Play Piano By Ear (Book & CD) [Paperback] Review

The book should be titled how to play G7 chords. Most of the book is how to play standards-you know like Ellington and such. Oh, it teaches you,um, G7....G9...G... and G13-terrible sounding chords. And it comes with a CD where he plays, but it does not match the songs he uses in the book

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Product Description:
Finally, a book designed for piano players who want to play popular standards and pop songs by ear. Here is an absolutely new and simple method that will enable players to improvise at the piano. This book covers the difference between reading music and playing by ear, chords, rhythms, module chains, and more, to help pianist master the art of sitting down at home or at a party without written music and producing their favorite songs.

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Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Rachmaninoff is a must for an aspiring pianist. Especially, the second piano concerto which is one of his famous if not the most famous pieces. I would suggest going out and reading some background information onRachmaninoff before trying to interpret the piece.

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Product Description:
One of the most played piano pieces and Sergei Rachmaninoff's most recognizable. A duet for two pianos/four hands.

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Ultimate Beginner Keyboard Basics (The Ultimate Beginner Series) [Box set, Color] [Paperback] Review

The book feels like it was written in one afternoon.People looking
for solid information on playing the keyboard will be disappointed.
The book ends even before it starts.There are inconsistencies in the
way the instructions are explained in the text.This continues the
tradition of poor music books by Warner.

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Product Description:
This book & CD package is designed to help aspiring musicians take the first step toward experiencing the fun of playing music, and is packed full of tips, lessons, and practical knowledge. Learn how to play chords and arpeggios, play major and minor scales, play melodies by ear, improvise, play the blues and more.

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Casio AP24 Digital Home Piano Review

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

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

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New Pink Childs Wood Toy Grand Piano With Bench Kids Piano 30 Key Review

I was not a happy camper when I opened up the box and saw this product.There are no instructions included in putting this together... i am a single mother and i am NOT that great with assembly (lol).The keys shift back and forth and the "label" for the keys is way too long for the keyboard itself.However, i did not throw the box out of the window like i originally wanted.

I did have someone come over and put this together for me.No, the sound is not as "perfect" as they describe it.It's more chimey than anything.But for the price and shipping, you get what you pay for.My daughter doesn't know the difference and she absolutely loves it.If you want a better sound, i'd suggest going with a more expensive model, but for my 12 month old, this is perfect.It's just a toy!

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Product Description:
You are viewing a brand new childs grand toy piano. This will make a great holiday gift. We purchased these pianos directly from the manufacture, providing you with the best prices available.

Brand new in retail packaging
Wood piano
Pink Color
30 keys (Tuned perfectly)
Great Sound
Includes cute matching wood bench
Includes wooden music holder
Includes instructional music lessons book
Perfect for kids ages 1 to 7
Dimensions Piano; 20" H X 20" W X 17" L
Dimensions Bench; 11" H X 7" W X 8" L

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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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Casio AP220 Celviano Digital Piano with Bench Review

I purchased this digital piano because the one I had was out of date. And because I teach piano online and needed something that sounded like a real piano. Well, I wasn't disappointed. The difference between the old Roland and this new Casio is like night and day!

The touch is fantastic. The piano sound is fantastic. And since I really only need the piano sound, that was of primary importance to me.

If you've been wary of buying this because of the 'Casio' name, put your worries to rest. Casio is to digital pianos as to what Samsung now is to television. They're now poised to become the #1 resource.

My recommendation? Buy it before the price goes up.

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Product Description:
The Casio AP220 Celviano Digital Piano features State-of-the-art high-end digital pianos.The newly developed sound source - Linear Morphing AiF - offers the entire spectrum of authentic grand piano tones from Pianissimo to Fortissimo without abrupt changes to the sound during the transitions. The touch and note replay behavior for the scaled hammer action keyboards has been improved. The new "Tri-Sensor" concept makes even the most complex and demanding playing techniques possible. Developing virtuosos. Virtuoso playing.

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Yamaha LP7A Three Pedal System for Yamaha Digital Pianos (DGX630, DGX640, YPG635 and P95) Review

It's not too difficult to install on my YPG635, and it works.That's the good side.

The bad side?I wish I could pay double the price to get something metal and looks nice.This plastic pedal set is very cheap looking.Yamaha, why can't we get a pedal set like the one built in Arius?Your customer already spent ~$800 bucks on the keyboard and they won't be happy to have something $10 looking to be paired.It's just like you won't wear cheapo shoes while dressing in Versace.

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Product Description:
The Yamaha LP7A pedal unit has three foot pedals that produce a range of expressive effects similar to those produced by the pedals on an acoustic piano. The expressive effects are controlled by the damper, soft, and sostenuto pedals including half damper effect which produces a more realistic control over the sustained sound. Perfect for piano players and music students. Damper Pedal (Right) The damper pedal functions in the same was as a damper pedal on an acoustic piano. When the damper pedal is pressed, notes sustain longer. Releasing the pedal immediately stops (damps) any sustained notes. A half-pedal effect lets you use the damper pedal to create partial sustain effects depending on how far down you press the pedal. Sostenuto Pedal (Center) If you play a note or chord on the keyboard and press the sostenuto pedal while the notes are held, those notes will sustain as long as you hold the pedal (as if the damper pedal had been pressed) but all subsequently played notes will not be sustained. This makes it possible to sustain a chord, for example, while other notes are played staccato. Soft Pedal (Left) The soft pedal reduces the volume and slightly changes the timbre of notes played while the pedal is pressed. The soft pedal will not affect notes that are already playing when it is pressed.

