Mists, Fairies, and Fireworks - Debussy's Preludes for Piano (2006) Review

this is a very fine DVD, but I was left wanting more.It certainly gave me some new insight into the first book of Debussy preludes and will definitely help anyone that is learning one or more of these works. However, I would have liked more info and examples from each of the preludes and it was very curious why one of the preludes (#11 I think) was left out of the analysis. I can't imagine the same attitude as Richter ("I don't like that one - so I won't play it") so can only put the omission down to time constraints.

While I didn't give this the top rating, this is still recommended for anyone wanting insight into some of the great impressionist piano works.

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Product Description:
Debussy's 24 PrTludes are among the greatest piano music of the 20th century, and even today, nearly 100 years after they were first composed, they present a formidable artistic challenge for pianists and a delight for music lovers. One of the world's for

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Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas Celebration: Piano Solo (Piano Solo Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This music is awesome!The beautiful Mannheim Steamroller sounds and beats come to life through this book.The unit I purchased was spiral bound by the seller, which I think is an absolute necessity with these pieces.Some pieces are 8 pages long, with CODA's and repeats.It makes life so much more simple just having it spiral bound.If you cannot find one spiral bound, you can have it done at a local copy center.Also note that this is the REAL sheet music, and not some easy big-note piano!Be sure you are advanced enough to play these songs, or you won't like it.They are hard, but so beautiful!

Cheers!

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Product Description:
Matching folio to their greatest hits collection that also features one brand new song! 18 tunes in total, including: Carol of the Bells * Christmas Lullaby * Deck the Halls * Fum, Fum, Fum * Good King Wenceslas * Greensleeves * Stille Nacht * Traditions of Christmas * and more.

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Claude Bolling - Toot Suite: Trumpet and Jazz Piano (Transcribed) [Paperback] Review

This is basically a Baroque piece for trumpet and rhythm section. It's pretty solid as a composition.
If you listen to Maurice Andre play it you will be enthralled.
If you try to play it you will be more impressed with Maurice Andre's abilities.

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Product Description:
Transcriptions to Toot Suite featuring the jazz piano of Claude Bolling as well as the solo trumpet parts of world-renowned player Maurice Andre.

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Thumb Piano, Large Review

I've been playing the Hugh Tracey Kalimba for many years.
I bought a Mid East Kalimba from eBay.

It was advertised as a Hugh Tracey Kalimba and came
in an old Hugh Tracey box. I thought I had gotten a good deal.
In the picture it looks exactly the same.

The first thing I noticed different was the paint on the tines.
It was a more of a translucent color. I thought it had been
repainted (and kind of a sloppy job at that).

The next thing I noticed, as soon as I took it out the box
was that it was a much heavier wood. It did not have the light
feel of the Hugh Tracey models which are made from an exotic,
resonant Kiaat wood. This thing was thick.

It looked very pretty though.

The big disappointment came when I started to play the instrument.
First off, it was out of tune. I had a rough time trying to tune
this beast. With the Hugh Tracey models, I just wiggle the tines
side to side or use a coin to push the tines.

The tines don't move easily on this Mid East Beast... Damn!
Unless you know what you are doing, you won't be
able to get this thing in tune. It's very difficult.

After fighting with it for almost an hour, I finally got it tuned.
The sound is OK but kind of tinny (if that's a word).
It doesn't have the full, deeper sound of the Hugh Tracey.

It's probably because the tines are thicker.
It doesn't have the mellow tamber nor maintain the sustain.

I also notice the edges of the tines are not smooth.
It's a little rough on your thumbnails.
You probably should sand them down some to smooth it out.

All in all, it looks pretty but not much fun to play.

I would never buy another one
(and wish I could get my money back).

You'd be much better off with a Hugh Tracey Model.
They come tuned, don't scratch your thumbnails
and give you a much fuller, more mellow sound.

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Product Description:
Rosewood thumb piano, 5" x 7", 17 steel keys and two vibrato holes on the back. 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. To play, rest the thumb piano on the fingers of both hands and hold it between your palms. Cover the vibrato holes with your fingers. Then pluck the keys with your thumbs. As you play you can un-cover and cover the vibrato holes as you like. Many different tunings are acceptable, according to personal preference. Specific tuning of a thumb piano is only an issue when two instruments are played together; then they should generally agree in tuning. Otherwise, the tuning is subjective and should only be pleasing to the player. The 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 length, and therefore their pitch.

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Casting Crowns (Easy Piano) [Paperback] Review

Prior to buying this book, I had earlier bought a piano score of "Who Am I" from praise-charts, and it was excellent. But the arrangements in this book don't sound like the stuff I heard on the CD, and the score keeps following the melody like a hymn with the chords beneath. Certainly not what I expected. I might as well just play the chords; only the intros sound true to type.

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Product Description:
Easy piano arrangements of all 10 songs from Casting Crowns' powerful self-titled debut, which earned several Dove Awards: American Dream * Glory * Here I Go Again * If We Are the Body * Life of Praise * Praise You with the Dance * Voice of Truth * What If His People Prayed * Who Am I * Your Love Is Extravagant.

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The Music of Tim Janis (Piano Solo Composer Collection) [Paperback] Review

I have had this piano book for almost a year and have enjoyed it immensely.There is a lot of variety, and I am never bored with the arrangements.I perform often for weddings, receptions, dinners, background music, etc., and this music is perfect.I always get rave reviews when I perform these arrangements.

It is not, however, for the novice pianist.Many of the arrangements are quite advanced.Some I am still working on perfecting!Tim Janis must have large hands, because he has many chords written in the music that I have a very difficult time reaching without rolling, and I have large hands!I do highly recommend this book.The melodies are very lyrical, haunting, and often unexpected.It never fails to delight.

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Product Description:
32 selections from Beautiful America, Music of Hope and other releases from this new age pianist: Canyon Winds * Echo Lake * Far and Beyond * For Only a Moment * Harvest Moon * Light on the Moon * The Sea on Every Side * Swept Across Forever * and more.

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The Art of Piano Pedaling: Two Classic Guides [Paperback] Review

This provides a combined reprint of GUIDE TO THE PROPER USE OF THE PIANOFORTE PEDALS and Carreno's POSSIBILITIES OF TONE COLOR BY ARTISTIC USE OF THE PEDALS: while narrow and specific in focus, it will provide the aspiring pianist with some lovely techniques and examples by two masters of the art.

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Product Description:
Rubinstein is considered Liszt's only possible rival on the concert stage while Carreno is the foremost woman pianist of the late 19th century. Together, they discuss "the soul of the piano": the art of piano pedaling. Rubinstein's technique is explored through works he performed in 1885-6. Carreno's observations explore her sensitivity made possible through combinations of touch and pedal.

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The Ultimate David Lanz Collection: for Easy Piano (Easy Piano Personality) [Paperback] Review

I purchsed this book for my preteen daughter who is an advanced intermediate player.The pieces are a challenge for her, but are beautiful and inspring - perfect for the special piano performances she needs to be preparing for.

This book is an excellent buy for the price, especially compared to other contemporary piano books like this.

