Complete Songs for Voice and Piano [Unabridged] [Paperback] Review

This is a wonderful collection for all admirers of Rachmaninov. While the 14 or so songs without opus numbers are not included in this edition, the majority of Rachmaninov songs are and they form a strong part of his creative output (spanning nearly 20 years).
An affordable and easily obtainable book, it is good not only for general study and performance, but also for comparison and study of pianist Earl Wild's brilliant transcriptions of thirteen of the songs (and Arcadi Volodos' two song transcriptions).

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Product Description:
Rich collection of 71 compositions, including some of the most hauntingly beautiful passages in vocal literature. Exciting treasury of glorious songs-Opp. 4, 14, 21, 26, 34, and 38-have been reproduced from authoritative sources in a convenient, one-volume edition;most lyrics in Russian (Cyrillic) with English translations. A superb collection to be prized by pianists, vocalists, and countless lovers of fine music everywhere.


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Great Standards for Piano Solo (Piano Solo Songbook) [Paperback] Review

These are cocktail-style arrangements--I would rank them intermediate to early advanced in level of difficulty. The chords are creative without being too "out there"; almost all of these are ballads rather than up-tempo pieces (a notable exception being "Lullaby of Birdland"). My opinion of them ranges from "why bother" for tunes I don't like much to FABULOUS for "Mona Lisa". I would suggest it to teachers for students who need to improve their sight-reading, and to piano entertainers as a valued part of their gig book.

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Product Description:
21 essentials, including: April In Paris ¥ Call Me Irresponsible ¥ I Left My Heart In San Francisco ¥ IÕll Be Seeing You ¥ In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning ¥ Mona Lisa ¥ A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square ¥ This Masquerade ¥ and more.

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My Piano Review

I found this to be a great product in teaching kids to learn to play.I am 30 with no music abilities and I have learned to play part of a song in the first few mins.My daughter is 4 and she loves to watch and play the games at the end of each lesson.Then she goes to the keyboard and tries. I did not expect her to learn since it is recommended for age 6 and over, but the interest is there and she will learn someday.

I have Windows XP and no blank screens

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Product Description:
My Piano is a unique and fun way for kids ages 6 and up to learn how to play piano or keyboard! An animated character named Pam the Piano guides kids through over 100 lessons by former Juilliard School of Music instructor Irma Irene Justicia, M.A. My Piano covers the basics, such as proper hand position and rhythm, and moves on to reading music notation, playing songs and more. An animated keyboard shows kids where to put their fingers as the music plays, and the speed of the music can be adjusted with MIDI tracks so that each child can learn at his or her own pace.When used with a MIDI keyboard, kids get instant feedback on their playing, telling them which notes were played incorrectly and what should have been played instead. Separate audio tracks (left / right hand, full song / voice only) and colorful MIDI accompaniments provide exciting options to have fun with. My Piano is the complete program that will get your child playing piano!Built-in accessories: Digital Metronome: Kids can keep a steady beat with audio and/or visual feedback. Digital Recorder: Allows kids to record and play themselves back for friends and family to hear! Research has proven that children who play a musical instrument do better in school, form friendships more easily and gain self-confidence. Get your child started playing with the easy and fun way to learn - eMedia My Piano

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Immortal Hymns: Easy Piano (Phillip Keveren) [Paperback] Review

I have used this book for many of my piano students... It has the perfect arrangements for transitioning them from simple "lesson" songs to something they really feel proud of and can use for performances.I would reccomend this book for anyone wanting to change from short, basic songs to longer, more beautiful pieces.

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Product Description:
This easy piano songbook contains 17 congregational classics arranged by Phillip Keveren, including: All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name * Be Thou My Vision * Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing * Christ the Lord Is Risen Today * God of Our Fathers * Holy, Holy, Holy * I Surrender All * Immortal, Invisible * In the Garden * Just as I Am * Softly and Tenderly * This Is My Father's World * and more.

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Complete Piano Works for Four Hands (The Vienna Gesellschaft Der Musikfreunde Edition) [Paperback] Review

I use this book regularly. The duets run the range of easier to more difficult. It would take several years to work your way through the whole book. Printed clearly, with a good binding.

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Product Description:
compositions in a large, easy-to-read playing edition. Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 23; Waltzes, Op. 39; Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52a; Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65; Hungarian Dances, Nos. 1-21. Preface.


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Debussy -- An Introduction to His Piano Music (Alfred Masterwork CD Edition) [Paperback] Review

Haven't had it for long, but so far I'm pleased with this edition.The selections are great -- it has most of my favorites.I was a little disappointed that it didn't have Passepied, but I would have known that if I'd looked more carefully at the table of contents preview.

The binding is of the fold-and-staple variety, so it stays open well on the music stand (unlike editions with glue bindings).The music itself is clear and easy to read, with large dark noteheads appropriately spaced.Editorial marks for pedaling, fingerings, and translations of French are printed throughout in grey so it's easy to tell them from the actual music; some people might prefer a more "pure" edition, but I find the editorial suggestions useful.

I didn't even know this book came with a CD until it arrived, so it wasn't really a factor in my purchase.Overall the performances are good and very faithful to the music.You'll enjoy it if you don't already have one (or many!) recordings of Debussy's work, but I'll probably keep listening to my favorites (Pascal Roge, all the way!).

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AFTER MORE EXTENSIVE USE: Though I really like the print quality and presentation of this edition I've noticed some places where editorial comments like "RH" conflict directly with m.g. notations I've seen on other editions (Doctor Gradus), a few missing accidentals (Reverie), and other minor quibbles.I still recommend this edition for anyone familiar enough with Debussy's music to know when things aren't quite as they should be.If I were rating it now I'd probably dock it one star for these minor mistakes.

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Product Description:
This collection of Debussy's popular intermediate pieces includes ""Clair de lune,"" ""Reverie,"" ""La petit nègre,"" the complete ""Children's Corner Suite"" and other works. The introductory pages discuss symbolist poetry, French Impressionist painters and Debussy's musical style. A variety of photographs taken throughout the composer's life are also included. The Alfred Masterwork Library CD Editions conveniently combine each exceptional volume with a professionally recorded CD that is sure to inspire artistic performances. 64 pages.

Pianist Scott Price is the chair of the Piano Department at the University of South Carolina and holds a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Oklahoma. He has given master classes and recitals throughout the United States and Southeast Asia. His recordings are featured in Alfreds Premier Piano Course.

