Dan Coates Complete / Advanced Piano Solos (The Professional Touch Series) [Paperback] Review

This book contains some of the most beautiful arrangements of popular music I have ever heard. Many of the pieces were unfamiliar to me when I bought the book, and others were songs I didn't particularly like. But Coates's arrangements are so beautiful that I love almost all of these songs now. This book is honestly titled: it is for advanced players. This does not mean that it is Rachmaninoff, but most pianists will find it challenging. Determined intermediate pianists can reasonably expect to memorize, play, and enjoy many of these pieces...but it will take some serious practice. Many of the arrangements make extensive use of the keyboard's higher registers -- where many pianists have limited experience.And some songs contain multi-measure passages where 3 are played against 2. Large leaps are common (including in some arpeggiated chords), as are chords with 6 or more notes.The book is well bound (so that it lays fairly flat), and the printing is generally clear and well formatted.Most of the pieces are 3 to 5 pages long.These pieces are worth the extra effort they require, and once the skills are learned, they'll be available forever.

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Product Description:
Arranged by Dan Coates for solo piano.Intermediate to advanced arrangements. A collection of great songs for all occasions, Includes:love and wedding favorites, Broadway standards, pop and country ballads, movie and TV hits. 79 Songs!

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Dream Theater Keyboard Anthology [Paperback] Review

So, if any of you are purchasing this transcription book, I presume you to be a rather skilled pianist (probably classically trained) with a keen fascination for Dream Theater and lust for complex rhythmic structures.Thus, this is an essential book for any such trained DT enthusiast.Nothing is wrong with this book.It is wonderful, and I have yet to come across any obvious mistakes (though, the lead on Learning to Live seems questionable at some parts...).However, I must warn you, this is NOT a book for the student who lacks a confident ability to read rhythms.Aside from the vast array of complex time signatures Dream Theater employs, many of the keyboard parts are solos... TOUGH solos.When you get down to transcribing so accurately every little detail of a rapid fire Jordan Rudess solo, you get some insanely hard to read rhythmic notation and notes.For instance, one large group of notes will be written with a bracket reading "17:12" meaning to play the 17 notes as if they were a twelve-tuplet (or however you say that).Also, all of the chord "comping" is written out exactly to the most intricate detail, so what may seem like natural rhythmic jazz comping to Jordan becomes an incredibly difficult passage of music for the student to read.Most notably, if you don't have a Kurzweill K2600xs, you're not going to be able to get a lot of the sounds Jordan uses.The book does not describe the exact sounds either, but instead uses notations like "saw lead" or "percussive attack."This is beneficial if you have a different keyboard, but slightly annoying if you DO have the Kurzweil (which I do) where you want to be able to construct the EXACT sounds used.But either way, the sounds Jordan uses could be another novel in itself, so I don't detract any stars from this book because of that.Anyways, I guess to say that if you don't know what 13/16 means (the time signature), you may be better off getting a theory book and reading through that first before tackling any of the material in this book.You're definitely also going to want to have an audio sample of the song you're trying to learn at hand to help out with the rhythms.So, if you have a strong foundation in music theory and lust for challenging material with the technical skill of a classical pianist and the theoretical knowledge of a jazz pianist, this is the book for you.I would recommend actually starting out with some of the songs by Kevin Moore (Metropolis, Learning to Live, Wait for Sleep, etc.).They are quite tough to read through, but not as tough as Rudess's stuff.If you can tackle Moore's stuff in this book, you're ready to hit the number of Rudess hits contained in this musical masterpiece.Good luck!

---Sean

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Product Description:
One of the post popular metal bands of all time, Dream Theater, is known for not compromising their musical vision and staying true to their unique style.Transcriptions for all the keyboard parts to 15 Dream Theater songs.Titles are: Learning to Live * Metropolis Pt. 1 * Wait for Sleep * 6:00 * Scarred * Scene Two: 1. Overture 1928 * Scene Three: I. Through My Words * Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy * Scene Four: Beyond this Life * Scene Nine: Finally Free * The Great Debate * Selections from Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence: About to Crash, War Inside My Head, The Test That Stumped Them All, Goodnight Kiss, Solitary Shell * Endless Sacrifice * Stream of Consciousness * Vacant.

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Popular Sheet Music Hits: Easy Piano [Paperback] Review

Like the songs in many other piano books Dan Coates has arranged and edited the pieces included here are easy to play.The book has twenty-five compositions all with complete lyrics which makes it a good book for a beginning voice student as well.Some of my favorite standards are in this book including THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS, SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, THE ROSE, THEME FROM NEW YORK, NEW YORK and MY WAY. Country hits like GOD BLESS THE USA are here as well as Elton John's 70's hit YOUR SONG plus many other well loved songs to make a total of twenty-five selections.Great collection that is fun to play and not too difficult.

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Product Description:
Easy Piano Arrangemnts. Titles include: Foolish Games * The Greatest Love of All * I Will Always Love You * My Way * Over the Rainbow * The Prayer * There You'll Be * A Thousand Miles * Time to Say Goodbye * Your Song and more.

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

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

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


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Piano Chord Dictionary (Handy Guide) [Paperback] Review

This is a handy little book, the only problem is it gives you, I guess, 'their' version of the best hand positions to play certain chords, but it clashes with some of my other chord charts. 'The chord encyclopedia' would probably be a better choice because it gives you several position to play when possible.

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Product Description:
This Handy Guide shows the notation, fingering and keyboard diagrams for all the important chords used in modern popular music. Only the most practical position of each chord is shown. Two bass notes are given for each chord. Major, minor, diminished, augmented, sixth chords, seventh chords, ninth chords, eleventh chords and thirteenth chords are clearly shown. Includes a chord chart and major scale chart.

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On Stage KSP20 Universal Sustain Keyboard Pedal Review

Horrible - bought it because I needed the polarity switch, and even that's a kluge, you need sharp fingernails to get to it. Stepping on this pedal feels like stepping on a crunchy plastic box. Really should get zero stars.