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Product Description:
20 easy piano arrangements of favorites from this Grammy-nominated pianist. Includes: Before the Last Leaf Falls * Behind the Waterfall/Desert Rain Medley * Courage of the Wind * Cristofori's Dream * The Dragon's Daughter * Dream of the Forgotten Child * Dreamer's Waltz * Farewell Amparo * Leaves on the Seine * London Blue * Madre De La Tierra * Madrona * Nightfall * A Path with Heart * Return to the Heart * Reverie * Sitting in an English Garden * Summer's Child * Take the High Road * Valencia. Includes a biography.

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Michael Feinstein - Forever (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Michael Feinstein loves sheet music. You can tell that just by the way he puts together books of it. The piano arrangements are all intermediate to advanced level, but the vocal parts are extremely singable. But above all, the arrangements are beautiful. Yes, I admit there are a couple dozen books on or near my piano, but Feinstein's collections are always near the top of the pile.

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Product Description:
Matching folio with 13 songs, including: Half of April (Most of May) * Little White Lies * My Romance * Too Marvelous for Words * Wish You Were Here * and more.

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Evanescence- Open Door (Piano Vocal Guitar) [Paperback] Review

This is an awesome book. It's got all the songs off the album and color pictures. It's even got lyrics for all the songs printed separately. This is a must buy if you're a Evanescence fan!!

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Product Description:
Arranged for Piano & Guitar With Lyrics, Chord Names & Chord Frames. Matching songbook to the bands 2006 release. Includes 4 color art work. Contents: Sweet Sacrifice Call Me When You're Sober Weight of the World Lithium Cloud Nine Snow White Queen Lacrymosa Like You Lose Control The Only One Your Star All That I'm Living For Good Enough

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Peter and the Wolf: Piano Solo (Piano Large Works) [Paperback] Review

I'm not sure what the "New" label on the cover means, since Schirmer brought this score out in 1999 - anyway, it's a beautifully printed score for personal use and an inexpensive resource if you're teaching this music to children in preparation for a live performance, etc. This is Prokofiev's own reduction, so it's fairly demanding, but can easily be simplified, and it's easy to pick out the instruments that he associates with the characters - great fun if you have a well-voiced keyboard or student musicians to demonstrate the different themes.Highly recommended.

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Product Description:
One of the most beloved musical tales of all time! This is the composer's own reduction for solo piano, with narrator's text in English, French and Spanish.

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Maury Yeston - December Songs: Voice and Piano (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Longing: American Art Songs
The songs of the haunting and lyrical cycle follow the arc of a woman's emotional journey after the end of a serious relationship. Written in an accessible idiom that is a mixture of classical and Broadway, Yeston melds music and lyrics into a 35-minute exploration of how we continue with our lives after the most painful experiences. These songs are for the singer-actress who wants to fully inhabit Yeston's wounded but strong woman.

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Product Description:
Now back in print, this book matches the work commissioned for Andrea Marcovicci by the Carnegie Hall Corporation in honor of Carnegie Hall's Centennial Season. The premier was given in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 16, 1991. It is a song cycle in the American cabaret tradition, written in reaction to Schubert's Die Winterreise (a woman struggles to get over a devastating love affair). The songbook also features complete lyrics and a separate lyric section, notes on "December Songs" by Bernard Jacobson, and a bio of composer Maury Yeston.

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Instant Play Piano Review

If you want to learn to play the piano, this product is a great way to start.You can go at your own pace, and review as often as you need.The instruction is easy to understand, and within the first few lessons, you'll already be making noticable music.

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Product Description:
Instant Play Piano

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Beethoven Masterpieces for Solo Piano: 25 Works [Paperback] Review

A very nice edition, well bound, with some nice selections of music. Here's the full list of music included in this edition

Sonata no. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 ("Pathétique"; composed 1797?-8)
Sonata no. 14 in C-sharp Minor, "quasi una fantasia," Op. 27, No. 2 ("Moonlight"; composed 1801)
Bagatelle in F Major, Op. 33, No. 3 (composed 1801-2)
Bagatelle in A-flat Major, Op. 33, No. 7 (composed 1801-2)
Sonata no. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2 ("Tempest"; composed 1802)
Bagatelle in C Minor, Op. 119, No. 5 (completed 1820-2 from earlier sketches)
Six Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 34 (composed 1802)
Fantasia in G Minor/B-flat Major, Op. 77 (composed 1809)
Minuet in G Major, WoO 10, No. 2 (composed 1795?)
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126 (composed 1823-4)
1. G Major
2. G Minor
3. E-flat Major
4. B Minor
5. G Major
6. E-flat major
Rondo a Capriccio, Op. 129 ("Rage over a Lost Penny"; composed 1795)
Andante in F Major, WoO 57 ("Andante favori"; composed 1803)
Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59 ("Fur Elise"; composed 1808)
Minuet in E-flat Major, WoO 82 (composed before 1805)
Sonatina in G Major, Anh. 5, No. 1 (composed 1790-2?)
Sonatina in F Major, Anh. 5, No. 2 (composed 1790-2?)
Seven Variations on "God Save the King," WoO 78 (composed 1802-3)
Thirty-two Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 80 (composed 1806)
Seven Ländler, WoO 11 (composed 1798?)
Sonatina in C Major, WoO 51 (completed 1797-8?)

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Product Description:
This collection features 25 popular pieces,including the Sonata in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 ("Moonlight"); Sonata in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2 ("Tempest"); 32 Variations in C Minor; Andante in F Major; Rondo Capriccio, Op. 129; Fantasia, Op. 77; and popular bagatelles, rondos, minuets, and other works.

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Enya - A Day Without Rain (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I enjoyed the CD, and a little over a year ago I started learning to play the piano as an adult.I was a little apprehensive that this book would be over my head, but my piano teacher has already incorporated some of these songs into my "curriculum".The arrangements are a bit challenging for someone at my level of skill, but what saves me is that the tempo of these enchanting songs are slow enough that I can keep up.I am quite happy with this book.

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Product Description:
Our matching folio features all 12 songs from the CD, the first release in five years from this ethereal Irish new age artist. Includes: A Day Without Rain * Fallen Embers * The First of Autumn * Flora's Secret * One by One * Only Time * Pilgrim * Silver Inches * Wild Child * and more, plus color photos and a separate lyric section.

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Smooth Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series (Jazz Piano Solos 2nd Edition) (Jazz Piano Solos (Unnumbered)) [Paperback] Review

This is a wonderful book. It will work with the intermediate or advanced student as there is room to explore and add your own touch. After all that is Jazz!

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Product Description:
16 contemporary favorites: Bali Run (Fourplay) * Cast Your Fate to the Wind (David Benoit) * Just the Two of Us (Grover Washington, Jr.) * Morning Dance (Spyro Gyra) * Mountain Dance (Dave Grusin) * Rio De Janeiro Blue (Randy Crawford) * She Likes to Watch (Rippingtons) * Songbird (Kenny G) * This Masquerade (George Benson) * We're in This Love Together (Al Jarreau) * and more.

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Suzanne Ciani - New Age Piano (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback] Review

I have found that the more I play these pieces, the more I love them.The music encompasses a wide variety of moods and a nice mix of styles.For the most part, the music is fairly easy to play and I appreciate the fingering designed for a smaller hand.It is well worth trying.

