On Stage 3-Tier A-Frame Keyboard Stand Review

Great piece of studio furniture. At first, I was skeptical about it, but it has proven to be very sturdy. Right now, I have a M50, Fantom X6, and a Micro Korg and Micro Sampler on it. From time to time when I'm not looking, my 2 year old hangs from it. Great stand at a great price.

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Product Description:
Sturdy, secure 3 tier support for your keyboards. This versatile stand letsyou adjust the height and playing angle of all 3 keyboards until they'rejust right for playing standing or seated. 3 Tiers with 3 pairs of supportbars. Perfect for multi-keyboard setups. Lightweight and easy to transport.

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Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs: Piano/Vocal Transcriptions (Transcribed) [Paperback] Review

Accurate transcription of piano music as played in Rockin the Suburbs CD. Keep in mind that this is not a transcription of a live performance, and so songs such as "Rockin the Suburbs" might be a little sparse on notes since little piano is used on the CD. Songs with less accompanyment by other instruments, such as "The Luckiest" sound more complete when played only with a piano.

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Product Description:
Our matching folio to Ben Folds' first official solo release - which the All Music Guide deems only a half-star short of five-star perfection - features piano/vocal transcriptions for all 13 songs: Annie Waits * The Ascent of Stan * Carrying Cathy * Fired * Fred Jones Part 2 * Gone * Hiro's Song * Losing Lisa * The Luckiest * Not the Same * Rockin' the Suburbs * Still Fighting It * Zak and Sara.

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Piano Music of Bela Bartok, Series II [Paperback] Review

As this edition contains many pieces for beginners and intermediates, it is a valuable introduction to the tonal world of Bela Bartok.Would be good for recital pieces for students or just to sight read through for more advanced pupils.Some of the pieces sound much more difficult than they are!Highly recommended!

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Product Description:
Second in the Archive Edition incorporating composer's corrections. 85 short pieces: For Children, 2 Elegies, Sonatina, other folk-inspired keyboard work. Translations.

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Piano Pieces for Children (Kalmus Classic Edition) [Paperback] Review

I am learning classical piano as an adult with NO childhood experience.
This is a wonderful book with delightful pieces guaranteed to challenge!

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Product Description:
A newly engraved edition of the first twenty-two pieces in Bartok's collection of forty-two early-intermediate to intermediate-level piano solos.Both volumes include great contemporary recital selections.

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eMedia EG11031 Learn To Play Piano & Keyboard Pack Review

The eMedia piano keyboard and software are great! I like it that I get a grade for each song I play--I keep practicing until my grades are in the 90's. I have always wanted to learn the piano; it's hard to learn a new instrument and learn to read music at my age (I'm old), but I don't take it personally when the computer grade is low, I just keep practicing. There is one problem, though--you can't play this keyboard without a Midi-to-USB cable, which doesn't come with the keyboard. You have to pay more and order it separately from the company. It comes with a serial joystick cable, but my computer doesn't have a serial joystick port. We bought a generic midi-to-USB cable at Radio Shack, but it didn't work with the keyboard. They tell me that newer computers just don't have serial joystick ports. So, if you are anxious to get started, order the cable at the same time as the keyboard, to save time.

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Product Description:
The eMedia Learn to Play Keyboard Pack includes everything needed to learn keyboard straight out of the box. It's an ideal affordable solution for anyone who has thought about learning piano or keyboard or wants their children to learn but can not afford the high cost of a piano and private lessons. This package includes a MIDI controller keyboard, eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method CD-ROM and a MIDI to joystick port cable (through which the keyboard is connected and powered).The keyboard features 49 full-size touch-sensitive keys. Its compact size conveniently fits on your computer desk, and it plays through your computer speakers.eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method CD-ROM offers everything you need to learn how to play. Over 300 step-by-step lessons start from basics such as hand position, rhythm and playing on black keys, and move on to music notation, sight reading, scales and much more! Piano teacher Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music, guides you with over 70 video demonstrations of techniques. Learn songs and exercises from either the music notation or an animated keyboard that displays fingerings in-time with the music. Songs and exercises are enhanced by live recorded audio, variable-speed MIDI keyboard tracks and colorful MIDI accompaniments. You will learn from over 100 popular classical, blues, pop and rock songs, including hit songs from artists such as Billy Joel, Bob Dylan and Elton John!Interactive review and ear training screens help reinforce new concepts and develop your ear. With your MIDI keyboard, you will get specific feedback on playing mistakes, including wrong notes and rhythms so that you can play better faster. Other accessories include a built-in digital metronome and one-track recorder.

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Famous & Fun Pop, Book 2 (Early Elementary/Elementary): 12 Appealing Piano Arrangements [Paperback] Review

My son uses this for extra pieces to play on his level.He enjoys these books, and his teacher is assigning some of them, because he likes the extra variety.It is great to find books that have elementary piano pieces for new students.

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Product Description:
Arranged by Carol Matz for early elementary/elementary piano. 12 well-graded arrangements of popular, TV and movie songs. With optional duet parts. Contents: The Chicken Dance, Great Balls Of Fire, If I Only Had A Brain (From The Wizard Of Oz),It's My Party,James Bond Theme, (Meet) The Flintstones (TV Theme), Merrily We Roll Along, Star Wars (Main Theme), Talk To The Animals (From Dr. Dolittle), We're Off To See The Wizard (From The Wizard Of Oz), A Whole New World (From Aladdin), Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (From Song Of The South)

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MARIAH CAREY ANTHOLOGY (Piano/Vocal/Guitar) [Paperback] Review

Clearly written and great selection of songs. The addition of Vocal and Guitar to the Piano is well-appreciated. Definitely worth the buy for Mariah fans!

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Product Description:
40 of the pop diva's biggest smash hits, including: Always Be My Baby * Can't Let Go * Dreamlover * Emotions * Hero * Love Takes Time * Loverboy * One Sweet Day * Vision of Love * Whenever You Call * and more!

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Broadway by Special Arrangement: Piano Accompaniment: Jazz-style Arrangements With a Variation [Paperback] Review

These are excellent arrangements. I own the trumpet books to all 3 entries in this series and enjoy them very much. So whey only 2 stars? Where are the CDs for the piano books?? All the other books in the series come with play along CDs. When I bought these as a gift, I expected them to have the CDs as well. The books refer to the CD tracks. So, where are the discs??

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Product Description:
Each collection contains 11 songs arranged for the instrumentalist wanting to play in a jazz style -- without the need to learn to improvise. All of the books are compatible, with only minimal changes in the "variation" section to accommodate the ranges and unique characteristics of the instruments.