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Product Description:
The KSP20 is affordable and versatile, allowing players of all levels to make their performances more expressive. It features a built-in 6 foot cord terminated with a molded strain relief and chrome-plated 1/4 inch plug. An integrated polarity switch makes the KSP20 compatible with most brands of electronic keyboards, including Roland, Korg, Casio, Yamaha, Kawai, and more. Its durable design incorporates a built-in tread on top and four non-slip rubber feet on the bottom. By utilizing a silent medium gauge spring, the KSP20 features a short travel and soft resistance, making it very easy and comfortable to use.

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The Beatles Keyboard Book (Keyboard Recorded Versions) [Paperback] Review

Excellent for piano players in that it shows the exact keyboard transcriptions for a number of Beatles songs. However, there's more than a couple that shouldn't even be in here (like All You Need is Love). Songs like Come Together and Get Back are there just so we can be shown the keyboard solos, the rest of the song (guitar and bass arranged for piano) can be ignored.

Also, there's a number of good piano-based Beatles songs that are absent, most notably Hey Bulldog. Others that should have been included are Sexy Sadie, Honey Pie, and Lovely Rita. Personally, I would have also liked to see Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight. But it's great to have some lesser known songs like Martha My Dear, which have great piano parts.

The book also provides the lyrics and the right key for the vocals above the piano parts if you want to sing along as well. The Beatles weren't fantastic piano players, so the songs in here are quite easy (except maybe the ones Billy Preston plays on) but still a lot of fun. Well worth your money, especially for songs like Hey Jude, Let It Be, and You Never Give Me Your Money.

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Product Description:
Exact keyboard transcriptions for 23 Beatles favorites, including: Back in the U.S.S.R. * Birthday * Hey Jude * Let It Be * Revolution * With a Little Help from My Friends * and more.

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Yamaha DGX230 76 Full-Sized Piano Style Keys, 489 Instrument Voices Review

This keyboard has exceeded my expectations.It is not a toy - it sounds great & is a delight to play.

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Product Description:
If you're looking for a reasonably priced piano replacement, look no further than the DGX-230. It is the music student or professional musicians answer to I need more keys! and many music teachers encourage new students to get a keyboard that will grow with their needs. It features 76 non-weighted keys that not only look like piano keys but have a Graded Soft Touch (GST) action with different levels of resistance, making it easier for a budding musician to move to an acoustic or digital piano.The DGX-230 delivers on its piano theme with a special mode of fingering called Full Keyboard Mode. This allows the player to play the keyboard like a piano; for example a chord with the right hand and bass notes with the left. When using the accompaniment feature, the virtual band will follow these chords. Traditional portable keyboards normally require you to chord on the left side of the keyboard, in the bass section, which is foreign to most piano players. The DGX-230 is also capable of this mode, for those who prefer it.The DGX230 has 30 built-in songs plus 70 more on included CD-ROM for you to learn to play using the Yamaha Education Suite. The songs are separated into left and right hand parts, providing 7 levels of lessons plus a convenient chord dictionary.Imagine capturing your childs first performance or writing and recording your own songs. With the DGX-230, you have the equivalent of a built-in multi-track recorder to record one or multiple instrument parts at a time and assign each part to a different track. Six tracks are provided to accommodate sophisticated melodies, chord accompaniment and rhythm parts.The DGX-230 comes with 30 built-in songs plus 70 more on an included CD-ROM and an interactive lesson system, divided into left and right hand parts, for learning them. In addition, you have the ability to connect to a computer via USB, download more songs from the Internet into the internal Flash ROM (PC only), and use all of the Yamaha Education Suite features to help you learn to play them. Yamaha makes it easy to get connected with the new PC button. Now, instead of wading through function menus and fighting through a maze of selections, one button is your expressway to music on the web and your computer. In addition, once connected, you can play your songs into the computer (PC and Mac), edit them if necessary, and e-mail them to your friends and family. And with General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatibility, song data always plays back with the correct sounds.Master EQ: Tailor your sound Five different master equalizer (EQ) settings are provided to give you the best possible sound when listening through different reproduction systems—the instruments internal speakers, headphones, or an external speaker system. You're in control.

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Jazz Piano: The Left Hand (The Steinway Library of Piano Music) [Paperback] Review

This is not a step by step, "Left Hand Technique for Dummies" kind of book. The author seems to know a lot about the history of jazz and has compiled examples of the left hand technique of many piano masters. The first half the book is more historic and talks about stride piano and the early players. The rest is more from bebop era and forward. His charts are hard to read and definitely require piano experience. I found the latin chapters too short, but is it understandable in a broad subject like this. I also wish there was more meterial about Bill Evans.

Good book. It will take me a lot of time to go through this.

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Product Description:
Arranged for piano by Riccardo Scivales. Here is the first volume in a new Jazz Piano series from The Steinway Library of Piano Music! This masterful book answers the age-old question asked by nearly every jazz pianist: what more can I do with my left hand? Using hundreds upon hundreds of musical examples, jazz scholar and pianist Riccardo Scivales Piano takes you on a tour of the left hand styles and techniques of all the great pianists, from Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller to Chick Corea and Michel Camilo. And he shows you how to use their methods yourself!
An Encyclopedia of Left Hand Style You'll no longer ponder how to get that swinging bass going, or how to fill in and add spark to the music with authentic left hand grooves. That great mystery of how to become a truly two fisted player will remain a mystery no longer, after you've gone through this treasure trove of left hand techniques used by the best jazz players who ever lived! This book is well over 250 pages long-a triumph of historical scholarship and practical, down-to-earth know-how!
Put Your Little Finger Here You'll see exactly what these legendary jazz pianists did, and learn how they made their left hand moves sound so thrilling. You'll become adept at every left hand style as Riccardo let's you in on all the secrets... stride bass as adopted and improved by Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Eubie Blake, Luckey Roberts, Donald Lambert, Cliff Jackson, Willie The Lion Smith, George Gershwin and Fats Waller... Spanish Tinged left hand stylings... blues and boogie devices... swing style figures made famous by Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum and Bob Zurke... techniques of Prebop, Bebop, and the new left hand... Erroll Garner's strumming left hand figures... walking bass style... playing salsa stride patterns, montunos and bossa-novas... the basics of jazz ostinatos... rootless chord voicings... AND MORE!