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Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Duet Book Level 1 [Paperback] Review

This book is great for a teacher to accompany a beginner, but also for an intermediate student to learn the teacher portion. I teach two sisters and one is more advanced than the other. I was able to use this book with both of them and it was great! They could really enjoy working together and be equally challenged while enjoying a beautiful piece.

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Product Description:
As with all Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course materials, the Duet Books correlate exactly with Lesson Books 1 and 2. The duet parts are delightful accompaniments which serve to enhance the student's part. Adults will find the pieces fun to play, musically rewarding and very motivational.

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Popular Piano Solos - Level 2: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library [Paperback] Review

This book comes with duet parts written to help the learner count and feel the meter.My favorite selection is "Alley Cat".The construction between the two parts is thought out very well.As a piano teacher, I can have confidence in recommending this book. By the way there is a CD that can be ordered separately.It has two tempos for each piece in the book.Enjoy!

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Product Description:
This great collection of pop songs correlates with Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Piano Lessons Book 2, and is a perfect supplementary book for all methods. Large-staff notation is easy to read. Each student solo also has a teacher accompaniment. Fully orchestrated CD and GM accompaniment disks are available separately. The CD has both a practice and a performance track for each song.11 songs with teacher accompaniments: Alley Cat Song * Be Our Guest * Can You Feel the Love Tonight * Chopsticks * Do-Re-Mi * Edelweiss * Give My Regards to Broadway * Happy Days * I'm Popeye the Sailor Man * Somewhere Out There * Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.Level: basic note values and rests; sharps, flats and naturals; 3/4, 4/4 meter; melodic and harmonic intervals through a 5th; limited use of hands-together passages. Reading range: from Bass Clef-B (a 6th below Middle C), to Treble Clef - B (a 7th above Middle C).

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New Orleans Piano Legends (Piano Solo Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Playing piano like a "New Orleans Professor" is easy if you are Professor Longhair, James Booker, Tuts, Dr. John, etc..This book is for the rest of us wantabees.Of course you need to be able to read music - maybe not.I really can't read music - but I can play piano - so hears what I did - I found someone who 'can' read music - they showed me the notes - now I am playing.If it worked for me like this - hey five stars.The songs in the book are a good mix and you can find recordings of the tunes all over the net - if you are not keen on the songs.

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Product Description:
This long-awaited collection features 11 transcriptions from the greatest New Orleans pianists of all time, including legends like Professor Longhair, James Booker, Dr. John, Fats Domino, Jelly Roll Morton and Tuts Washington. Songs: Big Chief * Blueberry Hill * Doin' It * Gonzo's Blue Dream * The Pearls * Pop's Dilemma * Tico Tico * Tipitina * When the Saints Go Marching In * Willie Fugal's Blues.

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Complete Piano Transcriptions from Wagner's Operas [Paperback] Review

in the sense that these are liszt/s transcriptions of wagner/s music (well, sorta), they can not be anything but, on the one hand, great, for wagner/s music, and, on the other, impossible to play by anyone but liszt. buying this to learn to play liszt/s transcriptions is, for *most* of us, a lesson in futility - no less funny than laughing while falling off the piano bench when looking at ives concord sonata. but that/s not quite why i bought it (altho i laugh everytime i set down at the keys). the theory was to do a bit of orchestration of liszts transcriptions thru my keyboard running thru my imac & garageband (w/the symphony package) and seeing if anything good turns out. can/t say anything yet. but this is a great book for working with on that. wish there was an equivalent cd !

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Product Description:
Features 15 brilliant compositions (1842-1882) on themes from Rienzi, Flying Dutchman, Tannhauser, Lohengrin, and other Wagnerian favorites.

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The Carole King Deluxe Anthology (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This is a great anthology for those of us who grew up with Carole King or those just discovering her.It's really good for piano players who would like to sound a little rock and rolly.It not only has good piano arrangements but it also has the chords for those who can play by ear and improvize.The arrangements are advanced enough that they will be fun for experienced keyboardists, too.

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Product Description:
A comprehensive collection of 70 of her hits, including: Been to Canaan ¥ I Feel the Earth Move ¥ ItÕs Too Late ¥ (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman ¥ One Fine Day ¥ Smackwater Jack ¥ Some Kind of Wonderful ¥ Up on the Roof ¥ Will You Love Me Tomorrow? ¥ You Light Up My Life ¥ YouÕve Got a Friend ¥ and more.

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Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Major, Op. 73 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Well set out and easy to read.

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Product Description:
An advanced duet for two piano, four hands by Ludwig van Beethoven.

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Complete Color Coded Flash Cards for All Beginning Music Students [Cards] Review

This economical, but well-designed set of Flash Cards is targeted for all beginning music students. It is especially helpful for those (children and adults) who are learning keyboards, harps, or beginning band instruments. Music teachers and homeschooling parents may enjoy having this little set as a fun, "go-to" activity that builds music theory, critical thinking, sight-reading, and vocabulary. Games using the cards can create interest and opportunities for additional practice.

In my quest to learn the harp and to share music with others, I wanted a quick, non-electronic,and easy-to-read method to learn / review musical notes, terms, and symbols. At the time, Amazon had several types of products in this area. I took some time to decide which product would be best for me. I selected this set, and that choice has proven to be a good one! This is a nice, easy-to-read / easy-to-understand set of flash cards, and the colors do seem to stimulate one's mind, memory. Eye-glass wearers will appreciate the big, dark fonts on these cards.

What's nice is that the cards are two-sided with the teaching item on front and its answer on back. Apparently, some flash card sets in music do not have the answers on back; I read this in one Amazon review. What's the point of having the card if you don't have the meaning with it? Fortunately, this 89 Color-Coded Flash Card set gives the learner and teacher both sides of the situation, which is most appreciated!) Cards 3 through 36 show the named notes as they would appear on the musical staff as well as their location on piano / keyboard.

This set contains the following information:

Canary Cards (1-36): Clef Signs, Notes on Staff, Low C through Middle C through High C

Pink Cards (37-50):Note Values, Rest Values, Time Signature

White Cards (51-65): Tempo Marks, Dynamic Signs

Green Cards (66-77): Musical Symbols

Blue Cards (78-89): Melodic & Harmonic Intervals; Key Signatures

I'm well pleased with these cards and highly recommend them for beginning students and for those who want a refresher in music. Teachers: if you are using these in a classroom setting, buy one of those little "Page Up" stands that people use for typing. You can then display your note of the day / week.