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Product Description:
Solo piano arrangements of 17 songs: Adagio * Aegean Wave * Anthem * Drifting * Eagle * The Fifth Wave-Lullaby of the Sea * Inverness * Life in the Moonlight * Mother's Song * Mozart * Neverland * Rain * Summer's Day * Terra Mesa * Tuscany * The Velocity of Love * When Love Dies.

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The Most Beautiful Classical Melodies: 46 Beautiful Melodies (Easy Piano Songbook) [Paperback] Review

The Most Beautiful Classical Melodies: 46 Beautiful Melodies And this More of the Most Beautiful Classical Melodies: 46 More Beautiful Melodies (Easy Piano) are both written for the Easy Piano and I will add...well done too!

I recommend Both Books.Fine arraingments in both books!

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Product Description:
A grand collection of 46 classical favorites arranged for the early intermediate-level player: Air on the G String (Bach) * Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod and Schubert versions) * Canon in D (Pachelbel) * Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) * Panis Angelicus (O Lord Most Holy) (Franck) * Pomp and Circumstance (Elgar) * Tales from the Vienna Woods (Strauss) * Wedding March (Mendelssohn) * and more.

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Billy Joel Complete - Volume 2 (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This and volume 1 are great books to get if you wanna play just like Billy Joel!

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Product Description:
Revised to include all the songs from the album Stormfront. 59 songs, including: Allentown * It's Still Rock and Roll To Me * Keeping The Faith * The Longest Time * Tell Her About It * Uptown Girl * We Didn't Start The Fire * and more.

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My First Book of Chopin: 23 Favorite Pieces in Easy Piano Arrangements [Paperback] Review

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This is the perfect book if you are a beginning pianist and are interested in learning the music of Frèdèric Chopin. NOTE: These are 'Easy' Piano Arrangements.

There are a total of 23 titles with 2 of the titles revisited later on:

· Prelude, Op. 28 no. 7
· Mazurka, Op. 67 no. 2

Total = 21 unique songs (listed below)As a beginner to Chopin's music, I also purchased the following two CD's:

Chopin: Greatest Hits contain 10 songs from the book and Chopin: Favorite Piano Works contain 6 songs for a total of 13 unique songs. (3 overlap) .. including:

CHOPIN GREATEST HITS:
· Polonaise for piano No. 3 in A major ("Military"), Op. 40/1, CT. 152
· Waltz for piano No. 6 in D flat major ("Minute"), Op. 64/1, CT. 212
· Fantasy-Impromptu for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 66, CT. 46
· Nocturne for piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9/2, CT. 109
· Prelude for piano No. 7 in A major, Op. 28/7, CT. 172
· Polonaise for piano No. 6 in A flat major ("Héroique"), Op. 53, CT. 155
· Etude for piano No. 3 in E major, Op. 10/3, CT. 16
· Prelude for piano No. 20 in C minor, Op. 28/20, CT. 185
· Prelude for piano No. 15 in D flat major, Op. 28/15, CT. 180
· Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT. 202 Marche funèbre

CHOPIN FAVORITE PIANO WORKS:
· Fantasy-Impromptu for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 66, CT. 46
· Nocturne for piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9/2, CT. 109
· Waltz for piano No. 3 in A minor, Op. 34/2, CT. 209
· Waltz for piano No. 9 in A flat major ("L'adieu") Op. 69/1, CT. 215
· Ballade for piano No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23, CT. 2
· Polonaise for piano No. 6 in A flat major ("Héroique"), Op. 53, CT. 155 Each song in the book is also preceded by a paragraph with background details. For example from the first song:

"(This is) The seventh Prelude from Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op.28, composed when he was 26. The music is really a delicate waltz, made up of rhythmically identical two-measure phrases. Originally in the key of A major, this version states the melody alone in the easier key of G major, then adds a simple bass line. The music is light, airy and elegant."Here is the complete song list and the introduction from the title page:

"Chopin knows what sounds are heard in our fields and woods," wrote a critic. "He has listened to the song of the Polish villager and he has made it his own." But the composer's adopted France brought a new elegance and refinement into his music, and Frèdèric Chopin, revered as "the poet of the piano," was welcomed into Paris's highest social and courtly circles. The story and music of a great composer forever torn between two worlds appear in the pages that follow.

CONTENTS
In approximate order of difficulty

01. An Elegant Chopin Melody (in French Ballroom Style): Prelude, Op. 28 no. 7
02. A Plaintive Chopin Melody (in Polish Mazurka Style): Mazurka, Op. 67 no. 2
03. Lullaby: (Berceuse, Op. 57)
04. Mazurka: Mazurka, Op. 67 no. 2 (revisited)
05. Mazurka in F: (Mazurka, Op. 68 no. 3)
06. Etude No. 3: (Etude, Op. 10 no. 3)
07. Prelude No. 7: (Prelude, Op. 28 no. 7 (revisited)
08. An Early Nocturne: (Nocturne, Op. 9 no. 2)
09. A Late Nocturne: (Nocturne, Op. 55 no. 1)
10. First Ballade: (Ballade No. 1, Op. 23)
11. Ballade in F: (Ballade No. 2, Op. 38)
12. Funeral March: ("Marche funèbre" from Sonata No. 2, Op. 35)
13. Mazurka in C: (Mazurka, Op. 33 no. 3)
14. Grand Waltz in A Minor: (Grande Valse Brillante, Op. 34 no. 2)
15. "Farewell" Waltz: (Waltz, Op. 69 no. 1, "L'adieu")
16. "Minute" Waltz: (Waltz, Op. 64 no. 1)
17. "Organ" Prelude: (Prelude, Op. 28 no. 20)
18. "Raindrop" Prelude: (Prelude, Op. 28 no. 15)
19. Fantaisie-impromptu: (Fantaisie-impromptu, Op. 66)
20. "Butterfly" Etude: (Etude, Op. 25 no. 9)
21. "Military" Polonaise: (Polonaise, Op. 40 no. 1)
22. "Heroic" Polonaise: (Polonaise, Op. 53)
23. Scottish Dance: (The first of the Trois Ècossaises Op. 72 no. 3)

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~

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Product Description:
Beginning pianists and their teachers will love this attractive compilation of immortal music by Chopin. Fun-to-play, pedagogically sound arrangements include the theme from the "Raindrop" Prelude, "Minute" Waltz, the charming "Lullaby," and melodic highlights from the most familiar preludes, mazurkas, waltzes, impromptus, and etudes. From the lyrical "Fantaisie-impromptu" and delightful "Butterfly" Etude to the brilliant strains of the world-famous "Military" Polonaise and "Heroic" Polonaise, these arrangements of twenty-three of Chopin's best-loved pieces are guaranteed to be favorite additions to any beginning pianist's repertoire.


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Bryan Adams Anthology: P/V/G (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Missing a lot of my personal favourites like "Inside Out" but still enough to keep anyone busy for a while.
Loses a point only because I'd like to see the bass and drums included - but that's just my personal preference.

