With You in Mind: 8 Original Piano Solos for Today's Pianist [Paperback] Review

All 8 Songs are wonderful. The best part is the CD that has the same 8 songs played by Dan! I'm so glad that I found this music book from Amazon.com!If you enjoy Dan's arrangement style for the contemporary music, you'd not want to miss this one, 8 original songs composed by Dan!

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Product Description:
Dan Coates has done it again. By popular demand, With You In Mind was produced to accommodate his fans' need for a set of original piano solos. From contemporary jazz to classical, he has provided a wonderful collection incorporating every style. On the included CD you will find Dan himself performing each solo as only he can do. This is one book your customers will definitely want! Titles are: At Dawn, Autumn Etude, Celebration, Classical Folly, Jazz in 3, Once Upon Another Time, Wind-Up Lullaby, and With You In Mind.

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Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56, for the piano (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

I needed a piece titled something along the lines of "roumanian folk dances" so i thought, oh yay here it is and by a really good editor, too!!well... i needed op 8athis is sz 53 (i think)i really wish in the title or in the description they had given the catalog numbers and i bought the wrong piece of music because of it. This would not have been a problem if Bartok didn't write like a bazillion "romanian dances."but, that's why one should always have that catalog number.
however, i am keeping it because this is a good piece of literature and it's edited by a wonderful editor and it's only four bucks.amazon.com will not be the first place i go to, in the future, to buy scores from.

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Product Description:
This set of six pieces is based on folk-song melodies and dance forms from Transylvania which was annexed to Romania in 1920. The contrasting melodies were originally for violin or shepherd's flute, but the unusual harmonies are original with Bartók. The performance time for the complete set of dances is approximately 4 minutes, 15 seconds.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Prep Course Theory Book Level B [Paperback] Review

I've been using this system (Alfred's Prep Course) with young and adult beginners alike. It's my preferred system!

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Product Description:
Designed to coordinate page-by-page with the Lesson Books. Contains enjoyable games and quizzes that reinforce the principles presented in the Lesson Books. Students can increase their musical understanding while they are away from the keyboard.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Top Hits Solo Book, Level 1B [Paperback] Review

I am a fan of the Alfred method and love the books for teaching my four beginner piano students.I was excited to see some alternate options for the solo/recital book, including this "Top Hits" book.

I currently have two students using this book, and they really seem to love it.I think it makes a difference for kids to be able to play tunes they know and enjoy.I would say that most of the songs were accessible to my 7-8 year old students, although a few are not as appealing to them ("My Heart Will Go On," for one).

My only complaint about the book is that it seems a little difficult compared to other books at this level.Many of the songs are played in the middle C position, which my students aren't as familiar with, and then many of the songs jump positions several times, which is something these kids aren't used to doing at this level.It doesn't correlate with the other 4 books as far as concepts go, although it does seem like the songs get harder as you progress through the book.Overall, it's fun, but I wouldn't use it for a struggling piano student.The very gifted ones will be fine, or perhaps when they are over half-way through the Lesson books at this level, they will be fine.

The kids really love it, and when practicing is fun, it makes a big difference.They are more willing to work hard on the songs because they enjoy them.Really, the challenge is probably good for them!

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Product Description:
Alfred's Top Hits series has overwhelmingly been accepted by students and teachers. This series combines justthe right combination of hits from Broadway, Hollywood, television and recordings! As you might expect from Alfred, this series offers a rare combination of great music arranged with care and creativity. Your beginning and intermediate students can savor the excitement of playing pop music and reap the benefits from making practicing more fun and rewarding.

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Simply Beautiful Piano (Ekay Edition) [Paperback] Review

This book fully deserves its subtitle "easy to play arrangements that make you sound great". The chords are sophisticated but easy on the ear, and the songs are standards usable in many cocktail piano settings. I bought a beat-up used version that had somebody else's (very helpful) notes in it; grab your copy while Amazon still has them.

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Product Description:
Here's a wonderful collection of some of the most beautiful pop standards ever written. Preston Keys has written easy arrangements that sound lush, elegant, and sophisticated, yet are surprisingly playable. Titles include: As Time Goes By * Days of Wine and Roses * Fly Me to the Moon * Love Is Here to Stay * More Than You Know * Someone to Watch Over Me * Taking a Chance on Love * Waltz for Debby * When I Fall in Love and many more.

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Barrelhouse and Boogie Piano (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

The transcriptions of some of the greatest barrelhouse and blues pianists such as Jelly Roll Morton, Meade Lux Lewis, Memphis Slim, along with their history are in this music book.
There is also a tantalizing CD of samples of the pieces in the book as played by the great blues pianists. This gives essential information as to how the syncopation and rubato sounds in the hands of the masters. The only problem is that as the snippet gets going, you really want to hear the entire piece and whammo! It's only a few seconds per piece, 12 minutes in all. Why oh why couldn't they put at least a few complete works on the CD?
Other than that quibble, this is a great book for blues piano, though greats such as Roosevelt Sykes are to be found in a companion volume, not in this one.
A must for blues lovers who play keyboard.

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Product Description:
An important instruction guide to the blues-style piano by the author of Six Blues Roots Pianists. Complete with music transcriptions and excerpts from the original recordings of 22 piano greats.

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

I have used this book in highschool when my sister was taking piano. I have followed her because with that book playing was coming along and was easy to grasp.Many years have past, but my longing for playing did not.When I have seen digital piano in best buy, I bought it.I could not remember the title of the book that was used by my sister in highschool. So, after sixteen years I have contacted the school that I have attended and asked for the musical teacher hoping that she will let me know what book they are using.I was glad that the book was still the same. There is not reason to change for something else if something works really well.
I have bought the book through amazon, and I am half way through.
A great way to learn to play piano without paying money for private lessons.I have taken piano in university but dropped it. I could not stand the book.It was coming very slowly.I hardly noticed the progres. With Alfred's book, you really come along.My family enjoys my playing and I enjoy it even more.

