When you decide to start learning piano, it’s easy to feel unsure about which method book to choose and in what order you should practice.
In this article, we’ve picked seven classic piano method books that are widely used as you step up from beginner to intermediate and advanced: “Burnam,” “Beyer,” “Burgmüller,” “Czerny,” “Hanon,” “Inventions,” and “Sonatina Album.”
Use this guide to understand each book’s characteristics, study approach, and practice order—and to help you find the best fit for your goals.
Burnam
Difficulty / Stage: Introductory to beginner
Key features
• Learn melody and rhythm fundamentals with short mini-pieces and stick-figure illustrations in a fun way
• Each piece is brief, so it’s easy to feel a sense of achievement
• Useful not only for children but also for adults who want to refresh the basics
Pros
• Visual appeal helps keep motivation up
• Short pieces make it easy to practice even when busy
• Many teacher-friendly ideas; great for pre-lesson warm-ups
Cons
• Learners who progress quickly—or adults—may find it insufficient
• Not enough for deeper music theory or expressive study
• Child-oriented illustrations may not suit all adults
Effective Study Methods
Practice multiple short pieces per session
Skim through short pieces repeatedly to learn without getting bored.
Imagine the illustrated motions
Visualize the finger movements suggested by the stick-figure characters to internalize the basics.
Go slowly and accurately
Prioritize rhythmic and pitch accuracy to build a solid foundation.
Motivation tip
Set small milestones and practice alongside other repertoire or pop songs.
Beyer
Difficulty / Stage: Absolute beginner to beginner
Key features
• A progressive set of 106 pieces
• Firmly builds the foundations of piano—note reading, rhythm, fingering
• Long-established and widely used in educational settings
Pros
• Lets beginners step up without strain
• A classic gateway into Classical music
Cons
• Somewhat old-fashioned style; may feel monotonous
• It can take time before you can play favorite pieces
Effective Study Methods
Mind your hand shape and finger numbers
Correct form early on strongly influences future progress.
Hands-separate practice
Before putting hands together, grasp the melody and rhythm clearly.
Start at a slow tempo
Emphasize accuracy first, then raise the tempo gradually.
Motivation tip
Set small goals and record yourself; short, frequent practice builds a sense of progress.
Burgmüller
Difficulty / Stage: After Beyer—beginner to pre-intermediate
Key features
• Best known for the “25 Etudes”
• Many pieces feature beautiful melodies and rich character, making it easy to develop expression
• Each piece has a title, helping you imagine scenes as you play
Pros
• Enjoy real music while improving basic technique
• Learn with a focus on musicality and expression
Cons
• Some pieces have tricky fingerings or rhythms at first
• Because they are still etudes, they can feel monotonous unless you shape the expression carefully
Effective Study Methods
Clarify the musical image
Imagine the scene from the title and shape the character of the piece.
Practice in phrase-sized chunks
Understand the melodic line carefully and raise the tempo step by step.
Mind the dynamics
Control loud and soft not only by the score but also by listening to the resonance.
Czerny
Difficulty / Stage: Beginner to advanced (Op. 100, Op. 599, Op. 30, Op. 40, Op. 50, etc.)
Key features
• Etudes that focus on technique—finger independence, fast passagework, repeated notes, and more
• Difficulty increases step by step, making it easy to plan steady progress
Pros
• Systematically builds technique applicable across Classical repertoire
• Improves finger agility, making pieces smoother to play
Cons
• Many pieces can feel monotonous as music, which may lead to boredom
• Completing entire sets requires a significant time commitment
Effective Study Methods
Accuracy first at a slow tempo
Prioritize precision over speed and repeat targeted section practice.
Use a metronome
Prevent rhythmic instability and speed up gradually.
Practice in parallel with other pieces
Combine with Burgmüller or pop tunes to avoid monotony.
Hanon
Difficulty / Stage: Broadly useful from beginner to advanced
Key features
• A large collection of short exercises that intensively build finger mobility
• Efficiently acquires the basics of scales, arpeggios, and repeated notes
Pros
• Ideal for warm-ups
• Helps develop finger independence and repetitive motion
• Can be used alongside other books to bolster technique
Cons
• With little melodic content, repetitive patterns can feel monotonous
• Be careful of wrist and finger strain from forced tempo increases or long sessions
Effective Study Methods
Start slowly and accurately
Correct form and fingering are essential.
Repeat weak patterns intensively
Use targeted section practice to overcome them efficiently.
Build a short daily habit
Even 1–2 minutes of warm-up can be effective.
Inventions (Bach)
Difficulty / Stage: After Burgmüller or Czerny Op. 599—intermediate and above
Key features
• Etudes for learning Bach’s two- and three-voice polyphony (Inventions & Sinfonias)
• Requires advanced technique for true independence of the hands
Pros
• Builds polyphonic expression, adding depth to Classical performance
• Deepens understanding of music theory and counterpoint
Cons
• Overlapping voices can be complex, making them tough for beginners
• It can take time to fully appreciate their appeal
Effective Study Methods
Break down by voice
Practice each hand separately; then isolate the two or three voices before combining them.
Confirm overlaps at a slow tempo
Prevent inaccuracies and misalignments.
Be meticulous with articulation
Shape expression with dynamics, staccato, etc.
Sonatina Album
Difficulty / Stage: In parallel with Czerny Op. 599–Op. 849 and Inventions—up to intermediate
Key features
• Collects Classical-era (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, etc.) sonatinas
• Learn the basics of sonata form (exposition, development, recapitulation)
Pros
• Develops structural awareness and prepares you for larger sonatas
• Many beautiful, brilliant pieces suitable for recitals
Cons
• Multiple movements mean a single piece can take time to complete
• A wide latitude in tempo and dynamics can make interpretation tricky
Effective Study Methods
Set goals by movement
Work step by step—first movement, then second, and so on.
Understand sonata form
Grasp the themes and the changes in the development section to follow the musical flow more easily.
Stabilize the left-hand Alberti bass
Play the accompaniment pattern carefully to let the right-hand melody sing.
An Example Practice Order
- Burnam (Introductory): Learn melody and rhythm enjoyably with stick-figure illustrations.
- Beyer: Systematically acquire the basics—note reading, rhythm, fingering.
- Hanon (OK in parallel): Intensively build finger mobility to make other pieces easier.
- Burgmüller: Enjoy melodies while improving expression and technique.
- Czerny (Op. 30, Op. 40, etc.): Further train finger independence and fast passagework to level up technique.
- Inventions (Bach): Deepen understanding of polyphony, independence of the hands, and music theory.
- Sonatina Album: Learn Classical sonata form—your step toward intermediate to advanced levels.
The above is just one example, but it shows a common progression.
You can move things earlier or later—or study in parallel—according to your preferences and goals.
Summary: Enjoy the Piano with the Right Method Book
Each method book excels at different skills and learning themes.
For efficient progress, combine them according to your current level, interests, and goals.
- Burnam: Perfect for the introduction phase with short pieces and visual illustrations.
- Beyer: Ideal for absolute beginners; firmly builds fundamentals.
- Burgmüller: Step up while enjoying musical beauty and expression.
- Czerny: Specializes in technique—finger independence and fast passagework.
- Hanon: A set of exercises that intensively trains finger mobility and independence.
- Inventions (Bach): Deepen multi-voice understanding, expression, and theory.
- Sonatina Album: Learn Classical sonata form—a major step toward the intermediate level.
Use this summary to help you choose the right method books and practice approach for you.
Keep going at a comfortable pace—and enjoy a rich piano life.