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Product Description:
A great collection of 30 top hits from this pop rocker: All for Love * Back to You * Can't Stop This Thing We Started * Cuts like a Knife * Don't Give Up * (Everything I Do) I Do It for You * Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? * Heaven * I Finally Found Someone * Kids Wanna Rock * One Night Love Affair * Run to You * Straight from the Heart * Summer of '69 * This Time * When You Love Someone * and more. Includes photos.

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The Muppet Christmas Carol (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This is one of our family's all-time favorite versions of "A Christmas Carol."It is filled with wonderful music, great humor and poignant reminders that we determine our happiness here and in the life to come by how we live our lives.We watch it every Christmas - it's one of those films that are a "must see" for us to get in the Christmas spirit.Definitely a 5-star rating - would give it more stars if possible!!

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Product Description:
Matching folio featuring 11 new Muppet carols and 8 pages of color photos!

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Art of Piano Playing [Paperback] Review

I read somewhere that if you can take one good idea away from reading a book, consider the experience a success. Call me greedy, but I expected more practical advice from "The Art of Piano Playing". The author's intent is to show how the central nervous system plays a primary role in the learning/performing process. He makes his case with an historical survey of earlier schools of thought concerning piano technique that, according to the author, culminated in an impasse in the early twentieth century. As scientific research into brain functioning progressed, the tools were now in place to make a case for the neurobiological basis of piano technique. What this boils down to is, essentially: 1) the aural image one creates in the mind of a musical composition is paramount and the urge to recreate that image will drive the learning and performing process. 2) practice slowly to establish and engrain neurological connections. 3) be flexible in your technique regarding fingering, arm position, etc. 4) the most effective learning is accompanied by intense concentration.
I've simplified, but this is what I walked away with. Unfortunately, the author spends more time justifying his theoretical argument than describing the practical application of his ideas. The book was written in 1967 when perhaps these thoughts were more radical. If you're intrigued and enjoy a heavy scientific bent, this book might be for you, but if you're looking for detailed practical advice on piano technique, I'm afraid other authors have done it better.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Art of Piano Playing [Paperback]

Product Description:
So many of the great pianists and teachers have come out of Poland and Russia (Rubinstein, Anton as well as Arthur, Leschetizky, Paderewski,the Lhevinnes, Gilels, Richter, and others), yet we know little abouttheir methods of learning and teaching. George Kochevitsky in THE ART OF PIANO PLAYING supplies some important sources of information previouslypreviously unavailable in this country. Russian sources alone occupy fourcolumns of his bibliography on 'History and Theory of Pianism.'Additionally there are six columns of German sources and seven columns ofsources in English. From these sources, tempered by this own thinking, Kochevitsky has formulated a scientific approach that can solve most

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The Very Best Of John Williams [Paperback] Review

My 14 year old son loves this book and plays from it just for fun.However, when we received the product the pages started falling out when we opened it enough to place on the piano--because the binding cracked.Ended up taking it in and paying another $4 to have it spiral bound.Fun music, though.

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Product Description:
This unbeatable John Williams collection features 28 easy piano arrangements by Dan Coates.

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MORE SONGS FOR PRAISE & WORSHIP VOL 4 (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Spiral-bound] Review

The whole "More Songs for Praise and Worship" series are the best . . . anyone purchasing one should get them all . . . tremendous resource for a church wanting good theology in music and good connection with multiple generations - very "acoustic" - not over-the-top contemporary.:-)

Click Here to see more reviews about: MORE SONGS FOR PRAISE & WORSHIP VOL 4 (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Spiral-bound]

Product Description:
51 more classics from today's top composers of praise songs. Includes: Again and Again * All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises * Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) * Arise * Break Through * Draw Me Nearer * Everlasting God * How Can I Keep from Singing * Let the Praises Ring * Majestic * Nothing but the Blood * Still * Unchanging * Your Name * more! Spiral bound.

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William Joseph - Within (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback] Review

I purchased this book because I own the CD and absolutely loved the music.Because the original music is mostly played on the piano to begin with, the sheet music sounds very similar to what you hear on the CD.Some of the songs are VERY difficult to play, and so I would only recommend this book to serious pianists who don't mind practicing A LOT to get the notes and the speed.It's wonderful, overall.It will give you hours of beautiful music for any occasion.Even the "easier" songs (which really aren't that easy) sound very impressive when played.

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Product Description:
11 pieces from the 2004 debut release by this contemporary keyboardist. Includes original compositions as well as classical and pop remakes: Ave Maria * Butterflies and Hurricanes * Dust in the Wind * Kashmir * Stella's Theme * Within * more.

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The Billy Joel Keyboard Book: Note-for-Note Keyboard Transcriptions (Keyboard Recorded Versions) [Paperback] Review

Pump out that Piano Man solo! That's why these books are good. There's no section too difficult, there's nothing held back. No stupid interpretations of melody lines - this is the real deal. In terms of sheer enjoyment, nothing beats playing transcriptions of songs, especially ones you like. So to sit down and play 'Piano Man' from start to finish exactly like Billy Joel (solo included), or 'New York State of Mind' with the jazzy intro and the beautifully voiced chords - it's a real treat.
Get this book!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Billy Joel Keyboard Book: Note-for-Note Keyboard Transcriptions (Keyboard Recorded Versions) [Paperback]

Product Description:
15 keyboard transcriptions from the piano man himself, including: And So It Goes * Honesty * Just the Way You Are * My Life * Piano Man * and more.

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The Great Piano Works of Sergei Rachmaninoff (Belwin Edition: The Great Piano Works of) [Paperback] Review

Top. But do not buy it unless a master Piano performer. Rachmaninoff is NOT easy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Great Piano Works of Sergei Rachmaninoff (Belwin Edition: The Great Piano Works of) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Titles include the famous '18th Variation on a Theme of Paganini,' along with selected transcriptions ('The Bumble-Bee,' 'Minuet' from L'Arlesienne Suite, and 'Liebeslied'). Etude-Tableau, Moment Musicals, Preludes, other individual pieces, and the complete 'Variations on a Theme of Chopin' round out this unique collection that is not available from any other publisher. 29 pieces on 192 pages.

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David Lanz - By Request (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback] Review

This is a great collection for anybody interested in new age piano.The book is large in format and easy to read.Great music!

Click Here to see more reviews about: David Lanz - By Request (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback]

Product Description:
20 piano solos from this Narada recording artist: Cristofori's Dream * Day Star * Desert Rain * First Light * Green into Gold * Heartsounds * Rain Forest * Rosario * Star Gazer * White Sands * and more.

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Heart - Greatest Hits: P/V/G (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I gifted this to my dad for his birthday - he really liked it! Wanted to learn these songs for years, so he was really happy when this arrived in his mailbox :)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Heart - Greatest Hits: P/V/G (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback]

Product Description:
This stand-out collection contains 20 top tunes from these prototypical rocker girls: Barracuda * Crazy on You * Dog and Butterfly * Dreamboat Annie * Heartless * How Can I Refuse * Little Queen * Lucky Trumble * Magic Man * Never * Straight On * Tell It like It Is * These Dreams * This Man Is Mine * What About Love? * Who Will You Run To * and more. Includes a bio and photos.