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Product Description:
Includes all notes, symbols and terms needed for the first two years of study on any musical instrument. Cards are color-coded by category and are numbered on the back.

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Neil Young -- Decade: Piano/Vocal/Chords [Sheet music] Review

The songs in this book are dated from 1966 to 1976, though the book didn't appear until 1978.Neil Young has a long history in music, and it has been easy for other performers to pick up and do songs that have been scored as this book has, with a separate treble staff for the vocal parts, and chord charts for guitar chords throughout.A footnote at the beginning of "The Loner" explains how to make the guitar different, "Tune first and sixth strings to D (D A D G B D)" (p. 29) to play the chords in that song.This is not the same as "Sugar Mountain," "Tune all strings down one whole step to a D-based tuning."(p. 21).
I had an early video of his "Rust Never Sleeps" concert, in which Neil Young sat down by himself at a piano and played, note for note, the song "After the Gold Rush" as it appears on pages 54-57 of this book.The last page is mainly devoted to singing the line, "Flying Mother Nature's silver seed to a new home in the sun" twice, after "All in a dream, all in a dream the loading had begun."I realized that it would take a lot of preparation to get that far, but the time which I devoted to reaching that destination was some of the most worthwhile musical efforts that I have ever attempted.
There are 35 songs in NEIL YOUNG ~ DECADE.Fans of particular concerts, like WELD, might consider most of these songs very early in Neil Young's career.The book is copyright 1978, Weld didn't come along until 1991, and only includes "Cinnamon Girl," "Cortez the Killer," "Like a Hurricane," and "Tonight's the Night":only four of the 35 songs in this book.Fans of Buffalo Springfield might appreciate "Expecting To Fly," and people who sing harmony might see if matching the notes in the book is easier than trying to pick parts off the recorded version.The piano introduction for the song "Cinnamon Girl" has the kind of bass line that I find most interesting in the written music, jumping around slightly before it becomes the melody, and a vocal harmony is also provided.This book helped me learn how much is going on in music besides the melody.The complications for the song "Southern Man" take pages 58-61, while "Helpless" fits on pages 62-63 fine.I have a tendency to like songs called "I Believe in You," and the song on pages 64-66 asks the question like he is really worried about "Am I lying to you when I say that I believe in you?""Oh, oh" coincides with "la la la la" after that.
Then we get "Heart of Gold" on pages 71-73, "Ohio" on pages 74-75, "Old Man" on pages 78-81, "Harvest" on pages 90-94, "The Needle and the Damage Done" on pages 96-99, and I already mentioned some of the more recent numbers.The last song in the book is "Long May You Run" from 1976, suggested for Bright Country Style.You might have heard a few of the other songs in the book, but these are the ones I think you ought to play, if you want to learn something.I hope you can play them better than I can.

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Product Description:
A survey of his long career -- 136 pages, lots of photos, and 35 rock 'n' roll greats: Cinnamon Girl
* Harvest
* Heart of Gold
* Sugar Mountain
* Southern Man
* Ohio and many more.

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David Bennett Cohen Teaches Blues Piano (Listen & Learn) [Paperback] Review

I bought this book based on the good feedback that was left here and I am absolutely thrilled with it.I am at an "intermediate" level of piano playing and found the instructions and exercizes extremely well done.He breaks it down into steps that you can actually follow, and you will learn to improvise too.I was able to play something that sounded really good in a short time.Now I have a piano teacher who works with me with this book, she thinks it's great too.The CD makes all the difference.I always wated to play blues and boogie woogie piano, and this is the book I've been looking for!I have book two as well and it looks good too but I haven't gotten there yet.

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Product Description:
This easy play-along follow-up to Blues Piano, Volume 1 is the learning blues pianistÕs ticket to the next level! David Cohen helps develop the powerful grooves beloved by blues and rock nÕ roll players alike. His unique step-by-step teaching method is modular, building logically on each preceding section. Once the basics are mastered, adding walking basses, boogie woogie lines, New Orleans-style rhumba rhythms, 9th chords, "the Fats Domino shuffle" and other variations become second nature. LEVEL 3

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Jazz Up Your Christmas At The Piano [Paperback] Review

My piano teacher introduced me to this book a good fifteen years ago, and I've been pulling it out at Christmastime ever since. The arrangements go through a variety of jazz styles, from the peppy Scott Joplin-esque "The Holly and the Ivy" to the understated syncopation of "O Christmas Tree," and I just love them. One of my all-time favorite piano books, and certainly better than most of the watered-down Christmas songbooks out there.

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Product Description:
12 Christmas carols in a fresh perspective. Full arrangements may be played as a concert suite.

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Complete Sonatas, Invitation to the Dance and Other Piano Works (Classical Music for Keyboard) [Paperback] Review

Great works of von Weber especially Invitation to the dance Op.65
Original with good finger patterns. A nice addition to your collection.

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Product Description:
Virtually all of the composer's works for piano solo: four piano sonatas, Invitation to the Dance (a waltz later orchestrated by Berlioz), eight sets of variations, "Momento capriccioso," "Grande Polonaise," "Rondo brillante" and "Polacca brillante." Reprinted from the authoritative C. F. Peters edition.


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Joy of Improv, Book 1 (Piano) [Paperback] Review

As a beginner/intermediate student of jazz, I've found this course to be excellent. If you want to learn how to improvise, this is a great start.If you're already at an advanced level, it can further improve your skills.

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Product Description:
This book/CD course on improvisation for all instruments and all styles will help players develop monster musical skills! Book One presents Lessons 1 through 26 of this unique instructional course that imparts a solid basis in technique, rhythm, chord theory, ear training and improv concepts. Covers: common chord voicings, basic chord progressions, the swing feel, and much more. The CD can be used as a listening and play-along tool.Also available: Book Two00220006 Book/CD Pack $24.95

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Chopin: Mazurkas For The Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics Vol. 28.) [Paperback] Review

First of all this is a Shirmer,s book. Any day my piano teacher brought a package from Shirmer's was a red letter day. Shirmer's rocks.
Why Mazurkas??I owned this book since the fifties or so but it must have evaporated or disappeared. But on a foggy day there is nothing like a rollicking Mazurka to get the blood going, so I rebought it. And here is my mother's story.
In the thirties when she first arrived Wanda Landowska gave master classes, and my mother attended. Wanda was playing Mazurkas, and she would sing along (in Polish) the words of the original folk tune. At the end of the lesson all the students would file by to shake the great hand and she would ask them their musical ambitions.When it came my mother's turn Wanda looked down her considerable nose and asked "And vat are you?"

