Book Description

With clear and easy-to-understand exercises, The Piano Handbook is perfect for anyone interested in learning the piano or improving their skills. It provides fresh material and techniques in styles ranging from classical to jazz, rock, bebop and fusion, and gives new players everything they need to learn and enjoy the piano. This book's innovative tutorial approach covers classical and contemporary music styles in an integrated way, and the companion CD brings the playing techniques and concepts to life. A full-color photo gallery illustrates the history of the piano and its essential recordings. This hardcover, deluxe edition also features semi-concealed spiral binding so the book stays open on the piano. The Piano Handbook prepares you not just to play, but to perform - and not just as a pianist, but as a complete musician.

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Customer Reviews (47)

Never received
Even though the supplier says that they shipped my order on 12/3/07, it is now 1/22/08 and I have yet to receive the book.It was shipped by the United States Postal Service and, according to my local USPS office, it went to the wrong place and is sitting in Philadelphia with an unknown delivery date.So - I've paid for merchandise that no one can help me retrieve.

Fantastic book for anyone w/ some musical background
This book is fantastic for anyone with a basic musical background who wants or needs to learn piano. Especially great for any musician who needs to add piano. It's hard to imagine how this book could be made better, it's so close to perfect now, and a tremendous bargain at this price!

Very bad binding
It is very difficult to use this book cause of the binding, the content is so so, want to learn, go with other books.

An excellent course for the "post-beginner" piano student
I've found that this is a fantastic book for those, like myself, with prior musical backgrounds.While some reviewers here don't like the fact that there is not a wealth of simple, children's tunes here to teach them the fundamentals of the musical vocabulary, I find this refreshing and one of the reasons I appreciate it as much as I do.

There are plenty of books and methods available to teach beginning material such as the musical staff, clefs, sight reading, etc. through simple children's songs.Some reviewers seem to want that.I don't.I wanted a method that would teach me step by step how to play music on the piano by way of musical examples other than "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", Happy Birthday" and "Home On The Range" and the like.

I have found this book to be unique in that the author seems to respect the serious student by not using a wealth of simple kid's tunes to comprise his entire Chapter 1.Conversely, the author instead presents examples that present the fundamental beginning finger motions that one will need later on in their practicing and playing.The exercises provided are NOT kid's tunes and are excellent in teaching these fundamental motions.

Some on here have complained about the lack of beginning material and that the author moves too quickly for beginners.It seems to me instead that the author actually expects each student to study and practice each exercise to perfection before moving on.By presenting a perfectly graded series of exercises that up the ante of challenge in just the right amount, I have found that my skills are increasing with each exercise I master.

I would recommend that one take their time with this course and thoroughly master each exercise to get the most out of it.I've gotten through the first 2 chapters in just about a month of daily practice and can't wait to continue working through the rest of this book.

The right book for the thinking adult
Finally, a book that challenges and interests me right from the start! Thank you so much, Carl; I hope wherever you are, you are reading this. Even the negative reviews of this book have me excited, since it's perfect for my desires. I have only finished the first Unit, but in my opinion that's the "make-or-break" section of a method book.Each exercise really works your thinking skills and provides interesting challenges.Even the simple exercises throw in slight twists, like finger position changes, or eighth notes on the left hand for a measure, and so on.

Finally, the melodies are something I can have in my head without going nuts!That's huge for me, because the tune will echo in my head after I've learned the basic melody, and if it's a good tune (even though basic), it'll draw me back to the piano to play it out one more time. If it's a horrible little kid's tune, I have to turn on the radio for my MMRT (mental music replacement therapy), and I sure don't feel inclined to practice it. As adults, aren't we picking up piano because we are musical critters?This book rewards the musical person in me and my thinking abilities.

As an example, the last song in Unit 1 is a build-up of your previous practice, as you would expect.Do you know how many times I've slogged my way through method books to the last "big" piece, only to find it's something like "Heart of My Soul" or "Kuumbaya." GAH!! That's my cookie for getting through the Unit? (Oh, blast, now *those* tunes are in my head.) I was so thrilled, when, after playing the left hand notation and then the right hand notation, the piece in this book emerged as sweet, simple melody, kind of like one you would hear in a Jane Austen movie, and certainly one I would be happy to play in front of others!(Who would ever burden their friends with a novice rendition of Kuumbaya?)

One thing I am curious about in this and other method books.Why have readers practice the piece first with the right hand melody and then the left?I do it in reverse, since my left is clearly the least flexible and the neuro-synaptic memory paths the least developed.This is ironic, given that I've played guitar for many years, so you think that'd give me a leg up, but man, my left hand cannot dance!

Oh, yes, and if you want to gauge if this is the right book for *you*, I've played guitar for quite a few years, so I'm fairly comfortable with treble clef notation, and I've also attempted--at two separate times--to learn piano with different methods, such as the _Play By Choice_ and the Hal series.So, I've had some exposure to keyboard.If you are a total novice, I would get a very slim intro book and work that one first, but if you are a *thinking* total beginner, get the slimmest intro book you can find, because too many adult method books are not for adults, imo.

Both of the other method books just left me discouraged because there was so MUCH ground to cover before interesting material came up.I really had to slog through the exercises, and my motivation gradually declined.My guess is that a lot of piano method books are originally designed for children and then re-purposed for adults, and that just didn't work for me.

Finally, this is simply a beautifully bound book, and the spiral back very clever.What a good investment. ... Read more

Book Description
A beginning course for adults who prefer a chord approach. It teaches chords for both hands so that the student can play more than single note melodies. It contains outstanding songs such as "The Entertainer," "Scarborough Fair," "Greensleeves" and "Amazing Grace." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

Songs available online
For those who didn't find the CD with the book, I found the songs online at http://www.sonicx.com/Alfred/

Love this book
I had knowledge on music and some self-studied skills on Guitar and Harmonica, but no experience with any keyboard instruments. I found this book very easy to follow and very well structured. After a little bit more than one month, I have finished the C position exercises, and fell very comfortable with self-studying piano.

Highly recommend to adults who want to self-study piano in their own pace!

Great for Lessons
These books were required by my piano teachers. They were very easy to learn from and and use for more practice and fun.

Highly recommended
I have no musical background whatsoever and this book makes me feel like I've got lots of talent.It is easy to navigate and learn the basics.A truly must have for every beginner.

Just what I needed!
I am a thirty-something person learning the piano with no musical experience at all. This book has definitely taught me to play, and no other book I picked up came close. The Alfred book starts at the very beginning with pictures of numbered fingers and numbered keys. And within a few pages you're reading music and playing with two hands! The pace is appropriate for an adult, progressing quickly, but with full explanation of each new skill.

I would still recommend getting additional beginner books if you're serious about learning the piano, because it's useful to have a variety of resources, but this book is the one that taught me to play.