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Wayne Gratz - Solos for New Age Piano (Piano Solo Personality) [Paperback] Review

Wayne Gratz composes beautiful music and I own some of his CD's. So I purchased this piano book expecting the scores inside the book would resemble what I have heard on his CD's. But to my disappointment the piano scores are much simplified and some of the tunes do not even sound like the original. The word 'for Beginner' should be added to the book's title.

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Product Description:
15 piano solo arrangements from this popular Narada recording artist. Titles include: Any Color but Blue * Appalachian Sunrise * At Sunrise * Blue Ridge Part 2 * Clouds * Flight of the Seagull * A Gift of the Sea * Good Question * The Green Room * A Heart in the Clouds * Ocala * Rain on the Pond * So Close * Steps in the Sand * Still Pond.

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Bob Seger - Greatest Hits (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

This was a great piano book. It has a lot of good songs by the Carpenters in there. My only regret is that the songs aren't in the correct key that the Carpenters actually played them in. If you are looking for a book like that, get Love Songs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bob Seger - Greatest Hits (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Our songbook, the matching folio to the bestselling 1994 hits compilation from this classic rocker, features 14 first-rate signature songs from Seger: Against the Wind * C'est La Vie * The Fire Inside * Hollywood Nights * In Your Time * Like a Rock * Mainstreet * Night Moves * Old Time Rock and Roll * Roll Me Away * Still the Same * Turn the Page * We've Got Tonight * You'll Accomp'ny Me. Also includes a special 8-page color section with lyrics and photos!

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50 Gershwin Classics [Paperback] Review

This is one tremendous find! THe Gershwins wrote some very memorable tunes, and the piano arrangements (also includes vocals and guitar chords) are lush and exquisite! I have been looking for a book of Gershwin for piano awhile now and this is PERFECT! Lots of fun and pleasure, though it is not "EASY PIANO". Moderate ability is required, but you can always fake it by playing the chords and melody line. I love it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: 50 Gershwin Classics [Paperback]

Product Description:
All of the finest from this vastly talented composer. Includes: An American in Paris * But Not for Me * Embraceable You * A Foggy Day * Funny Face * I Got Rhythm * I've Got a Crush on You * Lorelei * Love Is Here to Stay * The Man I Love * Nice Work If You Can Get It * Rhapsody in Blue * Someone to Watch Over Me * Swanee * Sweet and Low-Down * 'S Wonderful * They Can't Take That Away from Me * more!

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Piano Wizard for PC Software & Sticker Only Review

I've enjoyed using the product thus far.My biggest gripe is that from the literature it seemed as if it would automatically progress you through to greater levels of difficulty as your skill improved, which doesn't seem to be the case.Also the difficulty level from one song to the next can vary drastically.Also although it has modes to show what fingering is supposed to be used, the numbers are generally illegible and there is no hint that I can find on what the fingering numbers are meant to constitute, etc.Other difficulties are that I have a fairly small midi keyboard (2 octave) and it seems to have moved the entire key range to the edge of the keyboard so I'm only getting the range usage for one hand, and the other hand seems to be pretty much ignored even in two handed mode.This is a good product, I just wish they had done some obvious changes such as progressing you as your skill improves instead of guessing when you should move on so it could be a great product.

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Their Stories & Music Review

This is a tremendous value considering the price and the number of tracks that you get.The renditions are not bad, but I have heard better Foster.There is a lot of narration, which makes this a great teaching tool to introduce Foster and Sousa.The narration is a bit more for Foster than Sousa.Some of the Foster songs seem to be cut a little short, giving you what is really more of a sampler than a rich collection of complete Foster songs. The Sousa marches seem to be a little longer and don't have quite as much narration.Even though both men were well known American composers, their type of music was quite different, so it's kind of an odd paring on this album.It's a pleasant listen, but not a "must have" item unless you don't have much Foster or Sousa in your music collection; it's a good starter album.Great for kids who might be interested in learning about these two famous composers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Their Stories & Music

Product Description:
This hour long CD intersperses about 30 minutes narration of the composer s life with his most important pieces of music, followed by about 30 minutes of uninterrupted music. Recommended by Laura Berquist Syllabus Grades 2 and 3Author: Music Masters SeriesGrade 1 - 8 Audio CD Publisher: Vox Music MastersUPC 0-47163-85152-0

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Native Instruments Alicia's Keys Virtual Piano Review

I am a pianist and a guitarist and I record on my PC as a hobby. I have been looking for a great piano sound plug-in for my PC MIDI sequencer for a long time. The last time I heard a good MIDI piano sound was from perhaps 10 years ago and it was bundled with the Soundblaster AWE 32 sound card. I happened to see an ad for Alicia's Keys in a keyboard magazine, and decided to give it a try.

I am very impressed. I really found what I was looking for. Now this is the signature Alicia Keys sound. Soulful, subdue, velvety, and is great for accompaniment. This is more a "recorded sound" rather than a sound that you get as if the piano were right in front of you. For those of you who are guitarists and are familiar with the Line 6 POD line of guitar amp modeler, that is what I am talking about. If you are looking for the traditional "in your face" piano sound that you get from a typical digital piano I would recommend the New York Concert Piano also by Native Instruments. Again if you were a guitarist, the sound of Alicia's Keys is like that of a Gibson ES-335, while the NY Concert Piano (which really is a Steinway even though it is not officially referred to as such) is like that of a Les Paul.

In any case, I got both and I couldn't be happier.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Native Instruments Alicia's Keys Virtual Piano

Product Description:
With ALICIA'S KEYS, Native Instruments has unlocked the door to the R&B chanteuse's studio. The rich piano samples included in this sound library were created from her own playing, recorded in her personal studio in collaboration with her trusted engineer, Ann Mincieli. Together with Mincieli, Danish sample specialist Thomas Skarbye (also known by his company name Scarbee) and impulse response expert Ernest Cholakis, Alicia Keys has created a virtual piano that embodies the soulful, passionate sound that's become her trademark. Add this virtual piano to your studio and Alicia's distinguished playing will grace your next composition.ALICIA's KEYS' instrument samples come from the artist's very own Yamaha C3 Neo grand piano. This unique and hallowed instrument was built to celebrate Yamaha's 100th anniversary in 2002 and represents the very top of the Conservatory Collection line. The exquisite and unique sound of the C3 Neo were painstakingly captured by Thomas Skarbye, KONTAKT script wizard Nils Liberg, and Grammy-award winning engineer Ann Mincieli-making these exclusive Yamaha piano samples available to everyone. Using vintage microphones and preamps and through detailed analysis of Alicia's playing, the team succeeded in capturing the warm, soulful, and inspiring sound of the Yamaha C3 Neo piano all the way down to the finest nuances. Great effort was put into making the ALICIA'S KEYS virtual piano as authentic as possible. Designed with incredible precision, and incorporating subtle details such as mechanical release noises, a specially developed sympathetic resonance and release system, and even the sound of fingers hitting keys (optional), this unique virtual instrument software delivers plenty of lively realism. So much in fact, that Alicia Keys herself used it exclusively on her latest album "The Element of Freedom."

