Music for Little Mozarts: Music Lesson Book 1 Review

When my four year old daughter started showing interest in playing our piano, I immediately set about to find a course of instruction for her (as an intermediate player, I chose to teach her myself).I checked out several books from the library, and browsed several local music shops.In total, I analyzed 6 different courses targeted for young children.I told my daughter she would start taking lessons when she turned 5 (two months away), and her anticipation started building.

Ultimately, I chose the "Music for Little Mozarts" series.The story-based flow of the lessons seemed intriguing, and the material seemed to progress at a good pace.

Well, we are now on the third book (the blue one), and I can say that these books are absolutely fantastic.As it turns out, my daughter hasn't shown much interest in the stories of the books (involving the different mice and other animal characters).She just enjoys working on the simple exercises.We work on the book for at least 10 minutes every day, and she volunteers to practice a little extra on some days.In the beginning, she was able to get through one exercise/page per day, but now it might take a little extra practice for her to learn the new notes.I bought some stickers at Staples, and every time she "passes off" a page, we put a little sticker on it.She really likes that.

Best of all, there has been very little discouragement (or boredom).Each exercise seems to be just the right difficulty.

The support offered with this series is also great.We work through the workbooks as well, and they provide excellent reinforcement for the concepts in the books.We haven't tried the flashcards or other materials offered (parent's guide, "Discovery Book", solo books, recital books, etc.), but I would expect them to be similarly helpful.The coloring books are just pictures of the characters, and don't serve to reinforce musical concepts.

If you're teaching a 4-6 year old how to play the piano, I highly recommend checking these books out!

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Product Description:
Lesson Book 1 is pre-reading. Concepts taught are: How to sit at the piano; Correct hand position; High and low; Loud and soft (forte and piano); Keyboard topography; Bar line and measure, Quarter, half, whole notes and rests; and Repeat signs. The first pieces in the book are played on the black keys. Later in the book, C D E for the RH and C B A for the LH (Middle C position) are taught with letter notes (the name of the note is written inside the note head).Song titles include: A BEAR'S SONG * A MOUSE'S MELODY * A THREE-NOTE SYMPHONY * BRIGHT STARS * CONCERT DAY * DOWN WE GO * E-I-E-I-O! * LEFT HAND WALKING * LITTLE DANCE * LOST TEDDY BEAR * MOZART MOUSE'S FIRST MINUET * MUSIC FRIEND WALTZ * NAP TIME * OFF TO BED * ON MACDONALD'S FARM * RAINY DAY * RIGHT HAND MARCHING * ROCKIN' PONY RIDE * THE A SONG * THE B SONG * THE C SONG* THE C SONG, AGAIN! * THE D SONG * THE E SONG * THE ELEPHANT SONG

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Music by the Masters [Paperback] Review

I used this book about 20 years ago as a student.Now, I use this book with my students. It is a great book full of short classical studies by prolific composers of the Baroque-Romantic Eras.This book contains a wide variety of music selections that teach various and sundry musical techniques and articulations.Great for the young pianist who is trying to bridge the gap into the Classical literature.

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Product Description:
This consistent top-seller includes 65 works by these famous composers: C. P. E. Bach, J. S. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Grieg, Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schubert , Schumann and Tchaikovsky. Excellent, motivating literature for the intermediate pianist.

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Hammond Organ Complete [Paperback] Review

I thought there were no Hammond methods, but somehow I found this one, and it's a good starting point for neophytes of the B-3 and drawbar organs. Don't expect it to disclose all the techniques you heard on Jimmy Smith's records, but it can be really useful as a reference book. The addition of the CD is absolutely essential: a good feature from the author.
It's a fairly good catalogue of riffs, although I wish it focused a lot more on funk and jazzy riffs (there are some good examples, however -but not enough nor representative) than on poppy ballads and clichés.
Anyway,at least it can lend some help to us forgotten organists and lovers of the Hammond!

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Product Description:
The secret to creating funky sizzles and classic Hammond sounds is mastering the combined use of the drawbars, expression pedal, and the Leslie speaker speed switch. Sound intimidating? It doesn't have to be! This hands-on guide takes you step-by-step through the techniques of playing the drawbar organ, one skill at a time. You'll learn to: play gospel, RandB, jazz, blues, funk and rock; achieve fantastic special effects; understand all the parts of the organ and how to use them; and much more. The accompanying CD includes 21 exercises, plus performance demos of 8 songs, with minus-organ versions so you can jam along!"A fantastic introduction to all aspects of playing the B3 organ. Definitely worth checking out."- John Medeski

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The School of Velocity, Opus 299: Complete (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

If this is too intimidating for you, I would start with Czerny -- Practical Method, Op. 599 (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition), which is thinner and simpler than this.