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Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Educational Piano) [Paperback] Review

I think it was a really cool idea to split the instruction up into beginner/intermediate/advanced levels as well as technique/improv/etc. The overall approach is very refreshing compared to more traditional piano methods. I like the pep talks Jordan gives in between the exercises. My piano teacher thought that the easy technique section's exercises were too easy, but I've found a way to apply them to all kinds of trouble spots in songs. The harmony section has some cool ideas, and I like the etudes that Jordan inculdes focusing on a point.

Overall, well worth the money, though I can't help voicing some complaints. The grading is a little wierd. It seems like some things in the easy sections are very easy, but then they'll be a run or something that is kind of frusterating and in my opinion not meant for an "easy section." In fact the easy and intermediate sections are really fairly similar in difficulty, and then the advanced just shoots off into a realm that I couldn't dream of playing. The improv and leads sections are a little weak. The improv section just tells you to start improvising on a restricted basis (one, two , three notes) and build complexity. The musical examples you're supposed to learn in this section - written in standard musical notation, seem a little inappropriate. The pep talks in the lead section were pretty weak. The advice is basically to pick a scale and solo using it. Then there's more examples to learn. There's a few licks I got from these examples, but I can't say that they're mind-blowing solos in general (unless you're good enouph for the advanced section). Also, there are only a few keys used for examples, so be perpared to do some transposing.

Honestly, I'd buy this book 100 times over, just in using it so much I've noticed all the little things (and it's more fun to complain).

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Product Description:
Take your playing to the next level with Jordan Rudess, the Juilliard-trained, award-winning keyboardist of Dream Theater! Work at your own pace to improve your skills in physical technique, improvisation, soloing and comping with clear, easy-to-follow directions and exercises that create real results. With beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises that cover everything from classical technique to blazing prog-rock solos and beyond, this book has something for keyboardists of all styles. A CD of the exercises is included - played by the master himself! - as are 12 solo-worthy etudes and a valuable appendix with major and minor arpeggio and scale fingerings.

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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.

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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."

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Technique Level 1A [Paperback] Review

I don't know why people give 1 star (as the previous interviewer did) when their transaction was flawed but not the books.I know Alfred books very well and they are the best in music education!Highly recommended.

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Product Description:
The Technic Books provide reading and rhythm drills and exercises perfectly paced with each Lesson Book in Alfred's Basic Piano Library to improve musicianship and develop coordination of the hands.

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Quartal Jazz Piano Voicings (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] Review

This book exhaustively catalogs quartal and "So What" chords used in jazz.For a thin volume, it crams a dizzying amount of material into relatively few pages that will keep the diligent student busy for many months.The author has taken extreme pains to make everything digestible with thoughtful organization, and detailed annotations.It starts with the most common ii-V-I voicings, given in the key of C.This gives the user a taste of what is to come.The next section gives common voicings in all major and minor keys.The final section gives an exhaustive list of voicings in all major and minor keys.Finally, the book discusses theory and practical applications.

The world needs a book like this.It requires much time and effort to absorb, but the results will be a "mature" sound that separates the jazz artists from the hacks.If that is where you want to take your playing, and you are willing to put in the time, get this book and keep it handy for future reference.

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Product Description:
This book is a complete guide to the captivating and complex chord voicings prevalent in modern jazz. It includes: quickest voicings - a guide to the first and best quartal voicings one should know; selected voicings - good voicings in all keys; all voicings - every possible quartal voicing followed by traditional jazz theory; quartal voicings applied to a standard jazz chord progression; the theory behind deriving quartal voicings; and more.

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Intermediate Piano and Keyboard Method (Win/Mac) Review

I recently bought this after reading the review at [...].
Despite a few technical glitches, I found this software met my modest goals, and I covered a lot of new material.
As an intermediate-level player that hadn't played in years, I wanted something to help me improve my skills in a more structured way than trying to find appropriate sheet music on my own, but without the financial and time commitment of private lessons.

First, if using software rather than paper sheet music, you need a digital piano with a MIDI interface to your PC, with the piano keyboard set in front of your PC's monitor.I'm using a Casio PX-120 an an Xmidi 1X1 USB interface.
Interesting aside: when I placed my keyboard on my metal stand, I got a horrifying sound when I hit D# - apparently the stand's resonant frequency, a problem solved with a bit of self-adhesive felt.

The Good:
For each piece or selection thereof, you can hear what the piece is supposed to sound like.
For some exercises, you can get automated feedback on how you played, with the errors tagged on the score, e.g. a missed or wrong note hit, or note held too long.
For other exercises, you can play along to a recorded ensemble.
Along with the music, audio clips are provided with interesting background trivia on the composers and their music but I'd rather read these than listen.

The not so good (are you listening emedia?):
There's not a good way to print a score as there is with online Scorch sheet music.
You cannot expand the window to see a whole page of music at once.
It's possible to lock the program up by trying to set various while audio is being played.
I found the metronome far too loud, with no obvious way to adjust its volume.I wound up just using the metronome built into my keyboard.
I had to keep the CD in my PC to use all the features.
The table of contents is too coarse, only allowing you to jump to the top of each section, rather than to a particular lesson or piece.
The "Animated keyboard" which displayed by default is a worthless waste of screen space for an Intermediate player.Fortunately, you can turn it off.