Titles are: Ain't Misbehavin' * My Funny Valentine * Bewitched * It's All Right with Me * Have You Met Miss Jones * My Ship * Thou Swell * All the Things You Are * Just in Time * I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face * Summertime.

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Piano Playing: With Piano Questions Answered [Paperback] Review

This book, originally published as two separate volumes in 1906 and 1907, is a collection of articles Hofmann wrote as a regular feature of the LADIES HOME JOURNAL.Although Josef Hofmann was himself a phenominal talent, he offers thoughtful answers to the simplest of piano questions, and guides the reader with a practical, common sense approach.Most of the advise in this little book is timeless, and the pictures of Hofmann himself demonstrating correct and incorrect positions of the hand and body make this a pedagogical gem that his admirers will cherish.

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Product Description:
Great pianist-teacher's advice and specific pointers on piano technique, interpretation, performance.


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

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

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

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Casio LK-45 Lighted Keyboard with 61 Full-Size Keys and Musical Information System Review

this keyboard is exceptional, I have one just like it. I love to play and know half the songs already. It is a great learning tool for beginners and experts alike. If you are looking to take up the keyboard, this is the best one around. It also makes a great teaching tool, or a great christmas gift for those who like to play music, or even just listen.

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Product Description:
LK Keyboards are Casio's Key Lighting Keyboards. These keyboards have been designed to provide a fun way to learn how to play. The keys light up as you play, or can be used to guide you through the melody of a pre-programmed song. Model LK-45-12-note polyphony, MIDI, 100 tones, 50 Rhythm Patterns, CASIO Chord/Fingered Chord auto-accompaniment system, 100 Song Bank Tunes, 3-Step Lesson system, Voice Fingering Guide, MIDI in/out jack, Musical Information System, Transpose and Tuning control, Assignable pedal jack (Sustain, Soft, Sostenuto, Rhythm Start/Stop). Also features a microphone jack with volume control for sing along fun.

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Emedia Piano & Keyboard Method Review

I have 2 major problems with this program. The first is that it is on a small little screen that you cannot blow up to full page.Yes, you can enlarge the screen by going through the menu but you should be able to just click on the enlarge icon and have it full screen.The notes are small, even in the enlarged mode and it will not go the the larger size on my laptop for some reason. Not very easy on the eyes.

The second problem I have is that it doesn't label the notes when you start playing the first songs.If you're a beginner, like me, it would be nice to see the notes labeled for several lessons that are actual songs, it would make it easier to become accustomed to which notes went where on the lines.

Other than that I'm enjoying learning how to play the keyboard.

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Product Description:
media Piano & Keyboard Method eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method CD-ROM offers everything you need to learn how to play. Over 300 step-by-step lessons start from basics such as hand position, rhythm and playing on black keys, and move on to music notation, sight reading, scales and much more! Piano teacher Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music, guides you with over 70 video demonstrations of techniques. Learn songs and exercises from either the music notation or an animated keyboard that displays fingerings in-time with the music. Songs and exercises are enhanced by live recorded audio, variable-speed MIDI keyboard tracks and colorful MIDI accompaniments. You will learn from over 100 popular classical, blues, pop and rock songs, including hit songs from artists such as Billy Joel, Elvis Presley and Elton John! Interactive review and ear training screens help reinforce new concepts and develop your ear. When used with an electronic MIDI keyboard, you can get specific feedback on playing mistakes, including wrong notes and rhythms. Other accessories include a built-in digital metronome and one track recorder.

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Gator 88 Note Lightweight Keyboard Case w/Wheels Review

An OK universal case with some drawbacks: It needs TWO handles rather than one in center--keyboards that fit this are too heavy for 1 handle.It does not have enough cushioning in the base where the wheels and back sleds drag over steps; There is not enough storage for pedals and chords.The back "sleds" are made so that they CATCH on stairs and door jambs when being rolled! Need some angle skids to fix this and another handle horizontally at the foot so a follower can help lift the unit when it is towed on wheels.Look for a different case.

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Product Description:
The lightweight Gator GK-88 88-Key Keyboard Case is constructed of 600-denier ballistic material and features a polyethylene reinforced interior frame. The interior is lined with hard foam and wood to create rigidity around your keyboard. The rolling keyboard case has fully adjustable padded straps to position your board securely into place. Large accessory pockets on the outside are perfect for pedals and cables. Gator includes built-in wheels, pull-out handle, and stair slides with the GK-88 case.

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Yamaha YDP161 Digital Piano with Bench Review

I am absolute newbie with sight-reading experience from my former choir signing days!I wanted to learn to play a piano but did not want the tuning and expense of owning the real McCoy and then find i didn't want to play it.Especially living in an apartment there were the neighbors to consider as well as the premium floor space.Then I came upon the digital piano and this form solved all my problems in one quiet swoop.You get what you pay for, so do some research on your must have and budget.I just knew that i wanted a brand name in the world of music so the yamaha was a given.Now I was deciding between the 161 and the 141, both new models released on 2010.I finally went with the 161 for the better hammer action and that it offered the 128 notes polyphony.These might be minor issues for you, but my passion to learn made me decide that rather than upgrade later, I would splash out a little bit more now and have the piano for a lot longer.If you live in an apartment like me, the bigger speaker offered by the 161 was not a huge selling point as I practice most of time with the head phones.Only when I wanted to show piece a well practiced piece do I unplug the headphones.The size of this piano is awesome and compact in depth and with the 88 keys, you have the grand piano sound without taking up a lot of space.

Other features include a metronome than can adjust for different time signature like 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, etc; 50 preset songs were you can mute either the right or left hand and you can practice with it (this is really for the intermediate player, but nice to look foreword to!

The 161 has two headphone plug INS to allow for a second listener.There is midi that allows you to record more of your own music onto a computer (for composition) or you can down load music to the piano too.

The weights of the keys are superb and I am loving the experience, the sound and the accessibility the digital format offer me.

For the price it is reasonable.It is worth shopping around for competitive bundles.I did not end up buying my piano here.But I am so happy with my experience that I really highly recommend this model for beginners who are looking to progress to play full scores.For beginners, I recommend the Alfred's adult all in one course.It is by far the best series out there.For a novice in the world of music theory, My husband is really impressed with the progress that I have made in less than one week.