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Product Description:
More than 3-million adult students have learned to play the piano using this well-sequenced course. Perfect for beginners who prefer a chord approach, students learn how to play chords in either hand in order to move beyond simply playing single note melodies. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician. Titles: Alouette * Alpine Melody * Amazing Grace * At Last * Au Claire de la Lune * Aura Lee * The Ballad of Gilligan's Island * Beautiful Brown Eyes * Blow the Man Down! * Brother John * Cafe Vienna * The Can-Can * Chiapanecas * Cockles and Mussels * The Cuckoo * The Donkey * The Entertainer * A Friend Like You * The Gift to Be Simple * Go Down, Moses * Good King Wenceslas * Good Morning to You! * Got Those Blues * Greensleeves * Happy Birthday to You! * Harp Song * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas * Here's a Happy Song! * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * Jericho * Jingle Bells * Joy to the World! * Kum-ba-yah! * Largo (Dvorak) * Laura * Lavender's Blue * Little Brown Jug * London Bridge * Lone Star Waltz * Love Somebody * The Marine's Hymn * Mary Ann * Merrily We Roll Along * Mexican Hat Dance * Michael, Row the Boat Ashore * Money Can't Buy Everything * My Fifth * Ode to Joy * On Top of Old Smoky * O Sole Mio * Over the Rainbow * Raisins and Almonds * Rockets * Rockin' Intervals * Rock It Away! * Scarborough Fair * Singin' in the Rain * Standing in the Need of Prayer * Tisket, a Tasket * Waltz Time * What Can I Share * When the Saints Go Marching In * Why Am I Blue?

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How to Teach Suzuki Piano (About Suzuki) [Paperback] Review

This is a wonderful essay by Suzuki.The booklet is informative and reconfirms how children and smooth production of music are the focus of music lessons not only the music in and of itself.

I only gave it four stars however, due to the length of the pamphlet and the price thereof.I am not disappointed with my purchase, however, I was expecting more detailed outlines for example of how to implement the Suzuki method.I agree with the previous reviewer that this is a brief guide.IF you are interested in a step by step, I have not taught Suzuki before and this book should show me how, then do not purchase this pamphlet.

I must say though, that many of Suzuki's principles are reinforced by music greats around the world.Is the Suzuki method for everyone? No. But can it be valuable?Yes.

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Product Description:
A brief but valuable booklet about teaching Suzuki piano. Directed towards parents and teachers. Originally published in Japan by Dr. Suzuki's Talent Education Institute.

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Keyboard Scale Manual (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

A very concise and powerful collection of scales and their fingerings. Very good to have for developing and refreshing scale technique.

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Product Description:
A complete guide to scales. Specially designed keyboard diagrams combined with standard notation make any scale easy to learn. A must for all keyboard players.

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Learning to Play Piano: Book 1 [Paperback] Review

My five years old daughter started practising piano. It is a very good book. Our piano teacher advised us. Also my daughter likes the drawing on the pages.

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Product Description:
This new, four volume piano course presents a fresh, unhurried, and sound approach to piano study. It offers a veritable treasure of delightfully melodic, inventive repertoire to illustrate and correlate technique, theory, and musicianship.

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Disney! (Walt Disney Easy Piano Solos) [Paperback] Review

Usually I am not a huge fan of easy piano books.They tend to be watered-down far too much, to the point that the pieces sound nothing like the original.This book, however, is NOT the case.It features a version of "Beauty and the Beast" which I originally had a single piece of sheet music back in the mid-90's, in addition to tons of other great songs as well.The notes are written large on the pages, there's a great variety of both old and new Disney songs, and they're great for kids who are taking piano lessons.The best thing about these renditions is that they sound so much like the original pieces that when one ofmy students is learning the piece, they want to keep on playing it, causing them to further grow as musicians and most importantly, ENJOY playing music! It's a really great investment!

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Product Description:
A terrific collection of 48 classic tunes from 33 Disney movies and shows: Alice in Wonderland * The Aristocats * Be Our Guest * Cinderella * Cruella De Vil * Go the Distance * A Guy Like You * I Won't Say (I'm in Love) * If I Never Knew You * It's a Small World * Mickey Mouse March * Under the Sea * Winnie the Pooh * You've Got a Friend in Me * more!

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Casio CS-65 Privia Keyboard Stand for Casio PX-110, PX-120, PX-310 and PX-320 Review

I picked up a Casio PX-200 a few months ago but found myself not using it as much because I did not have a stand which was secure enough to hold the piano in place.The original plan was to use a small table but that idea went out the window once I received my Casio PX-200 and realized how wide the piano was.So I decided I should purchase a stand.I first decided I would purchase an X style stand but my wife and I have an infant who likes to touch everything in the house and knock things over so I was worried this would not be safe for my child.I did not want to pay so much money for a stand but in the end, I decided better safe than sorry so I saved up money and finally picked up the Casio CS-65 stand.Boy and I sure glad I did.

My Casio PX-200 has two covers on each side which comes off easily by simply removing a couple of screws on each side and pull off the covers.Once you do this, you simply then mount it the each side of the stand and put the screws back on so that it secure.The instructions were easy to follow.After I finished putting the stand together, I brought my son into the office and we let him go at it.He could not knock it down.It was pretty secure, even with him leaning against it.He enjoys playing the piano all the time now.My digital piano looks great with this stand and I am not worried about my son getting hurt.

Pros:
-Secure
-Makes the digital keyboard look fancyCons:
-Since the piano is screwed to each side of the stands, this means your digital piano is no longer portable.If you plan on travling with your digital piano, this is not the stand for you.
-Much more expensive than an X stand

Overall, I would highly recommend this if you have a compatible digital piano from Casio.I wish Casio did not charge so much for this stand but I don't regret my purchase at call.

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Product Description:
The Casio CS65 Privia Digital Piano Stand has a high quality dark wood appearance and matches your PX110, PX120, PX310, or PX320 perfectly. The sturdy CS65 ensures a genuinely stylish appearance.

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Great Pianists on Piano Playing: Godowsky, Hofmann, Lhevinne, Paderewski and 24 Other Legendary Performers (Great Pianists: In Their Own Words) [Paperback] Review

If you play the piano with a passion, read this book. It gives many insights into how pianists from the golden age of pianism gave life to music on the keyboard. Hofman, Rubinstein, Paderewski,Sauer, Busoni, Bauer, Godowsky are just some of the greats. You can gauge for yourself how piano playing is expressed in terms of an art and a science. Not just body but mind too. Advice like not over-reliance on the metronome. Use your musical ear. You would have to read the book a couple of times before you find some common threads. They sure are golden threads to spin your music. Enjoy.

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Product Description:
Great pianists discusstopics ranging from piano technique and musical development to becoming a virtuoso. Included are Busoni's "Important Details in Piano Study," Rachmaninoff's "Essentials of Artistic Playing," Paderewski's "Breadth in Musical Art," and much more. 2 Introductory Essays. Artist Biographies. Artists' Study Questions. 27 halftones.