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Product Description:
The eMedia Intermediate Piano and Keyboard Method software features over 150 lessons and 50 songs with a focus on blues, classics, conventional scales, chord progressions, improvisation and other techniques necessary for mastering the piano. Vadim Ghin, author of the innovative eMedia Intermediate Piano and Keyboard Method CD-ROM, holds a Masters Degree in Piano from the Julliard School of Music, and has taught extensively at Julliard, New York University, and the Manhattan School of Music.Over 150 lessons offer a comprehensive curriculum that will give the intermediate piano player the skills needed to take their playing to the next level. Beginning with intervals and expanded hand positions, the lessons progress through building dexterity, advanced rhythms and transitions, interpretive expression marks and voicing, and finally to blues, improvisation based on the blues, and the piano in ensemble.Song Highlighting and LoopingHighlight an entire page, or just a portion of a song, and loop it for playback at whatever speed you are comfortable playing. Selected loops are now introduced with the MIDI tick count-off, so there's enough time to get your hands back to the keyboard to play along. Thus you can follow along regardless of what section of the piece you're working on.Full Motion VideoProfessional piano instructor Vadim Ghin, M.A., guides you with over 50 full-motion videos demonstrating techniques. Many of the videos include split-screen displays with close-ups for a clearer perspective.Animated KeyboardDisplays color-coded fingerings as the music plays. It allows you to see exactly how to play the song on a keyboard as you hear the music. Music tracking highlights the notes being played on the screen, making it simple to follow along.Multi-track recorded audioHigh-quality multi-track recorded audio is included for every song and exercise.Variable-Speed MIDI

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All-in-One Course for Children: Lesson, Theory, Solo, Book 3 (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

with the all-in-one you don't need to get the theory book because it is all included.

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Product Description:
The "All-in-One Course for Children" takes all of the pages from "Alfred's Basic Piano Library," Lesson Books 1A, 1B, and 2, plus selected pages from Theory, Recital and Fun Solo Books and combines them into part of a sequential five-book series. At the completion of Book 5, the student will be ready to continue into Level 3 of "Alfred's Basic Piano Library" or "Alfred's Premier Piano Course."

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My First Piano Adventure, Writing Book A (Faber Piano Adventures) [Paperback] Review

We love this curriculum.The accompanying CD makes practice a breeze at home.My daughters will actually sneak off to practice in their free time.The exercises are classic but they have had an update of fun songs and great graphics which keep little kids interested.I highly recommend this beginner book!

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Product Description:
Developing the ear and training the eye of the young child is a key component of the Writing Book A. Tucker, the mascot dog who loves to LISTEN, is always on the scene as the young child imitates, matches, and creates rhythmic and melodic patterns. The multi-cultural friends present improvisation and simple, guided composition activities. Blinker, the owl who loves to LOOK, helps students recognize patterns of rhythms and notes, and introduces sightreading. The Writing Book offers a holistic, musical approach to theory through discovery, creativity, imagination, and fun!

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M-Audio DCP-200 Digital Console Piano with Premium Sounds, Graded Hammer Action and Built in USB Interface Review

For the past 4 months I had been searching for a reasonably priced digital piano that interfaced well with a computer and finally I settled on M-audio's dcp200 and I couldn't be happier.I really took a gamble on this piano because all I could find was one very short review of the piano.A couple of years ago I had a yamaha clavinova and while I really liked the piano, this piano is better in so many ways.

First off, the piano looks beautiful; I have the darkgrain model and it blends in with my house really well and it looks very rich.When we first got the piano put together I was slightly dissapointed with the key action, my wife assured me that it just needed to be played a little bit and it would feel better.Boy was she right, I've had the piano for 3 weeks now and it feels great, the hammer action is just right.

The sound on this piano is phenominal as well, I was skepital of 20 watt speakers but this piano gets nice and loud and still sounds great.There are 8 different instruments you can play on it which is slightly dissapointing, they probably could have included more for not too much more cost, but the instruments all sound good.The response of the piano is great and allows you to really feel the music you are playing and let you forget that you are not playing an acoustic piano.

If the piano had just the features I had talked about it would still be a great but this piano has much more. The piano comes with a cable to hook it up to your computer as well as software to record your music on the computer. It also comes with a cable to hook up a mp3 player directly to the piano and it has a knob to control the volume of the music input so you can easily play along with your favorite music.It also has 2 headphone jacks.

The piano is simple enough for beginners but advanced enough for people that know a lot about computers and electronics.It also comes with an incredibly detailed guide to show you how to use all the advance features this piano has.

I truly cannot give this piano enough praise, if you are reading this and haven't decided on a piano buy this one. Also I recommend the m-audio piano bench, its super comfortable and looks great. I promise I'm not affiliated in anyway with M-Audio and am not being paid to write this review.Buy the piano and write your own review, you won't be dissapointed.

Also right now M-audio has a mail in rebate where they will send you a set of headphones (retail is over [...]) as well as 3 music books of your choice.I'm still waiting to get mine but am excited nonetheless.

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Product Description:
The M-Audio DCP-200 digital piano brings the beauty of a classic instrument into your home, classroom or house of worship. The elegant console design incorporates a premium audio system and powerful speakers that convey every note with exceptional detail--from resonant bass to delicate highs. Realistic TruTouch II graded hammer action makes it a pleasure to play the authentic acoustic and electric piano sounds, as well as harpsichord, organ, strings and bass. The built-in USB computer connection gives you instant access to the world of music software for education, recording, notation and more--making DCP-200 a superior investment that will grow with your family. This expressive digital console piano upholds the best of music tradition while embracing today's new creative technologies.