For those who have wanted to fulfill a dream, don't hesitate any more, this is the best option and you will love yourself for buying it.Happy playing,

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Product Description:
Stepping up to the YDP-161provides true piano sound and feel. The Graded Hammer keyboard and 128-note polyphony responds to the beginner and experienced player, both in practice and in performance. The 3-level AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling Voices deliver remarkably authentic and responsive sound.

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Jerry Lee Lewis- Killer Piano (2007) Review

This is not a STRICTLY instructional video, it DOES have lots
of interview time, and NO tips whatsoever on 'how to do it'. But if you are a JLL fan, it is very well done. There is plenty of studio footage of JLL playing 10 songs piano and vocal, all with split screen shots showing the hands and the piano. All 10 songs are followed by FULL SONG clips from a 2006 concert of JLL with band playing the same song just demonstrated in studio. JLL of 2006 is an OLD MAN, past his prime, but again, if you are a fan of his work and his way of playing piano, and his way of singing, etc.... this is a treasure. I promise!

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Product Description:
Alfred's Artist series is pleased to introduce the latest DVD from acclaimed artist Jerry Lee Lewis.On the heels of his landmark recording Last Man Standing, Jerry Lee Lewis talks about his 50-year recording career, and, for the first time, demonstrates the piano style that defined rock and roll for all time. On Killer Piano, Jerry discusses his youth and career, reminisces with his family, and demonstrates many of his favorite rock and roll and country songs.Plus, the DVD is hosted by Linda Gail Lewis, features a complete live concert with Jerry's band at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, historic footage from Jerry's first appearance on the Steve Allen show, rare family photos, and printable sheet music transcriptions that pianists can use to study and learn Jerry's pivotal style.

Special Features: DVD-ROM with the complete video formatted for your computer or i-Pod * Printable PDF files of music examples from the video * Interview with Cecil Harrelson, Jerry's life-long friend and business manager * Interview with Roland Janes, original Sun session guitarist and engineer * Linda Gail Lewis demonstrates Jerry's 'Rock and Roll Invention.'

Songs: Down the Line * Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee * Great Balls of Fire * Mexicalli Rose * No One Will Ever Know * Over the Rainbow * Touchin' Home * Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On * You Belong to Me * You Win Again.

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The Genius of Dave Brubeck, Book 1: Piano Solos [Paperback] Review

I like this collection, but I would have included some more classic Brubeck numbers like Blue Rondo A La Turk. Arrangements are mostly for advanced players although I would rate Take Five as intermediate. The print font is a bit small.

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Product Description:
Intermediate/advanced jazz piano solos. Sample contents: Bluette * Bossa Nova U.S.A. * Castillian Blues * Countdown * In Your Own Sweet Way * Three to Get Ready * Weep No More * Summer Song and six more plus Paul Desmond's Take Five.

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Suzuki Piano School, Vol. 1 [Paperback] Review

I quit Suzuki piano as a child (didn't like my teacher, didn't like learning notes), but recently took it back up again.I now understand the value of Suzuki--and wish my first teacher had embodied what the method is all about.I am currently teaching myself, but see how the use of both hands and chord usage in progressing songs is very valuable in the learning process.What they teachyou in the building/base songs transfer easily to more complex songs and classic pieces--and the pieces are all very nice--I recommend ordering the CD/tape to learn, as learning by ear is just as valuable as learning to read at this stage--I think they go hand in hand--and memorizing the song from the CD then being able to translate it onto the piano is very rewarding.I'm now on the second book...looking forward to the third!I was able to easily branch out to other piano books based on my foundation knowledge from the Suzuki method.That said, I did supplement it with some theory (as I don't have a teacher, and these books rely on a teacher for that aspect).I recommend Humphries book for theory--with internet reading as a supplement!Hanon exercises are very helpful, too.

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Product Description:
Titles: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations (Shinichi Suzuki) * Lightly Row (German Folk Song) * The Honeybee (Bohemian Folk Song) * Cuckoo (German Folk Song) * Lightly Row (German Folk Song) * French Children's Song (French Folk Song) * London Bridge (English Folk Song) * Mary Had a Little Lamb (American Nursury Song) * Go Tell Aunt Rhody (Folk Song) * Au Clair de la Lune (J. B. Lully) * Long, Long Ago (T. H. Bayly) * Little Playmates (F.X. Chwatal) * Chant Arabe (Anonymous) * Allegretto 1 (C. Czerny) * Goodbye to Winter (Folk Song) * Allegretto 2 (C. Czerny) * Christmas-Day Secrets (T. Dutton) * Allegro (Shinichi Suzuki) * Musette (Anonymous).

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Michael Aaron Piano Course / Lesson / Primer [Paperback] Review

This book is excellent for young beginning pianists. It takes a slow, step-by-step process to teach notes on the piano, melody, and note names and beats. As a piano teacher who mainly deals with beginners, I love this book and would highly recommend it to anyone teaching children how to play the piano.

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Product Description:
The MICHAEL AARON PIANO COURSE Lesson books have been completely re-engraved, expanded (adding more definitions of musical terms and more musical pieces), updated (with modernized artwork), and re-edited (with less emphasis on fingerings and more on note-reading). Available from the MICHAEL AARON PIANO COURSE: Lessons, Performance, Technic, and Theory for each level: Primer, Grade One, Grade Two, Grade Three, Grade Four, and Grade Five. Also available are these supplementary books: Piano Album, Piano Technic (Book I), Piano Duet Book, Pieces to Play (Primer & Grade I), and Note Reader.

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Popular Piano Solos - First Grade: Pop Hits, Broadway, Movies and More! (Book with CD) [Paperback] Review

Now there's supplementary material for the classic John Thompson Modern Course for the Piano series!!!!Popular Solos book 1 has a dozen songs that fit right in with the method - the corresponding method page numbers are given after every title.All the pieces have large, clear engravings and teacher accompaniments.Includes 'The Rainbow Connection,' 'Go the Distance,' and 'Edelweiss.'

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Product Description:
12 songs that can be used on their own, or as a supplement to John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano or any other method. Includes: Edelweiss * Fly Me to the Moon * Go the Distance * It's a Small World * Let's Go Fly a Kite * Love Me Tender * Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' * The Rainbow Connection * This Is It * What the World Needs Now Is Love * You Are My Sunshine * You'll Be in My Heart.

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Theory Lessons, Book One [Paperback] Review

I had this book 25 years ago. Now I am teaching piano and this theory lesson book is still the same; which is great! So glad to see it still has removable pages for easy lesson work. Highly recommend and would buy this item again.