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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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Enchanted (Pvg) [Paperback] Review

The music for Enchanted is as fun to play as it is fun to hear. The arrangements are pretty standard and adequate enough for those in various levels. I was hoping for more variation in the arrangement for "That's How You Know" because of how each verse (as heard on the soundtrack) has a different sound and instrumentation to them. But instead we get bars and bars of the same notes, which I guess is easier to memorize. And the "True Love's Kiss" arrangement is shortened by excluding the fanfare beginning and starts with "When you meet the someone", and also excludes the Prince Edward (James Marsden) part of the song as heard on the soundtrack. These gripes are minor and could be solved with a trained ear. Other than that this book is a must-have for Disney and musical fans alike.

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Product Description:
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AB 30 Keys Baby Grand Piano - White Color Review

The baby grand paino was smaller than expected plus it was not in the most mint condition either.There was a corner damaged at the front and the paino key guide sticker was not stuck on the paino securely. The paino itself is not as heavy as I thought it should be to protect toddlers from leaning on it and tipping it over.Plus there has been a stong paint smell that has continued to linger a month later. Overall though it is a cute first piano.

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Product Description:
This 30 keys Piano is ideal for toddlers and children! It features 30 playable keys and has a "baby grand" Piano style. It is made of hardwood and hardboard materials. The Piano measures: 19 1/4"H x 19 7/8"W x 21 1/2" and the matching bench measures 9 1/4"H x 9 5/8"W x 6 1/2".
This Piano is perfect for small children to play on and makes a wonderful gift for the special child. It is also a great value for the money!

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Casio PX-100 Privia 88-Key Digital Piano Review

I am obsessed with this keyboard. Why? Because it's the first one that I've seen and played so far that has PERFECT weighting on the keys, beautiful sound, and a GREAT price. This keyboard has been on my wishlist for a while now, ever since I first saw it at Sam's. I just want to reiterate how well Casio has done with this keyboard - While there are a limited range of tones available on the PX-100, there are plenty of features for someone who is like me - If you want the feel of a real piano with the weight of an electronic keyboard, this is the keyboard you want to look at. I just couldn't help but fall in love with the keys on this baby, I've played on keyboards with weighted keys before, but this one just takes the cake - The keys are weighted propertly, they spring back like they should, and the weight is ranged just right - the lower keys are just the slightest bit heavier than the higher end. This thing is a DREAM to play! Featuring midi input/output ports, two headphone jacks, pedal port and everything I've talked about so far, this keyboard is definitely something to look at if you want the warmth and feel of a real piano at the price and portability of an electronic keyboard. I highly reccomend this keyboard!

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Product Description:
The slim, lightweight, and overall compact nature of Casio's Privia PX-100 digital piano means you can pack it just about anywhere. When you're not tickling its full 88 keys, you can stash the polyphonic keyboard in a closet, under a bed, or in other compact locations where most digital pianos refuse to fit.
The scaled hammer-action keyboard offers touch sensitivity for beautiful piano tones and a feature called New Sound Source which is said to give the PX-100 sound quality to rival that of an actual grand piano. Auto-accompaniment provides exciting, dynamic, and realistic background arrangements for pop, jazz, rock, and a range of the other genres. The PX-100 can provide complete orchestral accompaniment on command, too.
Other primary tones (voices) include strings and pipe organ, with 10 total tones. A layer feature allows simultaneous sounding of 2 tones, while a split feature lets you split the keyboard between 2 different tones. Lesson assembles functions that enhance your practice sessions, which you can devote to right-hand part only, left-hand part only, or both hands--whatever requires the most practice. You can also record songs for playback at a later point (up to 5,200 notes).
An onboard metronome offers adjustable tempos and beats. Adding effects makes notes sound richer and deeper, and the PX-100 includes 8 effects: 4 reverbs and 4 choruses.
Use the built-in music library to learn songs and develop coordination. There are 30 preloaded tunes plus memory storage for 10 downloadable songs. The PX-100's 30 preloaded piece include Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu Op.66, Satie's Gymnopedies 1, Beethoven's "Fur Elise" and Sonata Op.27-2 "Moonlight" (first movement), as well as classic songs like "Over the Rainbow," "Someday My Prince Will Come," and "Let It Be."
What's in the Box
Keyboard, a user's manual, and warranty information.

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FASTFORWARD: 12-BAR BLUES PIANO (Fast Forward (Music Sales)) [Audiobook] [Paperback] Review

This book provides a painless introduction to playing blues piano in six styles: Basic Shuffle, Boogie Woogie, Walking Bass, Stride, Jazz,and Rock. It presents the left and right hand parts separately, then throws them together. Each example has two tracks on the CD, with and without the piano part. The left hand parts are quite complete, but the right hand parts are a little thin, leaving out slides, crushed notes and tremelos. However, the backing tracks on the CD are outstanding. Once you master the material in the book, you can reuse the CD backing tracks with licks from other books like David Bennet Cohen's Blues Piano or Mark Harrison's Blues Piano. Had the author included more material, this could be a 5 satr book.