Bring the beauty of a classic instrument into your home, classroom or house of worship.Click to enlarge.
Dark Woodgrain finish.
Includes Sibelius First software--the easy-to-use application from the industry leader in music notation.
20 Years of Innovation
M-Audio is celebrating 20 years of critically acclaimed music technology innovation. Professional musicians and recording studios rely on M-Audio products such as industry-leading USB MIDI controller keyboards and Studiophile studio speaker systems. M-Audio digital pianos build on this legacy of quality and dependability, fusing years of expertise in digital keyboard technology and high-fidelity audio with world-class sounds. M-Audio digital pianos are sophisticated, expressive instruments equally suited for today's homes and houses of worship.
Authentic Sound and Feel
The M-Audio DCP-200 digital piano features premium onboard sounds meticulously sampled from some of the world's finest instruments, including the classic Steinway Model D concert grand piano. This remarkable instrument boasts a finely crafted 88-note keyboard with graded hammer action and escapement to reproduce the feel of an acoustic piano--from a lighter touch on the high notes, down to a firm response on the lows. The powerful combination of authentic sound and realistic touch provides an inspiring playing experience for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
USB Computer Compatibility--Access the World of Music Software
All M-Audio digital pianos feature built-in USB MIDI interfaces to connect to most PC and Mac computers. A single USB cable lets you plug into a wide range of music software for education, notation, recording and more. Your DCP-200 even includes Sibelius First software--the easy-to-use application from the industry leader in music notation. Just press record and your computer transcribes what you play into professional-grade sheet music.
Write, Compose and Arrange
Want to create your own music? The DCP-200 digital piano features eight different popular instrument sounds you can play right from the keyboard: acoustic pianos, electric pianos, harpsichord, church organ, strings and upright bass. Work out song ideas, then connect to a computer via USB and use the included Sibelius First software to print out the score.
Perfect for Piano Lessons
Looking for the perfect instrument for your kids' music education--or perhaps to further your own childhood piano lessons? The affordability, realism and compact size of the M-Audio DCP-200 digital piano make it an ideal choice. You and your family will experience the joy of playing the piano--either through the high-fidelity internal sound system or privately with headphones. In fact, there are two headphone jacks to accommodate teacher and student. The built-in note recorder lets you record and play back your practices and performances for evaluation. Unlike many digital pianos, DCP-200 gives you all three of the pedals found on grand pianos--including sostenuto. And a simple USB computer connection provides access to self-paced music education software like Sibelius Groovy.
A Musical Director's Best Friend
If you're the musical director for a house of worship, school chorus or similar group, the DCP-200 digital piano gives you a new reason to rejoice. This handy performance instrument never needs tuning--and the included Sibelius First software lets you print your own musical arrangements for your group to rehearse and perform.
The Piano That's Easy to Live With
The piano has a longstanding tradition of bringing music enjoyment and education into the home. Now with today's digital technology, it's never been easier to make this beautiful instrument your own. Digital pianos are made with modern manufacturing techniques so they don't cost a fortune. They fit the sound of a concert grand and other instruments into a spare corner of the room. They enable family members to entertain guests or play privately using headphones. And digital pianos never need costly tuning or repair--or a skilled piano mover when you relocate. The M-Audio DCP-200 brings all the advantages of today's technology to the instrument you know and love.
What's in the Box
DCP-200 Piano (assembly required), 1/8-inch TRS to 2x RCA adaptor cable, User Guide, Assembly Instructions, Sibelius First CD-ROM, USB Cable, IEC Power Cable, A4 Laminated Sheet showing additional keybed functions, Piano Bench

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On Stage KSP100 Universal Sustain Pedal Review

This is a good foot pedal. It works on my casio and is actually a better quality and price than the casio brand foot pedal. It doesn't slide around, either.

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Product Description:
The On Stage KSP100 Universal Sustain Pedal is a sturdy, full size, piano-style pedal that is perfect when you need a sturdy and responsive control over sustain!This high-quality pedal features a polarity switch making it universally compatible with virtually any keyboard. The heavy-duty spring allows for better control and playing longevity. Compatible with any electronic keyboard with 1/4 inch input jack.

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PROFESSIONAL - X TYPE 55 - KEYBOARD PIANO STAND NR SALE Review

When I received this it was bent and the pieces did not fit together.
It was a pain to put together, and now it is not very stable at all with
the keyboard on it. I will have to buy a new one for sure when my little
boy starts walking.

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Product Description:

16055: KS1 - X-Type Heavy Duty Single Keyboard Stand

- Adjusts from 17" to 37" in height
- Protective Rubberized End Caps
- 7 possible Adjustments
- Folds up for easy transportation
- Durable Welded Contructions holds up to 100 pounds.
includes: allen wrench needed for assembly

Basic X Type Keyboard stand can be used to securely display and hold your precious keys!

Visit our Ebay store for many more stands and accessories, and other great musical items.
GOOD LUCK BIDDING!



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Progressive Rock Keyboard: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] Review

I don't why anyone has'nt written a review for this book yet. Its perfect, and the accompanying CD is so helpful to help learn the rhythms of progressive rock keyboard. I would greatly recommend this book if you are sick of playing yankee doodle or any other book with boring sheet music. Contained in the book is an adequate description of the genre and presents perfect examples that you can learn. I found this book very satisfying and not too hard. I also have the rock keyboard and find that one great as well. So do buy these books.

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Product Description:
From the classic sounds of the '70s to modern progressive stylings, this book/CD provides you with the theory and technique to play and compose in a multitude of prog rock styles. You'll learn how soloing techniques, form, rhythmic and metrical devices, harmony, and counterpoint all come together to make this style of rock the unique and exciting genre it is. Also included is an introduction to classic and contemporary keyboard instruments and sounds, and how they can be used in different combinations to produce authentic-sounding keyboard parts. The accompanying CD features many of the examples covered in the book, as well as six complete progressive rock songs recorded by a real band.

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ROll Up Piano - Yamano Hand ROll Piano - Digital & Portable 61 Keys Roll-Up Piano Electronic MIDI Keyboard with 16 MIDI Output Channels Design by the INVENTOR YAMANO JAPAN Review

I love my Yamano roll up piano.I just got it today in the mail.It replaced my old USB roll-up piano, which is a Dream Cheeky model.The Yamano is by far the better of the two.

There are certain important things that set this roll up piano above others.First, it has full-size keys.Most other models, including my old Dream Cheeky, do not have this.The smaller keys make playing more difficult.Whereas, the full size keys on the Yamano makes playing it very similar to a real piano.In fact, it is the nearest thing to a real piano without moving the real clunker around.

Second, my old Dream Cheeky roll up USB piano was reliant on software for sound.The Yamano, on the other hand, generates its own sounds.The instrument voices are very good compared to say a Dream Cheeky.I compared them side by side, and the piano voice on the Yamano is the far better of the two.Whereas the piano voice on the Dream Cheeky sounds like a very cheap harpsichord rather then a piano.

Third, the Yamano is MIDI compatible.Most other roll up pianos are not, or they need extra software for this.

Fourth, this instrument can be amplified with speakers, or played in private with headphones.Most other models again do not afford you this.