If THAT'S too difficult for you, I would fall back to Preliminary School of Dexterity, Op. 636, which is about as low as you can go and still be playing authentic Czerny that hasn't been watered down.(I don't know why Amazon doesn't have a picture of it:it's certainly not rare or out of print.)

Only after finishing that should you go for the mother lode, the School of Velocity.

All of these Alfred editions are the best:carefully edited and handsomely presented.Palmer didn't simply run those old galleys again:everything's been recomposited and -- importantly for me -- the notes have been made larger where possible.At any rate, it's certainly more readable than that old yellow version everyone seems to own.

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Product Description:
This popular volume offers practical training in well-articulated pianistic passage work, particularly in playing the virtuoso music of the romantic period. In addition to this, each study is a complete music composition, demanding attention to dynamics and phrasing. Students who master Opus 299 have indeed progressed a long way in the "school of velocity." Available in a 112-page complete volume or in two separate books.

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Technique for the Advancing Pianist (Alfred Masterwork Editions) [Paperback] Review

I use this book for all my students who wish to pursue piano studies at a higher level, particularly those who will become piano performance majors in college. It truly is essential for the advancing pianist because many technical difficulties one encounters throughout Mozart, Beethoven, and some Chopin (and of course, many more composers) is learned here, such as scales in double thirds, rotation, and velocity. Work through every single page and you're well on your way to starting more advanced work in college.

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Product Description:
This practical resource provides foundational tools for scale, chord and arpeggio playing; exercises for developing precision, speed, agility and clarity of tone; and exercises and etudes that focus on a variety of technical challenges.

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FastTrack Keyboard Songbook 1 - Level 1 (Fasttrack Series) [Paperback] Review

This book is great.Just remember to shift your hands as indicated by the finger numbers and be sure to master those notes as they teach you before moving on too fast.But you'll be surprised how fast you learn.But everything in this book is on playing notes and scales on Treble Clef.There is no bass clef in this book or the second (Keyboard Chords & Scales)... I just bought it 3 weeks ago and am loving it.The book does teach you music notes.It just gets confusing when it renumbers the notes (not explaining that your hand is moving over a key for a while and then back again.They make it sound like you just reach your finger while keeping your hand in place.This is not true after the first page of learning A and B notes in Middle C.)But I am wonderfully surprised at how fast you pick up and start playing.I never read music before and now I am.That in itself is amazing.

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Product Description:
A supplement to the FastTrack instruction books, this great songbook/CD pack features 8 great songs in rock score format: Brown Eyed Girl * Great Balls of Fire * I Want to Hold Your Hand * Oh, Pretty Woman * Wild Thing * Wonderful Tonight * You Really Got Me * Your Song.

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The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Instructional) [Plastic Comb] Review

John Novello is an amazing musician.Having a book that gives insite into his approach would be quite valuable all by itself, but he has put together a very comprehensive work that is a must have for any musician looking to expand his/her knowledge and abilities.In this modern age where the electronic keyboard provides the easiest access to the world of instrumentation, as a songwriter/arranger I find John's Contemporary Keyboardist to be an essential reference, especially as my main instrument is the guitar.

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Product Description:
This comprehensive, 562-page method, called "Solid, readable and relevant" by Keyboard magazine and "The major work for today's pianists" by International Musician, is divided into four sections. The first, "A Philosophy of Music," deals with communication, cause-effect principles and practice disciplines. The second section, "Mechanics," covers all the basics of keyboard music and playing (notation, harmony, improv, sight reading, etc.), as well as their applications. The third section, "The Business Scene," contains guidelines and industry advice for contemporary keyboardists. Section four, "Interviews," provides insights into the artistry and technique of famous players such as Herbie Hancock, Henry Mancini, Edgar Winter, Keith Emerson, Paul Shaffer and many more. Includes an index.

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How to Play from a Fake Book [Paperback] Review

I took classical piano lessons growing up, which is a very rote way to learn.I didn't particularly like it and I didn't particularly get good at understanding music -- I got good at fingering specific pieces.

I would have, in retrospect, preferred the method of learning and understanding the chords so I could pick up pieces on my own.The idea of "fake" books is to improvise the harmony based on the chords and play the to melody line along with it.By learning the chords and some ways of stringing them together, you can master just about anything.

It's not that simple -- it's a lot of practice to be able to turn chords on the sheet into realtime music.But it's a lot of fun, and I actually "get it" now on how music is put together.

This book in particular is well written, bringing you quickly to understand how to do this.It assumes basic ability to read music.And it is slightly corny in parts.But aside from that, its a nice self-paced tutorial into playing from "fake" books or other sheet music that includes chord information.

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Product Description:
For musicians of all levels, this book teaches how to use bass lines, countermelodies, introductions and endings, rhythmic patterns, embellish a melody and how to accompany. All the techniques needed to 'fake' a great-sounding accompaniment from just melody, lyrics and chord symbols.

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