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Product Description:
Learn to play the 12-bar blues using authentic techniques to get the real blues sound.

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Complete Sonatas and Variations for Cello and Piano [Paperback] Review

I received the piano score but not the cello score. this is the SECOND time with the same complaint.

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Product Description:
All five sonatas for cello and piano, and three sets of variations on themes by Mozart and Handel. Basic works of the cello repertoire carefully reproduced from the authoritative complete-works edition published by Breitkopf & Härtel. Inexpensive source for studying eight major works of the chamber music repertoire.


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J.S. Bach: Selections from Anna Magdalena's Notebook (Book & CD) (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

This is an excellent edition of Bach's simple masterpieces. The decorations are clearly spelled out on separate staffs to avoid clutter. These are great pieces for the intermediate piano student.

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Product Description:
This timeless collection contains selections attributed to J.S. Bach, his son C.P.E. Bach, and others. Generations of students have studied the volume's "Menuet in G Major," "Musette in D Major" and the "Prelude in C Major" from the first volume of the Well-Tempered Clavier. Dr. Palmer provides the texts to the instrumental settings of chorales and arias found in this work, as well as a brief biography of the Bach family.

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The Library of Children's Song Classics [Paperback] Review

This collection is a mainstay of my collection of teaching materials.There are many classic tunes as well as some lesser known gems.The collection is organized into songs by category. Some of the tunes are different, but it is a great resource for lyrics alone.My children love this book as well!!!

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Product Description:
An illustrated volume of storybook, and holiday songs, lullabies, marches, and rounds. Easy-to-read lyrics, piano arrangements, and guitar chords. Includes Simple Simon, This Old Man, and Take Me Out To The Ballgame.

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

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

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

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

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

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The Harmony of Bill Evans (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] Review

This book is unique in a couple of ways.It is a compilation of articles on how Bill Evans used harmony.Obviously, Evans' extensive studies in college and beyond went far beyond what one thin book can cover, but it does what it does efficiently and well.The author is an unabashedly effusive fan of Evans and throws this energy into the work to make it as clear and understandable as possible.

Articles include:
Peri's Scope-Harmonic Analysis (includes Evans' intensive regimen for learning new songs)
Peri's Scope-Thematic Analysis (good discussion of developing a musical theme)
Times Remembered-Harmonic Analysis
Times Remembered-Modal Analysis
Times Remembered-Intervalic Analysis
"Funny Man" and "I Should Care" (lots of practical discussion of reharmonization techniques
I Fall in Love Too Easily (more reharmonization)
Twelve Tone Tune (probably of more academic than practical interest)
How Deep is the Ocean (advanced reharmonization)
B Minor Waltz (more advanced reharmonization)

For instant gratification, the book provides a rigorous method for learning new songs.For reassurance, it reminds the reader of how much Bill Evans worked on songs before they were "battle ready" and how long the author took to work out fingerings to one Evans song (eight months).It is amazing that jazz musicians have any time to perform at all, given all the techniques they have to learn.For future reference, the book constantly trumpets the virtue of Arnold Schoenberg's 1911 Theory of Harmony, the influence of which is pointed out periodically in Evans' work.

The book presents articles in a fairly logical order of increasing difficulty.It is presented in a fashion easily understandable to me, who knows a good deal of theory, but has no degree in music.

The bad news is, this book will not have an instant and noticeable effect on your piano playing.The good news is, this book is by a highly skilled, true blue Evans fan, who provides enough material to keep most musicians of above-average skill very busy for a long time.Plus, with careful reading and intensive practice, the book should eventually move the dedicated Evans fan a few steps closer to understanding how to play a bit more like him.

I may be a little hard giving this bargain of a music book only four stars.Except for the author's "groupie" tone, the lack of instant magic for my piano playing, and lack of chapters on my favorite tunes, this book would rate five stars from me.It definitely gets my recommendation for people seeking what it offers.

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Product Description:
Bill Evans, the pianist, is a towering figure acknowledged by the jazz world, fans, musicians and critics. However Bill Evans, the composer, has yet to take his place alongside the great masters of composition. Therein lies the sole purpose of this book. A compilation of articles - now revised and expanded - that originally appeared in the quarterly newsletter Letter from Evans, this unique folio features extensive analysis of Evans' work. Pieces examined include: B Minor Waltz * Funny Man * How Deep Is the Ocean * I Fall in Love Too Easily * I Should Care * Peri's Scope * Time Remembered * and Twelve Tone Tune.Author Jack Reilly is a pianist, composer and educator in both the jazz and classical genres. He has chaired the Jazz Studies departments of the New England Conservatory of Music, Mannes College of Music, and The New School. He is presently Jazz Piano Professor at Rowan College in New Jersey.

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Piano Lessons in the Grand Style: From the Golden Age of The Etude Music Magazine (1913-1940) [Paperback] Review

This is a historical treasure trove of piano knowledge.The Etude magazine lasted so many years, that I wish more articles were published.Please do!