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Product Description:
Time honored and time tested, the Theory Lessons book has earned a face lift. Completely re-engraved, with color highlights on each page, the book is fresh and new-looking, while retaining the valuable theory studies which have made it an indispensable tool in studios across the land. Pages are perforated for optional removal from the book, allowing the teacher the opportunity to send home just a page at a time if desired. Progression of skill building is logical and easily presented. This is a theory book that takes a minimum of lesson time, a definite plus.

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Belwin Complete Adult Keyboard Course [Paperback] Review

This is a great book for beginners who are looking for simple piano instruction. It is packed with songs(more than 40). Some examples: "This Old Man", "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow", "Over The Rainbow", "Minuet" and "A Tisket, A Tasket". This book introduces the terms and methods with brief definitions, then gives you short songs sheets to practice with before applying each new method in the songs. This book is available with an additional cd (which I believe this issue does comes with it)containing all of the song peices. You can play along to it to help you get the hang of the music. There are also review pages to help you understand the notes. This book is all you really need to learn piano. (I should also add that I am a high school senior & this is the book we use in my piano class).

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Product Description:
A practical, enjoyable approach to learning to play all keyboard instruments. This exceptional beginning method has sound teaching philosophies, music of all styles, strong visual reinforcements and modern technology components. Well-suited for either class or individual instruction, the method includes familiar folk songs, well-known classical themes and popular favorites. It includes theory workbook pages and writing assignments that reinforce student lessons.

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Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist [Paperback] Review

I'm not a big fan of lick and pattern books, but this one has my seal of approval... and more than that, I HIGHLY reccomend it.There are lot's of ideas in here, some powerful stuff. Really hands on Jazz language material, some that if you're a more experienced improviser you might be using instinctively already, and some you wonder why you haven't touched on all along. The idea is to take them and build upon them...Within hours of getting the book, I immediately tuned out the outside world and was having fun experimenting with it... Some other things I like about it :The licks are in more than one key, suggested fingerings for more difficult ones, they're over a nice variety of patterns, typography is nice, and they're stuff that real people actually play, not just text book prototypes.
I venture to say, that of the books I'm familiar with, this is the best one out !!! Great stuff for professionals as well as folks just getting into improv... and not just for pianists !

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Product Description:
TONS OF RUNS is a wide-ranging compendium of runs, licks, and lines found in the jazz vernacular, each written in three different keys, and presented in a straightforward style without ponderous analysis.This book contains useful phrases derived from chord tones, passing tones, resultant scales, and scale-tone chords that piano players can use right away as vocabulary enhancers. These are the raw material and tools that piano players everywhere can use to polish their performance and improvisation skills, and even create new and more interesting ways to play the music they already know!

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Complete Piano Works for Four Hands (The Vienna Gesellschaft Der Musikfreunde Edition) [Paperback] Review

I use this book regularly. The duets run the range of easier to more difficult. It would take several years to work your way through the whole book. Printed clearly, with a good binding.

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Product Description:
compositions in a large, easy-to-read playing edition. Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 23; Waltzes, Op. 39; Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52a; Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65; Hungarian Dances, Nos. 1-21. Preface.


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Rock Piano - Volume 2: Professional Know-How of Contemporary Keyboard-Playing (Schott) [Turtleback] Review

I browsed through the music, and this looks like a book I will use.Unfortunately, the copy I received is written in German! I don't read German!The author is obviously German, but the description clearly says "LANGUAGE:English".

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Product Description:
Keyboard players, pay attention!To follow the foundation volume ROCK PIANO 1 (ED 7029), this volume goes into greater detail.Pieces in a wide variety of styles bring you into contact with a broad spectrum of methods used in playing rock, with solo studies to extend your improvisational skills.Rhythmic and harmonic exercises will help you to develop striking keyboard parts out of simple chord sequences, so that you can distinguish yourself when playing with other musicians as well.All the pieces and solos (improvisations) in the book also feature on the accompanying CD, played by the author. ROCK PIANO 2 is designed so that by working through compositions that are written out in full you learn to develop your own style and to adopt a creative approach to the material in front of you.

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Absolute Beginners: Keyboards Review

This product seeems as though it would be useful, but the instructor goes a little too fast for people, who are "beginners".

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Product Description:
This easy-to-follow DVD keyboard tutor will take you step-by-step from first day exercises to playing along with a professional backing track. Fully enhanced and packed with extra features including easy-to-use menu and translation into four different languages - English, French, German and Spanish.

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My First Book of Irish Songs and Celtic Dances: 21 Favorite Pieces in Easy Piano Arrangements [Paperback] Review

I bought the book thinking it was a bit more than it is.Wherever there aren't notes, there are pictures to color...Definitely for children.However it did have a lot of famous songs such as "Danny Boy" and"When Irish Eyes are Smiling."If you are looking for anintroduction to celtic music and you are at a beginner level of piano, thisbook is great.However, you get what you pay for...

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Product Description:
Fun-to-play, pedagogically sound easy piano arrangements of 21 perennial favorites include "Danny Boy," "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," "My Wild Irish Rose," "The Wearing of the Green," "Sweet Rosie O'Grady," "Kerry Dance," "Irish Washerwoman," and much more (many include lyrics). Beginning pianists of all ages will enjoy this spirited and modestly priced collection of classic Irish airs.


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A Classical Approach to Jazz Piano: Exploring Harmony [Paperback] Review

The first part deals with voice leading and is very informative. It provides useful and practical concepts.I suppose it's intended for the intermediate level student.
The second part give us more advanced concepts like block chords, upper-structure triads and quartal harmony. I've never seen before the relationship between quartal harmony and the pentatonic scale - and it's well done here.

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Product Description:
A serious and thorough discussion of harmony for the literate pianist, this book by Professor Dominic Alldis of the Royal Academy of Music in London addresses accompaniment models, basic jazz theory, polychords, reharmonization, upper structure triads, block chords, pentatonic harmony, and many more subjects, drawing harmonic parallels from classical composers. Alldis includes key excerpts from the greatest jazz standards to illustrate his points.

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Rare Finds for Piano (Steinway Library of Piano Music; Book and CD) [Paperback] Review

Joseph Smith's thesis is that "On the one hand, I certainly believe undeserving works do not last in the active repertoire--acknowledge pieces are generally masterpieces. On the other, I protest the seeming inverse--the assumption that a piece's absence from the repertoire is proof per se of its inferiority."

This collection proves his point. These "rare finds" are not just "rare," they're _finds_.