And fifth, which I feel is most important, the Yamano comes with its own drawstring storage fish net carrying pouch.Most of your other models just come alone.You get just the instrument, batteries if you're lucky, and that's about it.The Yamano comes as a complete kit.Besides the instrument, it comes with the storage pouch.It also comes with its own AC power adapter.Most other models use batteries only, or USB.Two instruction manuals round out the kit, one English and one Japanese.Regarding storing the Dream Cheeky, it rolls up and fits into a common pencil case.The Yamano is far too large for that.

The only drawback I have encountered with this instrument is recording it.Most of the conventional methods work, but the sound has a very annoying buzz.The best way to record this instrument is with sound recorder in windows vista.

Bottom line, if you want a roll up piano that travels very well, yet comes fully loaded, get your hands on a Yamano.Your fingers will thank you for it.

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Product Description:
The Yamano Hand Roll Piano keys are constructed of durable silicon rubber with ABS resin for a smooth finish. Weighing a mere 2 lbs., this roll up piano is extremely light-weight, making it ultra-portable. Roll Up Piano - Concert on the Go!Roll up piano is the newest sensation in portable entertainment. With its unique roll-up design, this portable piano can go anywhere you can. Imagine playing the roll up piano at the park or just in your backyard. Amuse your friends and have some family fun with this full featured roll up piano.Roll Up Piano - Makes the perfect gift!Regardless of your age or skill level, roll up piano makes a great gift idea. This roll up piano is so easy to use that everyone will want to play it. Roll away for easy storage. For a piano gift that will keep on giving for years to come, roll up piano is an awesome choice.

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

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

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

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Beginning Blues Keyboard (Book & CD) (Complete Blues Keyboard Method) [Paperback] Review

This is one of the best beginning blues instruction books I've found. It teaches a bit of blues theory and provides the basic framework for the blues, but Tricia also provides the beginner with a few blues tunes to play. You can find books with advanced blues songs (from established performers) and you can find books with blues "riffs"....but you won't find many bookes for beginners that have good sounding, playable, blues tunes. Ms. Woods delivers on all fronts.

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Product Description:
Anyone with basic keyboard skills (equivalent to Alfred's Basic Piano, Lesson Book 2) can dig right in and begin learning blues right away. Learn what it takes to create the distinctive sound of the blues, including basic chords and scales, blues melodies, improvisation, turnarounds and intros. Other topics include the twelve-bar blues form, walking bass and playing in a band. Full of fun blues tunes to play, Beginning Blues Keyboard provides a step-by-step enjoyable way to learn the blues.

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Pop/Rock: Note-for-Note Keyboard Transcriptions [Paperback] Review

Here are all the tunes:
* Africa
* Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
* Alone
* Angel
* Axel F
* Brick
* Centerfold
* Chariots Of Fire
* Cherish
* (They Long To Be) Close To You
* Didn't We Almost Have It All
* Don't Know Much
* Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
* Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)
* (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
* Faithfully
* From A Distance
* Glory Of Love
* Hard To Say I'm Sorry
* Hero
* How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
* I Found Someone
* Imagine
* It's Too Late
* Just The Way You Are
* Let It Be
* Looks Like We Made It
* Love The World Away
* Mandy
* Sailing
* Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This
* Walk Of Life
* Walking In Memphis
* You Are So Beautiful
* You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

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Product Description:
35 note-for-note transcriptions for those who want to play exactly what they hear on recordings. Songs include: Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) * Axel F * Brick * Centerfold * Chariots of Fire * (They Long to Be) Close to You * Don't Let the Sun Go down on Me * Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) * From a Distance * Hero * How Am I Supposed to Live Without You * Imagine * Just the Way You Are * Mandy * Sailing * Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) * You Are So Beautiful * and more.

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Rock Keyboard - The Complete Guide with CD!: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] Review

As a mainly classical piano player, I have never been good at playing from lead sheets or improvising.I have a few of the other books in this series and find them all great!Scott Miller is a wonderful composer and teacher and has a very similar style to Mark Harrison (another composer in this series).This book includes important information about vamps, different time signatures, walking bass lines, various modes, octave bass, pedal points, boogie patters, inversions, licks...anything that is used in any type of rock.It goes through classic rock, pop rock, blues rock, southern rock, hard rock, progressive rock, alternative rock, and even heavy metal!The book moves quickly but provides the information that is important for those of us looking to play.It comes with a very handy CD which allows to hear what it's supposed to sound like. I highly recommend this book.

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Product Description:
The Rock Keyboard book/CD pack in the Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series is chock full of authentic rock keyboard parts! Learn to comp or solo in any of your favorite rock styles. Listen to the 99-track CD to hear your parts fit in with the total groove of the band. Styles covered include: classic rock, pop/rock, blues rock, Southern rock, hard rock, progressive rock, alternative rock and heavy metal.

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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.

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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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On Stage KS7191 Classic Double-X Keyboard Stand Review

This stand is very well made and extremely strong.The double braces truly make a difference.They were well packaged.I would highly recommend these to anyone!

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Product Description:
This double-X workhorse ensures stability and holds more weight withsturdy 1" tubing. This all-welded stand also features the tried-and-true5-position disk clutch with a bullet-nose pull knob.

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Yamaha FC3 Dual Zone Piano Style Sustain Pedal Review

This pedal is really worth the price. I can't imagine not having it. I use it with a Yamaha P70 digital keyboard. I grew up playing a normal piano, and was skeptical about how this would work. The control is very precise. It is indespensible for anyone who is used to using a pedal. At first I thought it was a little high of the ground, but I got used to it.

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Product Description:
About as close as you can get to natural sustain, the FC3 offers continuous sustain performing exactly as an acoustic piano would. Unlike most common pedals, the FC3 has a unique continuous zone that allows for different types of sustain.

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Yamaha L85 Keyboard Stand for Yamaha P85 Piano (88-Key) Review

The instructions are pictorial so no room for confusion. You need some space for the assembly as the pieces are long, but it was all quite straightforward. And it looked short when done but the keyboard sits about on top of it, with screws to hold it in. My son remarked that it was an improvement over the x-stand previously used, this sits solidly and doesn't wobble as the other did.