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Product Description:
Published from 1883 to 1957, The Etude Music Magazine read like a diary of the emerging American musical community. During this period, it featured a series of "Master-Lessons" by noted piano virtuosi. Originally intended to provide world-class teaching to a public that otherwise could not afford such lessons, the series became an invaluable record of professional performance practice, offering a rare and unique glimpse of piano teaching in the first decades of the century. Among the chapters in this collection are master-lessons on Paderewski's Minuet in G, Chopin's Military Polonaise, Grieg's Norwegian Bridal Procession, Mendelssohn's Scherzo, and Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata. Authors include such piano masters as Wilhelm Bachaus, Percy Grainger, Edwin Hughes, and Mark Hambourg. This unique collection, carefully compiled in a format that preserves its original layout and style, is indispensable to piano teachers and students, and of the greatest interest to the growing number of piano literature and performance practice classes taught at the university level. An active conductor, composer, and author, Dr. Jeffrey Johnson is currently Chair of the Music Program at The University of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dover original compilation from The Etude Music Magazine.


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Claude Debussy Piano Works [Paperback] Review

I really like this piece. With the accompanying CD I can actually play the pieces the way they should be played. Some pieces are hard to play, though, but practice makes perfect, everytime.....

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Product Description:
This volume contains twelve famous works by Debussy as performed and edited by Joseph Banowetz. Included are Two Arabesques, selections from Suite Bergamasque, Children's Corner, Preludes, and more. A complete preface describing compositional and performance notes on each piece is included along with a CD recorded by Banowetz.

Joseph Banowetz graduated with a First Prize from the Vienna Akademie fur Musik und darstellende Kunst. Banowetz has been a piano recitalist and orchestral soloist on five continents. He was awarded the Liszt Medal by the Hungarian Liszt Society in recognition of his outstanding performances of Liszt and the Romantic literature.

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Casio SP32 Pedal Board for CS67 Stand Review

This pedal board is plastic.It is also a medium grey color, matching part of the px-130 keyboard.The board itself is much flimsier than I expected.What I was expecting was veneered or, foil covered particleboard, the same material that the sturdy stand is made of. Well, its not.It does look more finished than the sustain pedal attached to a cord, but when compared to the px-130 which exceeded my expectations in most regards, and the stand, which was pretty much the Ikea quality I expected, this pedal board underwhelmed.Also, the pedals are short and relatively difficult to depress.I used them with only socks on, and they weren't very comfortable to use, and not at all like a real piano.In shoes, they might be OK. Anyway, I won't return it, because that would be more trouble than its worth.I would give it 2.5 stars if that were possible, since I view it as between "It's OK" and "I don't like it"Nevertheless, the whole ensemble, keyboard, stand and board are nice together.

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Product Description:
A Piano Style, Three Pedal Attachment for Your CS67 Privia Stand!The SP32 pedal adds those extra piano dynamics you want for your Privia Digital Piano. The 3 three pedal system adds an extended damper function in that it simulates a pedal that has been pressed down half way.

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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.

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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.

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Dolly Suite, Op. 56 (1 Piano/4 Hands) (Belwin Classic Library) [Paperback] Review

There are too many obvious typos in this edition. Don't they have someone proofreading these things? Are all Belwin editions this bad?

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Product Description:
This popular suite of piano pieces is one of the treasures of the onepiano, four hand repertoire. The suite opens with a dreamy and tranquilBerceuse. Mi-a-ou, the second piece, is full of rhythmical leaps and energy. Le jardin de Dolly characterizes an enchanted dream garden. Also included are Kitty-valse, Tendresse, and Pas espagnol. Filledwith Impressionistic color and delicacy, this collection is engraved inscore form with Primo above Secondo for ease in rehearsing.

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Twenty-five Studies, Op. 47 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Heller had a bad habit of overdoing.#8 consists mostly of straight eighth notes played over a tonic drone.In #13, we get an overdose of the melody played in tenths.In #15, we get an overdose of triplets.

Harmonic devices do not work for Heller as they do for other composers.Relative minor chords and arpeggios (#6) sound ethereal in the work of other composers, but not here.Bagpipe drones (#11) bring quaint rustic images in the work of other composers, but not here. Augmented sixths (#10, #16) and diminished sevenths (#16, #19) sound pungent in the work of other composers, but Heller fails to prepare and resolve these dissonances with enough skill.

Heller tries to combine elements which don't fit.#19 ends with a feminine cadence, which might be fine if the rest of the piece resembled a minuet.#15 is in a minor key, but it ends in a Picardy third which somehow doesn't fit.Heller also uses the plagal cadence (#4, #14, #22) on pieces which are not pious enough for plagal cadences.#12 begins in b minor and ends in D major for no discernible reason.

In the last number, Heller makes a reprise of #19 and #18.Somehow, that works in the Franck symphony, but it doesn't work here.

Heller had talent, though.In #17 and #22, the main theme is recapitulated in a pleasant variation.#10 has a nice main theme, but the middle section isn't so hot.#24 is a nice piece.It would be fortunate if Heller could have captured whatever fleeted past him during those moments.

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TV & Movie Piano Solos for Kids [Paperback] Review

Some pages unseparated along top binding preventing book from opening fully. Searched through a number of outdated songs in order to find a song that my elementary school-aged kids would even recognize only to find music so simplified it was rendered unrecognizable. Don't waste your money.

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Product Description:
Thirty-five wonderful songs, including: The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle * The Entertainer * Ghostbusters * I'll Be There for You (Theme from "Friends") * Jeopardy Theme * Linus and Lucy * The Lion Sleeps Tonight * Matchmaker * Once Upon a December * Over the Rainbow * The Pink Panther * This Is It! and more.