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Product Description:
Mazurkas

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The Best Gospel Songs Ever (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This book has a great selection of hymns. If you are into gospel music, you'll find some real classics, from the old traditional songs to newer gospel music.The arrangements are quite simple, comparable to any hymnal I've ever played from, easily learned.

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Product Description:
80 of the best-loved gospel songs of all time: Amazing Grace * At Calvary * Because He Lives * Behold the Lamb * Daddy Sang Bass * His Eye Is on the Sparrow * His Name Is Wonderful * How Great Thou Art * I Saw the Light * I'll Fly Away * Just a Closer Walk with Thee * Just a Little Talk with Jesus * Mansion over the Hilltop * The Old Rugged Cross * Peace in the Valley * Will the Circle Be Unbroken * Wings of a Dove * more.

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Famous & Fun Pop, Book 5 (Intermediate): 11 Appealing Piano Arrangements [Paperback] Review

I love Carol Matz' arrangements in the Famous and Fun Pop series, especially Books 2, 3 and 4.We got 5 because of the Pink Panther song but it has a good smattering of Broadway and older classic songs.The kids often like the Harry Potter as well because it's more recent.Ms. Matz's strength is her arrangements are fun, and even at the earlier levels where duets are employed (student-teacher), the student enjoys playing even the more basic arrangements and they sound good.Carol Matz apparently has more pop arrangements so searching under her name may be best if you're trying to get more variety (the Famous and Fun Pop can get a bit repetitious if the same student does the whole series).

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Product Description:
Arranged by Carol Matz. Contents: Across The Stars, Beauty And The Beast, Double Trouble, Hogwarts' March, The Imperial March, Over The Rainbow, The Pink Panther, Summertime, Theme From New York New York, Under The Sea, When A Man Loves A Woman

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Oscar Peterson - Jazz Exercises, Minuets, Etudes and Pieces for Piano (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] Review

This is a great technique teaching tool and a good inroad for any pianist interested in starting a little jazz repertoire.

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Product Description:
Legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson has long been devoted to the education of piano students. In this book he offers dozens of pieces designed to empower the student, whether novice or classically trained, with the technique needed to become an accomplished jazz pianist.

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Hymns Re-Harmonized - Keepsake Edition: Piano Solo (Sacred Folio) [Spiral-bound] Review

This book includes 110 traditional hymns. It is a combination of her three other volumes, plus a few extra hymns. On the left-hand page she gives the traditional score for each hymn, and on the right-hand page she gives her own "re-harmonization." Generally she uses minor and dissident chords to make each hymn sound unique. Some arrangements are better than others, but overall, I mostly use it to get ideas. I would never use her "rendition" for congregational singing, but it is fine for a prelude, postlude, offertory, or maybe for a special number.

I gave it three stars, but mostly that is because it isn't exactly my style. The re-harmonizations are more along the lines of modern music, while I prefer the Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic Eras. I personally think money is better spent with one of Classical Hymns or Hymns with a Classical Touch for postludes and preludes.

A Nice addition to the book is the different resources in the back including modulations for most common keys.

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Product Description:
Following the popular format of the previous Hymns Re-Harmonized and More Hymns Re-Harmonized folios, Carol Tornquist delivers yet another treasure with this keepsake edition. Dressing traditional hymns with fresh new harmonies, the unique format is convenient for accompanists: the traditional hymn-style harmonization appears on the left hand pages, with optional instrumental transitions and last verse harmonization on the right. This incredible user-friendly resource is packed with 244 pages, including arrangements from both original folios plus 12 brand new bonus arrangements for a total of 110 well-known hymns! Chord symbols are used throughout to encourage improvisation - plus the optional addition of guitar/bass to the keyboard accompaniments. Also included is information on standard chord symbols used in contemporary instrumental music.

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Notespeller for Piano - Book 1: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library [Paperback] Review

This is pretty good for making a game out of piano theory (which I remember as being horribly boring in my childhood).The characters and games would only appeal to a young audience, probably no more than 8 years old or so.

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Product Description:
Join Spike, Party Cat and friends on an adventure-filled camping trip as they complete activities that help them learn keyboard geography and finger numbers, identify steps and skips, and read and write notes on the treble and bass staffs. Corresponds to Piano Lessons Book 1.

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Pacific Trends 1002 Piano/Organ Lamp Review

I really like the look of this piano light.It is very nice for the fraction of the cost of other lamps. I like the adjustable base and arm.Quick delivery.

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Product Description:
Brass plated piano desk lamp. 9-1/2" wide vented shade. 6" diameter base with felted bottom for surface protection. Adjustable arm for optimum direction of light. Uses max 60 watt T-type bulb (bulb is not included). Product is CUL listed and packed in a full color box with foam protection. Limited manufacturer warranty.

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David Lanz - Christmas Eve: Piano Solo (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback] Review

Around the holidays, nearly all of my students want to play Christmas music. It can become really tiresome, but I love this book. Joy to the World, O Come O Come Emmanuel, The Christmas Eve Waltz/The First Noel, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Angels We Have Heard On High are played at just about all of my student Christmas recitals. A few of the arrangements are less than stellar, but the good ones are GREAT! The shorter improvised pieces with the theme of angels from the recording are also included. If you are an intermediate or above pianist, I highly recommend this collection. The arrangements are faithful to the traditional melodies, but add a new spirit to them.

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Product Description:
Matching folio to this holiday album by new age great David Lanz. Over 15 songs, including: Angels We Have Heard on High ¥ O Little Town of Bethlehem ¥ O Holy Night ¥ and more.

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Thumb Piano, Small Review

I bought 2 of these for Christmas presents.It was nice to buy a unique gift. My family loved them.Worth the money.Great for those who love musical instruments of all kinds.

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Product Description:
Rosewood thumb piano, 3" x 5", 8 steel keys. The thumb piano originates in Africa. It is also known as the mbira or likembe. The metal keys are mounted on a wooden box that acts as the resonating chamber. Longer keys have lower pitches and shorter keys have higher pitches. The keys can be adjusted by tapping them in or out to adjust their pitch. Many different tunings are acceptable, according to personal preference. Similar tuning is only an issue when two instruments are played together; then they should generally agree in tuning.