They're all charming, and some are more than charming. (My personal favorites are "The Castle's Half and Half," an attempt by Vernon and Irene Castle to launch a popular dance based on 5/4 time; and Percy Grainger's "The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol," which sounds as if it should be a light seasonal confection, but which I found deeply moving).

Each piece is accompanied by a one-or-two-page interesting, readable essay.

The CD is not just a learning aid; the pieces are beautifully played and the CD is a pleasure to listen to.

The pieces included are:

Adagio From Concerto In D Minor (Johann Sebastian Bach)
In Dream (Alfredo Catalini)
The Peal Of Laughter (Ignacio Cervantes)
Hommage To Haydn (Claude Debussy)
The Castles' Half And Half (James Reese Europe And Ford Dabney)
Barcarolle (Mikhail Glinka)
The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol (Percy Grainger)
Memories Of Infancy (Enrique Granados)
Entr'acte (Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
In Deep Woods (Edward MacDowell)
Malgre` Tout - Despite All (Manuel Ponce)
Fugue No. 12 (Antonin Reicha)
Canon (Ottorino Respighi)
A Caress For My Wife (Gioacchino Rossini)
Hungarian Melody (Franz Schubert)
Polka Poetique (Bedrich Smetana)
Valse (Billy Strayhorn)
Andantino Con Moto (Carl Maria Von Weber)

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Product Description:
Includes CD. Arranged by Joseph Smith.A valuable collection of little-known masterpieces by famous composers that have never been recognized as 'standard repertoire.' These works differ in their degree of rarity - some have long been out of print, some are available only in expensive editions, others are obtainable but known only to aficionados of a certain composer or national genre. Joseph Smith has compiled a wonderful collection of 18 rare masterpieces, each with introductory notes about the composer and the piece. Smith has also eloquently recorded them on the enclosed CD.

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Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing [Paperback] Review

Anyone listening to Josef Lhevinne's thirds etude by Chopin (op 25/6) willtestify that he's got a wealth of technique, brilliance, and amazing tone.In his encompassing yet concise book he attempts to portray is very artisicbeliefs to the reader. This book will help even the most advanced pianist,and the ideas presented are very clear and easy to understand. Lhevinnespares no effort to decorate his book with extensive excerpts by famouscomposers, mainly Chopin, Rubinstein, Liszt and Schumann. A recommendedread for all pianists and anyone who enjoys listening to this greatinstrument. The book is relevant to all pianists regardless of level.

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Product Description:
Great modern teacher and pianist's concise statement of principles, technique, and related material. Includes 10 musical examples.


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Beethoven: The 17 Sonatas, Volume 1 (Paperback) [Paperback] Review

I didn't realize the binding of Vol. 1 of Beethoven Sonatas 1-17 published by Alfred was poorer than the
Simon and Schuster edition.Both volumes are edited by Artur Schnabel....my main concern....and I love
the Bellotto painting reproduced on the Alfred cover, but it has a glued rather than sewn binding, and
the pages tend to separate too easily from the binding, and it's harder to get the pages to lie flat without
injuring the binding. But, I liked the fact that I could get the sonatas edited by Schnabel at a good price,
and attractive volume.You get what you pay for....and I'll make do, happily.

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Product Description:
Re-engraved, corrected editions by Artur Schnabel, with Schnabel's notes and comments in five languages. Volume One contains Sonatas One through Seventeen and Volume Two contains Sonatas Eighteen through Thirty-Two. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Technical Exercises for the Piano (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

in my opinion it helps emensly!

some of the pieces i was working on caused pain in my hands and back. i talked with a friend and they said that i dont enough strength in my fingers to play my pieces well in tempo and correctly. they suggested holding down four notes and playing the remaining finger. when i got home that night i looked in my library passed Brhms and Crammer and Czerny and yes even Hanon and found Liszt! i looked at the first exersise and i played through it a few times (id changed the fingers being played but stayed in the same key). it took about an hour. one thing the first exercise told me was what fingers i needed to work on! i talked with my teacher and she told me i can go on and work from Liszt but: DO IT SLOWLY and CONSENTRATE on a VERY LOOSE WRIST and finger development.

the strong accents can be a little tricky but after youve done it for a week or so it can be quite fun! it helps with accenting beats other than beat one! after finger controll has been established then you can play the full range of dymanics. in the first few numbers, fingers four and five are going to be the biggest challenge but if done properly it will soon pay off! after playing just the first five numbers in the book, i felt light in the fingers and not tensed. and thats one thing we cant have when playing pieces!

i used to start my pracitce by doing scales and Hanon; well now i do Liszt (for finger independence and strength/loose wrist)[the slowest tempo in my warmup session], Hanon (finger speed and dexterity)[medium tempo in my warmup session], then scales (for greater speed and finger accents)[fstest tempo in my warmup session]. all this takes about 45 minutes to an hour and im set to work on what ever i need to for the next several hours!

if you want to be fluent in all kinds of area of pianism (especialy Liszt!), this book is for you BUT it can not be set on a booksehlf! if you dont have a piano do some of the exercises on a hard surfice! 400something pages is alot and some of it will seem impossable but technique will not come over night....just as the world was not created in a day!

Pre-Requiments for the user of the book would be:
1. Patiance with yourself! if something doesnt come out perfect the first time, come back to it later! you brain is working but sometimes we shove information into it instead of programming the information! our brains need time to internalize what new task we give it. the brain is far more supirrior than any computer we humans can make!
2. Time...plenty of it! it takes time to learn any new skill! pianists are by no means exemped from this law!
3. an open mind!...if your mind is not on what your doing, it is then pointless continuing the task! just stop right there! your mind needs to be working just as much (if not MORE) as your fingers are working.

best of luck!

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Product Description:
This 223-page edition is comprised of 86 different technical exercises composed by Liszt during 1868 to 1880. Liszt intended these highly challenging exercises to build greater performance skills in virtuoso pianists. The complete series consists of twelve volumes, each one dealing with a different pianistic problem. This edition has been compiled from the original set to present the exercises in a reasonable length without harming the essence and effectiveness of the original work.

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Yamaha PKBB1 Portable Keyboard Bench Review

I bought this for my children to use with their keyboard. It is ready-assembled and fairly sturdy - perhaps a little on the small side for a large adult, but great for my children aged 9 and under and ok for me (I'm only 5'4)

Nice bench for the price.