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Improvising Blues Piano (w/cd) (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

Martan Mann can most definately play piano.The accompanying CD may almost be worth the price to hear him play.However, you're looking for instruction if you're reading this.I don't want to slam his product too hard.I'll just say he doesn't teach well and there's not allot of real meat here for beginners.I've also purchased Andrew D. Gordon's 100 Ultimate Blues Riffs.Riffs in all keys with many many different basslines and virtually zero instruction.Then, finally, I got my hands on something I absolutely love and can recommend wholeheartedly to anyone without a vast musical background who wants to play the blues.Check out the book/cd combos level 1 and 2 by David Bennet Cohen.You won't be dissappointed.I just ordered "Improvising Blues Piano" by Tim Richards and am very excited about it as well.One more you might look into.

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Product Description:
Unlock the mystery of blues improvisation as you develop an understanding of different blues styles and express yourself through your music. Contains scores of exercises designed to get you playing the blues.

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Star Wars Episodes I, II, III (Easy-Intermediate Piano Solos) [Paperback] Review

My son loves Star Wars and really wanted to learn the music on piano. He had had just under two years of lessons when he tried these solos. They are very challenging, but doable!

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Product Description:
Arranged by Dan Coates for Easy-Intermediate Piano. Selections from "The Phantom Menace", "Attack Of The Clones" and "Revenge Of The Sith".Contents: Star Wars (Main Title), Duel Of The Fates, Qui-Gon's Funeral, Augie's Great Municipal Band, Across The Stars, The Imperial March, The Meadow Picnic, May The Force Be With You, Princess Leia's Theme, Battle Of The Heroes, The Throne Room. Also contains 10 pages of color photos from the movies! A must for all Star Wars fans!

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Scissor Sisters: Piano/Vocal/Chords (Pvg) [Paperback] Review

Like most PVG transcriptions this book has nice detailed piano parts, but only chords with no rhythm parts for guitar.

I'd buy it again if I lost the one I have.

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Product Description:
Arranged for piano, vocal, chords, with lyrics.Scissor Sisters won the Brit Awards for 2005 International Group, 2005 International Album, and 2005 International Breakthrough Act. Their debut album Scissor Sisters mixes the influences of vintage Bowie, Roxy Music, and Elton John with burlesque theatre and rock opera. This album-matching folio exudes Scissor Sister's edgy, sexy, fun style and wicked lyrics. Full of non-stop dance and party anthems, this book is expertly arranged for piano, vocal, and guitar. Titles include: Laura * Take Your Mama * T**s on the Radio * Music Is the Victim * Comfortably Numb * Return to Oz and more.

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Classic Rock: Keyboard Play-Along Volume 3 [Paperback] Review

I'm primarily a guitarist, but I like to dabble in keyboards. I always wanted to learn the parts for the The Allman Brothers Band classic, Jessica, and here it is! The CD makes it easy to slow things down while you learn the parts (good for a hack keyboard player like me!). These are the actual parts from the songs, not some cheesy piano/vocal arrangement. You get 8 songs and the CD for less than 12 bucks, so I think it's a pretty good deal.

One note: The reason I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that it really only transcribes the piano parts. Any other keyboard parts (organ, synth) are not written out, though you do hear them played on the CD. One semi-exception: Come Sail Away. In their transcription of this song, they do write out some of the synth parts in the middle where there is no piano, resulting in kind of a one keyboard arrangement of the whole song.

I'm looking forward to Vol 7, Rock Classics, which Amazon says is coming out in June.

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Product Description:
The Keyboard Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs as played by your favorite artists quickly and easily. Just follow the music in the book, listen to the CD to hear how the keyboard should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. The audio CD is playable on any CD player. For PC and Mac users, the CD is enhanced so you can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing pitch!This volume contains 8 songs: Against the Wind (Bob Seger) * Come Sail Away (Styx) * Don't Do Me Like That (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) * Jessica (Allman Brothers) * Say You Love Me (Fleetwood Mac) * Takin' Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) * Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon) * You're My Best Friend (Queen).

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Famous & Fun Christmas, Book 4 (Early Intermediate): 15 Appealing Piano Arrangements [Paperback] Review

My son is 8 and has been taking lessons for 1 year.He is doing well on the choices in this book, though it is a little above his current piano lesson level.It is challenging, but doable.

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Product Description:
Arranged by Carol Matz. Contents: Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, Carol of the Bells, Coventry Carol, Deck the Halls, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Hallelujah Chorus, Jingle Bells, March (from The Nutcracker), O Holy Night, Pat-a-Pan, Still, Still, Still, Up on the Housetop, Waltz of the Flowers (from The Nutcracker).

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

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

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

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Easiest Book of Piano Favorites [Plastic Comb] Review

As a New York School music educator, it is refreshing to find a book that contains many styles of music easy enough for a beginning student to play. This book edited by Amy Appleby contains 125 easy piano arrangements. They are written in easy keys that sound so professional. The repertoire in this book would appeal to all levels. There are selections from the most well-known Baroque composers such as Bach and Handel, Classical composers such as Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart, Romantic composers such as Brahms, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky, Modern and Impressionist composers such as Debussy, Dvorak and Saint-Saens. Then the biggest surprise is that after you've played through all of these masters, you have 3 marches by John Philip Sousa, 3 waltzes by Johann Strauss, 13 selections from scenes from the ballet and opera, 18 songs from other lands, 9 holiday songs and then the book concludes with golden hits by George M. Cohan, Stephen Foster and several others composers. Many of the songs have words for those who wish to sing along. The book is attractive and easy to read. It is bound with a plastic comb so there is no bending of the binding to make the book stay open. The notes are not squashed together making it visually pleasing. I would recommend this very reasonably priced book as the perfect gift for the piano players in your family.