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Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I have a deep love and respect for some of the most influential female jazz and soul singers of our time, like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Carmen McRae, Lena Horne, and last but not least, Billie Holiday. In LADY SINGS THE BLUES, Holiday recalls some of the most resonant memories of her turbulent past--the good, the [mostly] bad and the [frequently] ugly. From the very start, Billie Holiday (birth name Eleanora Fagan), born to thirteen year old Sadie Fagan and sixteen year old Clarence Holiday, had a very difficult life. The young girl saw much in the rough streets of Baltimore, Maryland, as a call girl, a jailbird and a spitfire with a vey hot temper.

Billie didn't even consider a career in singing, and her introduction as a vocalist was (perhaps) accidental, but definitely fate. Her descent into drug addiction, jailtime, turbulent relationships (with both men and women) and the great antipathy she faced in the storm of racism, jealousy and gossip made for a very adverse life, on and off of the stage. Some of the greatest moments of her career are documented here, as told to writer William Dufty. We learn the stories behind songs like "Strange Fruit," that are songs she created and truly lived and experienced, before setting them to lyric and melody. Though, I never heard Billie Holiday's speaking voice, I heard it throughout this piece, and I can see why it was brought to the screen, as a film. I haven't seen it, so I honestly have no idea how well it translated as a movie, with Diana Ross. Though, I have heard it was fantastic. Highly reccomended!

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Product Description:
18 hits featuring 'The Man I Love,' 'Lover, Come Back to Me' and 'Body and Soul.'

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George Gershwin's Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra: Two Pianos, Four Hands [Paperback] Review

I've been into the C.I.F. since I first heard its vast assortment of sounds in 1980 as a college student.Though I'd had enough piano study to know the basics of sheet music reading, my objective in owning a single copy of 2P4H is just to follow along as I listen to a recording, realizing that this is really the score, to something I doubted could be so fully documented.The challenge for this level of musical aspirant is not to play, therefore, but merely to observe, and to dream, but I find it fun, even, when I can keep up through some of those long sections of Allegro, Adagio and Allegro agitato.

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Product Description:
Two-piano edition, with second piano playing a transcription of the orchestration. Two copies necessary for performance.

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The Complete Gershwin Preludes for Piano (Belwin Edition) [Paperback] Review

George Gershwin was a tremendously popular composer in the 1920's and 30's.He went beyond just writing popular tunes, and tried to branch out into more serious music.Not to say that the songs he wrote aren't masterpieces in their own right.Listen to the Gershwin Songbook as played by Andre Watts, a concert pianist.The Gershwin songbook contains arrangements of songs by the composer himself.Full of melody, charm and rhythm, true American classics.

The Preludes in this edition are more of the same.With a jazzy feel to them, they are very rewarding to play.They feel different under the hand, and remain a great opportunity for the classically trained pianist to expand his technique and ear.

This edition is well printed and easy to read. A fine edition of some very good music.

Highly recommended

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Product Description:
A definitive edition of all of the Gershwin preludes. Also contains three extremely rare compositions. Titles are: Prelude I * Prelude (Melody No. 17) * Prelude (Rubato) * Prelude II (Blue Lullaby) * Prelude (Novelette in Fourths) * Prelude III (Spanish Prelude) * Prelude (Used as 3rd movement of Concerto in F) * Prelude (Sleepless Night).

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Exploring Jazz Piano - Volume 1 (The Schott Pop Styles Series) [Paperback] Review

I've bought several books on improvising jazz piano and this is by far the best. It's a heavy, well bound book (my binding has not come apart), which could explain it's $40 list price tag. The book itself is worth $40, even if it was looseleaf!

I agree with the previous reviewer that Richards quickly covers basic chord theory, but that's what convinced me to try this book. Since I've been studying jazz theory (trying to learn to improvise) and have a fair level of knowledge, I didn't want another book that introduced chords and basic ii V7 I progressions. There's some excellent books on jazz theory out there - try Bert Ligon's books for the most thorough, and challenging, course on theory. I wanted a book that would teach me how to sound like my favorite jazz pianists.

To improvise jazz, you need a thorough command of chord voicings and progressions, and then an ability to improvise scale patterns against a strong left hand rhythm. Many books give examples of those components, but only give a few basic exercises and vague verbal instructions on how to apply them to a song. I have the knowledge needed and I can play great sounding chords and progressions, but I have not been able to play a respectable improvisation and haven't been able to find any real guidance up until now.

What makes this book different--and excellent--are the numerous exercises that show you how to apply the techniques presented in the lessons. Richards' book gives several etudes and exercises in each chapter to help you develop those skills. He offers excellent improvising suggestions and examples for each etude, and shows how to apply them. In addition, he provides 4 or 5 authentic jazz tunes in each chapter - from standards to bebop and all styles - and, again, offers detailed examples and suggestions to apply the techniques presented. In addition, the tunes and drills present various left-hand styles with an emphasis on latin styles.

If you can play piano at a late beginner or early intermediate level, and have a basic knowledge of chords, then you'll get a lot out of this book. If you're an experienced player and know chords thoroughly, this book - and the Volume 2 book - will help you improve and give you excellent training in improvising.

I first bought volume 2 thinking that volume 1 would be too basic for me. But after working with vol. 2 for a week, I decided to buy vol. 1 after all. I know all the theory in volume 1, but the exercises and drills provide so much excellent instruction in playing left hand rhythms or basic chord voicings against a right hand improvisation, that I don't feel that I'm wasting my time with elementary concepts.

The cd that comes with it provides an opportunity to play along with his band. However, the tempos are fast. If you have a keyboard or piano with built in rhythms, you'll be in better shape. You'd definitely want a metronome if you don't have built in backgrounds, so that you can practice slowly and work up to the finished speed. Band in a Box is a great software program that provides some excellent backgrounds to practice with.

Tim Richards is the best teacher - and on top of that a great jazz pianist. He and I are going to be tight for a long time.