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Product Description:
Perfect for use with almost any keyboard, Yamaha's PKBB1 portable keyboard bench offers solid and affordable comfort. Finished in black with a soft, padded seat, its height is adjustable between 17.5 and 19.5 inches for tailored comfort. A handy locking mechanism lets you fold the bench flat at the push of a button for easy transport.
What's in the Box
Bench, instruction sheet.

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Piano & Keyboard Workshop 2.0 Review

I had previously used Jump Software's Piano Discovery System (now out of business).But I got a new keyboard, and thought that I would get new tutor software to go with it.Well, this was on the shelf at my local electronics superstore, and it was THE MOST EXPENSIVE package.However, I could not imagine a worse package.I would like to point out that, unlike other reviewers, I had no installation problem on WinXP Pro.First of all, this is NOT for beginners.For example, the first lesson never even tells you which hands or fingers use to use.There are ABSOLUTELY NO VIDEOS anywhere.All this program does is is load MIDI files, play them back, and grade you as you play it.That is it!I would expect better from shareware.Even the text instructions do not tell you anything about how to read music, the difference between a half-note and a quarter-note, which fingers to use, etc.So this was a complete waste of $40!

For a point of reference, Piano Discovery System had recorded voices talk you through each lesson.It had videos of a person playing the music properly.It had a couple of games which were actually fun to play.Unfortunately, the company is out of business, and the software does not work on XP.

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Complete Piano Trios [Paperback] Review

The First Trio, Opus 8 in B Major as all initial Brahms (the Piano Sonatas, the First Symphony)all get off to great heights,like claiming territory, and the young Brahms still had that Schumann aesthetic searching for private moments, a working away from the Beethoven conception of symphonic largesse.So Brahms' chamber setting have initially some challenge and interest, but he seemed to repeat himself too often,lumbering at materials that in retrospect had little to offer his own magical aesthetic. There are dollips of illuminations(as Tovey might say).
I recall a Vintage recording,on RCA Artur Rubenstein, Yasha Heifitz and Fournier??,I forgot the cellist, wonderful telescoping, everyone listened to each other,and made the work compelling, in fact I've yet to hear it played even approaching it. The lyricism in the opening 'Allegro con brio' here is unforgettable,perhaps the key of B major suggests this or brings things out of composers that other Keys cannot or refuse to; the main melodic materials,really a broken resonant chord, the major sixth interval; gorgeous stuff filled with anxiety, the opaque,and the question of art; as well in the more violent turbulent rhytmic passages,like Brahms is saying "things are not that nice in Hamburg living as a bachelor" Although he thought Bismarck was quite progressive. Glad that Johannes remained a composer his life.

There is an orchestration or timbral problem(s) with the other chamber settings most notably the 'string quartets' less so the 'Piano Quintets',(the unforgettable F Minor) in that Johannes thought he was writing for the orchestra, such an enormous sound he thought he believed he was getting from four strings who cannnot project a sound ad infinitum no matter how many double stops are put on the playing field, and as his soaring melodies take up imaginative space that suggest or imply something grander.So Barhms,lis musical language I think struggle between these two lifeworlds. That's why I like the 'Trios', for they seem to coax more refinement, challenge and innovation as well (the Clarinet and the Horn??,avant-garde!!) of timbre from Brahms. The final A minor with the Clarinet also has problems but it looks further unpretenciously than the other works. The Clarinet timbre is quite distinctive and its solo role never seems to go away or recede into the hinterlands,enveloping as you might find in Mozart's Clarinet Quintets)Mozart knew how to shape and "melt" timbres together, never out of place, and Johannes should have listened or looked at Wolfgang more) but Johannes simply "drops" it(The Bb Clarinet) in the discourse of the A minor trio,and so the piece might come to be a Sonata for Clarinet with cello and piano accompaniment. He learned the clarinet language from Richard Muelfield(so the ending Clarinet Sonatas are progressive more than Bismarck) to function more than as accompaniment,the piano is a real part not a recepticle to keep time and add nice chords; what kind of accompaniment can a Clarinet provide however when not scouring the heavens for profound materials in romantic music is open to question?, the Romantics did not think of wind instruments as a "Solo",not really as the 20th Century was come to do, only if it was within the purview of a concerto, and then Brahms would have made music history if he had written a Clarinet Concerto, Think of It ?!!, so in the A Minor the Clarinet again takes up much space, the timbre is not blended well or thought through deeply; it is far from interestingat each moment but it is there nonetheless, have it rest,,and without the unforgettable violoncello moments, the piece would disintegrate into oblivion; the concluding Scherzo(Allegro) however redeems him the writing is threadbare with a nice minor motif to keep things in the air and directly functional as opposed to the cumbersome 'Adagio' where the piano tones fade quickly away,so the pianist simply sits there doing nothing. The continuous pulsing effect in the piano of chords placed on every beat is simply filler, this is high romanticism I guess so extremities and indulgences and false relationships to other timbres is fine for posterity.
The Horn Trio at first as well is pure innovation but again Brahms tried his best but he himself many times in these situations is his own worst enemy, for the Horn is utilized simply as another voice, and it could have bee (as the A Minor where a Viola can be substituted for the Clarinet part) in retrospect the Horn simply "doesn't fit" and I mean listen to the piece again.It sticks out against the melancholia of the Violin melos, as too much vibrato (Yuckeee!). Ligeti thought he would improve upon this creative paradigm and furnish the trio venue with his newly found post-modern folky surface style-for-the-least-common-denominator(not as interesting than the earlier Ligeti of the 'Cello Concerto', or the 'Second String Quartet'), but Gyorgy tried his hand anyway as Brahms heroically did. ((Again please return to Mozart for some guidance on how to nor "drop" timbre into the field of play, for they could be, or become "unwelcome" guests. And the other instruments feel than encumbered without cause.))

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Product Description:
All five trios, reprinted from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel edition. Included are the B Major, C Major and C Minor Trios (Opp. 8, 87 and 101) for violin, cello and piano; the E-flat Major Trio (Op. 40) for violin, horn (or cello or viola) and piano; and the A Minor Trio (Op. 114) for clarinet (or viola), cello and piano. New translation of editor's commentary.


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Keyboard Runs for the Pop & Jazz Stylist [Paperback] Review

This is my first review for Amazon. I wish someone had warned me before buying this book.

On the plus side this book gives you loads of runs that are mostly practical. They're offered in three (good) keys and give you fingering suggestions. The author is a gifted pianist who really knows her stuff. You get the feeling she's giving you the runs that really helped her as she was learning her craft. That's it for the positive comments.