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Product Description:
The world s favorite classical and popular melodies arranged for the beginning pianist. Includes 125 easy arrangements of famous piano masterpieces, symphonic themes, operatic arias, folk songs, holiday songs and golden hits.

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The Blue Piano and Other Stories (Amadeus) [Hardcover] Review

Carol Montparker's long experience as a pianist, writer and teacher shine through these poignant, often humorous stories of a life in music. Whether dodging the unwanted attentions of a classical superstar or consulting fellow musicians on the ethics of changing Mozart's notes, she reveals with touching humanity the hurdles that an artist -- particularly a female artist -- must leap in order to survive. Her writing is warm and generous. As the editor of a piano magazine, I have been delighted to publish her musings from time to time. I recommend them to anyone who wants to have a friendly guide "backstage" and behind the scenes in the world of classical music.

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Fantasy in F Minor, Barcarolle, Berceuse and Other Works for Solo Piano [Paperback] Review

Chopin's music is usually published by category--i.e. Mazurkas, Polonaises, Walzes, Etudes, etc. There are a number of works that don't fit into any of these categories such as the glorious and technically horrific Berceuse and the surprisingly easy to read but showy Tarentelle--not only gorgeous but a good exercise for technical proficiency.
This book is worth having just for the Berceuse and Tarantella, and also for the Barcarolle, another brilliant and showy work that is all too rarely played. This is a great addition to any piano music library, especially if you adore Chopin. Easy to read edition, clear print.

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Product Description:
Features 15 works, including one of the greatest of the Romantic period, the Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49, reprinted from the authoritative German edition prepared by Chopin's student, Carl Mikuli.

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J. S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Plastic Comb] Review

It's so nice to have this music in the plastic comb format. No more messing with bent pages and deteriorating bindings! The fingering suggestions in these Masterwork editions are very helpful, as are the annotations and educational supplements. Highly recommended.

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Product Description:
A most impressive 220-page edition of the first volume of "The Well-Tempered Clavier," these 24 preludes and 24 fugues were painstakingly researched over a period of 10 years, using the most important original manuscript sources.Baroque scholar Willard A. Palmer's thorough introduction discusses fugal construction, articulation and other aspects of performance interpretation.Volume I of "The Well-Tempered Clavier" has been updated with a new "look" to match Volume II.This essential masterpiece is a "must-have" for all pianists.

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The Right Hand According to Tatum [Paperback] Review

I found this book to be pretty well written. the author gives an explanation of each phrase, some notes about it and possible variations, and also a brief discussion of the way tatum utilized all those phrases. the book also offers some transcriptions of tatum. But regardless of this, i felt this isnt the way to go: the best way to improve your playing is to transpose these solo's yourself and come up with your way of playing his phrases. Overall, very informative and interesting book about one of the greatest (jazz) musicians of all time

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Product Description:
In this book, Riccardo Scivales, author of Harlem Stride Pianos, has not only transcribed the right hand devices legendary jazz pianist Art Tatum used on his most famous recordings, but has broken them down, explained how they are formed, turned them into drills, and shown us the easiest fingerings for them. Titles: After You've Gone * Esquire Bounce * I Got Rhythm * Indiana * Knockin' Myself Out * Moonglow * Mop Mop * Rock Me Mamma * St. Louis Blues * Sweet Georgia Brown.

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Library of Easy Piano Classics 2 (Library of Series) [Plastic Comb] Review

I am trying to teach myself to play piano, and this book is great. After spending time playing songs from kindergarden, it's really nice to sit down and play something that gives you a lot of pleasure and really makes you want to play more.
This book has really motivated me to practice more and concentrate harder in the time I do spend at the piano. Also, it's a great bargain - it's a huge book and a LOT of songs for the price. Usually you spend 12-15 dollars on a thin book with just a few songs.

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Product Description:
Compendium of the world's most beloved music, just mention a title that is universally well known and you are likely to find it in this comprehensive library series. Enjoy over 100 masterpieces by the world's great composers, best loved preludes of JS Bach, waltzes of Chopin and Strauss, minuets by Mozart and Handel and themes from the symphonies and piano concertos of Beethoven, Schubert and Tchaikovsky. This Expansive volume also includes great moments from the ballet; timeless arias by Wagner, Verdi and Puccini and other popular classics. It answers the vital needs of the student, teacher, and today's audience.

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88-KEY Portable Educational Keyboard Review

Great value, and a marked improvement over the old 500 and 505 models.The speakers produce a richer sound tone, and the display window is much clearer and easier to read.Additional features over the 505 include one-touch "auto-accompaniment", where you can try different background rhythms to your recorded notes (jazz, rock, salsa, etc) at a single touch of a button.There are a few more voices to choose from, and the "sweet" sounds are more realistic than on the old models.The unit looks better as a whole, being a sleek silver instead of a dull plastic beige.Also, the controls are a lot more "touch friendly", especially the selection "spin wheel" that lets you choose features much faster than the older models did.