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Children's Favorite Movie Songs: The Phillip Keveren Series Big-Note Piano [Paperback] Review

I got this for my kids who are currently taking piano lessons.One was learning the Raiders' March and according to her teacher it was easier than the other Raiders March in other books.I like the layout and the notes are easy to read and see.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Children's Favorite Movie Songs: The Phillip Keveren Series Big-Note Piano [Paperback]

Product Description:
This collection in the Keveren series features his big-note arrangements of 16 top songs from 14 great films. Includes: The Bare Necessities * Beauty and the Beast * Can You Feel the Love Tonight * Do-Re-Mi * Feed the Birds * In My Own Little Corner * The Lonely Goatherd * My Funny Friend and Me * Raiders March * The Rainbow Connection * So Long, Farewell * Star Trek- The Motion Picture * Tomorrow * Yellow Submarine * You'll Be in My Heart * Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.

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Side by Side: Duets for 4-hand Piano (Lillenas Publications) [Paperback] Review

Nice intermediate arrangements.A bit challenging for the student, but more advanced players could sight-read, and yet still have some fun together.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Side by Side: Duets for 4-hand Piano (Lillenas Publications) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Diverse and creative hymn arrangements for four-hands, one piano.

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100 Christmas Carols (Easy Piano Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I'm glad I took time to check the publisher's Web site, because I discovered that of the 100 titles included in this book, there are over 50 I've never heard of.To save you that step, I've done a copy/paste of the complete song list I found there, so you can see for yourself how many "old friends" and how many "strangers" you'd be getting if you were to order this book.

A Child Is Born In Bethlehem
Angels From Heaven
Angels From The Realms Of Glory
Angels We Have Heard On High
As Each Happy Christmas
As Lately We Watched
As With Gladness Men Of Old
Away In A Manger
The Baby In The Cradle
Bells Over Bethlehem
Beside Thy Cradle Here I Stand
The Boar's Head Carol
A Boy Is Born In Bethlehem
Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light
Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
Carol Of The Birds
Child Jesus Came To Earth This Day
Christ Is Born This Evening
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
Christians, Awake! Salute The Happy Morn
The Christmas Tree With Its Candles Gleaming
Come, All Ye Shepherds
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Coventry Carol
Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
A Day, Bright Day Of Glory
Deck The Hall
Ding Dong! Merrily On High!
The First Noel
The Friendly Beasts
From Heaven Above To Earth I Come
Fum, Fum, Fum
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Good King Wenceslas
The Happy Christmas Comes Once More
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
He Is Born, The Holy Child (Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant)
Here We Come A-Wassailing
The Holly And The Ivy
I Am So Glad On Christmas Eve
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
I Saw Three Ships
In The Field With Their Flocks Abiding
In The Silence Of The Night
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Jesus Holy, Born So Lowly
Joy To The World
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Masters In This Hall
Neighbor, What Has You So Excited?
Noel! Noel!
O Bethlehem
O Christmas Tree
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
O Come Away, Ye Shepherds
O Come, Little Children
O Come Rejoicing
O Come, O Come Immanuel
O Holy Night
O Let Us All Be Glad Today
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O Sanctissima
Of The Father's Love Begotten
On Christmas Night
Once In Royal David's City
Pat-A-Pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum)
Rejoice And Be Merry
Ring Out, Ye Wild And Merry Bells
Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow
Shepherds' Cradle Song
Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep
Shout The Glad Tidings
Silent Night
The Simple Birth
Sing, O Sing, This Blessed Morn
Sing We Now Of Christmas
Sleep, Holy Babe
Sleep, O Sleep, My Lovely Child
The Snow Lay On The Ground
The Star Of Christmas Morning
Star Of The East
Still, Still, Still
There's A Song In The Air
Toyland
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
A Virgin Unspotted
Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Wexford Carol
What Child Is This?
When Christ Was Born Of Mary Free
When Christmas Morn Is Dawning
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Winds Through The Olive Trees

Click Here to see more reviews about: 100 Christmas Carols (Easy Piano Songbook) [Paperback]

Product Description:
The biggest and best easy piano collection of Christmas classics ever! Includes: Angels We Have Heard on High * Away in a Manger * Bells Over Bethlehem * Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella * Carol of the Birds * Christ Was Born on Christmas Day * Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy * The First Noel * God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen * Good King Wenceslas * Here We Come A-Wassailing * I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day * It Came upon the Midnight Clear * Joy to the World * O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) * O Holy Night * Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow * Silent Night * Still, Still, Still * The Twelve Days of Christmas * We Three Kings of Orient Are * We Wish You a Merry Christmas * and more!

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Bebop Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback] Review

Here are some fully realized piano solos of some bebop classics.They are generally intermediate in difficulty.Most of the tunes are arranged as: the tune (head), a chorus of written out improvisation and the tune again. The style is boppish, good arrangements, somewhat in the style of the recordings and for written music they really do sound like jazz.
However, a disappointment is that the chord symbols are not included.Yea, you should be able easily figure them out if you have any jazz background, but they are handy if you want to improvise on your own, memorize etc.I guess they want to sell you a fake book. The arrangements for the most part follow the standard chord changes, however, it's nice to know quickly where the arranger takes some liberty or what he did on tunes which have multiple changes; such as "Well You Needn't" where there is a Miles and Monk version.So, one star off.
So, if you have no jazz background or want ready-made arrangements for ideas etc. this is a great book.It also helps a lot to listen to a recording of the tunes to get a feel for the music.If you really want to play jazz though, get a fake book, learn chords, listen, transcribe, use play-alongs, play in a group, get a good teacher... In the meantime, this is a nice shortcut to playing these tunes.
The complete list of tunes is:Anthropology, Au Privave, Billie's Bounce (Bill's Bounce), Birk's Works, Doxy, Four, Godchild,Half Nelson, In Walked Bud, Lady Bird, Lemon Drop, Manteca, Oleo, Ruby My Dear, Shawnuff, Tempus Fugit, Well You Needn't (It's Over Now) Woodyn' You.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bebop Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback]

Product Description:
18 classics from jazz masters of the '40s and '50s, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Bud Powell, Ella Fitzgerald and others. Tunes include: Anthropology * Au Privave * Billie's Bounce * Doxy * Half Nelson * In Walked Bud * Lady Bird * Lemon Drop * Manteca * Oleo * Ruby, My Dear * Well You Needn't * Woodyn' You * and more.

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Casio CTK-2100 61 Key Personal Keyboard Premium Package with Headphones, Stand & Power Supply Review

The keyboard is very nice. But,I was very disappointed when I plugged it in and it did not work on ac power, only with the batteries. For me to ship this back might end up costing me more than the board itself. So I am stuck with it. This really hurts. Other than that, it play's well and has alot of useful functions. would love to know what can you do for me amazon. I
ve already gone through 4sets of batteries.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio CTK-2100 61 Key Personal Keyboard Premium Package with Headphones, Stand & Power Supply

Product Description:
A great choice for both piano beginners and intermediates, the portable Casio CTK-2100 personal keyboard offers 61 piano-style touch keys and step-by-step lessons that help just about anyone learn to play. Offering a wide range of features and functions, the CTK-2100 keyboard includes 400 tones and 150 rhythms, sampling function, an audio-in jack that lets you play along with your favorite songs, USB port for connecting to a PC, and AHL audio technology for reproducing amazingly real grand piano and acoustic musical instrument sounds. It's powered by 6 AA batteries.
This Premium Package also comes with professional closed-cup headphones, single x-braced stand, and power supply.

