Perfect Wrong Note - Learning to Trust Your Musical Self (Softcover) (Amadeus) [Paperback] Review

I am a professional musician, a retired piano teacher of 25 years. In October of 2004, I produced my first cd of pre-Baroque pieces into an album called, "Carry the Light."Recently, I found out about "The Perfect Wrong Note" by William Westney from a friend. The book is stunning, progressive and suffice it to say, it will rub some traditionalist the wrong way.Westney totally challenges traditional teaching methods and rightly so. There is a revealing "Question and Answer" section in the book on pp. 95-97 which provides an astute summary of Westney's teaching philosophy. I found the following Q and A challenging to some very traditionalist teachings on using the metronome; "Is it a good idea to use a metronome?"Westney's replies, "Only for short periods, as a check of tempo consistency.If we use it too much we become passive slaves to it, and our inner rhythm stays dormant."Westney emphasizes that playing the piano is a "whole body, whole brain" experience.In terms of Westney's approach being a "feel good" philosophy, nothing could be further from the truth. When asked (p. 97), "Can your approach be simply stated as, "Just don't fret about wrong notes, after all nobody's perfect.?"Westney's response is clearly direct; "No.This isn't a feel good philosophy: it's a pragmatic problem-solving plan along the road to artistry.Control, accuracy, and refinement are still the goals."Westney takes a groundbreaking approach to teaching piano without killing the hope and aspirations of the student.That is to be herald and this work will be deeply respected by teachers willing to take on new and exciting challenges that take heed to an important ethos Westney holds for anyone practicing the piano."As you practice sense that you are taking care of yourself at every moment.Expect musical performing to be fun and feel good.Question any part of it that doesn't feel that way.Think of yourself as a healty athlete. Relax frequently and take stock." (p.227) I can't think of any performing philosophy that is more hope filled than that.

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Product Description:
In this groundbreaking book, prize-winning pianist and noted educator William Westney helps readers discover their own path to the natural, transcendent fulfillment of making music. Drawing on experience, psychological insight, and wisdom ancient and modern, Westney shows how to trust yourself and set your own musicality free. He offers healthy alternatives for lifelong learning and suggests significant change in the way music is taught. For example, playing a wrong note can be constructive, useful, even enlightening. The creator of the acclaimed Un-Master Class workshop also explores the special potential of group work, outlining the basics of his revelatory workshop that has transformed the music experience for participants the world over. Practicing, in Westney's view, is a lively, honest, adventurous, and spiritually rewarding enterprise, and it can (and should) meet with daily success, which empowers us to grow even more. Teachers, professionals, and students of any instrument will benefit from this unique guide, which brings artistic vitality, freedom, and confidence within everyone's reach.

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The Complete Gershwin Keyboard Works (Essential Box Sets) [Paperback] Review

I had to search high and low for Zizzo's edition of the rarer preludes. Here, you have all of the Gershwin keyboard works, including the short preludes I, II and III, as well as those rare preludes "Novelette in Fourths" and "Sleepless Nights." The "I've Got Rhythm" variations are virtuoso--so beware, this book ranges from the playable to the shockingly difficult. But I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to have it all in one book finally. Thank you, Ms. Zizzo. Even if I can't play all of these, it's "S'wonderful" to be able to read the scores.

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Product Description:
Edited by Alicia Zizzo. A definitive edition of all of the Gershwin preludes. Also contains three extremely rare composition. Titles are: Prelude I * Prelude (Melody No. 17) * Prelude (Rubato) * Prelude II (Blue Lullaby) * Prelude (Novelette in Fourths) * Prelude II (Spanish Prelude) * Prelude (Used as 3rd movement of 'Concerto in F' * Prelude (Sleepless Nights.)

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The Complete Gershwin Preludes for Piano (Belwin Edition) [Paperback] Review

George Gershwin was a tremendously popular composer in the 1920's and 30's.He went beyond just writing popular tunes, and tried to branch out into more serious music.Not to say that the songs he wrote aren't masterpieces in their own right.Listen to the Gershwin Songbook as played by Andre Watts, a concert pianist.The Gershwin songbook contains arrangements of songs by the composer himself.Full of melody, charm and rhythm, true American classics.

The Preludes in this edition are more of the same.With a jazzy feel to them, they are very rewarding to play.They feel different under the hand, and remain a great opportunity for the classically trained pianist to expand his technique and ear.

This edition is well printed and easy to read. A fine edition of some very good music.

Highly recommended

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Product Description:
A definitive edition of all of the Gershwin preludes. Also contains three extremely rare compositions. Titles are: Prelude I * Prelude (Melody No. 17) * Prelude (Rubato) * Prelude II (Blue Lullaby) * Prelude (Novelette in Fourths) * Prelude III (Spanish Prelude) * Prelude (Used as 3rd movement of Concerto in F) * Prelude (Sleepless Night).

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Songs of the 40's: The Decade Series (EZ Play Today, for Organs, Pianos & Electronic Keyboards, No. 230) [Sheet music] Review

If you like and appreciate great melodies from the 1940s decade then you will like this collection of tunes.

I have bought a number of these Decade Series collection songbooks and like all of them. The selections are always broad and fresh.

I have played out of this particular songbook collection for many years now and still love to play them on my piano.

Contents:

Across The Alley From The Alamo
Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)
Anniversary Song
Bewitched
Blueberry Hill
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
The Breeze And I
But Beautiful
Candy
Come Rain Or Come Shine
Cruising Down The River
Daddy
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
God Bless' The Child
Harlem Nocturne
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
How Are Things In Glocca Morra
How High The Moon
I Could Write A Book
I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
I'll Be Around
I'll Remember April
I'm Beginning To See The Light
Imagination
It's A Grand Night For Singing
It's A Most Unusual Day
Juke Box Saturday Night
June Is Bustin' Out All Over
The Last Time I Saw Paris
Lilli Marlene
Mairzy Doats
Managua, Nicaragua
Moonlight In Vermont
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'
Oklahoma
Old Devil Moon
The Old Lamplighter
The Old Soft Shoe
Opus One
People Will Say We're In Love
Poinciana (Song Of The Tree)
Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Red Roses For A Blue Lady
Saturday Night Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week
Seems Like Old Times
Shoo Fly Pie And Apple Pan Dowdy
So In Love
Speak Low
A String Of Pearls
A Sunday Kind Of Love
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
Swinging On A Star
There Must Be A Way
The Things We Did Last Summer
The Third Man Theme
Tuxedo Junction
When You Wish Upon A Star
Wunderbar
You Can't Be True Dear (Du Kannst Nicht Treu Sein)
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
You'll Never Walk Alone

***
I recommend this songbook collection to you!

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Product Description:
61 songs, featuring: Come Rain or Come Shine * God Bless the Child * How High the Moon * The Last Time I Saw Paris * Moonlight in Vermont * A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square * A String of Pearls * Swinging on a Star * Tuxedo Junction * You'll Never Walk Alone.

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