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Joy Of Piano Duets [Paperback] Review

These pieces are mostly quite easy to play, and so are suited to beginners, beginners at dueting, or people who just want some fun things to play with a friend that won't need too much work to get going.
The pieces are quite short, only a couple are longer than a page, and cover a big range of styles - themes from classics, folk songs and jazz. Also, Agay has made the bars line up for the Primo and Secondo parts (doesn't seem like much until you play a duet without that and have to write the bar numbers on each part).
Tunes include: Oh Come All Ye Faithful, The Harmonious Blacksmith, All The Pretty Little Horses, The Trout, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Fasination, and themes from classics and operas.

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Product Description:
These familiar melodies for one piano, four hands are in arrangements equally easy for both players, with the melody alternating between the two. The collection includes Careless Love, Jamaica Farewell, and many more favorites.

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Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, All-In-One, Level 2 w/CD [STUDENT EDITION] [Plastic Comb] Review

The book is fine, although it has a few too many cheesy songs like "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."The CD that comes with it is the main reason for the star deductions.I thought it would be someone simply playing the piano as a demonstration on how to play the music with perfection.Instead, it is synthesized music done on some kind of digital keyboard and it has other synthesized instruments and percussion.It's not enjoyable to listen to and not particularly instructive either.Unless you need the CD to help you hear the basic melodies of the songs contained in this book, I would buy the non-CD version.

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Product Description:
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for use with an instructor for the beginning student looking for a truly complete piano course. It is a greatly expanded version of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course that will include lesson, theory, technic and additional repertoire in a convenient, ""all-in-one"" format. This comprehensive course features written assignments that reinforce each lesson's concepts, a smooth, logical progression between each lesson, a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and outstanding extra songs, including folk, classical, and contemporary selections. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a good understanding of basic musical concepts and styles. The CD has accompaniments to support the student's playing of the exercises and songs found in the Level 2 book.

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Keyboard Chords Deluxe: Full-Color Photos and Diagrams for Over 900 Chords (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] Review

This is the best keyboard chord chart book that I have found in a long time!It goes through an explination of chord types and their symbols before showing the chords themselves. It includes pictures of how the chords look on the staff, a drawing of a keyboard with the notes shaded in that are included in the chord, and even an actual picture of how a right have would look playing the chord!They are arranged in an easy-to-find way and includes both the notation for treble and bass clef.This is a wonderful book for ANY keyboard player looking to expand their knowledge on chords, or to just confirm any questionable chords.I highly recommend this book.

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Product Description:
This beautiful and informative resource is a must for all piano students and players! It contains easy-to-read chord diagrams, easy-to-see full-color photos, basic chord theory, treble and bass clef notation, a chord symbol chart, and much more.

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Essential Keyboard Repertoire: Vol. 1: 100 Early Intermediate Selections in Their Original Form Baroque to Modern (Item 501C) [Plastic Comb] Review

There's another reviewer who complains that this book contains too many pieces by nonentities such as James Hook and Daniel Gottlob, and too few by luminaries such as Beethoven and Mozart.I don't think it's a fair complaint.

Consider the book's stated philosophy:only unaltered, original pieces are included.That limits them quite a bit.It's an early intermediate book, yet Mozart and Beethoven wrote very few things that were simple enough for such inclusion.In fact, the few Mozart pieces in here have Kochel numbers of less than five!In other words, he wrote them when he was just out of diapers.

Get it?This is not a book of SIMPLIFIED piano classics, such as the excellently done Easy Piano Classics (Bastien Older Beginner Piano Library).Everything you're seeing is unsimplified.

I'm not so hot on this anthology, however.Another idea the editors had was to avoid editing the text.So, for example, none of the selections from the Anna Magdalena notebook have any of those staccatos you're used to.It's up to you do make decisions about tempo, dynamics, ornamentation, etc.In the selections after 1800 this doesn't make much of a difference, but for those earlier Baroque pieces it really gives them a spare, aseptic quality.

That's the problem, in my view.You're telling me that the student who goes through this is sophisticated enough to supply the correct flavorings to Anna Magdalena, yet low-leveled enough to only be capable of such simple pieces to begin with?Who's ever seen a student like that?

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Product Description:
1. The Little Trifle p. 8 2. Menuet en Rondeau p. 14 3. Minuet p. 23 4. Menuet p. 28 5. German Dance p. 42 6. Minuetto p. 47 7. Valse p. 52 8. The Hunting Horns And The Echo p. 58 9. Minuet And Trio p. 64 10. Adagio p. 68 11. Ecossaise p. 72 12. Etude p. 82 13. Arabesque p. 84 14. SoldiersÕ March p. 86 15. Wild Rider p. 88 16. Melody p. 90 17. Prayer p. 102 18. A Little Flower p. 104 19. The Bear p. 109 20. Scherzino p. 116 21. "Come Home, Lidi" p. 119 22. "Hey There, Tulip!" p. 122 23. Folk Dance p. 127 24. Waltz p. 129 25. Toccatina p. 130 26. Clowns p. 132

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Teach Yourself to Play Electronic Keyboard [Paperback] Review

If you have learned or studied some music theory then this book is OK.If you haven't you might get lost in the theory as the book "presumes" that you know some theory.The lesson plans are good and I believe that by the time you get all the way through the book you would know how to play keyboard. I am taking lessons from a piano teacher as well as using this book, and I have some music theory training. If theory is completely new to you then I would suggest a keyboard book in the "For Dummies" line; or find someone who can explain basic theory to you. It does help to have some theory knowledge as it helps with rhythm & tempo in your playing.

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Product Description:
Everything you need to know to get started playing electronic keyboard now! Melody, harmony and rhythm are explained in an easy-to-understand, step-by-step system. Explains how to use chord symbols to play from pop sheet music, fake books and lead sheets. You'll learn about the "Circle of 5ths" and improvising techniques.

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The Ultimate Beginner Series: Blues Keyboard Basics, Steps One & Two Combined [Paperback] Review

I am a beginning piano player, but this book had me playing the blues within hours. First listen to the CD while following along in the book and I'll bet you'll be so stoked you will stop and try the exercises! This is a winner!

