Difficulty Reference
How difficulty levels compare across different piano method book series
| Level | Faber Lesson | Faber Supplementary | Alfred | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Lesson Book 1 (Units 1-5) | PreTime (Primer) / PlayTime (Level 1) | Level 1 | First year of study. Reading in C position, simple rhythms, basic dynamics. Hands mostly separate or in parallel motion. |
| Early Intermediate | Lesson Book 1 (Units 6-10) / Book 2 (Units 1-5) | ShowTime (Level 2A) / ChordTime (Level 2B) | Level 2 | Expanding hand positions, sharps/flats, I-IV-V7 chords, pedaling, 8th-note patterns. Both hands independent. |
| Intermediate | Lesson Book 2 (Units 6-10) | FunTime (Level 3A-3B) | Level 3 | Key signatures to 2 sharps/flats, scales, arpeggios, syncopation, more complex rhythms. Musical expression and phrasing. |
| Late Intermediate | Beyond Book 2 | BigTime (Level 4) | Level 4-5 | All major/minor keys, ornaments, extended chords, varied articulations. Longer and more demanding pieces. |
| Early Advanced | N/A | N/A | Level 6+ | Advanced technique, complex rhythms, extended repertoire. Concert-level preparation. |
| Advanced | N/A | N/A | N/A | Professional-level repertoire. Full mastery of technique and musical interpretation required. |
Beginner
- Faber Lesson
- Lesson Book 1 (Units 1-5)
- Faber Supplementary
- PreTime (Primer) / PlayTime (Level 1)
- Alfred Level
- Level 1
- Description
- First year of study. Reading in C position, simple rhythms, basic dynamics. Hands mostly separate or in parallel motion.
Early Intermediate
- Faber Lesson
- Lesson Book 1 (Units 6-10) / Book 2 (Units 1-5)
- Faber Supplementary
- ShowTime (Level 2A) / ChordTime (Level 2B)
- Alfred Level
- Level 2
- Description
- Expanding hand positions, sharps/flats, I-IV-V7 chords, pedaling, 8th-note patterns. Both hands independent.
Intermediate
- Faber Lesson
- Lesson Book 2 (Units 6-10)
- Faber Supplementary
- FunTime (Level 3A-3B)
- Alfred Level
- Level 3
- Description
- Key signatures to 2 sharps/flats, scales, arpeggios, syncopation, more complex rhythms. Musical expression and phrasing.
Late Intermediate
- Faber Lesson
- Beyond Book 2
- Faber Supplementary
- BigTime (Level 4)
- Alfred Level
- Level 4-5
- Description
- All major/minor keys, ornaments, extended chords, varied articulations. Longer and more demanding pieces.
Early Advanced
- Faber Lesson
- N/A
- Faber Supplementary
- N/A
- Alfred Level
- Level 6+
- Description
- Advanced technique, complex rhythms, extended repertoire. Concert-level preparation.
Advanced
- Faber Lesson
- N/A
- Faber Supplementary
- N/A
- Alfred Level
- N/A
- Description
- Professional-level repertoire. Full mastery of technique and musical interpretation required.
About These Levels
Each publisher uses their own grading system. This table provides an approximate mapping between Faber Adult Piano Adventures and Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course levels, plus a descriptive label used throughout this site. Individual songs may vary — these are general guidelines.