Popular Hits Book 1 - Book/GM Disk Pack: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Adult Piano Method (Educational Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

This book follows book 1 of the Hal Leonard Adult Piano Method but can be used as a supplementary book for any piano method.The authors have picked 12 pop hits - both old and new - and arranged them for solo piano.The CD or MIDI disk also has fun accompaniments for each piece.Songs include 'My Heart Will Go On,' 'Y.M.C.A.,' 'Fun, Fun, Fun,' and 'Strangers in the Night.'The arrangements are basic enough to improve/add on to if you wish.The authors also offer a suggested order for learning the songs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Popular Hits Book 1 - Book/GM Disk Pack: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Adult Piano Method (Educational Piano Library) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Exciting supplementary material featuring brand-new arrangements of standard favorites. Includes: American Pie * Circle of Life * Fun, Fun, Fun * La Vie En Rose * Let It Be Me * Murder, She Wrote * My Heart Will Go On * Sing * Strangers in the Night * Y.M.C.A. * The Way You Look Tonight.Exciting supplementary material featuring brand-new arrangements of standard favorites. Includes: American Pie * Circle of Life * Fun, Fun, Fun * La Vie En Rose * Let It Be Me * Murder, She Wrote * My Heart Will Go On * Sing * Strangers in the Night * Y.M.C.A. * The Way You Look Tonight.

Get 15% OFF

Want to buy Popular Hits Book 1 - Book/GM Disk Pack: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Adult Piano Method (Educational Piano Library) [Paperback] at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:

Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Student Book, Bk 2 [Plastic Comb] Review

I have taught from this book this year and also used the first edition for several years.This is a good book with lots to recommend it to the teacher and student.The multiple-key approach dovetails very well with college theory courses.The instruction in lead sheet and figured bass harmonization is also excellent.Solo repertoire pieces have been thoughtfully integrated and offer the teacher and student plenty of choices.The only drawback I have found, from a teacher's perspective, is that the presentation of scales is, in my view, unsound.Stressing two octave scales and arpeggios at this level is much too advanced.It would be better to spread the presentation of scales out more (one per week after they are first introduced) and require only one octave.Of course, a good teacher can adapt the scale presentation, but with so many other excellent features, I think that the authors could easily address this (maybe in the next edition).Also, since this is used as a college text, it is preferable to teach natural and melodic minor scales and fingerings too.But other than this slight quibble, I highly recommend this great book, which is useful for the entire first year of piano study.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Student Book, Bk 2 [Plastic Comb]

Product Description:
Alfred's Group Piano for Adults, Book 2 is designed for non-keyboard music majors with little or no keyboard experience. Upon completion of the course, students will have a strong grasp of functional skills, keyboard technique and musical styles. The text is easy to use, containing 30 units, each designed to be completed in one week.It is fully supported by CDs and MIDI disks with over 500 accompaniments.

Buy cheap Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Student Book, Bk 2 [Plastic Comb] now

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Duet Book Level 1 [Paperback]

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.

Buy cheap Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Duet Book Level 1 [Paperback] now

Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1 (Piano Accompaniments) [Paperback] Review

This product nicely complements the Janice Tucker volumes. I am doing well with this purchase, but if I did not already know how to read music, I would be struggling.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1 (Piano Accompaniments) [Paperback]

Product Description:
The Suzuki Method® of Talent Education is based on Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's view that every child is born with ability, and that man is the son of his environment. According to Dr. Suzuki, a world-renowned violinist and teacher, the greatest joy an adult can know comes from developing a child's potential so he/she can express all that is harmonious and best in human beings. Students are taught using the "mother-tongue" approach. Suzuki Violin School materials include: Violin Parts (Vol. 1-10) * Piano Accompaniments (Vol. 1-10) * Cassettes (Vol. 1-3 performed by Shinichi Suzuki, Vol. 4-8 performed by Koji Toyoda) * Compact Discs (Vol. 5-8, performed by Koji Toyoda) * David Cerone Performs Suzuki Violin School (Cassettes & Compact Discs, Vol. 1-4) * David Nadien Performs Suzuki Violin School (Cassettes and Compact Discs, Vol. 1-4). Suzuki Method Core Materials available for piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, harp, guitar, and recorder.

Buy cheap Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1 (Piano Accompaniments) [Paperback] now

Adult All-in-one Course: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Book 2 [Large Print] [Plastic Comb] Review

My efforts to reteach myself to play the piano had kind of stalled but ALFRED'S BASIC ADULT PIANO COURSE has put me back in gear.I kind of dithered between starting with level 2 or level 3 and though the first few pieces in level 2 were very easy for me I soon found I really did need the review offered in level 2 and a quick scan of level 3 shows me I would have soon become frustrated with it without going through this book first.A tuneful selection of folk, jazz ragtime and classical music make up most of the coursework and there is a lot of emphasis on chords and fingering - skills I missed in my piano lesson days of long ago.The book is bound with a sturdy plastic "comb" good for me as I am notoriously hard on piano music.There are pen and paper exercises to review notes and chords as well as lots of beautiful music pieces. If you are faithful in practicing this series will teach you a great deal about the piano and keep you motivated to continue.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Adult All-in-one Course: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Book 2 [Plastic Comb]