Connectivity is much simpler than on the 500, requiring only a simple USB cord instead of a special MIDI cord.

The one downside of this keyboard is that a USB drive is the only portable media compatible with this unit, and unfortunately they place the plug-in port in the back, which make it somewhat difficult to reach over and plug the drive in while you're trying to play and select.Because of this, I take away a star, and hope that in their next model, Yamaha will put the USB port somewhere in FRONT where it's easy to reach and plug the drive.

I actually recommend this unit over the DGX 620 (Yamaha's highest available model at the time of this review).All features are exactly the same on the two models, except the keys in the 620 are weighted to as close to a real piano as you'll get.Yamaha calls them 'Graded Hammer Standard' keys.

The 520 does not have the GHS keys, but the trade-off (besides a considerably lower cost than the 620) is a lot of weight...the 620 unit as a whole weighs 19 lbs more than the 520 unit.So if you're a traveling musician like me and have to load and unload your keyboard all the time carrying your instrument to your gigs, you're actually much better off with the 520.Get the 620 only if you want a more realistic feel and don't want to move the keyboard a lot.

Overall, an excellent instrument...and if you have any of the older models, I highly recommend an upgrade!

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88-Key Portable Educational Keyboard

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Jazz Keyboard Toolbox [Paperback] Review

This book provides a very understandable set of basic, but useful, concepts that apply to playing Jazz on the keyboard.As a percussionist, I think the information is also appropriate for mallet students. The CD is very helpfull, and supplies you with plenty of time (with the recorded material) to work with the tunes/techniquesin the book.Bill Cunliffe did a commendable job with this book.He put as much into this 48-page book as one could/should expect.

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Product Description:
Now you can learn to play jazz keyboard without knowing a lot of complicated music theory. This step-by-step method uses listening and play-along techniques that make learning to play jazz fun and easy, with just enough theory to understand the concepts. You will gain a solid knowledge of the basic tools needed for accompanying and soloing in any jazz setting. A CD is included, so you can play the examples and tunes along with a professional jazz band.

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The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time: Ranking, Analysis & Photos (Book) [Hardcover] Review

Ranking musicians/artists is wrongheaded but some of these picks are just beyond the pale.He ranks the number 1-4 top jazz pianists of all time as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Bud Powell and Art Tatum.Reasonable picks.So who's number 5?Gotta be along the lines of Chick, Herbie, Keith, McCoy, Cecil, Fatha Hines, Teddy Wilson, Fats, or Jelly Roll, right?Get this- Monty Alexander!and who's number 6?Benny Green!I was in disbelief.As you wade through the rest of the picks you realize that the closer a pianist comes to duplicating Oscar's style the higher he is rated (Gene Harris rates 12 if I recall).Now I have plenty of Monty Alexander and Benny Green recordings and enjoy their playing, but they are hardly the sort of original pianists that would merit their rubbing shoulders with these giants.This book may familarize the jazz piano enthusiast with some players they didn't previously know but a better book in that regard would be Robert Doershuk's "88: The Giants of Jazz Piano."Doerschuk's book features more pianists, is more informative and comes with a CD.I will say that Rizzo's book has some nice photos.

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Product Description:

Handy resource for jazz listeners and hardcore fans.Spanning players from eighty years of history, this bold book steps forward and claims who are the greatest. Compiled from an extensive survey conducted with the best jazz minds in the ed



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BASIX Keyboard Chord Dictionary (Book & CD) (Basix Series) [Paperback] Review

Basix is one of the very few method books or dictionaries that teaches EFFICIENT and FAST postioning. Most every other book teaches essentially only root postitions which is nice but doesn't promote speed and efficiency. No need to look at the keyboard to change chords. The sensibile and great sounding inversions permit absolute minimal repositioning so almost effortless chord changes can be accomplished. The book also provides great scale practice and tons of progressions to learn as well.All in all, a really wonderful MODERN book.Highly recommended for those who want to learn a better way.

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Product Description:
The Basix Keyboard Chord Dictionary provides the notation, fingering and keyboard diagrams for all of the important chords used in today's popular music. Features photos of the great pop keyboard players.

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150 Songs With Just 3 Chords [Paperback] Review

Got this book for my 11-year-old to help him learn some songs and make guitar playing fun. It helped.

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Product Description:
Songs include: Alouette * Amazing Grace * America * Billy Boy * BlackIs the Color * Careless Love * Country Gardens * Hava Nagilah *Home on the Range * In the Sweet Bye and Bye * Minuet * Oh, Rock of Ages * Skip to My Lou * Two Guitars and more.

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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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Sonatas, Vol. 1: Nos. 1-15 (Urtext Edition, for Piano) [Paperback] Review

In a snobby music world, where editions like Durand and Henle are too quickly deemed top dog, it's very nice to be able to find an edition like this one for so cheap.It's the urtext, so one has a lot more confidence in this edition than say, the Schirmer edition.(NEVER buy a Beethoven Schirmer if you ever want to play REAL Beethoven!)
Beethoven is always a joy, and the top sonata in this volume is the Pastorale, of course!Get volume 2 if you want to enjoy op. 78 (a favorite) and the Waldstein.

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Product Description:
A collection of advanced piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven, urtext edition.