Good luck! ... Read more

Product Description
Gives students the tools for expressive performance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great 1st learning piano Book
This is a clear and easy to understand book for very beginners of piano.It makes learning fun and enjoyable. ... Read more

Product Description
A series for the early beginner combining rote and note approach. The melodies are written with careful thought and are kept as simple as possible, yet they are refreshingly delightful. All the music lies within the grasp of the child's small hands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Solidly organized and effective
Beyond the simple enjoyment of playing a song, learning to play music is a catalyst for discovery and learning in life.Rudiments such as fractions are learned by understanding the key signature.Motor skills are developed in both hands.Processing of symbols into piano keys and then piano keys into musical tones that, when played together, create a song.We often forget this as adults, or never learned it.The key with teaching these things effectively to kids is to make it fun, keep the lessons to a reasonable length and to get involved as a parent or teacher.

Teaching Little Fingers To Play is perfect for introducing children to the joy of playing a piano.It provides short, fun songs that kids can sing along to as they develop their skills playing.My daughter finds so much enjoyment in practicing and can't wait to "figure out" the next song.The skills and knowledge are added little by little in such a way that they build on what is already developed, rather than overwhelming the child.The notes to the teacher are also helpful, particularly when the teacher is simply a parent who isn't a piano virtuoso.

The price is VERY affordable and the book simply works well, particularly for my child.I'd recommend this book for any child under the age of 10.I don't think you'll be disappointed if you buy this book.I certainly wasn't.

Good although fast moving
Good first book for learning piano, but our teacher requested we get another book to accompany this, since this one moves a little too fast for our kindergartener.

Just as I remember.
My grandmother had this book at her house when I was a child.I taught myself how to play piano ( a little bit) with it.I am going to use it to teach my children.

NOT for the earliest beginners
Despite what the title says, "A Book For The Earliest Beginner", I feel that it's not for the kids younger than 6 or 7.Requiring to read the music notes on the lines right from the beginning is too much for the kids who barely know alphabets.This book could be fine for older kids or for supplementing other courses.Try Alfred's books which I found much easier and gradual on very young children.If they are under 5, you could try Alfred's Prep Course.

John Thompson's piano course
Just as I remember from years ago in modern version.Very user friendly and perfect for any age to learn to play piano. ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. Contains worksheets, reading-aloud exercises and accompaniments for teacher or parent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good for a young learner
I've been teaching my 5-year-old to play and she has progressed quickly using this book.I've been playing since I was 4 myself, but I haven't taught music to anyone.This has been easy to use and I like that it comes with accompaniments to each piece that I can play with her.It references a CD, but mine didn't come with one.

Great for young beginners
I love it. Students learn the notes one-by-one in songs with duet accompaniment. There are work pages to do along with songs to play. The book is colorful and fun to look at. The progression moves along slowly so that each concept is learned; while at the same time students are playing songs each week and feeling much success. I like it a lot better then the old Thompson series.

excellent
I used these books when I was a kid.I bought this one for my daughter to help her learn the piano.It is very well put together and kid friendly.

Great Beginner's Piano Book
This book is wonderful to begin teaching young children the rudiments of piano playing.The children are most excited when they have to play their parts while I play the accompaniment.These 'duet' sessions have generated much joy, laughter and fun, which is what music should be to children.

If your child requires more challenging work, I would suggest using this book in tandem with another book like from Michael Aaron's series or John Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers to Play". ... Read more

Book Description
At first glance, a piano may seem like an intimidating instrument that would be very difficult to learn how to play, but despite what your seventh-grade piano teacher may say, playing piano isn't brain surgery. It just takes time, practice, and patience.

Piano For Dummies starts at the very beginning and walks you through everything you need to know to turn that oversized hunk of furniture into an instrument that can make beautiful music. If you don't know how to read music, this book explains in friendly, uncomplicated language all the basics of music theory and applying it to playing the piano. And if you've been playing piano for a while – or took piano lessons when you were a child but haven't played since – you can pick up some valuable tips to improve your playing or use the book as a refresher course.

Here are some of the topics you'll find in Piano For Dummies:

• Buying a piano: Acoustic versus electronic
• How a piano works, and how to care for one
• Left- and right-hand piano techniques
• Examining keys, scales, melodies, harmonies, and chords
• Plenty of musical examples to play
• The history of piano musical styles
• Advice for piano teachers
• A Top Ten list of pianists you should know about

So if you've always wanted to learn to play piano, but you don't have the time to take piano lessons, you can pick up the basics in Piano For Dummies; you'll be tickling the ivories with ease in no time! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

easy to read
This is an excellent book for teaching yourself piano. All the reviewers who slam this book for corny humor can go jump in a lake. There are plenty of serious music books that just shovel out the facts in a dry manner, so if that is what you want, fine, no reason to get uptight about a book that trys to use a more human touch. I want to also make it clear that the book does not tell jokes per say, so you dont have to read through long groaners to get to the material. The author simply interjects personal examples. Its a technique that is used in all the dummies books, if you dont like it, dont read dummies books.

An easy way to learn...
It's very easy to learn piano with the this book and it's really funny. You learn without the stress of a regular "learning manual".

Excellent place to begin
Easy to understand - even for someone with no musical talent or experience.Great place to start.

Perfect just for beginners
This book is perfect if you want to play piano and you don't know anything about it. The book is plenty of jokes and all kind of information but nothing complex that you can't take it. This book is worthy of its title :-P I bought this one because I bought first "The piano handbook" and this one is not so good for beginners, but perfect for intermediate and advance that missed something or what to learn a different scale or style.

Excellent despite the stale jokes
I wanted to brush up on piano playing as I haven't been near a piano for about 40 years, and for this purpose I found the book excellent, though I haven't read similar introductory books so can't compare. Other reviewers have complained about the stale jokes, but for me this was a minor irritation. Music theory can be tedious, and the typically light "Dummies" touch counteracts what could otherwise have been a ponderous read. Even bad jokes are preferable to learned tomes that take themselves oh-so-seriously.

The book contains a wealth of basic and reference information, and the various issues are explained clearly, assuming no prior music knowledge. Unlike many introductory books the chapters do not necessarily have to be read in sequence (though doing so would probably provide a better basis) - the book is well structured, with lots of references to other chapters should you need clarification of terms explained elsewhere.

Using a DIY book effectively instead of piano lessons obviously requires some effort from the reader's side, though the accompanying CD does help. I also liked the attention given to the various styles, from classical to rock, blues, pop, jazz, country and soul.

One of the first hurdles is learning to read notes, after which things become much easier. If you want to start playing real songs and tunes as soon as possible, you'll find a few in this book, including the beautiful "Aura Lee" (made famous by Elvis Presley as "Love me Tender") which is surprisingly easy to play.

On the downside, many of the other tunes serving to illustrate a point are, to my mind, not very exciting, but then having musical notation of the more modern hits would probably have increased the selling price due to royalties considerations. So, for instance, we get the traditional and rather tame version of "The House of the Rising Sun" instead of the haunting hit arrangement by The Animals, who made it famous in popular culture.