Key Features

AHL sound source (Acoustic & Highly-compressed Large-waveform):All built-in tones, including piano and acoustic instrument tones, now sound better than ever before! 48-tone maximum polyphony provides plenty of margin to minimize the chance of notes being dropped when tones are layered and when playing with Auto Accompaniment.
Piano-style keyboard: An easy-to-play keyboard with an appearance resembling that of an acoustic piano.
Digital effects: Use effects to add reverb for more depth and breadth in your music.
Step Up Lesson: Pieces are divided into short, easy-to-master phrases making it easy for just about anyone to learn to play. After you master a phrase you advance to the next one. With this new lesson function, you keep building up your collection of mastered phrases and soon you are able to play the entire song.
Scoring system: Your lesson score appears on the display screen.
Voice fingering guide: If the keyboard senses you are having problems, it will help you by calling out finger numbers in a simulated human voice.
Metronome for lesson support
Sampling function: Sample a sound and you can play it on the keyboard! You can create sound effects for a party or other events, or use sounds to compose music (1 sound; 1-second sampling time).The potential for fun is virtually unlimited!
Audio-in jack: Connect a digital audio player, CD player, or other audio device and you can play along with music played through the keyboard's speakers.
Wide selection of tones (400 high-quality tones) supports play of songs from various genres.
150 rhythms and auto accompaniments for Latin music and other styles from around the world. In addition to Bossa Nova, Samba, and other basic rhythms, you also get Cumbia, Reggaeton, Calypso, and more USB port for computer connection
General MIDI (GM Level 1) support allows connection with a computer or another GM-compatible device

Specifications

Keyboard: 61 standard-size keys
Touch Response: 2 types, Off
Key Light System: Up to 4 keys can be lit at the same time
Maximum Polyphony: 48 notes (24 for certain tones)
Effects: 10 types
Reverb: 1 to 10, Off
Metronome: beats per measure -- 0,2 to 6; tempo range -- 30 to 255
Step Up Lesson:

Lessons: 4 (Listen, Watch, Remember, Auto)
Lesson Part: L, R, LR
Functions: Repeat, Voice Fingering Guide, Note Guide.

Music Challenge: 20 notes
Auto Accompaniment: Rhythm Patterns -- 150; One Touch Presets -- 150
Musical Information Function: Tone, Rhythm, Song Bank, numbers and names; staff notation, fingering, pedal operation, tempo, measure and beat number, chord name, etc.
USB port: Yes
Sustain jack: Standard jack (sustain, sostenuto, soft, rhythm start/stop)
Phones/Output jack: Stereo standard jack
Output Impedance: 200 Ohm, Output Voltage: 4.8 V (RMS) MAX
Audio In jack: Stereo mini jack
Input Impedance: 40 kOhm, Input Sensitivity: 200 mV
Mic In jack: Standard jack
Batteries: 6 AA batteries

The 61-key Casio CTK-2100 portable keyboard makes it easy to learn to play the piano (see larger version of keyboard plus a detail of the keyboard controls.


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Third Day - Wherever You Are (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Learn the songs from Third Day's 2005 album - piano/voice/and guitar chord notation.Includeds 'The Sun is Shining,' 'How Do You Know,' and 'Cry Out to Jesus.'

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Product Description:
This popular CCM band's 2005 release features the hit "Cry Out to Jesus" plus: Carry My Cross * Communion * Eagles * How Do You Know * I Can Feel It * Keep On Shinin' * Love Heals Your Heart * Mountain of God * Rise Up * The Sun Is Shining * Tunnel.

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The Nutcracker: Complete Ballet for Solo Piano [Paperback] Review

This is a book I've been looking for for years: the original piano arrangement of the entire Nutcracker Ballet score. The score harbors many delightful pieces that are not included in the ubiquitous Nutcracker Suite, such as the music for the scene around the Christmas tree, Grandfather's Dance, the Pas de Deux, and the Valse Finale. The arrangements are by Taneeff, and revised by the composer. The score has been reprinted from a rare copy in 2005. The piano arrangement is playable for advanced amateur pianists (this is NOT a Nutcracker-made-easy version), and cleverly done: it has the feel of a piano score, not of a reduced orchestra score. (Nutcracker lovers familiar with the Concert version of the ballet music will find slight (and interesting) discrepancies, but the music from the Concert version is all there, albeit in a somewhat different order. The only funny part of the arrangement is that the upper register seems to have been left out in the complex music of the fight between the nutcracker and the mouse king.)

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Product Description:
This piano solo of Tchaikovsky's masterful Christmas ballet offers pianists a chance to enjoy favorites such as "The Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy" and "The Waltz of the Flowers." Created by distinguished composer Sergey Taneyev at the time of the ballet's premiere, this delightful arrangement renders the complete ballet in a style that is both idiomatic to the piano and entirely faithful to Tchaikovsky's brilliant score. Here are all the movements of the beloved Suite, along with the rest of this holiday favorite. Unabridged republication of the Sergey Taneyev arrangement.

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Daily Technical Studies for Piano (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

This classic is one of the best piano exercise books you can buy. It covers all the major techical problems of the piano. To name a few: finger independence, chord and scale passages, hands crossing, extensions, wrist vs finger action, etc.

Please note, however, this is not an easy book. That happens very much because (but that is one of the book's great advantages) the exercises are made to be practised in all the scales, contrary to a book like "Hanon", so I would recomend it to any pianist who has a two-three years experience and has made the first part of "Hanon" exercises.

Many exercises are the most boring you can get, but belive me, it is worth the effort. Just try this book for a week and you will certantly see a difference.

This is also a great work for correcting hand problems like bent fingers or streched out ones, bad wrist position, etc.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Daily Technical Studies for Piano (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback]

Product Description:
This new Kalmus Edition offers pianists a complete set of technical exercises, from simple warm-ups through more advanced studies. Also includes a compendium of scales in various forms, a modulatory section, and a glossary of musical terms.

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Rent: Easy Piano (Easy Piano Vocal Selections) [Paperback] Review

This is such a wonderful song book and the piano pieces are very easy. My friends and I sit at my piano for hours singing and playing the songs of "Rent" from this amazing book. I've used it for almost all of my auditions and I've gotten wonderul parts! I reccomend this easy-learing piano book for all people who fiddle around with their piano's figuring out the begining of "Seaons of Love!" (Like I did myself!)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Rent: Easy Piano (Easy Piano Vocal Selections) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Songs include: Another Day, Halloween, I'll Cover You, One Song Glory, Out Tonight, Rent, Santa Fe, Seasons Of Love, Take Me Or Leave Me, What You Own, Without You, Your Eyes.

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Favorite Piano Works (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) [Paperback] Review

Glad I chose this edition. For my (totally amateur) purposes, Schirmer is just fine, and the price was certainly right.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Favorite Piano Works (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Many of Debussy's best-known pieces are assembled in this convenient, affordable collection. Includes: Children's Corner * Deux arabesques * Estampes * Hommage aHaydn * Images * L'isle joyeuse * Masques * Le petit negre * La plus que lente * Preludes, Books 1 and 2 (selections) * Reverie, Suite bergamasque (including "Clair de lune") * Suite: Pour le piano.