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Product Description:
Take the first step towards experiencing the fun of playing blues keyboards. This book/CD will guide you through everything you need to knowto begin playing blues keyboards: the 12-bar progression, shuffle patterns, triplet feels, inversions, and much more!

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Cool Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback] Review

The Good:

I really like the arrangements in this book. Many books aimed at beginners will oversimplify the songs so that they don't sound that good when you play them. This book contains arrangements which can be played by intermediate level players and sound really good. I particularly like the Miles Davis songs. I would give this book five stars if my copy had held together better.

The Bad:

After only a few days of the book started to fall apart at the spine as a result of me trying to get it to open flat. This has not happened with any other book I have owned for such a short period of time. I was able to get Kinkos to comb-bind it for $2.99 and it is now opens flat.

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Product Description:
18 tunes from the '50s and '60s jazz cats who invented "cool," including: All Blues (Miles Davis, George Benson) * A Ballad (Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz) * Con Alma (Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz) * Django (Modern Jazz Quartet, Vince Guaraldi) * Epistrophy (Thelonious Monk) * Killer Joe (Art Farmer, Benny Golson) * Nardis (Bill Evans, Joe Henderson) * So What (Miles Davis, Chet Baker) * Take Five (Dave Brubeck, George Benson) * and more.

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Simply Elegant Piano, Vol. 1 (The Steinway Library of Piano Music) [Paperback] Review

The book is delightful, easy enough to sit down and immediatly enjoy.The chords are beautiful.

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Product Description:
Arranged for Piano. It takes a special talent to write piano arrangements that are easy to play, yet sound elegant and sophisticated. For this new series in the Steinway Library of Piano Music, we have tapped the abilities of two outstanding arrangers, Preston Keys and Noreen Lienhard, to create beautiful, unique and playable settings of some of our favorite songs!
Sound Elegant... Sound Professional
This is a collection players of all levels can love, with gorgeous (and painless) piano renditions of such perennials as: Misty, Star Dust,The Shadow Of Your Smile, On A Clear Day, Somebody Loves Me, Sweet Lorraine,At Last,What A Wonderful World, Memories Of You, Bewitched, I Can't Get Started, On Green Dolphin Street, I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, Shenandoah, and How Sensitive (based on a Chopin melody).You'll be thrilled at how these 15 arrangements make you sound... how much fun they are to play... and how quickly you'll get them under your fingers!

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Keyboard Cookbook: Recipes for Playing More Than 40 Styles (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] Review

Well, thought I'd type it in again - this book is great!I've been looking for music books that show different styles of music for a long time. Most of them are dull and uninspired.This one is different - the "cookbook" format keeps things consistent and interesting, the music is good, and for once, the CD contains really great solo piano performances!Not some piece of MIDI dreck, but someone actually performing these pieces with good touch, tone, and time.

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Product Description:
Spice up your playing today! This book provides the essential ingredients for 40 popular piano styles, including: Bebop * Bluegrass * Classic Rock * Classical * Contemporary RandB * Cool Jazz * Delta Blues * Early Rock 'n' Roll * Folk * Motown * New Age * Ragtime * Soul * Stride * Tango * and more. The CD includes demonstration tracks for all 40 styles, so you'll have a recipe for success!

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Alfred's Basic Piano Course: Duet Book (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

As a piano teacher, this level 1B duet book was my Christmas gift to several of my beginning students.My kids I gave it to really enjoyed it. (More so than I expected!) It does contain eighth notes, so there's the catch.If the child is still in the Primer volumes, most of the arrangements are beyond his/her grasp, but for my mid to late level 1 kids, they were perfectly capable of getting up to speed on many of the songs.Then, as a teacher, you have a volume that is still okay when they reach level 2!The first few pieces are in C position, then there is a section of G position pieces, and then there a couple of others towards the end in "different hand positions", but should not be issues for most capable students.There are a few arrangements the kids will know (Oh Susanna!), but most are just fun simple arrangements that they can enjoy playing with their teacher, or sibling, or parent at home who plays.As a teacher (and a couple of my parents have commented), we really appreciate duet books because playing with another individual really makes the child count - and not "guess" at it!

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Product Description:
Each duet is arranged for student-teacher (parent or older student) performance. These charming Duet Books increase motivation and add fun to practice time and lessons.

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The Pop Piano Book [Paperback] Review

Keyboardists can use this book as well. The first part details basics (chords, scales, etc) real quickly (I guess experienced users wont need the basics in detail) The second part goes through genres specifically. (pop ballad, rock, r&b, gospel, country etc)
Parts are split up among accompanying and melody leading. A beginner with no background will have no idea how to use this book. It is not a manual, more of a reference book for popular piano styles. Not for beginners, for the experienced.There isn't too much text explaining things. More of it showing and the reader to understand, digest and improvise. So you need some prehand understanding.
Excellent book no doubt.
I do have complaints though. First the binding is terrible. My book's pages started falling apart very quickly. I needed to go to a publisher friend of mine who took it apart and rebinded it for me. I may have had to lose the pretty cover but now it is sturdy.Second the paper is made of somewhat heavy stock making the book itself very large and weighty. I'm sure this contributed to the book falling apart.

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Product Description:
This cutting-edge keyboard method is a total step-by-step approach to creating keyboard parts spontaneously. Rhythmic and harmonic concepts are applied in all keys, and are then used as a basis for developing specific solutions in rock, pop, ballad, funk, new age, country and gospel styles. Endorsed by Grammy winners, top educators, and Keyboard magazine.

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World Tour WTAD5 AD5 Casio Power Supply Review

I received this item fast and it works perfectly with both Casio keyboards that we have.

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Product Description:
World Tour AD5 Casio Power Supply designed specifically for Casio CTK and LK series keyboards.These AC adapters plug right into your keyboard saving you lots of money on batteries.

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I Used to Play Piano (Book & CD) [Plastic Comb] Review

I am having so much fun with this book!The title of this book seemed to describe me exactly. I took piano lessons as a child, learned to read music and reached what I think was an intermediate level of playing. My piano books did not move with me when I left home, and I have not had a piano as an adult for many years until recently. There is a wide variety of music in this book at increasing levels of difficulty,theory review, and even a few exercises. I have not listened to the CD so far. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who used to play the piano unless you were a very accomplished player in which case this book would probably be too easy.

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Product Description:
I Used to Play Piano is an innovative approach for helping adults resume piano study. This 152-page book is divided into 11 progressive, well-rounded units, each containing diverse styles ranging from classical arrangements to jazz, boogie, blues, and ragtime to traditional favorites and popular styles. Using strategic review sections, adults can progress quickly to the unit that best matches their ability level.