When I was a kid I had a year's piano lessons, but it just didn't work for me. Reading this book has helped me looking at music and the piano / keyboard in a new way, and I have since bought a few "Easy Piano" songbooks and enjoy mastering new tunes.
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Book Description
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for the beginner looking for a truly complete piano course that includes lesson, theory, technic and popular repertoire in one convenient, all-in-one book. This course has a number of features that make it particularly successful in achieving this goal, among them are smooth progression between concepts, the thorough explanation of chords and outstanding song material. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of music. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Good for beginners if you are comfortable with a Middle C approach
This book is good for adult beginners in that it starts them playing songs right away. It uses a Middle C approach, however, which I do not care for as I think it makes it more difficult to play later on. I teach piano for all ages and I've found that when I use the Music Tree series (for adults and children) my students have an easy time reading music. When they use a Middle C approach, they associate the fingering with note names and have a hard time telling me that the 2nd space in treble clef is an A (and so on). Re-learning to read music is always frustrating. That being said, I do think adults have an easier time breaking this habit, so I would not say not to purchase this book. There is also theory in it, which is a plus. I would say it is good, not great.

A good experience
With a teacher or without one its great for serious students. Very clear and precise.

Great text but lousy CD
I am a new piano player and have found this to be an excellent book for teaching the basics of music theory and getting me to the point where I could play pieces such as Greensleeves and Scarborough Fair that actually sound quite good. The down side is the CD - as others have said the CD is a big disappointment and a waste of money. I expected to hear a single piano instrument but the piano is accompanied by other instruments and, having an untrained ear, I can not pick out the piano form the rest and therefore found the CD useless.

Good source....
A good place to shop; well packaged, prompt, and the book came in perfect condition.I'd recommend this site to anyone....

Well crafted course for the older beginner
After reviewing numerous 'method' books on piano, I found this one to be the most comprehensive and well rounded of the lot. Utilizing the best apsects from the myriad methods developed over the years, this book engages the student with popular tunes, theory and technical exercises from the likes of Hanon and Leschetizky, without overemphasising any one element at the expense of another. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (45)

Great, great, great!!
Just a few words: This guy loves pianos as much as I do. Buy this book. You won't regret it. I use it with my customers and my piano store, I use it for my own piano. It covers so many details that it will be a big mistake not to buy it. I has very well documented info, so you are very well prepared to buy, sell, rent, move, determine value of a piano. And the author keeps you updated each year.

Congratulations to the author...

Excellent, As Touted
The previous positive reviews are true; this is an indepensable book for anyone in the market for a piano.

Great book
This supplement and the original book helped me a lot on choosing my first piano in terms of brand, model, and price range.I finally bought a Yamaha U1.Thank you Larry Fine.And Amazon's shipping is very fast.

I'm a pianist and I love it!
I'm a graduate piano student in the market for a piano.As I was doing some research into what I need to look out for, a piano tech at my school told me I should look into this book.I purchased it and am so glad I did.As a serious pianist, I know what I'm looking for in an action and the sound I like, but hadn't the slightest idea how to find an appropriate piano for me.The book has the most helpful information, and now I understand the industry better and feel like I can shop as a knowledgeable consumer.If you're looking to buy a new or used piano, this book along with its current supplement is definitely a must-have.As a pianist, I know this book will always have an important spot on my shelf as a useful reference.

Arm yourself with the 2007-08 Piano Book & Supplement!
I read this book before my very first piano purchase, and the information Mr. Fine shared in the chapters "Buying a New/Used Piano" was invaluable. I entered the retailer's floor thinking that I would buy a brand new piano but was most impressed by the sound, tone, feel of a 98-year-old vintage German piano. I took The Piano Book with me and read the history of the European manufacturer while trying out many pianos on the floor. I made the purchase after comparing many pianos and saved thousands of dollars because I was prepared to negotiate a fair price based on the 2007-2008 Supplement and The Piano Book. The combination of both books helped me differentiate facts from the retailer's selling points, which is essential when committing to large investments. Being informed also led to more respectful negotiations between the customer and the shop owner. My experience when purchasing pianos, cars, or other big-ticket items is that retailers appreciate it when they perceive a knowledgeable customer, and they do not attempt to take advantage of you as forthrightly.
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Book Description
This book begins with an extensive review of the chords and keys previously studied, using fresh and interesting material that will provide enjoyment as well as reinforcement. Particularly noteworthy is the systematic presentation of chords in all positions in both hands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

GOOD SELF-TEACHING AID
I took piano lessions years ago {now 64} i wished to start back so i bought a keyboard. Looking at Amazon for some lession books I came across these three volumes by Alfreds and decided to buy.Very glad I did. If you stick with it and practice, you will do well and teach yourself how to play some good music. My wife got interested and now she is playing. You will love the progress of the lessions and will learn much. One more thing these lessions are for real, not the right-hand, one-hand like some, these books {three} are for the serious person who wants to learn music and play well. You won't go wrong and you CAN do it all by yourself. Michael Beckflorence, Alabama.

Still great
I used these in piano class, my dad used these 50 years ago, my grandmother is using them to teach herself now. Great for everyone and always a classic.

decent beginning
this book and john thompson's modern piano book are the only beginning adult instruction books that I could find

Good service and quality
The book was in great shape, the price was right and the delivery was quick.

Very Good
This version of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course is very good, but I think that the Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic level 2 would be a better, more up-to-date choice. ... Read more

Book Description
The SUZUKI METHOD of Talent Education is based on Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's view that every child is born with ability, and that man is the son of his environment. According to Dr. Suzuki, a world- renowned violinist and teacher, the greatest joy an adult can know comes from developing a child's potential so he/she can express all that is harmonious and best in human behavior. Students are taught using the ""mother-tongue"" approach. Suzuki Piano School Materials include: Piano Books (Vol. 1-7) * Cassettes (performed by Meiko Miyazawa, Vol. 1-4) * William Aide Performs Suzuki Piano School (Cassettes & Compact Discs, Vol. 1-7) * Haruko Kataoka Performs Suzuki Piano School (Cassettes & Compact Discs, Vol. 1-3) * Valery Lloyd-Watts Performs Suzuki Piano School (Cassettes and Compact Discs Vol. 1-7). Suzuki Method Core Materials available for piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, harp, guitar, and recorder." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Suzuki Piano School Volume 1, REVISED EDITION (Suzuki Piano School
My 2 small boys began taking piano lesson this fall and they have been able to read this book. It is so easy for kids to practice. It helped my kids allot that they will be playing in the Christmas celebration at their school

Good method of building knowledge
I quit Suzuki piano as a child (didn't like my teacher, didn't like learning notes), but recently took it back up again.I now understand the value of Suzuki--and wish my first teacher had embodied what the method is all about.I am currently teaching myself, but see how the use of both hands and chord usage in progressing songs is very valuable in the learning process.What they teachyou in the building/base songs transfer easily to more complex songs and classic pieces--and the pieces are all very nice--I recommend ordering the CD/tape to learn, as learning by ear is just as valuable as learning to read at this stage--I think they go hand in hand--and memorizing the song from the CD then being able to translate it onto the piano is very rewarding.I'm now on the second book...looking forward to the third!I was able to easily branch out to other piano books based on my foundation knowledge from the Suzuki method.That said, I did supplement it with some theory (as I don't have a teacher, and these books rely on a teacher for that aspect).I recommend Humphries book for theory--with internet reading as a supplement!Hanon exercises are very helpful, too.

