piano Adventures.
- Faber Piano Adventures. 20 frequently asked questions about teaching.
- Faber Piano Adventures. Quick shop, for the age ranges.
- Faber Piano Adventures. Basic Piano Adventures: books and prices.
- Faber Piano Adventures. Piano Adventures correlation chart, May 2017. Hosted by Sheet Music Plus.
- Faber Piano Adventures. Performance exams.
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Use it with your kids
Print a listening page, a practice chart, or a composer fact sheet. Or try a tool, such as the composer timeline or the piece picker.