On the downside:
1-I don't know why the title includes the word Pop. All the runs are blues/jazz.
I was hoping there would be some ideas to throw in to a real pop tune.
2-Many of the runs are great but about half seem like filler.
3- Too many jazz and bebop runs. There fine I guess but if you're going through the trouble of learning someone else's bebop runs why not just get a Charlie Parker book and steal from a master.
4- This is the biggie.... This is the reason I can't recomend this book and want my money back for it:
The CD.
4a-it sounds like it was recorded in a bedroom on an answering machine.
4b-The piano she plays is so out of tune that you can't even transpose your keyboard to match it.
4c-All the runs in each style (that's four) Are included on 1 CD track.
That means Blues run 27 is 5 minutes into track 2. That makes it very inconvenient to audition,play along with, or learn any of the runs.
4d-Not all the runs are on the cd. She jumps around and doesn't always play each run in all keys. This makes it difficult to even know what you're hearing. Doesn't help that piano is out of tune.

Anyway. If you're a good reader you could probably go through all the runs quickly, pick out the ones that work best for you and get a huge value out of this book.
If you're like me, and like to hear what the riffs/runs sound like you're out of luck.

Sorry my first review was such a downer.

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Product Description:
Dozens upon dozens of runs and fills professional pianists use to add style to their performance. Includes various styles of runs such as: swing and society, blues, jazzy bebop, and contemporary. In addition, Noreen Grey Lienhard, one of today's pop pianists and arrangers, has demonstrated many of them on the enclosed CD in a special note-by-note slow versions, and at full tempo.

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David Carr Glover Method for Piano / Performance, Pri" [Paperback] Review

My child's piano teacher uses this book in conjunction with the Piano Student book by the same authors. These two books seem to work very well together. My child really enjoys this book, as it has interesting tunes that she can play even though she is just beginning to learn how to play the piano.

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Product Description:
This PERFORMANCE book provides supplementary solo materials to reinforce music fundamentals and concepts presented at this level of advancement. Original compositions, folk songs, and the sounds of today are included for enrichment of the student's repertoire. This PERFORMANCE book is correlated page by page with the LESSONS book and other supplementary materials recommended for this level. It may also be used with other methods of piano study. Supplementary materials correlated with LESSONS, Primer Level, from the DAVID CARR GLOVER METHOD FOR PIANO include: Sight Reading and Ear Training, Theory, Technic, Performance. Additional materials are also available.

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The Leschetizky Method: A Guide to Fine and Correct Piano Playing [Paperback] Review

This book is full of notations that I think are for advance students in music education or for piano players looking improve their skills. Enlarging the front cover shows the type of notation and fingering thatwill be found. It's not obvious from the title of this book that this bookmight not be for beginners who are trying learn on their own.

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Product Description:
Hard-to-find book documents principles and techniques of legendary piano teacher, who taught Paderewski, Schnabel, many other greats. Clear, easy-to-follow text, profusely illustrated with music examples and photographs of hand positions. Finger exercises, scales, octaves, chords, arpeggios, dynamics, the pedal, many other topics.


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Soft Way to Mozart piano teaching software Review

Four years old child learning piano. She has been using the software for two weeks (two or three times a week).

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Product Description:
Soft Way to Mozart software is a set of seven computer games designed to teach beginners from 3-year-old and up how to read and play music, and support practice of beginners and advanced students. Some of the games use the MIDI connection to an electric piano keyboard or digital piano for interactive support and control of student's playing. This teaching software may be used for home practice and self-teaching, or in music studios or at schools.This software package differs from other software1) It really teaches how to read and play music compared to many musical toys designed for entertainment rather than for education.2) Supported by innovative teaching approach, it succeeds in teaching very beginners and children where many teaching software programs rely on the already existing skills of advanced students.Soft Mozart teaching method focuses on the most important part of music education - learning to read music. The method introduces revolutionary music score representations and special key stickers to allow any beginner, small children as well as adults, to read and play songs from the first piano lesson. The interactive learning software guides the student during piano playing, and the gradual transition to a normal music score provides the most effective and painless method of learning to read music notes. A student can choose from 52 (may be updated to 300) popular classical and folk songs that are included in the song library, listen to them, play with the right, left or both hands, and memorize them.Different learning exercises improve essential skills needed for fluent music reading and playing.All exercises are implemented in the form of colorful computer games, attractive to adults as well as toddlers. Total interactivity and visual hints provide a comfortable environment during music activities, playing songs as well as exercises.

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Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes and Other Works for Piano [Paperback] Review

This is a very nice and large collection of Satie's works for piano.All of the pieces are reproduced from the original publications and Satie's comments in the original French are included and translated on the bottomof the pages.All three versions of Gymnopedies are there, but only thefirst 3 Gnossiennes.Many of Satie's compositions aren't divided intomeasures and it is very interesting to see how he actually wrote the musicwith his comments.Pieces like the Gnossiennes should be listened tobefore you actually play them.A good interpretation of all 6 is the CDSatie, 3 Gymnopedies and other piano works by Pascal Roge.Mr. Rogeinterprets the music beautifully.Then you can play them.Some of theother works included in this book are Sarabandes, Pieces froides (veryinteresting music), Embryons desseches, Morceaux en frome de Poire andthere are 3 pieces written for 4 hands.

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Product Description:
The affordable volume represents the largest collection of Satie piano works available. Includes 17 pieces in all by the French composer and pianist, including his most famous piece Gymnopedies. Painstakingly reprinted from the original French editions.

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Music Tree Time to Begin Activities (Frances Clark Library for Piano Students) [Paperback] Review

My daughter's piano teacher recommended this as a beginner's course for small children (my daughter's 5), since it has child friendly language with illustrations to make concepts clear and at the same time teaches the basic concepts well. The price is not that great however, hence not 5 stars. This goes with the other piano book in the 'Time to Begin" so buying both hurt the purse a bit.

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Product Description:
Time to Begin Activities is colorful, cheerful and a delight for students to complete either at the lesson or at home. Activities reinforce reading, rhythm and theory introduced in Time to Begin. Each unit includes at least one game-like activity. As students near the grand staff, note names direction and intervals become an integrated activity.

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Casio PX830 Privia Digital Piano, Black Review

I bought this for my daughter who's learning piano and yearning for a "real" one. This sounds and feels like a grand. The parts were packaged and padded securely. It arrived safe and sound even though there was a rip and a hole in the box.