Great Piano Training Method
I bought this book for "nostalgia:" I just picked up a keyboard and wanted to play the songs I grew up on in my Suzuki piano lessons.It's funny how the memories come flooding back - how I got terribly sick of that monstrous 8 page Sonata in the middle, but loved the last song "Gigue," etc.And now that I don't have to practice for a teacher, I have great fun just relearning the ones that I truly enjoyed.
Most people aren't going to buy this book out of the blue without a history of Suzuki piano, but if you do, be forwarned that it's reasonably advanced, not beginner level: I don't think I reached it until about 6 years into my piano career.
But the music is printed in good, legible text, and there are lots of fingering hints which are a rare find in "grown up" piano music.

This book is volume 7!
I ordered this book thinking volume one. Volume one is for the beginner like my 3 years old son. Imagine my surprise when I received volume 7 which is very advanced... This Suzuki method is great but please be careful this is volume 7 not 1.

Excellent
I started my 3 1/2 year old in this program and she is now five.She is playing unbelievably!This program is for everyone!Make sure you buy the companion cd or cassette with this.Also get Nurtued by Love, by Dr. Suzuki. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Alfred's Basic Piano Library Level 1AGets FIVE STARS!
I have taught piano lessons for over 20 years.During that time, I have found that Alfred's Basic Piano Library Level 1A is great for young beginners.When children are about 5-6 years old, they have trouble controlling their hands, as well as multi-tasking.So, learning to use fingers correctly, count, and learn letter names can be very frustrating.In ABPL Level 1A, children do not have to learn the names of the notes at first.They merely play the notes according to the numbers of their fingers.The notes go up or down the scale, but they are not on a staff.So, they learn fingering and counting, but not letter names for the first several weeks.
Level 1A also introduces C D E first and then F in the bass.This isbetter for the children because they often mistake B below middle C for D above middle C.They also mistake A for E, and G for F, and vice versa.B A and G in the bass clef (right below middle C) are not introduced until later in the series.

Good Book for Young Beginners
I have been using this book with young students [...] for the past 8 years.It moves at a comfortable pace and introduces good musical concepts.I definitely recommend the accompanying Theory Book to reinforce the concepts over the time between lessons.My students have had good results and advanced quickly with this as their start.I have been very happy with it.

Perfect for a young student
I chose this book to teach a 6 year old new student. It's a wonderful book because it progresses slowly- each page introduces one new concept and has the child practise it in small steps. It is perfect because the child does not become overwhelmed. The illustrations are really nice too. And the print is big and spacious-looking. You can also get it with a CD that goes along with it for $1 more.
After ordering the Usborne book here and finding it crowded and confusing, I went to my local music store and picked this book out of all the beginning piano books. It's a really nice one. ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Beginning students can benefit
The John Thompson beginning piano series has always been a good instructional tool.This is very basic and a little slower pace for young students. I personally prefer to teach with the "red" John Thompson beginning series book for interest and pacing, as well as the Lelia Fletcher beginning piano book.You can't really go wrong with John Thompson, but it helps to utilize a variety of beginning level books to keep students interest.

Not my child's favorite piano book
This book is for someone with a previous knowledge of written music, since this is not my daughter's case, she thought it was too dificult for her. Maybe once she learns to read music this will be a great book, for now however, since she likes another book I bought with a much different approach to teaching piano, she doesn't even want to try this one.

After 62 years, still one of the best of the best!
It's my business to know what works because I'ma full time professor of piano both at university level and in the private sector.The John Thompson series has always been one of the best traditional learning method booksfor students who wish to learn how to play piano (or keyboard). This book is part of the "easiest series"which was originally published by Willis back in 1945.This series is not the original "Teaching Little Fingers To Play"-- I call it the "red book" series simply because all the covers to each grade levelare red in colour.The red book series was Thompson's first piano method published in 1931.In fact, I still have my original "Teaching Little Fingers" book from when I started at age 5.The important fact to remember about the "Easiest" series is it's purpose.It was designed for persons who have had difficultywith John Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers to Play"(which is the primer which leads to "Grade One, Grade Two"and so on.You will find this "Easiest"series the continuation of the John Thompson Easiest Piano Course, Part One. And, like "Part One"it progresses at a slower rate .I use this series for very young students, ages 4 to perhaps 6/7.
One final thought:None of the John Thompson piano courses were designed to be"self teaching" methods.And, no matter what any teacher tells you, there is NO piano course which can be used as a "stand alone" curriculum.This includes publishers like Bastien, Faber and Faber, and others.Fortunately, any of the John Thompson method books far surpass the others.One caveat:If you want to learn pop music or to play using chords, I would recommend"The Older Beginner Piano Course" by Bastien.However, if you want to learn traditional classical (so called"serious" music), than this book would be a good choice (although I would try the "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" Thompson book first.It progresses a bit faster but is just a little more difficult). Please visit mywebsite for more information and FREE downloads likechord charts and Circle of Keys, and much more.Go to:http://kenmahood.com/.......and don't forget to practice!:)

Cool!
The book is so cool. Please buy it. The songs are great. My favorite there is the ballet dancer it's so great. you learen new notes. ... Read more

Book Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A Classic!
I learned to play the piano with the John Thompson series and used it for my students when I was teaching.I just purchased this book in addition to "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" as I am now going to be teaching my son piano.The pieces in this book advance appropriately and are interesting and fun to play.When I received it, I opened it and started to play and took a nice trip down memory lane!I highly recommend the entire John Thompson series.

A classic
I actually didn't need this for my 7-yr-old daughter, whom I am teaching piano, because I finally found my old copy from 30 years ago (after I ordered).Doesn't look like anything has changed, which is fine.Easy to see why this book is still in such common use.

Not what I'd hoped
I ordered this piano book for my son who is just learning because I remembered it as one of the ones I learned from as a child. What I didn't remember was that each piece written has the finger numbers next to each note. The hands don't move along the piano as you play one piece or another, so the fingering is the same from beginning to end of any given song. This leads the person playing it to not really read the notes but rather the number associated with which ever finger to play it.

When learning to play piano, one needs to learn to read the notes and unfortunately John Thompson puts the finger number by each note through each piece, undermining the whole purpose of having a beginning piano book to teach with.

This book is ok if the student already knows how to site read the notes but it isn't for the beginning student.

Still the best after all these years
My aunt used the Thompson books, I used the Thompson books, my grandmother [a piano teacher] used the Thompson books. I, a piano teacher, use Thompson books.WHY?They advance appropriately, one doesn't have to buy a zillion other books to go with them [and constantly be running to the music store to buy supplemental books---see Faber and Faber, for example; and Faber is a very good, modern series. But Costly Costly Costly to get all the parts.]Thompson has it all in one place.It doesn't have a ton of theory, though, and a wise teacher will supplement Thompson for that.Not only are the pieces interesting and challenging, they can be colored!Yes!We all know how many music students tend to be artistic, so you've got even happier students!I have to say, though, that if you're looking for something with a slower and [sorry to say] "dumbed down" approach, Thompson is NOT for you. It does work well for adults, but the Faber adult books are more specific to adult learners, and I prefer them for that student population.Long Live John Thompson Books!