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Product Description:
Volume 1 introduces the intermediate pianist to the basic chord-types used in jazz, from major and minor triads to seventh and ninth chords. Other topics include: Chord/scale relationships, modes, broken chord and scale patterns, pentatonic and blues scales, walking bass lines, Latin rhythms and bass lines, the diatonic cycle, secondary dominants, IIVI sequences, horizontal and vertical improvisation, tritone substitution, two-handed voicings, rootless voicings, technical exercises and fingering, accompaniment styles, ear-training, discography (suggested listening).28 pieces by the author appear alongside special arrangements of well-known jazz standards, including: Autumn Leaves * Fly Me to the Moon * In a Sentimental Mood * Mannenberg * On Green Dolphin St (Part 1) * Ornithology * Song for My Father * Straight No Chaser * Take the A Train. Also included are transcribed solos by Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver, an invaluable source of authentic jazz techniques.

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1st Solo Book for Piano: Piano Solo (Piano Collection) [Paperback] Review

The Diller-Quaille piano book series provides a strong background for aspiring pianists. Using multicultural folk tunes and music from composers you have heard of, these books offer a well-rounded repertoire of pieces students will continue playing for years. Book one begins easily enough and quickly accelerates to a level most series would label book two or three. Within the first few pages, students play folk tunes with interesting hooks. By the book's end, students are ready for beginner Bach and Mozart pieces.

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Product Description:
Contents: Ah, Mon Beau Chateau * All the Birds (German) * Autumn Song * Baa Baa Black Sheep * Berceuse * Bohemian Song * Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella * Cock-A-Doodle-Doo * Cradle Song * Dutch Tune * Early One Morning * English Folk Song * French Jig * Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?) * Hippity Hop * Hop, Hop, Hop! * Hot Cross Buns * Hunting Song * Hush, Little Baby * In Springtime * Irish Air * Jack Be Nimble * Jack Sprat * The Keys of Canterbury (English) * Lament (Moravian Folk) * Lavender's Blue * Little Bo-Peep * Little Jack Horner * Lullaby * Morning Song (French Folk) * My Country, 'Tis of Thee (America) * Nachtigall (Nightingale) * The Old Chateau (French Folk) * Pierrot * Pussy Cat * Raindrops * Ride a Cock-Horse * Russian Folk Tune * Russian Song * The Shepherdess * Sing a Song of Sixpence * Slumber Song * Song of the Sword (Moravian) * Spanish Folk Song * Star of the Sea (French Folk) * Sur Le Pont D'avignon * Suzy, Little Suzy (Humperdinck) * Vicar of Bray * Waltz.

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Professor Longhair Collection (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback] Review

Being a piano player myself, I know how hard it is to find someone to teach you New Orleans Style piano.(If you've ever had someone give you the 'that's not Chopin' look, then you know what I mean.)This book willhelp you nail down all the patterns and licks you can hear in the music,but can't quite get to your fingers yet.I found it to be really helpfulnot only to learn specific Professor Longhair songs, but also to learnbasic New Orleans/Boogie & Blues piano riffs and styles suitable foraccompanying singers or other players.This book will take you miles andmiles into the world that is Professor Longhair.Definitely recommended!

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Product Description:
This terrific collection includes 19 solo piano transcriptions from this legendary New Orleans RandB artist. Songs include: Baldhead * Big Chief * Crawfish Fiesta * Gonna Leave This Town * Hey Little Girl * Hey Now Baby * Mardi Gras in New Orleans * Mean Ol' World * Meet Me Tomorrow Night * Mess Around * No Buts No Maybes * She Walks Right in * Stag-O-Lee * Thank You Pretty Baby * Tipitina * more. Features a biography and discography.

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The Gershwin Collection (Easy Piano Composer Collection) [Paperback] Review

The Gershwin Collection is a songbook containing music from Gershwin's most popular songs, including "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "Embraceable You," and "Love Is Here To Stay."

Piano transcriptions are provided as well as guitar chords and lyrics where applicable.Gershwin's symphonic/ concert works are not included in this collection.Almost all the works here are Gershwin's popular works, most of which originated from Broadway musicals and film.

Also included are songs from Porgy and Bess, the first American Folk Opera."Summertime," "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'," and "My Man's Gone Now" are among works included from the opera Porgy and Bess.

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Product Description:
A comprehensive collection of 39 of George and Ira's best, including: Fascinating Rhythm * How Long Has This Been Going On * I Got Rhythm * Let's Call the Whole Thing Off * Love Walked In * Nice Work If You Can Get It * 'S Wonderful * Someone to Watch Over Me * Strike Up the Band * They Can't Take That Away From Me * and more.

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Allegro Barbaro and Other Short Works for Solo Piano [Unabridged] [Paperback] Review

Bartok was the first composer who really got me interested in what one could still technically call "Classical music." I remember hearing his Piano Sonata No. 1, Sz. 80 for the first time and being completely blown away by it. It was so primal and yet still refined in a musical sense. It was like listening to a man lose his mind at the piano while still retaining enough intellect (musically) to function.

But onto the review:

To my dismay, this collection does not contain the Sz. 80 sonata, but it does contain a myriad of other Bartok works which perhaps define him as an artist even better. Bartok was truly our first ethnomusicologist. His experiments with recording the folk music of his homeland (Hungary) and other Eastern European countries and arranging it in the Western tradition brought Western music as far East as it had been up until that point. Sure, there were Russian composers before Bartok who integrated their own folk music into Western styles (The Five, Tchaikovsky, even Rachmaninov), but Bartok's Eastern European studies are a different animal all together.

For starters, Bartok studied Western music under the care of Hugarian teachers at the Royal Academy of Music at Budapest. Here he was perpetually influenced by teachers (Franz Liszt [indirectly], Janos Koessler) and other students (Zoltan Kodaly) who had already begun studies of their own folk music in comparison to Western styles. This book contains great examples of these folk influences translated into the Western style in the intellectual and profound way that Bartok was known for.

This book features Bartok's shorter works like the Romanian Christmas Carols and Hungarian Peasant Songs that offer the average Western listener an abstract approach to Bartok's homeland. The seemingly unnatural rhythms (which the pianist will undoubtedly have trouble with at first) come second nature to the folk music of Eastern Europe. And by reading and playing through this book, the music student will see that Bartok's fundamental understanding of music is unbelievably far removed from the understanding of music that Westerners are raised in.

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Product Description:
Treasury of rewarding piano works from one of the 20th century's most influential composers. Includes the dancelike Allegro Barbaro, a sonorous, boisterous piece of power and bravura; 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs; six Rumanian Folk Dances; 20 Rumanian Christmas Carols; and eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs. Musical gems for pianists at intermediate and advanced skill levels.


