The ABC of Piano Playing Is Being Discontinued (And What to Use Instead)
Published August 18, 2026 by Taras (Terry) Babyuk
Introduction
For decades, "The ABC of Piano Playing" by Boris Berlin has been one of the most familiar beginner piano method series in Canada. Many students took their very first steps at the keyboard with these books, and generations of teachers relied on them for their gentle, Middle C approach to reading music.
We recently learned that the series is being discontinued and will no longer be in print. Because this news is not yet widely known, we wanted to share what we have learned, explain what it means for current and future students, and recommend a few excellent alternatives you can turn to instead.
What is happening to the ABC of Piano Playing books?
We first heard that the books were being retired from staff at a local music retailer, and on August 17 we confirmed the news directly with the publisher, Frederick Harris Music. As a result, it appears that the series is being wound down and will no longer be reprinted. For now, you may still be able to track down copies at some retailers while existing stock lasts, but this will become harder over time.
Learn more about the story
The decision to discontinue the series follows serious allegations that have come to light concerning its author.
The Royal Conservatory of Music has published an official statement addressing the matter. If you are curious to learn more about the background, we would encourage you to read it directly from the source: A Message from RCM Regarding Student Safety and Institutional Accountability.
What to use instead: three beginner-friendly alternatives
The good news is that there are several outstanding beginner method series that fill the same role the ABC books did. Below are three we recommend for brand-new students. Each takes a slightly different approach, so a short description is included to give you some context before deciding which might suit you or your child best. As always, the simplest path is to let your teacher help you choose - the right method often depends on a student's age, goals, and learning style.
1. Faber Piano Adventures
Written by Nancy and Randall Faber, Piano Adventures is one of the most popular modern beginner methods in North America. It is colourful, musical, and thoughtfully paced, and it is supported by a full family of coordinated books (Lesson, Theory, Technique, and Performance) so students can go as deep as they like. For most young beginners, this is our top "what to use instead" recommendation. We carry several books from this series in our online shop.
2. Alfred's Basic Piano Library
Alfred's is a long-trusted, widely available standard that has introduced countless students to the piano. Its steps are clearly graded and easy to follow, and the series comes in editions tailored to different ages - including children, teens, and adults - which makes it a flexible, dependable choice for almost any beginner. (Alfred also publishes the newer Premier Piano Course, which is well worth a look.) You can find several books from this series in our online shop.
3. John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course
If it was specifically the ABC series' Middle C approach that you liked, John Thompson's course is the closest match. This classic, time-tested method also introduces reading from Middle C and progresses in small, familiar increments. It is a natural successor for teachers and students who appreciated how the ABC books were structured. We stock several books from this series in our online shop.
Written by
Taras (Terry) Babyuk
Piano teacher, co-founder of Da Capo Academy of Music, and creator of MusicDesk — software for independent music teachers and schools.
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