"Even Beethoven had to start someplace"
As a piano instructor and music educator of over 40 years, I have actively used both this specific book as well as the "Teaching Little Fingers To Play" (primer level), both originally written by Canadian born John Thompson.The entire series of the "John Thompson Modern Course for the Piano" consists of one 'pre-level' book, "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" (which is also great for adults), as well as the First through Fifth grade books.The entireseries wasone of the first"how to" books for learning pianoand is still published by Willis in Florence, KY. The John Thompson series is valuable, and I continue to enthusiasticallyuse the series with my students.I dobelieve it should always be coupled with ancillary materialin the form of chord learning (if you wish to study popular or Gospel music). If you wish to study serious or "classical" music,this book can be made more valuable when taught by a qualified instructor. I would certainly recommend this series over ANY of the Bastien materials. [...] ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Invaluable source
Larry Fine's book is an invaluable source not only for those of us in the piano business, but for anyone who owns a piano and especially for those who are seeking to purchase one.I highly recommend it.

essential for piano shoppers
This little book is worth it's price many times over for those seriously piano shopping.I learned so much about pianos and brands.I've played a wonderful Kawai upright for 16 years and am ready to purchase a grand.I thought all these brands I'd never heard of before were "no-names", definitely not what I wanted.Well, after a month of research and many trips to piano stores, I am buying one of those no-names!My Estonia 190 (6'3") will be delivered in a week!

Excellent, As Touted
The previous positive reviews are true; this is an indepensable book for anyone in the market for a piano.

Very good book for piano buyers
This book helped me a lot on choosing my first piano in terms of brand, model, and price range.I finally bought a Yamaha U1.Thank you Larry Fine.And Amazon's shipping is very fast.

Good reference book.
This book gives the basics of piano knowledge and should be used before buying a piano. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (13)

Not thrilled.
I bought this book for my beginning piano students but am not thrilled with the arrangements.Keep looking.

Bringing Classics Into My Home
Even the right hand only player, can enjoy classics from these simple arrangements.The left hand is coming along with practice.This book makes learning the classics less intimidating.I would pay more for a spiral bound version.

First classic Piano Book
The book arrived in perfect condition. I am anxious to have my granddaughter try it out. It is one of her upcoming birthday presents.
Thank you.

Great Book
This is a great book for beginners to get aquainted with the classics.I teach piano lessons and I'll use this one over and over for recitals!I usually like to see the music before I buy but I took and chance on this one and it paid off.I hope to try other Bergerac books.

Great Supplement!
I purchased this book some time ago as a "promise" to my little girl that she would one day have piano lessons.We now have a wonderful piano teacher who encourages us to explore other pieces besides what she assigns us and was happily surprised when we showed her this book that she hadn't seen before.The title is a little misleading; our teacher says that it's more appropriate for a level 3 child student, but it works well for us (a teenager and her middle-aged mom in their 2nd year of study.) What I really appreciate is the way that the pieces can dovetail with the material that we're studying.For example, while I was working on the 1st inversion of the C Major chords, I serendipitously found in this book "Beautiful Dreamer", an arrangement that utilizes the very chords I was studying.Our teacher calls this "an excellent little book" and I recommend it to those who would like to play something more than the pieces found in their lesson books.
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Book Description
As seen on public television stations nationwide, a revolutionary new approach to playing non-classical music on the piano.Have you ever wished you could play the piano? Well, now you can! Scott "The Piano Guy" Houston teaches you to play the way the pros play, in a style enormously simpler than traditional classical piano and with an absolute minimum of note-reading. By focusing on playing the melody with the right hand (one note at a time) and simple chords with the left hand, Houston gives you the tools you need for a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Best of all, your tour guide to this adventure forces you to have fun along the way! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (59)

Sweet but too short.
This book is helpful and concise. I don't have a lot of spare time to learn a new instrument and this book does save time. I was a bit disappointed that almost half the book is chord charts rather than (sheet)music. Since the book is not spiral bound, I am afraid to cut out he chord charts, as I fear the binding would fail. This makes the chord charts virtually useless. Additionally, it would have been nice if the author had included some practice music longer than eight bars. It made me feel like he is overly concerned that I also buy his fake book, rather than learn the piano. His teaching approach makes this book fun, easy, and effective. 3.5 stars ... could have easily been 5 with more "meat."

Don't waste your money!
This is not an instructional book at all. It can be summarized very briefly. Play chords with the left hand, and melodies on the right. DUH! The author doesn't care how you do it, just do it! Just don't contort your hands! This is more of a motivational book but with nothing to support it, unless you count the author's numerous marketing links to his own products.

Don't waste your money!
This is not an instructional book at all. It can be summarized very briefly. Play chords with the left hand, and melodies on the right. DUH! The author doesn't care how you do it, just do it! Just don't contort your hands! This is more of a motivational book but with nothing to support it, unless you count the author's numerous marketing links to his own products.

If you're trying to decide...
...whether to buy "How to Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons: What Music Is and How to Make It at Home" or "Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not!" by Scott Houston, buy BOTH--- and do read Scott Houston's book FIRST.He explains the whole premise of playing off chords so much more clearly and simply.After reading Scott's book, you can delightfully play all sorts of piano music you may have around your house effortlessly after a few tries.To give you an example, I used to practice fairly simple folktunes for about a week before (somewhat joltingly) being able to play up to tempo at an even pace.Now, knowing what I know from Scott's book, I can play any such song in about 15 minutes.Really!And I can play faster and more eloquently than I ever could before.Now, I have confidence that I could accompany any singer (including myself)-- a trick I used to think only "good pianists" could do (with much practice).In short, it motivates you to play music almost immediately in a fun and joyous manner.

Now for "How to Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons: What Music Is and How to Make It at Home".It's A LOT more philosophical, and a lot more wordy.It explains everything in much greater detail, and is very fond of the basic Oom-pah-pah sort of playing.The "standard" technique call for playing the melody an octave higher, the root note in octaves on the lowest possible section of the piano (for the Oom) and the chord (reconfigured so as never to reach higher than middle E nor lower than middle C) for the Pah-Pah.This takes quite a bit of PRACTICE.I certainly do not master this in 15 minutes!However, using this technique, I sound like one of those pianist that play at cash bars in restaurants that used to send my mother in the other direction because the "noise" gave her a "headache".It may work exceptionally well for some pieces, and it is certainly not the ONLY device taught in this book. It *is* a good book, with lots and lots of ideas of how to vary the bass notes and such to get a "full" sound from your piano.But you might get a headache or two... and might get discouraged and give up playing piano after all.(DON'T!)It is less motivating, and much more practice than Scott's book.I just can't decide whether I even like the result of the techniques shown.But music theory is explained in a somewhat harmless manner....