I would recommend getting the stand if you have the P85, it does support it better and also looks kind of like a piano. I also got the three pedals, (LP-5), which fit across the bottom of this stand and also helps it feel/sound more like a piano.

Tip: I have seen these three (Digital piano, stand, pedals) offered together as a bundle on some sites.

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Product Description:
The L85 Keyboard Stand by Yamaha was designed specifically for the P85 Piano (88-key), a well-designed stand that is sturdy and keeps your keyboard secure and while playing. It attaches directly onto the bottom of your keyboard for a perfect it.The keyboard stand is great for your home, studio, or stage performances.

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

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

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

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Casio CS-67 Keyboard Stand for PX130 and PX330 Review

The Casio stand is a necessary addition to the PX330.Why wouldn't anyone want to place the PX330 on a stand.Well, the stand matches the piano perfectly, very stable, smartly designed, required very simple installation, is made from wood, and is colored black to match the piano.It's a great design for home use, and the PX330 also is a fine electric keyboard to have fun with at home.It looks nice and sounds great.Unless you're Alfred Brendel, McCoy Tyner, or Stevie Wonder, this piano keyboard will be fine for all your piano playing.It has a very sleek design and can fit against a wall taking up minimal space.Great piano and stand for a great price.

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Product Description:
Casio CS67 Keyboard Stand; Get your PX130 or PX330 to sit at a comfortable height for precision playing!Keyboardists know that one of the keys to quality practice and playing is comfort. Designed to fit both the PX130 and PX330 keyboards, Casio's CS67 keyboard stand is just the tool to get your keyboard to the right height for playing. Don't just use any old desk or surface, the dark wood grain of the CS67 is a perfect complement to the look of these keyboards. Novice players will have an easier time learning their scales and modes when your keyboard is set to an effective playing height.

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Yamaha P85 CONTEMPORARY DIGITAL PIANO Review

When a master controller keyboard started to go flaky on me, I started looking for a replacement, and since I didn't REALLY need anything but a basic piano at this point (already having other keyboards that can serve this purpose), the focus was going to be on having 88 weighted keys, but being lightweight and portable.In the start of the 90s, stage pianos that remotely sounded like the real thing were becoming affordable, though hideously bulky and heavy.Let's just say they wouldn't fit in my car so easily, which leaves you reliant on the rest of the band for your transportation.End of the 90s, Korg was selling their 88 key Trinity keyboards, one of which I had the pleasure to lug around in my car for 10 years (it just barely fit!) but ultimately wore out because I couldn't get a case or even bag for it - it was just too big.It still works but gets unpredictable when I move it, so I had to make the call, and buy a replacement.

I checked out some of the lower end piano models, Rolands P250, Korgs P250, Roland RD700s, and Yamaha not only sounded much better, but was jaw-droppingly cheap.I find Roland's sound sweet but a bit muddy or saturated, the action was not bad.Korg's P250 sounds nice but I find their samples are compressed too much and the decay sounds unnaturally fast.Yamaha hit the sweet spot with their piano samples, granted there's only two sets of samples for piano, but they both sound absolutely brilliant (especially considering the cost of the keyboard). The expressiveness you get out of this instrument is amazing - very careful attention to detail.(Compared to the 'honking' piano on the Korg Triton.)The key action is a bit heavier, I can see that I'll be doing scales for a month before I have the strength to really play that thing.That's ok, I'm still waiting for the stand anyways...Which brings me to :

(1) To incorporate built-in speakers, the bottom is not flat, it's basically a 'V'.It will not sit really stably in ANYTHING but the stand made for it.Acrobatics are right out.So you basically are forced to buy the stand which sells for extra.Give me a break.
(2) There are no stage outs on this piano (if you want to use this piano in a band and hook it up to an amp and/or mixing board), you have to use the headphone jacks (!)VERY odd omission, instead of offering both analog and digital outs, Yamaha actually regresses and doesn't even have stage outs.Anyways, you have to get a cord that goes from stereo 1/4" (RTS) to two 1"4 jacks (very common cord BTW, your music store will have it), you can't just use a standard 1/4" jack because aspects of the piano signal are heavily panned and you get a weird phasey sound if you try to just take one side of the signal.And since it sticks out the front, you need a 1"4 right angle adapter to keep it out of harms way.

Apart from that, the piano sounds very crisp and convincing, some nice onboard effects to enhance this.But basically it's just a piano, not a workstation.Use it for one instrument at a time (you can layer the instruments but I couldn't find a single combination that sounded better than the individual instruments).

There are other sounds built into this, besides piano.There are two electric piano patches - the first is a Fender Rhodes sound, with a DX-ey tinge to it, sounds beautifully full, if a bit tine-y.The second patch, kind of a Wurlitzer or (I guess) Yamaha CP type patch, is almost worth the price of the keyboard itself.Sounds very like Supertramp's keyboard sound, very expressive to play.

The organs are the worst of the samples.Honestly - they couldn't find better organ patches than this, at least after the very high standard they established with the pianos?These sound like a circus calliope (E. Organ 1) and a bad Soundblaster pipe organ patch (E. Organ 2)!They are absolutely terrible, but if you really really need a calliope or pipe organ sound and not one of your instruments does that sound, you might use it.

The strings patch isn't bad, isn't noteworthy either.Definitely usable.I would have liked to be able to apply an (onboard) phaser effect to it for instance.

There are two harpsichord patches that are fairly high quality, better than the Korg Trinity's, anyways.Layering them sounds cheesy, but onboard compression might have helped.Workstations have me so spoiled...

The vibes patch is pretty good too, clear and bell-like.'Tis purty.

All in all, this keyboard is an absolute steal at this price, once again the bar is raised in terms of quality and portability.You get bang-for-the-buck with this!It fits in the trunk of my car, just barely.Don't even have to put the back seats down!It loses 1/2a star for the stand issue, the lack of even a proper set of analog outs, and the wretched organ samples.

