Lesson books · October 13, 2026

Faber, Alfred, Bastien or RCM: which piano lesson book is yours?

A short, plain guide to the four lesson book series most piano teachers use, and how any of them can be practised with a digital piano and an app.

If you have a piano teacher, there is a good chance your book is from one of four series. They all teach the same fundamentals: reading notes, rhythms, and hand positions. They just go about it in different orders.

LessonKeys is not affiliated with any of these publishers. This post is a plain-language guide to what each tends to be.

Faber Piano Adventures

Often picked for a clear, step-by-step progression and a lot of pieces that sound good early. Pieces tend to be short, with titles that make it easy for younger students to remember them.

Alfred's Basic Piano Library

One of the most widely used series. It takes a methodical approach, with plenty of theory and a gradual move through hand positions.

Bastien

Known for a careful, slow build. Good for students who benefit from lots of repetition of each new idea before moving on.

Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM)

Used heavily in Canada, and tied to graded exams. The pieces are chosen to prepare you for each grade, and the technical requirements are specific.

Which one is best?

For most students, the one your teacher is already using. A good teacher will adapt to the student, and the book is a tool, not the lesson.

Can I practise any of them with an app?

Yes. What matters is that you can read the page and play it. LessonKeys is built around the page your teacher assigned, from whichever book it comes from, so you can practise it between lessons with feedback on every wrong note.