A Method Book for Every Student: Your Guide to Getting Started with Alfred Piano Methods

Choosing the right method book does more than teach notes — it meets each student exactly where they are and carries them forward with confidence. The right fit sets students up for a successful year; the wrong one can stall momentum before it ever builds.

That's where Alfred comes in. Whether you're seating a four-year-old at the keyboard for the very first time, guiding a seven-year-old through their foundational years, or helping an adult get playing quickly, we have a proven path for every age, pace, and goal — along with the correlated supplementary materials to customize each student’s experience. Here's how to choose the method that fits and exactly where each one leads next.

At a Glance

Not sure where a student belongs? Start here, then read on for the details.

Music for Little Mozarts

Who it's for

Designed for preschool-age children ages 4–6 — and used successfully with children as young as 3 — Music for Little Mozarts pairs thoughtful pacing with beloved characters to keep piano study engaging and accessible for even our youngest students.

What it covers

Students build the foundational concepts and skills that make everything else possible: keyboard geography, up/down, loud/soft, high/low, and proper piano technique, alongside basic rhythm, reading, and musicianship.

Where do you go next?

• Music for Little Mozarts, Level 4 is designed to flow seamlessly into Alfred's Basic Prep Course, Level C.

• Ready to move more quickly? After Music for Little Mozarts, Level 2, students can jump straight into Alfred's Basic Prep Course, Level B.

Alfred's Basic Prep Course

Who it's for

Designed for young beginners ages 5 and up, the Prep Course is built around the smaller hands and shorter attention spans of younger children, so early success comes naturally.

What it covers

The Prep Course introduces the same concepts as the early levels of Alfred's Basic Piano Library, just at a slightly gentler pace — laying down foundational rhythm, reading, theory, and technique right at the piano. 

What is covered in one book of Alfred’s Basic Piano Library is covered in two books in Alfred’s Basic Prep Course.

Where do you go next?

• After Level F, students are ready for Alfred's Basic Piano Library, Level 3.

• Every two levels offers an on-ramp into Alfred's Basic Piano Library whenever a student is ready for a faster pace:

• Prep Course Level B → Basic Level 1B

• Prep Course Level D → Basic Level 2

Alfred's Basic Piano Library

Who it's for

A great fit for most beginners ages 7 and up.

What it covers

• A clear, step-by-step approach that guides students from their very first skills all the way through intermediate-level playing.

• An eclectic reading approach that emphasizes the recognition of intervals and patterns.

• New rhythmic ideas introduced slowly and reinforced fully.

• An extensive library of correlated supplementary books, making it easy to tailor the curriculum to each student's individual needs.

Where do you go next?

• After completing Level 6, students are ready to take on virtually any intermediate piano literature:

• For standard classical repertoire, try an anthology like Masterwork Classics, Book 7.

• For popular music, explore our collection of Piano/Vocal Sheet Music.

Premier Piano Express

Who it's for

Ideal for teens and adults who want a faster pace.

What it includes

• Covers the same concepts in a similar order to the Premier Piano Course, delivered at a faster pace in a convenient all-in-one format

• An eclectic reading approach that emphasizes intervallic reading in a variety of positions

• Rhythms introduced in patterns

• Technique tips woven throughout the book

• Theory worksheets that reinforce concepts as students learn them

Where do you go next?

After Book 4, students are prepared for any intermediate piano music. (See the suggestions above.)

Alfred's Basic Piano Library Adult Courses

Who it's for

This course moves at our quickest pace, making it perfect for adults who want to get playing quickly. It's also an excellent fit for students coming from another instrument who already have a basic grasp of music theory.

What it covers

Book One covers the essentials: note reading, basic rhythms, intervals, and scales and chords (C, G, and F major, and A minor). Books Two and Three continue to build on those foundations and introduce additional key signatures.

Where do you go next?

• After Book One, students are prepared for any Early Intermediate or Easy Piano music.

• After Book Three, students are ready to tackle most of the intermediate piano repertoire.

Beyond the Lesson Book: Building a Complete Curriculum

No single lesson book can meet every student's needs — and it doesn't have to. What sets Alfred’s Basic Piano Library apart is the depth of correlated supplementary materials that let you build a course of study around each individual student.

At every level, Alfred's core methods are supported by Theory, Technic, and Recital books that reinforce each new concept exactly when a student encounters it. From there, the library keeps going: Notespeller, Sight Reading, and Ear Training books strengthen fundamentals, Repertoire books introduce correlated standard classical literature from the Baroque through the Modern era, and performance collections cover popular music, holiday favorites, hymns, duets, and ensembles.

The key is that every supplementary book is correlated page-by-page with the lesson book, so a student is only ever practicing skills they're truly ready for. With more supplementary publications than any other piano method, Alfred’s Basic Piano Library gives you the freedom to add technical reinforcement for one student, extra repertoire for another, and a favorite pop arrangement to keep a third motivated — all without ever leaving the method.

The Right Start, Every Time

Whatever a student's age, pace, or goal, there's an Alfred method built to match — and a clear path forward when they're ready for the next step. Explore the full lineup and the correlated supplementary materials that make each one easy to customize, and give every student the confident start they deserve.