Now,I again suggest you buy BOTH books so that you can read them both, try them both, and make your own decisions.However, if you're relatively new to this topic, I suggest that you at least buy Scott's book first.Yes, you'll probably finish it in one sitting and it will seem so OBVIOUS after you read it that you'll wonder whether you ought to have spent the money for the book at all.Yes!Now, sit down and play the piano using these technique to see for yourself!

(To give you some point of reference, my level of playing beforehand using the classical method was Book Four of John Thompson series.... about intermediate I'd say.)

Azphil
Great instruction.I've played sax for years and never touched the piano until now.From moderately easy to moderately difficult.Good learning system. ... Read more

Book Description
Endorsed by Kenny Barron, Jamey Aebersold, Richie Beirach, and more, this book presents all the information a student of jazz piano needs in an easy-to-understand, yet thorough, manner. For intermediate to advanced pianists, written by one of the acknowledged masters of jazz piano playing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

The definitive jazz piano instructional book
I have searched high and low for a comprehensive instructional book that contains equal parts application and exercises.This is the book.The book is replete with snippets of famous jazz songs that provide a window into the techniques of many great players, and Mr. Levine is thoughtful enough to provide source albums and songs for listening purposes.

Additionally, the book provides you, early on, with a method for interpreting songs out of the real book.With this easy method, you can instantly begin building a repertoire of material, and revisit these songs with the techniques learned in later chapters

lousy shipping
The product was fine.More than fine.Your shipping department needs some training.They put this book in a box 15 times times larger than the book (I measured) with a few air bags.The book bounced around in the box during shipping and arrived damaged.Pretty annoying for a $30+ purchase.I received a few dollars credit for the damages.Would have requested a new book but it would have been shipped the same.The person I talked to was very nice, but he was in India, so I rather doubt if your shipping department heard of my complaint.
Camille Gollon

Jazz Piano
Use the concepts in this to help you decipher & transcribe jazz you like into you're own playing.

A Treasure
This is the book I have been waiting for for many years. Levine has come up with the ultimate tool for teaching both yourself and others. It is amazing how skilful he is in proceeding progressively, building on previous chapters as he goes along. He convincingly pieces things together one by one. Following these steps you are invariably gaining competence and confidence in negotiating the piano. A bit of background knowledge in (not necessarily Jazz) harmony and scale theory on the side of the reader would be useful, but it is certainly not indispensable, since in this respect Levine takes nothing for granted, unlike many other authors who seem to relish in building up walls and talking to the initiated few exclusively. Particularly helpful are the suggested tunes to work on and the suggested recordings to listen to. They make you understand the points at issue by putting them into practice. Conversely, it is exciting to suddenly hear and understand often quite familiar compositions and solos on a different level by seeing how they "work".

The book may be a little hard, though, for beginners on the piano. The density of the material together with too many technical difficulties regarding playing would simply be overburdening. But an intermediary level of skills is perfectly sufficient, technical brilliance by no means necessary.

I should not forget to mention Levine's enthusiasm grounded on a breathtakingly complete command of the material. The pleasure he obviously has in teaching is also quite contagious. It must be wonderful to have him as a teacher.

The spiral binding is a rather good idea, since it keeps the pages in place. And the book smells alright when opened - not altogether unimportant, given that you are likely to sit in front of it for hours on end.

Wonderful one volume work on jazz piano....
If you are already a piano player and have some knowledge of music theory, this book will help you take your understanding of jazz to a new level.It covers a LOT of musical ground and places it within a historical context.

This is not a book that is loaded with exercises, but it is packed with concepts that one could apply and that would take most pianists years to master.Even if you are very good, you will not outgrow it anytime soon.

The Jazz Piano book goes into various types of chords, voicings and how to use them.It also talks about modal harmony, constructing various types of scales and how to apply these ideas to improvistational solos.

This book is well-organized, fascinating, filled with good pictures, examples and ideas.It is a bargain at any price.

If you are new to the jazz world and classically trained, I recommend Jazz Improvisation for the Classical Pianist.This will help you to get away from thinking in patterns on a page with specific fingerings and get you to develop your ability to hear tones and intuit music in intervals.This is an important step toward being a good jazz pianist.It will also help you to break a lot of the conditioning that comes from many years of classical training that does not serve you well within jazz.

I also think it is essential for pianists getting into jazz to apply what they are learning as much as possible.For this reason, I recommend Vol. 3, The II/V7/I Progression: A New Approach To Jazz Improvisation (Book & CD Set) and anything else by Aebersold because this gives you experience playing.The specific link above covers a progression that constitutes 70% plus of most standards.Therefore, this is a good place to get started.
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Book Description

A Pulitzer Prize-winner. Brother is pitted against sister over the fate of their heirloom piano.

Customer Reviews (27)

you can't sell your soul for money
Part of Wilson's century long tetra-cycle about African-Americans in Pittsburgh, this play is set in 1937. The effects of slavery are still palpable within the Charles family over 70 years after the Civil War.

Berniece Charles (age 35) and her younger brother Boy Willie (30) spar over whether or not to sell their greatest family heirloom: a piano that was traded for their great grandmother and grandfather. Berniece wants to keep the piano, which has the images of long-dead family members carved in it by her great-grandfather. Boy Willie desires to sell the piano so that he can use the money to buy the land their family worked on ages ago down south. As the play moves along, we learn about the history of the Charles family and we watch the current generation debates over the decisions of their forbearers.

Wilson won his second Pulitzer for this play in 1990 (which was written in 1987). It's not as good as Fences, his 1985 Pulitzer winner, but it's still a very good play with a number of great lines.

Wining Boy on the life of a piano player: "Now, the first three or four years of that is fun. You can't get enough whiskey and you can't get enough women and you don't never get tired of playing that piano. But that only last so long. You look up one day and you hate the whiskey, and you hate the women, and you hate the piano. But that's all you got." (pg. 41)

Berniece to Boy Willie about their parents: "You always talking about your daddy but you ain't never stopped to look at what his foolishness cost your mama."

August Wilson's Piano Lesson
This play is indeed a classic in African-American literature.Every high school and college student of every race should be encouraged to read and discuss the brilliant family dynamics that the play so skillfully portrays.The text is so well written that the reader has a vivid sense that they are actually watching, rather than reading the play.