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Narada New Age Piano Sampler (Piano Solo Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This book was my first introduction to New Age piano music.I fell in love with the pieces right away.The pieces are challenging enough to create interest for an experienced player but not so difficult that that they take a long time to master.Featured artists include Michael Jones, David Lanz, and Wayne Gratz, among others.A variety of styles to explore.

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Product Description:
Piano solo arrangements of 17 songs from the leading new age label: Cristofori's Dream * Flight of the Seagull * Heart Sounds * Mary's Question * Pianoscapes * Rain on the Pond.

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Playing the Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Amadeus) [Paperback] Review

Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, along with the two books of Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, form the summit of the pianist's art.These are works that all pianists must confront and, to a greater or lesser extent, master.The greatest pianists, the true artists, indelibly stamp these works with their own personalities and performances.The rest of us struggle to learn them well enough not to embarrass ourselves in front of others and, even more importantly, to satisfy our own inner drives to make music and to make this glorious music our own.Robert Taub's book, "Playing the Beethoven Sonatas," is a welcome addition to those books that seek to enlighten other pianists--both professional and dedicated amateur--on how best to perform these superb but very difficult compositions.
It may be useful to point out initially what this book is not:It is not a musicological analyses of the Beethoven sonatas.It is not a Beethoven biography, although Taub does not hesitate to use events from the Master's life to illustrate his performance suggestions.It's not a collection of "war stories," or inspiring anecdotes for struggling pianists or harried piano teachers.It's not Taub's memoirs.And it is not a substitute for Charles Rosen's masterpiece, Beethoven`s Piano Sonatas: A Short Companion.Indeed, as another reviewer has noted, Taub is best seen as complementary to Rosen.As I've noted in other reviews, I consider Rosen to be one of America's true public intellectuals; his vast erudition and wit grace every page he writes.But these same qualities sometimes obscure the point he makes; they often overwhelm the dedicated amateur pianist who's seeking a quick solution to a phrasing or fingering problem.Taub, on the other hand, writes not only with precision and clarity; he writes for the working pianist.While it is incorrect to call this work a textbook, Taub's careful, precise, measure-by-measure suggestions as to touch, pedaling, dynamics, tempi, fingerings, and tone come close to being just that.What separates this work from the mere textbook is the very personal nature of Taub's suggestions.It is obvious he has lived with the Beethoven sonatas for most of his life, struggling over decades to discover and lay bare their inner meaning.In this work, he makes the reader privy to that struggle.
And what a struggle it is!Beethoven is notorious in his disdain for the technical difficulties his sonatas present to amateur and professional alike.I have three different editions of the Beethoven sonatas from which I perform: an urtext edition, the Artur Schnabel edition, and the Bulow edition published by Schirmer.In many places, these editions can only agree to disagree, even as to the fundamentals.The value of Taub's book is that, for a fraction of the price of conservatory training, the aspiring pianist (and here I include myself) may find out how one of the greatest living Beethoven interpreters goes about his work.Where is the pianist who would not find such help invaluable?
Other reviewers have commented on the structure of this book; there's no need to repeat that information here.Taub is scrupulous in his reverence for the printed text, insofar as he can determine what the authoritative text is.Among the most useful features of this work is Taub's careful edition-by-edition analysis of problematic passages in Beethoven's sonatas.The author usually provides a satisfactory resolution of the textual problem he highlights, in the process imparting valuable information not only as to correct performance practices, but also giving advice as to how the reader might resolve other textual conflicts she might encounter.
In the last analysis, it is Taub's reverence for the text, his scrupulous attention to the tiniest detail, that makes this book so valuable.By this, I mean the difference between telling a pianist to play a passage with feeling, and showing the pianist how she may best articulate and communicate the deep feelings that Beethoven's music inevitably engenders.An example:the opening chord of the Pathetique Sonata, Op. 13 in Cm, is marked "fp."How to play it? Taub tells exactly how to do so.His solution involves touch, pedaling, sensitivity to dynamics, and careful listening; he tells you exactly how to apply these tools to achieve the desired result.And his explanations are clear and precise, easily understood by anyone with score in hand and a piano at the ready.Here it is obvious that Taub has not only had quality instruction, he himself is a master pedagogue.
Which leads me to my last observations:First, this book isn't bedtime or casual reading.You need to have a good, reliable edition of the Beethoven sonatas at hand, or at least the sonata(s) on which you are working.It's helpful if the edition is numbered by measure; otherwise, take the time to number each measure in your score.You will save yourself a lot of frustration.Second, your work with this book will be more rewarding if you have access to a piano that is capable of replicating the full panoply of effects Beethoven's sonatas demand--in other words, it works best with a good grand piano.Consoles or (shudder!) spinets or (double shudder!!) electronic keyboards just won't cut it.If you're talented enough to play Beethoven sonatas, make your experience more rewarding and play them on a quality piano.
Amazon's rating system only goes to five stars.This book deserves unlimited stars--the diligent pianist will find a lifetime of help in this book.Robert Taub is to be commended for producing such a fine volume, and for his unselfishness in sharing his formidable talent and considerable investment of time and energy with all of those desiring to climb the summit of the pianist's art.Bravissimo!

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Product Description:
Acclaimed pianist Robert Taub offers the insights of a passionate musician who performs all 32 of Beethoven's well-loved piano sonatas in concert worldwide, bringing a "fresh perspective on Beethoven," as the New York Times put it. In this book, he shares his intimate understanding of these works with listeners and players alike.

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Disney Giant Movie Hits: 36 Contemporary Classics from The Little Mermaid to The Emperor's New Groove (Big-Note Piano) [Paperback] Review

The first time I bought this was for my 6-year old son who started taking piano lessons at age 5.He specially enjoyed learning the songs You'll be in my Heart and Go the distance ---2 of his most favorite Disney songs.the second time, I bought this book again for a friend's daughter who took interest in piano lessons after hearing me play some of the songs from this book.Children love this book because of the beautiful Disney songs in it.I specially like this because it has the songs from the more recent Disney animated movie hits.

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Product Description:
This must-have collection includes easy-to-play, big-note piano arrangements of 36 favorites from a dozen hit Disney films: Beauty and the Beast * Can You Feel the Love Tonight * Colors of the Wind * Friend Like Me * Go the Distance * My Funny Friend and Me * Reflection * Someday * Under the Sea * When She Loved Me * A Whole New World * You'll Be in My Heart * You've Got a Friend in Me * and more.

