The Aspiring Jazz Pianist (Piano Method) [Paperback] Review

This book is well written and does a good job of explaining chord theory. It also introduces many styles of accompaniment, tips on improvising, how to play from lead sheets, and how to play solo and with others. Overall a great book, probably best suited for intermediate players, but great as a supplement for beginners as well.

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Product Description:
by Debbie Denke There is no joy like that of expressing yourself through musical improvisation. This book/CD pack will show you how to arrange and improvise to popular and jazz tunes in your own style, using a clear, step-by-step method developed over many years by successful jazz pianist and teacher Debbie Denke. It can be used for personal instruction or as a classroom text. The CD features both solo piano demonstrations and bass and drum accompaniments that let you practice playing with a rhythm section.

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Dream Theater Keyboard Anthology [Paperback] Review

So, if any of you are purchasing this transcription book, I presume you to be a rather skilled pianist (probably classically trained) with a keen fascination for Dream Theater and lust for complex rhythmic structures.Thus, this is an essential book for any such trained DT enthusiast.Nothing is wrong with this book.It is wonderful, and I have yet to come across any obvious mistakes (though, the lead on Learning to Live seems questionable at some parts...).However, I must warn you, this is NOT a book for the student who lacks a confident ability to read rhythms.Aside from the vast array of complex time signatures Dream Theater employs, many of the keyboard parts are solos... TOUGH solos.When you get down to transcribing so accurately every little detail of a rapid fire Jordan Rudess solo, you get some insanely hard to read rhythmic notation and notes.For instance, one large group of notes will be written with a bracket reading "17:12" meaning to play the 17 notes as if they were a twelve-tuplet (or however you say that).Also, all of the chord "comping" is written out exactly to the most intricate detail, so what may seem like natural rhythmic jazz comping to Jordan becomes an incredibly difficult passage of music for the student to read.Most notably, if you don't have a Kurzweill K2600xs, you're not going to be able to get a lot of the sounds Jordan uses.The book does not describe the exact sounds either, but instead uses notations like "saw lead" or "percussive attack."This is beneficial if you have a different keyboard, but slightly annoying if you DO have the Kurzweil (which I do) where you want to be able to construct the EXACT sounds used.But either way, the sounds Jordan uses could be another novel in itself, so I don't detract any stars from this book because of that.Anyways, I guess to say that if you don't know what 13/16 means (the time signature), you may be better off getting a theory book and reading through that first before tackling any of the material in this book.You're definitely also going to want to have an audio sample of the song you're trying to learn at hand to help out with the rhythms.So, if you have a strong foundation in music theory and lust for challenging material with the technical skill of a classical pianist and the theoretical knowledge of a jazz pianist, this is the book for you.I would recommend actually starting out with some of the songs by Kevin Moore (Metropolis, Learning to Live, Wait for Sleep, etc.).They are quite tough to read through, but not as tough as Rudess's stuff.If you can tackle Moore's stuff in this book, you're ready to hit the number of Rudess hits contained in this musical masterpiece.Good luck!

---Sean

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Product Description:
One of the post popular metal bands of all time, Dream Theater, is known for not compromising their musical vision and staying true to their unique style.Transcriptions for all the keyboard parts to 15 Dream Theater songs.Titles are: Learning to Live * Metropolis Pt. 1 * Wait for Sleep * 6:00 * Scarred * Scene Two: 1. Overture 1928 * Scene Three: I. Through My Words * Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy * Scene Four: Beyond this Life * Scene Nine: Finally Free * The Great Debate * Selections from Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence: About to Crash, War Inside My Head, The Test That Stumped Them All, Goodnight Kiss, Solitary Shell * Endless Sacrifice * Stream of Consciousness * Vacant.

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Very Best of The Beach Boys (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I love this book it covers all the hits, very nice arranged and pretty accurate
a must for "beach boys" lovers

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Product Description:
This great collection contains 20 of the top hits from these surf music megastars: Barbara Ann * Be True to Your School * California Girls * Catch a Wave * Dance, Dance, Dance * 409 * Fun, Fun, Fun * Good Vibrations * Help Me Rhonda * I Get Around * In My Room * Kokomo * Little Deuce Coupe * Little Honda * Shut Down * Sloop John B * Surfer Girl * Surfin' Safari * Surfin' U.S.A. * Wouldn't It Be Nice.

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The Corrs -- Talk on Corners: Piano/Vocal/Chords [Sheet music] Review

The writings itself says it all.Not to over look the reviews,but it is very clear that the presentation of its thought is basically distinctive.This will be a great lift to some aspiring writers who isaffraid to show their craft because of dismantling of ideas.The key here isthat they the corrs made an impression that last for alifetime......MABUHAY !in our country it means LONG LIVE...