Excellent
August Wilson is the greatest American playwright.Not the greatest living American playwright, but the greatest, period.His best plays stand comparison with the best work of Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams.No American playwright has produced such a consistent body of work, and no American playwright has attempted a cycle with the scope and ambition of his series of plays.Wilson's subject is the Great Migration, the story of the African-Americans who emigrated from the southern states to the cities of the industrial North and their slow construction of satisfactory lives in the difficult and changing world of 20th century America.Wilson has written 10 plays on this subject, one for each decade of the 20th century, amounting to a fictional history of African-Americans in the urban North.This is, however, history from below.Wilson's heroes are garbagemen, short-order cooks, day laborers, self-taught musicians, and street vendors.One of his great gifts is his ability to use common speech in a way that is consistently interesting, frequently eloquent, and often powerful.He gives poetic voice to people usually regarded as inarticulate and invests ordinary struggles with real but not exaggerated significance.The African-Americans of Wilson's plays are a doubly uprooted people.Uprooted initially by the grievous trauma of slavery that sundered their connection with their native traditions, the emigrants fleeing the Jim Crow south and its brutal racism are uprooted also from their homes, families, and the traditions developed in the aftermath of slavery.
Wilson's overall story is the reconstruction of African-American identity and family life in the cities of the North over the course of the 20th century.Wilson's plays often feature protagonists whose sense of identity and families have been damaged greatly by the oppressions of racism and the atomizing effects of the industrial economy of the North.Over the course of the cycle, Wilson shows characters re-establishing a sense of connection with their ancestors, even back to Africa, and gradually developing the family ties to sustain them.Wilson repeatedly uses supernatural elements in his work, particularly as a device to advance his theme of the importance of developing a sense of historic connection with ancestors, including those originally abducted from Africa.This could easily be hokey, but his matter of fact use of these elements is very effective.Another recurring theme is the importance of music, particularly the Blues tradition developed by African-American musicians, which he sees as a vital and creative force in African-American life, often carrying truths across generations.Some of the most affecting parts of Wilson's work are his demonstrations of the direct and indirect destructive effects of American racism on family life.Even more powerful are those scenes in which his characters overcome these obstacles to reaffirm family connections.
Not all of Wilson's plays are outstanding, but all are at least very good.Readers will differ on their favorites.In my opinion, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Fences, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom are outstanding.The rest vary from excellent (The Piano Lession) to the very good.Cumulatively, they are a really impressive achievement.Mention must be made of the fact that Wilson has been aided by outstanding collaborators.Wilson's plays usually go through a series of versions before the final version emerges.Wilson has had the benefit of working with unusually talented directors, notably the gifted Lloyd Richards, who was responsible in large measure for recognizing Wilson's talent.Wilson has benefited also from the existence of a whole generation of remarkably talented African-American actors.These people made it possible for Wilson to realize his vision. We have all been the beneficiaries of the work of Wilson and his collaborators.

The Piano Lesson
This book by August Wilson is a good description of the Black movement to the North in the early 20th century. It correctly shows the ins and outs of a black family life in America before emancipation years and the value placed on providing a better life in the North than was afforded earlier in generations down South.All this while sticking together and not loosing family values.

Bernice does not forget the pride the strong will along with the sense of propriety she had learned from her ancestors. Boy Willie reflects his inherited traits as well, but has that impatient irresponsibility like every kid.He is like his father in the sense that he has a strong will to own something that he could call his own that he could never do before. For Boy Charles this was the piano, but for Boy Willie it was a place called Sutters land, this is were his ancestors had worked on while the whites had control.

Each character has its own way of showing the great variety of skills and talents which the slaves were capable of when they were brought to America. Even though these masters tried to take away these skill and talents they were incapable of taking away these gods given talents to the African Americans.This is a great book and I recommend it not only to African Americans but to all races.It is a great book to read and has many morals.I recommend this book to everyone because I have enjoyed it greatly.

"The Ghosts of the Yellow Dog got Sutter."
Winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, August Wilson's sensitive story of a family's struggle to reconcile the past with the present centers around the carved piano which dominates the living room of Doaker Charles and his niece Berniece.The legs of the piano are carved with faces of their slave ancestors, carvings made by a distant relation who was owned by the Sutter family and working on their farm in Mississippi before Emancipation.Berniece's brother Boy Willie, recently released from a prison farm and penitentiary, has come to Pittsburgh with his friend Lymon, determined to sell this ancient piano in which he claims half-ownership.His arguments with Berniece conjure up the ghost of Sutter, who calls out Boy Willie's name.

The struggle of Boy Willie and Berniece over possession of the piano gradually broadens as they reveal the past, incorporating vivid pictures of the family's tenuous survival from slavery to the present.A dozen or more of the white men who have been most abusive over the generations have met their deaths by "falling" into wells, crimes of revenge attributed to the Ghosts of the Yellow Dog.These ghosts are supposedly the ghosts of five black men burned to death in a boxcar by Sutter after his carved piano, the one in Berniece's living room, was stolen.The most recent Mr. Sutter "fell" into a well and died three weeks ago, and Berniece believes that Boy Willie may have had a hand in his death.

The play's success rests on the well-developed family relationships and their interactions on stage, as they reflect the legacy of slavery and its aftermath. Berniece wants the piano because the blood of her family has been worked into its wood--it represents her heritage.She and Doaker have learned a whole new culture of survival through their move to the city, but they do not want to forget the past.Boy Willie, by contrast, wants to sell the piano in order to buy land for his future, remarking, "I got to mark my passing on the road.Just like you write on a tree, 'Boy Willie was here.'"He, however, still focuses on vengeance--righting past wrongs.The tension between these viewpoints provides the drama and, in a powerful concluding scene, conveys the message of this play, ultimately a "piano lesson."Mary Whipple
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Book Description
Thad Carhart never realized there was a gap in his life until he happened upon Desforges Pianos, a demure little shopfront in his Pairs neighborhood that seemed to want to hide rather than advertise its wares.Like Alice in Wonderland, he found his attempts to gain entry rebuffed at every turn.An accidental introduction finally opened the door to the quartier’s oddest hangout, where locals — from university professors to pipefitters — gather on Friday evenings to discuss music, love, and life over a glass of wine.

Luc, the atelier’s master, proves an excellent guide to the history of this most gloriously impractical of instruments.A bewildering variety passes through his restorer’s hands: delicate ancient pianofortes, one perhaps the onetime possession of Beethoven.Great hulking beasts of thunderous voice.And the modest piano “with the heart of a lion” that was to become Thad’s own.

What emerges is a warm and intuitive portrait of the secret Paris — one closed to all but a knowing few.The Piano Shop on the Left Bank is the perfect book for music lovers, or for anyone who longs to recapture a lost passion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (60)

Transports you into a different world
If you are a pianist, or ever had a love for pianos and piano music, this book will be a magical, tender experience. From the very first chapter I found myself mystically placed in Paris, smelling the coffee and baguettes, hearing the sounds on the street, and feeling the mystery of the shop that intrigues the writer. I could almost see the shop, sniffle from the dustiness of it, and loved the earnest of the man wanting to enter into the mysterious world of this shop.

When at last he does, it's a delight, feeling the energy of all those pianos, the descriptions making a pianist salivate with desire to see them all, to touch all the woods, to play the keys, to learn how to tune for oneself even, to become friends with Luc. And the French manner of friendship, the wine and discourse and even disagreements, it's all so wonderful to read about.

