Why do I use Faber?

I've gotten several requests to share why I use Faber for teaching piano lessons.  I'm not against Alfred, Schaum, John Thompson or any other methods out there, but through my college training, I found that Faber was easy to use, especially for the young mind.  When thinking of how to write this post, I thought of 3 main reasons why I choose to use Faber above any other method.

Reason #1.  You are exploring the highs and lows of the piano.  You are using several fingers on the same note.  You are breaking through the mind frame that the piano only consists of one hand position.  So often, when I get students, they are SO focused on middle C.  Both thumbs on middle C, religiously.  For me, personally, this drives me crazy!!!  The piano is not like a flute or any other wind or brass instrument.  You can and WILL use several fingers on the same note, especially middle C.  It is a chore to get that past minds that are so focused on using the 5 fingers in the same position throughout an entire lesson book.

Reason #2.  The pace is slower than normal.  This is great for young minds as well.  I would not recommend using these books for anyone older than 8 years old.  8 year old's are able to grasp concepts at a significantly quicker rate than a 6 year old can.  However, if you have a child who is good with tempo, knows how to count to 10, and knows his/her alphabet, I find that Faber is an excellent starter method.  It's meant for younger kids.  I started the piano when I was 4.  Notes were confusing at first because my mind did not make sense of the fact that if the note goes up on the paper, the note goes up on the piano.  Faber slowly goes through these small steps in such a way that it's fun, engaging, and makes sense to either right or left brained kids.

Reason #3. Tempo is taught more profoundly.  Instead of using 1-2-3-4 (although they don't necessarily condemn it) quarter notes are 1, half notes are 1-2, dotted half notes are 1-2-3 and whole notes are 1-2-3-4.  So when you have a passage that is 4/4 with 4 quarter notes are are counting 1-1-1-1, instead of 1-2-3-4.  If you have two half notes you will proceed to count 1-2, 1-2. instead of 1-2-3-4.  As a young child I got SO confused with the ones, twos, threes, fours, and all those "in betweens".  I love this because you are focusing on the VALUE of the note.

So, this is my preferred method.  If I am teaching a brand new student, this is my go-to.  If I am getting a student who is already familiar with another method, then I usually try to stick with what they know and supplement with Faber.  What can I say?  I'm a Faber fan.  :)

If you are interested in buying Faber, they are available through Amazon for pretty cheap.