Product Description:
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for use with an instructor for the beginning student looking for a truly complete piano course. It is a greatly expanded version of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course that will include lesson, theory, technic and additional repertoire in a convenient, "all-in-one" format. This comprehensive course features written assignments that reinforce each lesson's concepts, a smooth, logical progression between each lesson, a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and outstanding extra songs, including folk, classical, and contemporary selections. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a good understanding of basic musical concepts and styles. Titles: Alexander's Ragtime Band * Arkansas Traveler * Ballin' the Jack * The Battle Hymn of the Republic * Black Forest Polka * Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair * Bourlesq * Brahms Lullaby * Bridal Chorus from 'Lohengrin' * Calypso Carnival * Canon in D (Pachelbel) * Chorale * Circus March * Danny Boy * Dark Eyes * Deep River * Divertimento in D * Down in the Valley * Etude (Chopin) *Farewell to Thee (Aloha Oe) * Fascination * Festive Dance * For He's a Jolly Good Fellow * Frankie and Johnnie * Guantanamera * Hava Nagila * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * The Hokey-Pokey * The House of the Rising Sun * Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 * Introduction and Dance * La Bamba * La Donna E Mobile * La Raspa * Light and Blue * Loch Lomond * Lonesome Road * Love's Greeting * The Magic Piper * The Marriage of Figaro * Mexican Hat Dance * Morning Has Broken * Musetta's Waltz * Night Song * Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen * Olympic Procession * Overture from 'Raymond' * Plaisir D'Amour * Polyvetsian Dances * Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 * The Riddle * Rock-a My Soul * Sakura * Scherzo * Solace * Space Shuttle Blues * The Streets of Laredo * Swingin' Sevenths * Tarantella *

Buy cheap Adult All-in-one Course: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Book 2 [Plastic Comb] now Get 30% OFF

Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Piano Course: Level 3 (Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course) [Plastic Comb] Review

I have been teaching piano for 8+ yrs. already. I recommend Alfred's Piano Course as an excellent teaching tool for all teachers who are teaching piano/keyboard!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Piano Course: Level 3 (Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course) [Plastic Comb]

Product Description:
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for use with an instructor for the beginning student looking for a truly complete piano course. It is a greatly expanded version of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course that will include lesson, theory, technic and additional repertoire in a convenient, "all-in-one" format. This comprehensive course features written assignments that reinforce each lesson's concepts, a smooth, logical progression between each lesson, a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and outstanding extra songs, including folk, classical, and contemporary selections. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a good understanding of basic musical concepts and styles.

Buy cheap Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Piano Course: Level 3 (Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course) [Plastic Comb] now Get 32% OFF

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One [Paperback] Review

Having studied piano minimally as a child (six months?), I decided at the age of 49, while at my daughter's recital, that I'd like to learn, but perhaps without the cost (at least at first) of lessons.So after looking through several books at the local music store, I bought this one, with CD (very important, but seems not to be the version sold on Amazon).It was just the ticket.
In four months I have completed the book, and now can play moderately complex beginning pieces (for variety, I've supplemented it with a few pieces from getsheetmusic.com, and can play level 3 and occasional level 4 pieces from there).Each page teaches just the a little bit more, and gives you the practice pieces to master it before going on.A very steady, satisfying rate of progress.You also learn notation, musical terms, intervals, and a smattering of music theory, such as keys, although this is not real strong.I found it useful near the end of the book to go back and review just the theory pages in one sitting; they then came together much better for me than when I ran across them one by one through the course.
The musical selections are uneven, but most are fine.They are all public domain, in a wide range of styles from jazz to folk to spiritual, and some are quite beautiful (a haunting arrangement of "Scarborough Fair," the rousing gospel "Standing in the Need of Prayer" -- and I'm Jewish ).You end with the first part of Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" (somewhat simplified arrangement, although they don't say that, but still quite nice) and "Amazing Grace."
I think it's very important to get the book with CD.The CD contains all the practice pieces, and helps you realize if you have the notes or rhythm wrong (like a teacher stopping you and saying, "no, like this.")
Alfred is a major musical instruction publisher, and they offer many companion books at all levels, from theory to technique ("Finger Aerobics") to music in all styles (and for all instruments).
A few nits:
(1) the CD is midi; it would be nicer if it were a real piano
(2) they teach three methods of chord notation -- full notation on the staff, names (i.e., G, D7), and primary chords (I, IV, and V7), but are uneven in providing the name and primary chords for the pieces throughout, so you can't always practice that
But those are minor nits.My playing continues to steadily improve, and what I'm learning makes me a much more educated listener, too.
It's time to move on to book two.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One [Paperback]

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

Buy cheap Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One [Paperback] now Get 27% OFF