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Keyboard Chords & Scales Book (Fasttrack Series) [Paperback] Review

Before I got this, I debated whether I really needed a chord and scales reference guide. I decided to get it because the table of contents made it appear like it had lots of practice lessons. Once I received it, I was disappointed because it does not. The lessons are only four pages of short comping practice pieces at the end of the book. Over time, however, this book has grown on me as I occasionally need to look up how a chord or scale is played. Now I consider a chord and scales guide to be an indispensable reference, much like a dictionary for piano players.

I strongly recommend that music students get a chord and scales reference book. One alternative is Instant Scale and Chord Guide for Keyboards. Amazon doesn't show the table of contents, but it appears from user reviews of that book that this one organizes chords better. That book apparently organizes chords by key (e.g. all the C chords on the same page), while this one organizes them by chord type (e.g. all the Major chords on the same page). I prefer them being organized by chord type.

One criticism is that I found the right hand fingering of the F Major scale to be extremely difficult to play. The book lists the fingering as 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5. I found it much easier to play it as 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4. I thought I was intentionally doing it wrong, but I eventually looked it up online. Most web sites I found recommended the fingering I was using.

Again, this book is primarily a reference book. For those who want a practice book for chords, scales, arpeggios, and cadences, Keyboard Technique and The Complete Book ofScales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences appear to be good books, but I'm not yet familiar with either one. The former appears to be oriented toward popular music and the latter oriented toward classical.

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Product Description:
The fast way to find just the chord or scale you need. This user-friendly reference book is jam-packed with over 1,400 chords and voicings and includes a "jam session" with 20 original songs using common chord progressions.

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Yamaha PA150 Portable Keyboard Power Adapter Review

We lost our adapter for my dx505 keyboard. Bought this as a replacement. Works great! And, it is small than the original!

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Product Description:
Don't gamble with your musical instrument. Use only a genuine Yamaha power adapter. The PA150 adapter replaces the PA5D and is environmentally friendly by reducing the power when the musical instrument is turned off; saving you money! Plug it in and play your instrument without having to worry how long the batteries will last. The PA150 is designed to eliminate your constant need for fresh batteries by using efficient AC operation.

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Teach Yourself Chords and Progressions at the Keyboard (Book & CD) [Paperback] Review

This is a wonderful book, if you're interested in learning how to put chords together to create music at the piano. It teaches you all the basic progressions and provides many beautiful samples of how to put them into action. I'm writing mostly to counterbalance the one other review that appears here. That person made a mistake on their order, thinking that they were buying a book that provided a list of all the chords. Undoubtedly, such a book could be a useful tool, perhaps especially in conjunction with this book. If you read the description of this book, you will clearly see what it offers. I recommend it.

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Product Description:
Teach Yourself Chords & Progressions at the Keyboardwill have you playing great chords and progressions right from the beginning. You will learn how to build and organize all the traditional jazz chords into progressions in every key. As you progress, you will learn how to comp, create new bass rhythms and improvise from chord symbols using blues and ii-V progressions. Also included are unique arrangements demonstrating how to play in the style of Meade Lux Lewis, Erroll Garner and Bill Evans.

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Premier Piano Course Lesson 2a (Alfred's Premier Piano Course) [Paperback] Review

Beautifully presented and intelligently paced, the Lesson Books combine unusually attractive music and lyrics. The books feature note reading, rhythm reading, sight-reading and technical workouts. Each piece on the CD was recorded at a performance tempo and a slower practice tempo.

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Product Description:
Beautifully presented and intelligently paced, the Lesson Books combine unusually attractive music and lyrics. The books feature note reading, rhythm reading, sight-reading and technical workouts. Each piece on the CD was recorded at a performance tempo and a slower practice tempo.

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M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Review

The Piano sound is truly the best sound you can find for even under $1000, and this is only $500.

Thats the good news.

The other sounds are ok, the organ sounds being the worst, and the electric piano being the best non-piano sounds. The worst part (and the reason i wouldnt buy it again) is the touch. If you plan on just pounding out chords, itll be fine, but if you play classical, jazz, or even most pop-styles that require a bit of touch, you will hate this piano. They say it is "Hammer-Action" but really they should be called "way-over-weighted". These are the heaviest keys i have ever played, and I wish i would have played it before i bought it online.

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Product Description:
The ProKeys 88 is the premium digital stage piano that doubles as a great MIDI controller. It's loaded with large, realistic samples 14 world-class instruments in all, including split/layer capabilities. We paired those great sounds with an 88-key hammer-action keyboard, delivering a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding pro. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard, including a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI In and Out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls and more. ProKeys 88 pulls out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stage piano.
Ultra-Realistic Piano
Our goal in designing the ProKeys 88 was to create an extremely musical and realistic piano experience. The caliber of a digital piano is greatly influenced by the quality and the size of the samples, so we started by giving the ProKeys 88 a generous amount of memory. Then, rather than dividing it up amongst a bunch of sounds you're not likely to use, we focused on the 14 sounds that are the bread and butter for many keyboardists--paying special attention to the stereo grand piano.

Incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your computer via a USB connection.
Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.
Sustain, sostenuto, and expression pedal jacks--all MIDI assignable.
More Than a Stage Piano
The ProKeys 88 delivers all the staple keyboard sounds needed by many musicians. Its flagship stereo grand is supplemented by an alternate grand designed to really cut through in popular music. The ProKeys 88 has electric pianos covered too. And the Clavinet brings one word to mind: "funky." Acoustic and electric basses give you the option of layering a ride cymbal for jazz tunes. Vibes, ensemble strings and an inspiring warm, lush synth pad round out a great sonic palette for the gigging keyboardist.
88-Key Hammer Action
Of course, a realistic digital stage piano must have a full 88 keys that are properly weighted. The ProKeys 88's full-range clavier features hammer action that feels just like the real thing. It features three velocity curves tailored to different touches, as well as a fixed velocity for synth work.
Splits and Layers
The ProKeys 88 keyboard also features split and layer capabilities. Put a bass in your left hand and keys in your right. Chord with an organ while playing a piano lead. Layer lush strings over a piano. You can even have a split and layer simultaneously for a total of three sounds at once.
Control Your DAW
When it comes to communicating with the outside world, most digital stage pianos offer little more than a MIDI jack. In sharp contrast, the ProKeys 88 inherits much from M-Audio's years of experience pioneering mobile MIDI controllers. It incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your PC or Mac via a single, simple USB connection--perfect for recording with virtually all MIDI sequencer software on the market. (The instrument features class compliancy with Windows XP and Mac OS X without installation of additional drivers.) You can even control your sequencer remotely via front-panel Start, Stop and Tempo buttons.
MIDI In and Out jacks allow full communication with all standard MIDI gear as well. The ProKeys 88 also features performance controls that are rare on digital stage pianos, including pitch wheel, modulation wheel, two footswitch inputs, and expression pedal input. The three different ranges available via the ProKeys 88's combined split and layer functions can each transmit on a separate MIDI channel as well. You also get dedicated front-panel buttons for program change, channel, bank MSB, bank LSB and local on/off.
Built-in Effects
There's no need to mess around with additional gear to add basic effects to your ProKeys 88. On-board EQ lets you easily tweak the tone on the fly. You also get three different built-in reverb spaces that simulate different acoustic environments. Chorus fattens up sounds like the electric pianos and basses. And what's a vintage Wurlitzer electric piano without tremolo? Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.
Full Pedal Complement
Every digital piano has a sustain pedal jack. But what about the sostenuto pedal (the middle pedal on an acoustic piano)? ProKeys 88 has it. There's also an expression pedal for foot-control of volume. And all three of these pedals serve as MIDI controllers for outboard gear as well.
Headphones and Pro Audio Outputs
Ever need to practice privately? ProKeys 88 includes a 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack so you can play without anyone else hearing you--at home or at a sound check. Of course, it wouldn't be an M-Audio product without high-fidelity 1/4-inch unbalanced audio output with specs like 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 108dB dynamic range.
What's in the Box
ProKeys 88, Software Driver CD (drivers and applications), USB cable, Printed User Manual, Power supply (12V DC), Sustain Pedal

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Solo Jazz Piano: The Linear Approach (Berklee Guide) [Paperback] Review

I'm a serious amateur jazz pianist who has long noticed that most other jazz piano books--including Mark's Levine's excellent "Jazz Piano Book"--assume you're always playing in a trio or larger ensemble.Consequently, they say very little about the unique problems of solo playing, bass lines, etc.This very well written and organized book contains the best instructional foundation for playing solo jazz piano I've seen anywhere.I had been looking for a book like this for about a decade without success because it was published relatively recently.

After several years of study from Levine's book and others in conjunction with occasional lessons from a couple of good teachers, I decided to study almost exclusively from this book on my own for awhile about a year ago.My solo playing has definitely improved a lot, and studying bass lines in depth seems to have improved my musical ear somehow, making it easier to improvise strong lines in the right hand.

Each chapter of "Solo Jazz Piano" begins with a clear, succinct presentation of the theory that will be drilled throughout the remainder of that chapter.This is generally followed by an etude written out in full (both clefs) that allows the student to feel what it's like to apply the theory immediately.I've learned a lot by analyzing the author's etudes.The etude is then followed by a leadsheet (usually with chord changes the same as or similar to those of the etude).The student is then directed to create an arrangement using the newly learned theory (and techniques learned in prior chapters) to create an original arrangement of the leadsheet.This system is very effective and helps the concepts "stick" in the student's mind, in my opinion.The first part of the book also includes an excellent review of basic chord theory.Once the study of bass lines begins, the author does not abandon the study and use of chords.On the contrary, he reminds the student to play 'comping arrangements in which the left hand plays a bass line and the right hand plays well-voice-led 'comping chords in addition to the usual excercises in which the student plays the melody (with or without added voices in the right hand) and a left-hand bass line.This ensures a well-rounded approach.My only criticism of this book is that it should have been spiral bound like Mark Levine's "Jazz Theory Book" for easier use at the piano.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone desiring to learn how to play SOLO jazz piano.For those just beginning to learn jazz improvisation, I also recommend "The Joy of Improv" (two volumes) by Dave Frank and "How to Improvise" by Hal Crook.Both Dave and Hal have also been faculty at Berklee College of Music.

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Product Description:
A step-by-step approach to solo jazz improvisation for piano. Learn to improvise using the techniques pioneered by piano greats Lenny Tristano and Dave McKenna. This methodical approach to learning the art of solo jazz piano improvisation will free your creative sense of music. It begins with a review of chord symbol interpretation, walks through bass line development, and ends with how to play several melodic lines simultaneously in stimulating musical conversation. You'll learn how to develop solos that embellish and support the melody, and use lead sheets to help you generate your own musical ideas. Twenty-one lessons present techniques, practice exercises, and tunes based on jazz standards. Notated transcriptions of sample improvisations illustrate each lesson's technique, and the accompanying CD lets you hear a master improviser put these ideas to work.

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Alfred's Basic Adult Theory Piano Book Level Two [Paperback] Review

This is an excellent book for an adult student.The piano selections are interesting and easy to master with regular practice.

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Product Description:
Every concept and principal introduced in the Lesson Books of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course is reinforced in each of the correlated Theory Books. Important tips are included that make learning chord progressions even easier!

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Music Reading For Keyboard: The Complete Method (Musicians Institute Essential Concepts) [Paperback] Review

I have recently started using this book. I also have the sight reading secrets book by Richman, which I have reviewed separately.

I was trying to decide between both these books when buying originally.While the other book contains some very good tips, this book is more comprehensive and is widely used as a text book for musicians.

It is very well organised, and well written in the style of a sight reading course, and has good rhythm and sight reading exercises to work on before doing the specific examples which are done in a variety of contemporary styles including rock bebop and Latin Jazz. The examples are interesting and not too complicated. As with many things, the more you practice, the more you improve to the point where you are naturally better.

I consider this better than the Richman book, although that book really helped me with breaking down more complicated rhythms, and I do recommend both books.

I hope you find this review helpful.

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Product Description:
A complete method for: notes, rhythms, keys, time signatures; treble and bass clefs; right and left-hand patterns and accompaniments; popular song styles; repeat signs, accidentals, codas; and more.

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Easy Piano Favorites: The Library of Series [Plastic Comb] Review

This AMSCO Publications product (1998) contains some of the same
compositions found in their Library of Piano Classics book (1987); but the latter has 350 pgs of unaltered (I think) classical music, while the former
has 239 pgs of simplified classics and light standards.

