“What books should I buy if I want to learn piano?”
“What books should I buy if I’m want to get better at music theory?”
“What books should I buy if I want to learn jazz piano?”
“What are some just plain good piano books?”

The following is my list of music book recommendations for those who wish to either enrich their music study or would like to learn more about music, but cannot yet afford private lessons. A self-taught course requires even more discipline and motivation because you do not have a teacher to push you/guide you. That said, there are a lot of self-taught success stories – for example, my father started teaching himself 20 years ago and is still playing to this day. =) In the list below, I’ve included my favorite jazz piano books, my favorite piano anthologies, along with the music books I studied in college.

For beginning students, I always recommend purchasing 1) A Method Book, 2) A Theory Book, 3) An Anthology. After purchasing these essential items, you can add to your library based on your personal tastes.

Method Books

Method Books are a great way for the begginning pianist to learn about techniques, notation, and basic music terminology in a single compilation. Here’s a list of my favorite books – they all have their advantages and disadvantages. I often tell my students to purchase the book their most attracted to, as you’ll want the book that draws your attention.  I personally learned piano using the Alfred technique while growing up. I commonly use Alfred, Bastien, and Schaum in my private lessons. I’ve included bother children and adult method books.

Piano for the Young Beginner – Primer B Piano. For piano. Bastien piano. Bastien Piano Basics. Learn To Play. Primer. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, easy piano notation, fingerings, lyrics, harmony part (for the teacher) and illustrations. 48 pages. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company (KJ.WP231) (3) …more info

Alfred’s Basic Piano Course – Lesson Book – Complete Level 1 (1A/1B) (For the Later Beginner). For piano. Method/Instruction; Piano – Alfred’s Basic Piano Course. Alfred’s Basic Piano Library. Learn To Play. Beginner. Instructional book. Easy piano notation, lyrics, fingerings, instructional text, illustrations and introductory text. 72 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.2229) (5) …more info

Piano Adventures Level 1 – Lesson Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. 1. Softcover. 56 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1078. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420171) (17) …more info

Alfred’s Adult All-in-One Course – Level 1 (Book) (Lesson * Theory * Technic). For piano. Method/Instruction; Piano – Alfred’s Basic Adult All-in-One Course; Technique Musicianship; Theory. Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course. Instructional. Beginner. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, illustrations and performance notes. 160 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.5753) (27) …more info

Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course – Lesson Book (Level 1) For piano. Method/Instruction; Piano – Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course. Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course. Learn To Play. Beginner. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, illustrations, easy piano notation and fingerings. 96 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.2236) (12) …more info

Alfred’s Basic Jazz/Rock Course Lesson Book (Level 1). By Bert Konowitz. For Piano. Method/Instruction; Piano – Alfred’s Basic Jazz/Rock Course. Alfred’s Basic Piano Library. Beginner. Book. 32 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.6488)…more info

Bastien Piano For Adults – Book 1 (Book & CD) Edited by Lisa Bastien and Lori Bastien. Piano. For solo piano. Bastien piano. Bastien Piano. Instructional and Method. SMP Level 1 (Elementary). Collection and 2 accompaniment CDs. Standard notation, fingerings and introductory text (does not include words to the songs). Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company (KJ.KP1) (3) …more info

Classical Anthologies

Once you’ve learned the basics of piano playing, getting an anthology of songs is the next step. Anthologies are a great way to explore traditional repetoire while expanding your technique. Here are my favorite anthologies.

Library of Piano Classics (Piano Solo). By Various. For Piano Solo. Music Sales America. Classical. Softcover. 354 pages. Music Sales #AM66895. Published by Music Sales (HL.14019046) (9) …more info

An Introduction To Classics To Moderns – Easy Piano (Forty Very Easy Original Keyboard Pieces). Edited by Denes Agay. For easy solo piano. Yorktown. Renaissance, Baroque and Classical Period. SMP Level 2 (Late Elementary). Collection. Fingerings (does not include words to the songs). 32 pages. Music Sales #AM76654. Published by Music Sales (HL.14016181) (4) …more info

Music for Millions – Easy Classics to Moderns (Volume 17) (Music for Millions Series). Edited by Denes Agay. For solo piano. Music for Millions Series – Volume 17. Classical. SMP Level 4 (Intermediate). Collection. Standard notation, introductory text and fingerings (does not include words to the songs). 160 pages. Music Sales #AM41484. Published by Music Sales (HL.14009841) (2) …more info

Intermediate Grades – Classics To Moderns (Music for Millions Series). By Various. Arranged by Denes Agay. For solo piano. Music Sales America. Baroque, Classical Period and 20th Century. SMP Level 6 (Late Intermediate). Collection. Fingerings (does not include words to the songs). 160 pages. Music Sales #AM41617. Published by Music Sales (HL.14016140) (2) …more info

First Lessons in Bach, Complete (For the Piano). By Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Edited by Walter Carroll. For piano solo. Piano Collection. SMP Level 4 (Intermediate). Softcover. 40 pages. G. Schirmer #LB2066. Published by G. Schirmer (HL.50486403)…more info

Beethoven – Favorite Piano Works (Schirmer’s Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 2071). By Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Piano Collection. Softcover. 232 pages. G. Schirmer #LB2071. Published by G. Schirmer (HL.50486577)…more info

Basic Theory Books

I recommend the the two piano adventure books for children studying piano who are in their first years of study. Practical Theory is my favorite theory book for beginning musicians or older musicians who want to review all the basics.

Piano Adventures Level 1 – Theory Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Theory. 1. Softcover. 40 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1079. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420172) (1) …more info

Piano Adventures Primer Level – Theory Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Theory. Primer. Softcover. 48 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1076. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420169) (2) …more info

Practical Theory – Complete (A Self-Instruction Music Theory Course). Reference Textbooks; Textbook – General; Theory. General Theory. Instructional book (spiral bound). Instructional text and musical examples. 96 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.1998) (3) …more info

Jazz Theory Books

These jazz theory books are recommended for the intermediate-advanced musician. They can be overwhelming for a beginning player, but are great for those who already know the basics and are interested in learning deeper theory.

The Jazz Theory Book The most comprehensive Jazz Theory book ever published!. Theory and Jazz. Instructional book (spiral bound). Instructional text, musical examples and black & white photos. 522 pages. Published by Sher Music Company (SR.JTB) (12) …more info

Jazz Piano Scales & Modes By Misha V. Stefanuk. For Piano. Technic. Jazz. Beginning-Intermediate. Book. 104 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.98715)…more info

The Jazz Piano Book For piano. The most highly acclaimed jazz piano method ever published!. Instructional and Jazz. Instructional book (spiral bound). Chord names, instructional text, introductory text and black & white photos. 305 pages. Published by Sher Music Company (SR.JPB) (4) …more info

Complete Rags for Piano By Scott Joplin (1868-1917). For solo piano. Piano. Ragtime. SMP Level 9 (Advanced). Songbook. Introductory text (does not include words to the songs). 196 pages. G. Schirmer #LB2020. Published by G. Schirmer (HL.50482729) (41) …more info

20th Century Recommendations

These recommendations are for the late intermediate-advanced player.

The Stravinsky Piano Collection (14 Pieces). By Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971). BH Piano. 174 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051246359. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48019387)…more info

Phrygian Gates (Piano Solo). By John Adams (1947-). Piano Solo (no lyrics). SMP Level 10 (Advanced). 64 pages. G. Schirmer #AMP7860-2. Published by G. Schirmer (HL.50236310) (2) …more info