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Product Description:
Includes Yamaha P85 88 Key GHS Black Contemporary Digital Piano Owners Manual Quick Operation Guide AC Power Adapter Pedal FC5 Music Rest.

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NEW KEYBOARD STAND - 58 HEAVY DUTY "Z" TYPE PIANO BENCH Review

Let's face it, all of those X-style stands are convenient and quick for keyboard players, but they just don't look very cool once they've been set up. The Z stand is closer to the right idea, even though you'll notice the seller seems a bit confused about the difference between a "stand" and a "bench." Nevertheless, I trusted the picture, and indeed it is a stand--moreover a Z-style stand at an X-style price. The problem with this one, from what I've been able to determine (there wasn't a scrap of instructions or even a diagram included in the box, and two crucial rubber pieces immediately came unglued) is the words "heavy duty," especially if yours is a keyboard costing more than five hundred dollars and weighing more than 40 pounds.I can't for a moment conceive of anyone foolish enough to entrust a Roland RD700 or Kurzweil PC3 to this thin and wobbly piece of metal.If you decide to order it, take that "heavy duty" description with the same degree of seriousness as the "piano bench" description.

The stand could possibly see some use with a lightweight Yamaha or Casio keyboard (one of the models without weighted action), though you'd still probably be better advised to check in with a reputable dealer like Sweetwater, explaining the keyboard you plan to use with the stand along with the frequency of use.(This thing is not built to survive weekly travels in the band van, let alone rough roadhouse use.)

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Product Description:
Up for Auction:

16058: Z TYPE KEYBOARD STAND : KS-5 HEAVY DUTY STAND

The length is 33" inches.
The height is adjustable from 31.5" to 20.5" .
The top depth is 10.25"
The bottom depth is 17".

- Extra support for that crowded or unruly stage!
- Professional Style and Construction!

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GOOD LUCK BIDDING!



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KEYBOARD PIANO STAND - DELUXE "X" TYPE 56 - HOT DEAL! Review

This keyboard stand is decently built, though you have to assemble it and lining up the bolts and holes may require a little slight of hand.But it keeps the keyboard nice and stable, and has an easy adjustment lever.

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Product Description:

16056: KS2 - DELUXE X-Type Heavy Duty "Double X Construction" Keyboard Stand

- DOUBLE SUPPORT LEGS!
- Adjusts from 17" to 37" in height
- Protective Rubberized End Caps
- 7 possible Adjustments
- Folds up for easy transportation
- Durable Welded Contructions holds up to 120 pounds!
includes: allen wrench needed for assembly

Deluxe X Type Keyboard stand can be used to securely display and hold your precious keys!

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On Stage Keyboard Dust Cover for 61 or 76 Key Keyboards Review

My Keybosrd is placed in an area of my house that has heavy foot traffic and I also own a dog, when I take the cover off my keyboard it is allways like new, I even shake the dust and dog hair from the cover once and a while. Looks cool too, not shinny or overbarring, just right, I highly recomend this product to anyone who wants to protect their keyboard.

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Product Description:
A professional keyboard cover to keep your keys free of harmful dust and debris. Dust free spandex material stretches to fit 61, 76 or 88-key keyboards. Comes complete with a built-in bag, plastic cord and locking clasp. Locking clasp secures dust cover over keyboard and also fastens bag shut. Entire dust cover fits in storage bag when not in use.

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Yamaha FC4 Piano Style Foot Pedal Review

We got a Yamaha DGX-230 and the FC4 floor pedal for Christmas.My son recently started lessons, and he and my wife reported that when they tried to use the FC4, it didn't work, and they had disconnected it.

I plugged it in and tried it, and indeed, it was backwards.When it wasn't pressed, it sustained.When it was pressed, it didn't.There was no polarity or mode switch.

However, after about 20 minutes of Googling, I found an online PDF of the model 220 owner's manual that contained this snippet:

"Make sure that the footswitch plug is properly connected to the SUSTAIN jack BEFORE turning on the power."

It turns out I hadn't bothered to turn off the DGX-230 before plugging it in.When I followed the instructions, everything worked fine.

I also noted this caution as well:

"Do not press the footswitch while turning the power on. Doing this changes the recognized polarity of the footswitch, resulting in reversed footswitch operation."

So, although the FC4 apparently doesn't have a polarity switch, the DGX-230 can switch its OWN polarity.

Other models of course may work differently.

So far I'm quite pleased with both Yamaha products and I'm impressed with the thought Yamaha has put in to them.

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Product Description:
For those electronic keyboards with an input jack labeled "SUSTAIN," the FC4 model is used in the same manner the sustain pedal on an acoustic piano is used. Designed to work and feel just like an acoustic piano's sustain pedal, its specially designed rubber bottom grips the floor and stays put while you play.
The FC4 can also be utilized as an FS controller for synthesizers, tone modules and drum machines.
The FC4 features a 6-foot cable and standard 1/4-inch plug. Works with any keyboard utilizing a sustain pedal with a 1/4" connector.
What's in the Box
FC4 Foot Pedal

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Yamaha FC-5 Sustain Pedal for Portable Electronic Keyboards Review

Growing up with an acoustic piano, I was uncomfortable with how the FC-5 Sustain Pedal felt.For me to tell when I was pressing the pedal or not, I had to take my shoes off.Unwilling to be an environmental hazard, I decided to purchase a pedal that has the feel of an acoustic piano's pedal.(Much better than buying that yellow tape to surround myself with...)
If you are looking for the feel of an acoustic piano's pedal, I would recommend the FC-4.Or if you want the same feel with a pedal that can do more than just sustain, I'd recommend the FC-3.

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Product Description:
This handy sustain pedal/FS controller hooks up to any synthesizer, tone module, or drum machine with a .25-inch phone jack sustain-pedal input. Specific compatible Yamaha devices include the PSR-D1, PSR-195, PSR-225, PSR-225, PSR-240, PSR-248, PSR-270, PSR-330, PSR-340, PSR-530, PSR-540. Its five-foot cable affords ample placement options.
What's in the Box
Sustain pedal/FS controller and an instruction manual.

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