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Best Alternative Method Book

Bastien Primer A Lesson and Theory Books

A structured, teacher-approved curriculum that pairs lesson and theory books from day one. Piano teachers on Reddit specifically recommend it for young beginners who need short, achievable goals.

$8-$15
Amazon
Pros
  • Pairs lesson book with theory book for well-rounded early learning
  • Structured progression from Primer A → Primer B → Level 1
  • Recommended by piano teachers specifically for young students needing achievable milestones
  • Widely available and affordable
Cons
  • More structured/traditional than Faber, which some young kids find less engaging
  • Best used with a teacher rather than for self-guided learning
  • Less colorful/playful visual design compared to Faber series
Why we recommend it

Bastien is the other name that keeps coming up alongside Faber in piano teacher communities — if your child's teacher prefers a more theory-forward approach from the start, this is the one to grab.

Sources
reddit.com4 year olds - r/pianoteachers
Reddit user (r/pianoteachers)

“I recommend Bastien Primer A, Lesson and Theory books. Then Primer B. Then Level 1. And so on. You want to give them SHORT, achievable things”

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