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Le Tombeau de Couperin and Other Works for Solo Piano [Paperback] Review

This book contains a great selection of pieces at a more than resonable price. I bought it as a set with Piano Masterpieces of Maurice Ravel also by Dover. (I saw another edition of Ma Mere l'Oye *on it's own* was more than what I paid for this whole book!)Dover editions I have found in the past have great quality.The pages are sewn in so the book will last a lifetime without pages falling or ripping out.
If you're not already impressed by the selection of pieces (I love the 1913 Prelude which I already had a copy of and memorized a while ago), Dover goes even further with this set.It opens with the table of contents and after that it has a complete glossyry of french terms and text used in the music!This I found was quite impressive. Even Dover's other Ravel book doesn't do this.Some of the terms sound enough like English words or Italian musical terms for you to figure it out but it's really great that they gave you it there for you to know for certain.Following that are translations of the wonderful quotes of fairy tales from La Mere and other text that appears in the book.
Before each multi-movement piece it receives it's own cover page followed by an introduction to the piece written by Ronald Herder citing Orenstein's book Ravel: Man and Musician as a primary source.It is really nice to learn a little about the piece before playing it and it's a wonderful inclusion.The music appears to be in chronological order with the three 1913 pieces grouped together under a single cover sheet (sans any introduction).The title piece is well deserving of it as it is a large section of the book with it's 7 movements.The book concludes with Ravel's transcription of La Valse.It is annotated with Ravel's own notes on the orchestra version sometimes including a third ossia staff showing parts of the orchestration unincluded in the transcription.Instruments are named in french and can be translated via the glossary at the front of the book.
The only problem anyone might have with this book is that there are no noted fingerings as far as I've seen.I don't rely on them much myself but I know other people prefer them.If that is an issue, consider still getting this book and consulting someone on parts where you are unsure of the best fingering.Otherwise this is the perfect set!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Le Tombeau de Couperin and Other Works for Solo Piano [Paperback]

Product Description:
Essential pieces for intermediate and advanced pianists, reproduced from authoritative French scores. This superb compilation contains Ma mère l'oye [Mother Goose], Valse nobles et sentimentales, Le tombeau de Couperin: Suite pour piano, and La Valse as well as three shorter pieces: Prèlude, A la manière de Borodin (Valse) and A la manière de Emmanuel Chabrier.


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Casio PX-120 Privia Digital Piano Review

I traded in a PX-110 for a PX-120.I bought the Casio so I could practice piano using headphones.The most important features for me are piano action, piano sounds and metronome.I don't care much about the other features and sounds, although sometimes I use the recording feature to lay down a bass line I can solo over.

Pros:

* The action is significantly better in the PX120 as compared to the PX110. The loud clunking caused by the key return in the PX110 is gone in the PX120.Big difference!

* 128 note polyphony means no notes cut out when you hold down the damper pedal during long runs.Nice.

* Notes sustain longer when held and this sounds more realistic than the PX-110.

* The "classic" piano setting is better than the PX110.

* Metronome volume can be adjusted in the PX120.

Cons:

* The "modern" setting sounds too metallic, brittle and "twangy" for my taste, especially with headphones. So the "classic" sound is the only usable piano setting, in my opinion.

* The samples are problematic for 3 notes: the second D#, E and F above middle C.There is a noticeable metallic rattle or buzz when these notes are struck firmly.Very annoying, especially with headphones.How could Casio let the product go out the door with this flaw?The PX-320 has the same problem (I went back to the store and checked the floor models with headphones).

* The sound is a little bass-heavy in the PX-120.The PX-110 has a more balanced sound.

* The metronome could be set to "ding" in 5/4 time (every five beats) in the PX110, and this feature was removed in the PX120. The promotional literature for the PX120 is incorrect on this point.The PX120 metronome can be set to ding every 0,2,3,4 and 6 beats.Not a huge deal, but I don't see why they had to remove it, as 5/4 isn't that uncommon anymore.

* Still no 1/4" output jack, although I don't plan to do gigs with the PX120, so not a big deal to me.

The sound annoyances with the PX-120 are making it hard for me to decide between the PX-110 and the PX-120.Both models have flaws, so it's a matter of deciding which flaws with which to live.I'm really annoyed at Casio for the sample quality in the PX-120.If it wasn't for the problem with the 3 notes, I'd stick with the PX-120.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio PX-120 Privia Digital Piano

Product Description:
Privia PX-120, rich sound with grand piano keyboard touch in a lightweight (under 30 lbs.) portable digital piano. The advanced AIF sound source provides 128 note polyphony providing you with full musical expression where notes reverberate naturally without being cut off during high-speed passages and during performances that require intensive damper pedal operations. With Weighted Scaled Hammer Action Keys you will have the look and feel of an acoustic piano. Use the PX-120 as a slab or with the optional custom wood stand.


A lightweight, portable digital piano. Click to enlarge.
Two different piano tones--a restrained classic and a brighter modern sound.
2 x 8 Watt on-board sound system.
Optional wood stand available.
128-Voice Polyphony
This permits the keyboard to produce up to 128 notes simultaneously for full musical expression. It lets you play sweeping chords and make extensive use of the damper pedal.
Scaled Hammer Action
88 touch-dynamic weighted keys based on concert piano keyboards make for an authentic playing feel, responding to all your playing nuance like an acoustic piano.
20 Piano Rhythms
The PX-120 has 20 piano rhythms, including drum sounds to provide you some accompaniment to play along with.
60 Songs
The PX-120 comes with a built-in Music Library of 60 built-in tunes. You can turn off the left hand part or right hand part of a song and play along on the piano, which makes for a great learning tool.
8 Digital Effects
Add a little more depth and variation to the built-in tones with 4 reverb and 4 chorus effects.
MIDI-In/Out
Use the MIDI in/out to control other MIDI instruments, or with external sequencers, computers, etc.
Lightweight
The PX-120 is truly portable, weighing in under 30 lbs. Take it to the gig without risking back pain.
Two Piano Setting Keys
The piano setting key switches to grand piano sound at the touch of a button. Two settings are available: "classic" for a soft, discreet sound and "modern" with a more lighter, brighter character.
Duet Function
The new duet functions allows teachers and pupils to play parallel to each other. The PX-120 can be divided into two keyboard areas, which can be transposed individually.
Panel-Lock
The control panel is protected from unintentional moves while playing and to protect settings.
Powerful Speaker System
The powerful on-board, 2-way system boasts four speakers and 2 x 8 watts of output power.
2 Headphone Connections
The PX-120 features two headphone connections, ideal for the duet function.
Damper Pedal Jack With 3-Pedal Unit Support
Connect a damper pedal directly or add the optional SP-30 three-pedal unit for damper, soft, and sostenuto.
Optional Custom Wood Stand
A stylish custom wood stand is available for adding a bit of elegance in the home.
What's in the Box
Privia PX-120 Keyboard, AC Adapter, Music Stand, User's Manual

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