I love the background of the writer that he shared, his piano experience, the performance issues, teachers of the past, and I understand his personal, private relationship he feels for the piano that he does not need to share as a performer. This I do understand, but I learned something in performance of piano that makes the difference, and that is that you do hear music better, clearer, sharper, when you know others will hear it. It's one thing to play for oneself, and I grasp that, I love the intimacy and magic of solitude with my piano, but when it comes to the MUSIC - over the piano, performance really becomes a key to a new level of understanding and hearing music truly, like never before.
But those are just my thoughts, nevertheless, I understand the journey this man goes through, I appreciate his insights and relations with various people, tuners, musicians, and again, for any pianist or lover of pianos, this book is just a delight, a different world to go into and revel in the almost absurd, obsessive quality of the passion of piano and the music piano produces. Who can understand it but us, the piano lovers of the world?
Enjoy this book to the fullest. I know I did.

Charming?
I don't think I've ever used the word charming before, but I think this fits the definition. Delightful too.Light,easy to read, and yes, possibly boring if you're not into piano or music. If you are, I think this really conveys the passion and devotion an instrument can inspire. Kind of made me want to hug a piano.

To be fair, it did get a little long, but I really enjoyed it.

KEYS TO PLEASANT READING
Thad Carhart's delightful "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank" is a joyous and captivating tale of a man's entrance into the remarkable world of the piano - not especially as a player, but as an owner, onlooker, afficianado, and senstive human being.You meet a wonderful set of characters from the Paris in which Carhart lived and moved, central of which is Luc, whose "Piano Shop" is store, shop, museum, wonderland, gathering places of good folk with good minds.And all things have a wonderful charm, nostly Gallic, but always ineffable.

Read this book because you wish to spend some truly enjoyable hours with new friends, and along the way, learn some things about the Piano.

An easy, rewarding read
If you need a break from heavy reading, this is a great book to consider. While it lacks a real story line, the book is nonetheless engaging and interesting, even for a "plot girl" like me. It was a breath of fresh air following Hardy and a book about Nazi Germany.

I wish the French phrases were footnoted, as I don't speak a word of French. Perhaps that was the author's way of making me feel excluded in the same way he was initially excluded from the atelier. Maybe not.

A resonanting read
I loved reading The Piano Shop on the Left Bank.Thad Carhart's rediscovery of the piano, set within a Parisian neighborhood, is the subject of this engaging memoir. Thad comes across the atelier in route to taking his children to school.Yet this piano retailer/repair shop is exclusive, and Thad is denied immediate access. Thad eventually gains entry rights and befriends Luc, the atelier's owner.Luc proves to be a great resource of piano lore, and Thad is a most apt pupil (not in the creepy, Stephen King way). Luc imbibes his passion for this instrument to Thad, replete with repertoire, an outline of the evolution of the piano forte, and a "comsumer reports" of sorts for the best and worst makers. Thad in turn shares this acquired wisdom with his readers, supplementing his memoir with references of books and articles on piano construction and history.

Thad had played piano as a child. While he had enjoyed playing for himself, he had never liked feeling pressured to perform. As an adult, Thad's renewed passion for piano is on his own terms.The second-time-around pianist will play for himself and for the sheer pleasure the instrument brings him. Luc "senses" which piano will make a good fit for prospective buyers, and he matches Thad up with a Stingl babygrand. Yet Thad's relationship with Luc and other frequenters of the piano shop does not end with the purchase of the Stingl; it only intensifies.Thad soon realizes that he no longer needs to contrive reasons to visit the atelier with piano shopping and maintenance issues. The atelier is an open door for Thad, along with other piano shop regulars who share a great passion for the piano and music in general.

Thad resumes his piano lessons and seeks out an appropriate music school for his two children (he eventually chooses the Schola Cantorum, where the likes of Claude Debussy once taught).Anna, Thad's piano teacher, reintroduces technique and solo repertoire not only to Thad, but to us the readers, many of whom, like myself, are dilettantes.When a piano-tuner recommendation goes dreadfully wrong, Thad must assure Anna that her piano is not beyond repair.Jos, an expert tuner of perfect pitch notoriety when sober and a case of tin ears when soused, had tuned Anna's piano while intoxicated.Fortunately, he is able to re-tune and repair the piano when in a better frame of mind. Both Luc and Thad admired Jos's skill and worried about his welfare.We the readers are left worrying about Jos's well-being after hearing about how this vulnerable man was manhandled when he was caught sleeping on a train w/o paying fare.

The book ends on a high note (okay, I couldn't resist the corny pun).We are introduced to Mathilde, Luc's girlfriend, in the latter chapters; she bonds instantly with the inner circles of the Atelier.This posse of piano lovers celebrate their shared passion and inspire the memoir's readers to rediscover their "forgotten passion."

As I wrote earlier, I really enjoyed and savored this book. I started piano lessons when I was 19, and took lessons on and off throughout college and teacher's training.I'm the first to admit that my practice habits were deplorable---a few hours before my lesson and maybe a half an hour after my lesson and the next day, followed by days of neglect and lost learning in-between my lesson times.Unfortunately, I can't afford to take piano lessons at present (dance classes are costly enough); yet I feel that now that I am more mature, I would be self-disciplined enough to stick to a regular practice schedule.Ahh well, I still love to hear piano music and especially love live performances.This book only helped to reinforce and expand my love for music and appreciation of this wonderful instrument. ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of exercises has been a "Must Have" for many years. Designed to build independence and dexterity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

Invaluable if used correctly
This is an essential book for pianists who are serious about improving their technique.Casual pianists may find the excercises repetitive and boring, but those who have the desire to improve will find them extremely rewarding.I find that these excercises have a pleasant sound and I do not get bored of them, but not everyone sees them so favorably in that respect.

One point of note: you will not derive much value from this book if you do not practice the excercises intently.I used to play the book incorrectly; I thought I had completed the majority of the first section when, in fact, I had not completed a single excercise to a satisfactory level.Some say that hanon can be played while the mind wanders; this is incorrect until you are VERY familiar with the excercise in question.Take special care that every note is played perfectly evenly, that every finger moves confidently and efficiently.Make sure that your weak fingers make the same mechanical motion as your strong fingers, and only then will the benefits become apparent.

Once I started focusing on these points, Hanon became truly valuable...and enjoyable!

Necessary Evil
This book is B.O.R.I.N.G.

That said, practicing exercises in it has made me a much better pianist thus far. I've been playing them for about two weeks, and right now I can get through the first part in about an hour. I'm still not near where I need to be, but this book is helping me get their faster than I could have imagined.

A big helper!
I really like this book because of the exercises are set up in a way that get harder as your ability develops. As a music teacher and a piano student, I feel that it is a must have.

Difficult, but worth every second of massive finger workout
I just purchased this item about a month ago and can now play much faster and cleaner than I thought I ever would.The exercises do just what they say they'll do (each one is specific for certain fingers and techiques) and are surprisingly stimulating despite the repetition.However, I would only recommend this book to anyone with a strong background in reading sheet music and an interest strong enough to counteract the throbbing pain you'll get in the first week or so (before your arms and fingers "bulk up").To sum up, the book is totally worth it if you're teaching yourself and want to get better.

The right thing to learn playng piano
A very rigorous metod to exercise all hand fingers at virtuosism of pianoforte.The first twenty exercises are a milestone:I did'nt find that in
others music's books. ... Read more