Both books contain Debussy's Le Petit Negre in the same form.Therefore I suppose that the publisher considers the real composition easy enough to include it unaltered in Easy Piano Favorites.But other classical
compositions common to both books are indeed simplified.This is
accomplished by using fewer notes, rewriting in "easier" keys, and shortening
the original compositions so as to leave out hard parts.For instance, Liszt's
Liebestraum in the "hard" book is six pgs. long and is written in the key of
A flat (4 flats).In the Easy Piano Favorites book it is two pages long and is
presented in the key of F (1 flat).Beethoven's Fur Elise, generally considered
to be easy enough (key of C, etc) that generations of piano teachers have
taught it to generations of students, is 4 pgs in the original.In Easy Piano
Favorites it remains in the key of C, but has a different (easier?) bass and takes
up only one page.

Your reviewer, who once played reasonably well in his youth in his own
living room, has forgotten most of his piano skills in his old age.But I can play much that is in Easy Piano Favorites, and expect to be able to play most of it
in the foreseeabe future.I'll never be able to say that about the contents of
the more difficult Favorite Piano Classics.

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Product Description:
A collection of the world's finest classical and popular music for the developing pianist. Masterpieces of every musical era in rewarding piano arrangements that are easy to play. Includes favorite piano solos by Bach, Chopin, Scott Joplin, George Gershwin and many more.

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On Stage KB8902 Flip Top Keyboard Bench, Black Review

The seat is comfortable, the storage space adequate and the piece does not look too bad.Very easy to assemble. For the price you can't go wrong.Bought it somewhere else (more expensive, sigh!) since Amazon did not have it for a 1+ month...

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Product Description:
The On-Stage Stands KB8902 flip-top keyboard bench is made from a durable, quality wood construction designed to hold up to years of use.The design combines a 1.5 inch cushion which provides deluxe comfort for hours of play. The built-in flip-top seat gives adequate storage space for numerous music books and other music accessories. Use it on stage, in the studio or in your home.Black.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Course: Lesson Book - Level 3 [Paperback] Review

The item took almost 3 weeks to arrive.Other than that, it was fine.

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Product Description:
This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 3 introduces ""overlapping pedal""; new time signatures 3/8 and 6/8; and the primary triads in Major and Minor keys. Concepts include: passing one under two and one under three; playing major scales in contrary motion; the chromatic scale; the minor scale.

For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 3 include: Classic Themes
* Composition
* Duet
* Ear Training
* Ensemble
* Fun
* Hymn
* Merry Christmas
* Merry Christmas Ensemble
* Musical Concepts
* Notespeller
* Patriotic Solo
* Recital
* Repertoire
* Sight Reading
* Technic
* Theory and Top Hits! Solo, Christmas and Duet Book.

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Casio LK-230 Personal Keyboard Premium Package with 61 Keys, Headphones, Stand & Power Supply Review

Good piano and good buy. Obviously its not going to be amazing, it is a beginners piano, but overall it does everything i need it to. Cheap, and easy to use. The program is easy to follow and really does help people learn. I would recommend buying it. The headphones are good for playing at night.

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Product Description:
The epitome of music education and entertainment!The LK230 features one of the most helpful learning systems in Casio's own Step-Up music education system. Casio makes it easy to learn by breaking lessons down into small learning units that are then learned step by step; it also inspires musical creativity: The Voice Pad function makes it really simple to play back voice samples and other sounds and effects using the pads. And that's not all; the LK230 has plenty more to offer, including the AHL sound source boasting 48 notes, 150 rhythms, an extended automatic accompaniment feature with ON-bass chord and a large, easy-to-read display.This package is bundled with professional closed-cup headphones, single x-braced stand, and power supply.

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Jazz Improvisation for Keyboard Players: Complete [Spiral-bound] Review

I was a student a Berklee when this first was published.
After I had bought it, I was talking to my piano teacher.He commented that this book encapsulates everything that they were trying to teach in the piano program.
Hyperbole?Perhaps, but it's still a ringing endorsement.

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Product Description:
Jazz Improvisation for Keyboard Players is a straightforward, no-nonsense improvisation series. It deals with creating melodies, using the left hand, pianistic approaches to soloing, scale choices for improvisation and much more.

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Library of Piano Classics: Piano Solo (Library of Series) [Plastic Comb] Review

For sheer value for money you can't go past this thick volume. It contains around 50 pieces of varying styles by over 40 composers, including several duet arrangements of pieces (also included as solos). Many of the pieces are commonly included in collections (Traumerei, Fur Elise, Fantasy-Impromptu) but others are more unusual. A few of the composers include: Albeniz, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Debussy, Faure, Scott Joplin ... it's a long list.
The book itself features: Handy ring-binding, without which it would never stay open;clear printing (not one of those publications that looks like it's gone through a fax); and good editing.
I would particularly recommomend this book to people trying to increase the size of their music library (done instantly) or people who want to get a taste of numerous musical styles and composers. The variety in levels of the music can keep you dipping into this book from low-intermediate through to the higher grades.

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Product Description:
A compendium of the world's most loved music. True to the spirit of the great composers, this volume fills the needs of students and teachers. Over 100 works including SchubertÂ's Moment Musicale, ChopinÂ's Minute Waltz, and BeethovenÂ's Rondo a Cappriccio.

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Casio Portable Keyboard Bench (Pbench) Review

A sturdy bench and easy to assemble but the picture shown isnt the same. The cushion is not as thick. But overall its good...

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Product Description:
Casio 250 pound Capacity Folding X-Type Bench for Keyboard Players - Casio P-BENCH

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Casio LK-270 61 Key Personal Lighted Keyboard with MP3 Connection, USB Port, SD Card Slot, and 570 Tones Review

I have had my LK270 for about a month and am extremely pleased with it.This is a great family instrument with very good sound.Easy to add midi files with the SD card and do they sound great.The lighted keyboard picks up on these files and plays along. Only downside is that to get the wait for key lights for an entire tune takes a few changes and button pushes every time the the keyboard is turned on. Not real intuitive buttons at times and requires using the manual every time for awhile. Casio telephone support experience was very positive and a lot of help. This is not a toy but a musical instrument with a very reasonable price and the lighted keyboard only way to go as I see it for family use keyboard.Be sure to order SD5 power supply imediately !