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Mazurkas, Poemes, Impromptus and Other Pieces for Piano [Paperback] Review

What the above review failed to mention is that the "Muzurkas, Poems,and Impromptues" book contains all of Scriabin's piano music exceptingthat which is contained in the "Preludes and Etudes" and the"Piano Sonata's" books. All three of these books are published byDover and are not altered to death buy rotten editors. Comprehensiveeditions of composer's works are very valuable and often a huge oversightin the unusually chopy realm of sheet music. The book is also made as goodas paperbacks get.

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Product Description:
This unique volume of Alexander Scriabin's piano music combines all of the Russian composer's widely admired Poèmes, which exude the richness and complexity of his later style, with all of the earlier, more Chopinesque Mazurkas and Impromptus. Nearly 100 piano works of varying length and difficulty, reprinted from authoritative Russian editions, represent the full span of Scriabin's musical life.


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Tchaikovsky -- Album for the Young, Op. 39 (Alfred Masterwork Editions) [Paperback] Review

A few of the tests of a good composer are:

--to break free of the tyranny of square phrases.#12 is based on a 6-measure phrase.The phrases in #24 are uneven.#7 is in three 16-measure melodic units.

--to compose in a variety of styles.The album includes an accordion imitation, a couple of church hymn imitations, a few dance numbers, a couple of marches, and a variety of folk song styles.#4 is probably a spoof on Schumann.

--to devise original harmonic textures.This he exemplifies in several of the pieces, notably #6.#9 is in 3/8, with left-hand chords on the first and second beats and rests on the third beats.#16 and #23 make use of a tonic pedal.

--to write in a contrapuntal texture.#11 consists of a statement in chordal harmony, followed by a contrapuntal variation.

--to write in a variety of forms.Most of the pieces are in binary or ternary form, but #13 is a set of variations.#3 and #8 each have three subjects which are not arranged according to any conventional plan.

--to combine short motifs.This he does quite well in #2.

--to write in chromatic harmony.Music theory buffs might enjoy hunting for the German sixths (#2, 7, 19, 20), French sixths (#10, 21, 22), Italian sixths (#10), half-diminished sevenths (#16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24)
and Phrygian cadences (#1, 6).The diminished sevenths are too numerous to list.

When Tschaikovsky abstains from chromatic harmony, it is to convey a programmic effect.In order to imitate an accordion in #12, there are no accidentals.In order to create a folk song effect, only the basic chords are used in #15, #17, and #18.

Tschaikovsky may be over-rated by the concert-going public, but he is certainly under-rated in circles of musical snobbery.

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Product Description:
A wonderful collection of miniature pieces reminiscent of childhood, similar to Schumann's Album For The Young. Each selection is delightful and entertaining for students and audiences of all ages.

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Absolute Beginners: Keyboard (DVD Edition) (Absolute Beginners) [Paperback] Review

Good job on the DVD. My wife took lessons for a few months 25 years ago and it was a great refresher for her.

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Product Description:
Demonstrates the use of the keys and their musical notation, proper hand, wrist and finger positioning as well as basic scales, chords and songs. Includes a How-to DVD for to play along with the audio/video backup tracks.

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Burgmuller / Selections from Burgmuller Studies Opus (Belwin Edition: Piano Masters) [Paperback] Review

This is an excellent compilation of Burgmuller's works.A must for any private piano studio or Univ. professor with an large number of "non-piano major" piano students...

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Product Description:
Available in our Selections from series is this intermediate piano volume featuring only the most requested and widely taught pieces by this nineteenth century composer. This newly engraved edition is fingered for the best accomplishment of each piece. A composer biography is also included. Contents include: Frankness * Arabesque * Innocence * Progress * The Limpid Stream * Gracefulness * The Young Sheperdess * Farewell * Ballade * Tender Grieving * Discomfort * Tarantelle * Angel Voices * the Knight Errant * Confidence * The Shepherd's Return * Agitato * Matin Bell * Parting * Lullaby * The Storm.

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Complete Keyboard Transcriptions of Concertos by Baroque Composers [Paperback] Review

J.S. Bach is a genius man. He arranged into such a beautiful and practical masterpiece. As a Baroque lovers, we can really enjoy of this seriese. Thanks to him.

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Product Description:
Sixteen of Bach's transcriptions for solo keyboard instruments (piano and harpsichord) of concertos for violin and other non-keyboard instruments by Vivaldi, Telemann and others. Reprinted from the definitive Bach-Gesellschaft edition prepared by Ernst Naumann. Table of Contents.


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Rock Classics Vol.7 Keyboard Play-Along BK/CD [Paperback] Review

The latest in the Keyboard Play-Along series provides excellent, accurate transcriptions of some great rock songs. The approach in these books is, in general, to arrange the keyboard parts for one player. In other words, if you were the lone keyboard player in a band, but were faced with playing a song that had multiple keyboard parts, what would you play? These transcriptions do a great job of addressing that real-world need. There are some exceptions; for example, the sequenced parts of Baba O'Riley are shown in all their glory. On Carry On Wayward Son, they show both the organ and piano parts, but only the one that is more prominent at any one time, which makes sense.

The CD is an excellent addition, too. The backing tracks have everythingbut vocals, and they sound great. Any cover band could aspire to be as accurate as these backing tracks are! The slowdown software makes it a great learning tool, too.
Highly recommended.

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