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Product Description:
Titles are: Love Gives Love Takes
* Hopelessly Addicted
* Paddy McCarthy
* Intimacy
* Queen of Hollywood
* No Good for Me
* Little Wing
* Only When I Sleep
* When He's Not Around
* Dreams
* What Can I Do
* I Never Loved You Anyway
* So Young
* Don't Say You Loved Me.

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Casio AP24 Digital Home Piano Review

This is a great piano for a new student. Overall price/performance is great. It feels a lot like a real piano. Of course, an experienced pianist can feel a difference, but the main goal with buying this instrument was not to spend tons of money and still get a decent piano.
Another great thing about this digital piano is a headphone jack. This is one of the most important advantages of the digital pianos (for those who have to listen :-). Even though we bought this piano for my daughter, I also play it at night using headphones.
The bottom line is if you need to practice playing piano, but don't want to spend a lot of money - this is your best bet. I searched other Web sites, but this one was the best deal.

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Product Description:
LEADSINGER model LS-3700 (or LS-3000) is a Portable, Hand-held, All-In-The-Mic Karaoke Player. The device connects to the user's TV / Stereo System and provides Lyrics on screen for 300 built-in popular songs. The device allows the user to adjust mic volume, music volume, guide melody, guide musical instrument, key pitch, speed tempo, echo, scoring, & a fun-filled random play Singing Game.
Included contents are: LS-3700 with 300 built-in songs, main cable, song list book, & AC adapter.
Optional items include: High-Fidelity Wireless Remote Duet microphone, Carrying Bag, & a wide variety of 20+ Song Cartridges.

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Forty Songs for a Better World (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Song info: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE -BLACKBIRD -BLESS THE BEASTS AND CHILDREN -CANDLE ON THE WATER -CHILD OF MINE -CIRCLE OF LIFE -COLORS OF THE WIND -COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF SHEEP -EBONY AND IVORY -EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL -FLOWER THAT SHATTERED THE STONE, THE -FRIENDS -FROM A DISTANCE -GET TOGETHER -GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. -GONNA BUILD A MOUNTAIN -HE AIN'T HEAVY...HE'S MY BROTHER -I AM YOUR CHILD -I BELIEVE -IF I RULED THE WORLD -IF WE ONLY HAVE LOVE -IMAGINE -IMPOSSIBLE DREAM (THE QUEST), THE -IN HARMONY -IT'S IMPOSSIBLE (SOMOS NOVIOS) -LOST IN THE STARS -LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE -LOVE IN ANY LANGUAGE -MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC -ONE SONG -ORDINARY MIRACLES -RAINBOW CONNECTION, THE -TEARS IN HEAVEN -TURN! TURN! TURN! (TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON) -WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD -WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE -WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS -YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE -
YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND -YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFULLY TAUGHT

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Product Description:
40 songs with a message, including: All You Need Is Love ¥ Bless The Beasts And Children ¥ Colors Of The Wind ¥ Everything Is Beautiful ¥ He AinÕt Heavy...HeÕs My Brother ¥ I Am Your Child ¥ Love Can Build A Bridge ¥ What A Wonderful World ¥ What The World Needs Now Is Love ¥ YouÕve Got A Friend ¥ and more.

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Favorite Standards: Piano Play-Along Volume 15 (Piano Playalong) [Paperback] Review

Was lured into purchasing three of this series of books by ads proclaiming they are the best chord melody books ever. Not so.

The arrangements are dry, unimaginative and bare bones. Suppose they figure they're doing one a favor by charting out the melody with some chords thrown in. Boring. Also suppose they're assuming the player will use the arrangements as a base from which to add enhancements. Whatever.

Look elsewhere for better arrangements, specifically Barry Galbraith, Bill Pilburn and the Jazz Guitar Standards: Chord Melody Solos from Mel Bay\Warner Bros.

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Product Description:
Play 8 of your favorite songs with sound-alike CD tracks. Each volume in this series comes with a CD of orchestrated arrangements. The music in this book matches these recorded orchestrations. There are two tracks for each - a full performance for listening, plus a separate backing track which lets you be the soloist! The music even includes a separate vocal staff, plus guitar frames, so you or your friends can also sing or strum along! Songs: Call Me * The Girl from Ipanema * Moon River * My Way * Satin Doll * Smoke Gets in Your Eyes * Strangers in the Night * The Way You Look Tonight.

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