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Product Description:
The Casio LK-270 is an affordable instrument with a 61 Key Touch Sensitive, Lighted Keyboard with 570 total onboard Tones, 180 Rhythms and Digital Effects. Packed with great features such as Casio's famous Lighted Key Step-up Lesson System, audio inputs for a MP3 player, Mic Input, USB port for MIDI implementation. All this makes the LK-270 more fun and easier to learn to play music.


A full-featured portable with illuminated keys for learning. Click to enlarge.
Touch-Sensitive Lighted Keyboard
The LK-270 features 61 standard-size keys and two sensitivity levels for a more piano-like experience, along with 48-note polyphony (24-note for certain tones).
The "LK" in LK-270 stands for "Lighted Keyboard." Designed to provide a fun way to learn how to play music, the keys illuminate to show you what notes to play in lessons or built-in songs.
570 Built-In Tones
Find just the right sound with 570 built-in tones, from strings to woodwinds and plenty more. You can layer two different tones (such as piano and strings) or split the keyboard down the middle for an ensemble approach.
Reverb and Chorus Effects
Select from ten different reverb and five different chorus effects to add depth and shimmer to your performance.
Microphone and Karaoke Function
Have some fun with the included microphone and the LK-270's Karaoke feature. The karaoke feature can be used with 52 of the built-in songs, and lowers the volume of the melody part so you can sing along, just like a karaoke machine.
SD Memory Card Support
The LK-270 supports SD Memory Cards up to 2 GB, so you can store sampled sounds, user rhythms, recorded songs, and more, without running out of memory.
USB Port
For many musicians, the computer has become a music-making center. Connect the LK-270 to a computer using a USB cable and exchange MIDI data between the two devices. Send play data from the keyboard to music software running on yourcomputer, or send MIDI data from your computer to the keyboard for playback.
Intuitive editing and controls.
Internal speakers and battery-powering option for full portability.
Learn quickly with Casio's famous lighted-key "Step Up" lesson system.
Built-In Sampling
You can use the LK-270 to sample a sound from a portable audio player or other device, and then play the sound with keyboard keys. Sample up to ten seconds, and store up to five sampled sounds to keyboard memory.
You can also loop sampled sounds so they continue to play, or replace individual sounds on drum patches.
152 Built-In Songs and Ten User Songs
The LK-270 comes with a bank of songs for your learning and enjoyment, from classics like "Greensleeves" or "Auld Lang Syne" to holiday tunes like "Jingle Bells."
You can also record your own performances, using up to six tracks of different instruments.
Step Up Lessons
To master a song, it is best to break it up into shorter parts (phrases), master the phrases, and then put everything together. The LK-270 features a "Step Up Lesson" feature that helps you to do just that. The built-in songs are pre-divided into phrases to help you master keyboard play. Step Up Lesson takes you through practice of the right hand part, left hand part, and both hand parts for each phrase of a song. Master all of the phrases and you master the song.
Music Challenge Keyboard Game
Music Challenge is a game that measures your reaction speed as you press keys in response to on-screen keyboard indicators and fingering guide indications.
Auto Accompaniment
With Auto Accompaniment, simply select an accompaniment pattern. Each time you play a chord with your left hand the appropriate accompaniment will play automatically. It's like having a personal backup group along with you wherever yougo.
Auto Harmonize
Auto Harmonize automatically adds harmony to notes you play with your right hand, which adds rich depth to the melody of your performances. You can select from among 12 types of Auto Harmonize to suit the type of music you are playing.
Arpeggiator
The Arpeggiator makes it possible to play an arpeggio pattern automatically. There are 90 different arpeggio patterns from which to choose in order to match the music you are playing.
Transpose Function
An easy operation instantly changes the key of the keyboard.
Audio Input
Play along with MP3 or CD players or other devices by plugging them into the stereo mini input jack.
Battery or AC Power
Power the LK-270 with six D-sized batteries or purchase the AD-5 AC adapter separately to power from your electrical outlets. Built-in speakers make the keyboard entirely portable.
An Auto Power Off feature turns off the device six minutes after the last key is touched, helping you save batteries.
What's in the Box
LK-270 Keyboard, Music Stand, Song Book, Safety Precautions, Appendix, Warranty, Microphone

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Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Level 4 [Paperback] Review

Purchased this book and others to aid my wife with her keyboard skills. She got more confused as the book she received with the product was real different from this new book. She had to go back to her original product book. I not saying this book is bad, but it was to advanced for a learner.

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Product Description:
This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 4 concepts include: tarantellas; eighth note triplets; arpeggiated chords; first and second inversion triads in C; triads in all positions; major scales in parallel motion; two-part writing; seventh chords and inversions of seventh chords; E harmonic minor scale in contrary motion; primary chords in E minor; sixteenth notes; dotted eighth notes; primary chords in B-flat Major and G Minor; repeated-note warm-ups; and harmonic minor scales in parallel motion.

For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 4 include: Classic Themes * Duet * Ear Training * Merry Christmas *Musical Concepts * Recital * Repertoire * Sight Reading * Technic * Theory and Top Hits! Solo, Christmas and Duet books. Songs include: America the Beautiful (Ward) * The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Steffe-Howe) * Black Forest Polka * Blow, Winds, Blow! * Calypso Holiday! * Comedians' Dance (Kabelevsky) * Farewell to Thee (Aloha Oe) * Gypsy Dance * Haunted House * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * The Hokey-Pokey * The House of the Rising Sun * The Magic Piper * Musette (Bach) * Olympic Procession * Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 (Elgar)* Prelude in A Minor * Space Shuttle Blues * Spinning Wheel * Swingin' Sevenths * Tarentella * Waltz in G Minor * Waves of the Danube (Ivanovici)

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Alfred's Basic Piano Course, Repertoire Book 2 (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

The complexity of the 25+ pieces in this book range from 2-handed C and G position (with occasional reaches to 6ths) to some basic chord + melody.The songs include instructional pieces written by well known composers including Handel and Czerny and some simplified/transposed arrangements of larger works.These songs were not selected for their popularity, but to illustrate different techniques, which slowly build throughout the book.Nevertheless, they are more interesting musically than many similar efforts at this difficulty level.Much of the complexity and interest comes from the contrasting dynamics, rhythm and tone between the two hands, which is emphasized throughout the book.

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Product Description:
The Repertoire Books contain attractive compositions from the 17th century to the present. The pieces have been organized in progressive order and meet the requirements of many piano festivals, auditions and competitions. The books may also be used as sight reading material or a supplement to other method books.

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