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Suzuki Piano School, Vol. 1 [Paperback] Review

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.

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Product Description:
Titles: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations (Shinichi Suzuki) * Lightly Row (German Folk Song) * The Honeybee (Bohemian Folk Song) * Cuckoo (German Folk Song) * Lightly Row (German Folk Song) * French Children's Song (French Folk Song) * London Bridge (English Folk Song) * Mary Had a Little Lamb (American Nursury Song) * Go Tell Aunt Rhody (Folk Song) * Au Clair de la Lune (J. B. Lully) * Long, Long Ago (T. H. Bayly) * Little Playmates (F.X. Chwatal) * Chant Arabe (Anonymous) * Allegretto 1 (C. Czerny) * Goodbye to Winter (Folk Song) * Allegretto 2 (C. Czerny) * Christmas-Day Secrets (T. Dutton) * Allegro (Shinichi Suzuki) * Musette (Anonymous).

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Bebop Jazz Piano: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] Review

I have a few of the other books in this series and find them all great! John Valerio is a wonderful composer and teacher and has a very similar style to Mark Harrison (another composer in this series). This book includes important information about chords, voicings, harmony, chord progressions, scales, tonality, melodic figures and patters, comping, characteristic tunes, styles of Bud Powell and Theolonious Monk...anything that is used in any type of bebop jazz. It goes through the history and evolution of Bebop. The book moves quickly but provides the information that is important. It comes with a very handy CD which allows to hear what it's supposed to sound like. I highly recommend this book and have found that using it with some of the other books in the series is beyond helpful!

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Product Description:
In this book in the Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series, author John Valerio provides essential, detailed information for bebop and jazz pianists on the following topics: chords and voicings, harmony and chord progressions, scales and tonality, common melodic figures and patterns, comping, characteristic tunes, the styles of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and much more. The accompanying CD features many of the examples in the book performed either solo or with a full band. Also included are combo performances of five of the tunes featured at the end of the book.

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Rihanna - A Girl like Me (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I originally bought the book for the song Unfaithful, but as I've played the other songs, I can't believe how wonderfully they are arranged and how much I like them!This is a wonderful book for any Rihanna fan!

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Product Description:
Matching folio to the hit sophomore release from Rihanna featuring 13 more dance hits and ballads, including: Break It Off * Dem Haters * Kisses Don't Lie * S.O.S. * Unfaithful * and more.

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Piano Pieces for Children 2 (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

This is another great help to my son. He has really enjoyed learning to play using it and your other book. It enjoys it for practicing which has helped him and he is actually starting to sound promising.

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Product Description:
Progressively graded for teaching purposes, this collection contains over 100 selections for the developing young pianist by Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Joplin, Rameau, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and many others. Includes a glossary of musical terms.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Course: Duet Book (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

As a piano teacher, this level 1B duet book was my Christmas gift to several of my beginning students.My kids I gave it to really enjoyed it. (More so than I expected!) It does contain eighth notes, so there's the catch.If the child is still in the Primer volumes, most of the arrangements are beyond his/her grasp, but for my mid to late level 1 kids, they were perfectly capable of getting up to speed on many of the songs.Then, as a teacher, you have a volume that is still okay when they reach level 2!The first few pieces are in C position, then there is a section of G position pieces, and then there a couple of others towards the end in "different hand positions", but should not be issues for most capable students.There are a few arrangements the kids will know (Oh Susanna!), but most are just fun simple arrangements that they can enjoy playing with their teacher, or sibling, or parent at home who plays.As a teacher (and a couple of my parents have commented), we really appreciate duet books because playing with another individual really makes the child count - and not "guess" at it!

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Each duet is arranged for student-teacher (parent or older student) performance. These charming Duet Books increase motivation and add fun to practice time and lessons.

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And Now It's Time for Silly Songs with Larry(TM): Big-Note Piano [Paperback] Review

This book is full of all of the great Veggie Songs, but they are harder to play than I was hoping.

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Product Description:
A sure-fire favorite with kids, this excellent folio features 10 songs from the popular VeggieTalesCD, arranged for big-note piano. Includes: The Dance of the Cucumber * Endangered Love * The Hairbrush Song * His Cheeseburger * Lost Puppies * Love My Lips * The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything * The Song of the Cebu * The Water Buffalo Songs * The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps.

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The Elton John Keyboard Book [Paperback] Review

Here you'll find Elton John's music transcribed down to a tee. This is a welcome change to nonsensical 'interpretations' that conspicuously sound exactly the same as the melody line. You want to play 'Bennie and the Jets' from the starting heavy chords to the verse to the jazzy piano solo, here you go. Blue Eyes, Rocket Man, Someone Saved My Life Tonight (excellent song)... it's all here. In some instances (like Honky Cat for example), there's just no point in bothering to learn the music EXACTLY, because Elton John just improvised within chords in the first place. So it's best for you to do the same unless you want to pore through pages of the same music phrased slightly differently. Next time it would be better to include the more 'precise' songs in Elton's catalogue.
Anyway, this is a great collection. Some of the songs aren't very well known but get the album they're on and you're away. Hours of fun.

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Product Description:
This terrific collection features note-for-note keyboard transcriptions for 18 of Elton John's best songs: Bennie and the Jets * Candle in the Wind * Crocodile Rock * Daniel * Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me * Goodbye Yellow Brick Road * I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues * Little Jeannie * Rocket Man * Your Song * more!

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Disney's Princess Collection - Complete (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I just want to add that there are 2 versions of this songbook. One is for easy piano with large, easy to read notation. The other is for voice, piano and guitar. They both look almost exactly the same - they have the same cover and share the same reviews on Amazon. They also have the same song list.

Easy version: ISBN 0634047884, HL.316084
Regular version: ISBN 0634033875, HL.313184

I have the regular version which has some very beautiful arrangements, I would say at an intermediate level. They are manageable technically, yet contain dramatic sections that sound difficult and showy. Great crowd pleasers!

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Product Description:
All 26 tunes from Disney's two previous Princess Collections, which feature "the music of hopes, dreams and happy endings" as sung by the heroines of favorite Disney films. Includes: Belle * Colors of the Wind * A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes * Kiss the Girl * Some Day My Prince Will Come * A Whole New World.

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