Took me a while to put everything together. The instructions were detailed enough, but it was not in the first page of the manual, so you have to look for it, and read everything first before you start. During assembly, I found that most screws on the piano body were not sufficiently fastened, a few were almost ready to fall out! That didn't incite any confidence in its assembly work.And, the unit did not have a sticker with serial number, nor was one on the box! Can't explain why.

But overall, it plays well, sounds good.And let's hope it doesn't break down! If not for the issues above I would have given it a five stars.

A couple more things.The black wood was faux wood particle board, and looked cheap.I couldn't tell from the photos, and had expected gloss black (like a real piano).Also, even with the lid/cover down, the keys are still exposed on the front side.Instead of having a narrow folding board to cover the front side (again, like many real pianos), it gives you a little stopper to put in the middle so the cover board won't warp.I have to say, this can only make it look "cheap".Not sure if I was expecting too much.

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Product Description:
The Casio PX830 BK Privia Digital Piano is focused on pure piano playing. That starts with the refined matt keys (ivory touch) with a pleasing playing action. The hammer and repeating action on the keys is just as luxurious as the 128-tone AiF sound source with Linear Morphing for dynamic sound behavior. The minimalist design provides a perfect counterpoint to the extraordinary wealth of sound. The "Black Polish" variant provides the PX-830 with an especially refined look.

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Allegro Barbaro and Other Short Works for Solo Piano [Unabridged] [Paperback] Review

Bartok was the first composer who really got me interested in what one could still technically call "Classical music." I remember hearing his Piano Sonata No. 1, Sz. 80 for the first time and being completely blown away by it. It was so primal and yet still refined in a musical sense. It was like listening to a man lose his mind at the piano while still retaining enough intellect (musically) to function.

But onto the review:

To my dismay, this collection does not contain the Sz. 80 sonata, but it does contain a myriad of other Bartok works which perhaps define him as an artist even better. Bartok was truly our first ethnomusicologist. His experiments with recording the folk music of his homeland (Hungary) and other Eastern European countries and arranging it in the Western tradition brought Western music as far East as it had been up until that point. Sure, there were Russian composers before Bartok who integrated their own folk music into Western styles (The Five, Tchaikovsky, even Rachmaninov), but Bartok's Eastern European studies are a different animal all together.

For starters, Bartok studied Western music under the care of Hugarian teachers at the Royal Academy of Music at Budapest. Here he was perpetually influenced by teachers (Franz Liszt [indirectly], Janos Koessler) and other students (Zoltan Kodaly) who had already begun studies of their own folk music in comparison to Western styles. This book contains great examples of these folk influences translated into the Western style in the intellectual and profound way that Bartok was known for.

This book features Bartok's shorter works like the Romanian Christmas Carols and Hungarian Peasant Songs that offer the average Western listener an abstract approach to Bartok's homeland. The seemingly unnatural rhythms (which the pianist will undoubtedly have trouble with at first) come second nature to the folk music of Eastern Europe. And by reading and playing through this book, the music student will see that Bartok's fundamental understanding of music is unbelievably far removed from the understanding of music that Westerners are raised in.

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Product Description:
Treasury of rewarding piano works from one of the 20th century's most influential composers. Includes the dancelike Allegro Barbaro, a sonorous, boisterous piece of power and bravura; 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs; six Rumanian Folk Dances; 20 Rumanian Christmas Carols; and eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs. Musical gems for pianists at intermediate and advanced skill levels.


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The Nutcracker: Complete Ballet for Solo Piano [Paperback] Review

This is a book I've been looking for for years: the original piano arrangement of the entire Nutcracker Ballet score. The score harbors many delightful pieces that are not included in the ubiquitous Nutcracker Suite, such as the music for the scene around the Christmas tree, Grandfather's Dance, the Pas de Deux, and the Valse Finale. The arrangements are by Taneeff, and revised by the composer. The score has been reprinted from a rare copy in 2005. The piano arrangement is playable for advanced amateur pianists (this is NOT a Nutcracker-made-easy version), and cleverly done: it has the feel of a piano score, not of a reduced orchestra score. (Nutcracker lovers familiar with the Concert version of the ballet music will find slight (and interesting) discrepancies, but the music from the Concert version is all there, albeit in a somewhat different order. The only funny part of the arrangement is that the upper register seems to have been left out in the complex music of the fight between the nutcracker and the mouse king.)

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Nutcracker: Complete Ballet for Solo Piano [Paperback]

Product Description:
This piano solo of Tchaikovsky's masterful Christmas ballet offers pianists a chance to enjoy favorites such as "The Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy" and "The Waltz of the Flowers." Created by distinguished composer Sergey Taneyev at the time of the ballet's premiere, this delightful arrangement renders the complete ballet in a style that is both idiomatic to the piano and entirely faithful to Tchaikovsky's brilliant score. Here are all the movements of the beloved Suite, along with the rest of this holiday favorite. Unabridged republication of the Sergey Taneyev arrangement.

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Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course: Christmas Joy! Level C (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

this book comes from the Alfred's series and is similar to their other books. It is best for students that have been playing for a little while and and read music fairly easily.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course: Christmas Joy Level C (Alfred's Basic Piano Library) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Charming collections of popular Christmas carols arranged for beginning piano students. Carols are arranged in order of difficulty. Each song includes an optional teacher/parent duet part which can be played on the same keyboard.

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Sunday Morning Blend - Volume 3: 25 Solo Keyboard Medleys for Contemporary Worship (Sacred Choral) [Paperback] Review

I have all of the Sunday Morning Blend books, and love them all.I am the pianist for our (still pretty conservative) church, and I can still play many of these for special music and/or offertory music.The arrangements are so pretty (for the most part), and the blend of modern worship songs with hymns is well done.No songs stand out as "too modern" or "too old fashioned", so if you're looking for something for your church, these are good choices.She has also done a good job of selecting songs that go well together for her "blends".Also, there are quite a few you can play without a ton of practice, which is nice if you don't have alot of time.I would not consider myself to be an advanced pianist, probably intermediate level, and I can sit down at home and play these for my own enjoyment without much of a struggle, but they are by no means "easy piano".

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sunday Morning Blend - Volume 3: 25 Solo Keyboard Medleys for Contemporary Worship (Sacred Choral) [Paperback]

Product Description:
25 hymns blended with praise and worship songs: Better Is One Day/Come Into His Presence * Here I Am to Worship/Fairest Lord Jesus * Shout to the North/O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing * You Are So Good to Me/God Is So Good * and more. Medium difficult.

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