The School of Velocity, Opus 299: Complete (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

If this is too intimidating for you, I would start with Czerny -- Practical Method, Op. 599 (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition), which is thinner and simpler than this.

If THAT'S too difficult for you, I would fall back to Preliminary School of Dexterity, Op. 636, which is about as low as you can go and still be playing authentic Czerny that hasn't been watered down.(I don't know why Amazon doesn't have a picture of it:it's certainly not rare or out of print.)

Only after finishing that should you go for the mother lode, the School of Velocity.

All of these Alfred editions are the best:carefully edited and handsomely presented.Palmer didn't simply run those old galleys again:everything's been recomposited and -- importantly for me -- the notes have been made larger where possible.At any rate, it's certainly more readable than that old yellow version everyone seems to own.

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Product Description:
This popular volume offers practical training in well-articulated pianistic passage work, particularly in playing the virtuoso music of the romantic period. In addition to this, each study is a complete music composition, demanding attention to dynamics and phrasing. Students who master Opus 299 have indeed progressed a long way in the "school of velocity." Available in a 112-page complete volume or in two separate books.

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Theory Is Fun / Book 1 (Hirschberg) [Paperback] Review

a good book for teaching elementary aged children music theory, it covers the basics and some more advanced stuff as well. lots of Black and white illustrations, comics strips and such. the book teaches the note names and spelling with pictures and stories.

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Product Description:
THEORY IS FUN / Book 1, by David Hirschberg.

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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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Masterpieces with Flair!, Book 1 (Alfred Masterwork Editions) [Paperback] Review

A good compilation of pieces in different styles, great to use approximately after one year of learning.

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Energetic and lively pieces to appeal to students who like fast and sparkling music. The selections are from such masters as Bach, Beethoven, Haydn and Bartok.All pieces are in their original form.Early intermediate to intermediate.

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Czerny -- Practical Method, Op. 599 (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

A Brilliant Mind That Knows How To Teach...Yes it starts off in small steps....don't despise small beginnings
A person asked Oscar Peterson how he learned to play so fast he said "Czerny ! Czerny ! Czerny"
Who can aurgue with That kind of recommendation? Get the books.... Get the midi's for the books...
Learn to Learn.....have fun

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Product Description:
While Czerny's excellent fingering has been preserved, all unnecessary fingering has been removed by editor Willard A. Palmer. The book begins with lessons on learning the notes and introduces students to the various technical studies of keyboard music. In this edition, the music has been widely spaced for easy reading. 88 pages.

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Hammond Organ Complete [Paperback] Review

I thought there were no Hammond methods, but somehow I found this one, and it's a good starting point for neophytes of the B-3 and drawbar organs. Don't expect it to disclose all the techniques you heard on Jimmy Smith's records, but it can be really useful as a reference book. The addition of the CD is absolutely essential: a good feature from the author.
It's a fairly good catalogue of riffs, although I wish it focused a lot more on funk and jazzy riffs (there are some good examples, however -but not enough nor representative) than on poppy ballads and clichés.
Anyway,at least it can lend some help to us forgotten organists and lovers of the Hammond!

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Product Description:
The secret to creating funky sizzles and classic Hammond sounds is mastering the combined use of the drawbars, expression pedal, and the Leslie speaker speed switch. Sound intimidating? It doesn't have to be! This hands-on guide takes you step-by-step through the techniques of playing the drawbar organ, one skill at a time. You'll learn to: play gospel, RandB, jazz, blues, funk and rock; achieve fantastic special effects; understand all the parts of the organ and how to use them; and much more. The accompanying CD includes 21 exercises, plus performance demos of 8 songs, with minus-organ versions so you can jam along!"A fantastic introduction to all aspects of playing the B3 organ. Definitely worth checking out."- John Medeski

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Sight Reading (Schaum Method Supplement) [Paperback] Review

Helpful with regular piano books to help teach sight reading. No note numbers or letters on it.

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Product Description:
The SCHAUM SIGHT READING Books are designed to provide intersesting material to increase the pupil's skill in reading. Finger numbers have been omitted so that the student may concentrate on NOTE READING without any distraction. Book 1 can be used as early as the Pre-A Grade level. Book 2 is Grade 1 or A Book degree of difficulty.

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Technique for the Advancing Pianist (Alfred Masterwork Editions) [Paperback] Review

I use this book for all my students who wish to pursue piano studies at a higher level, particularly those who will become piano performance majors in college. It truly is essential for the advancing pianist because many technical difficulties one encounters throughout Mozart, Beethoven, and some Chopin (and of course, many more composers) is learned here, such as scales in double thirds, rotation, and velocity. Work through every single page and you're well on your way to starting more advanced work in college.

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Product Description:
This practical resource provides foundational tools for scale, chord and arpeggio playing; exercises for developing precision, speed, agility and clarity of tone; and exercises and etudes that focus on a variety of technical challenges.

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Piano Repertoire / Level 1 (David Carr Glover Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

I got what I wanted in a very timely manner.I could not ask for more.

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Product Description:
The REPERTOIRE books are written to supplement and reinforce the music fundamentals that the student is learning at this level of advancement. They may be used with any Piano Course or Library. The books of the Primer Level and Levels 1 and 2 present familiar folk songs and original solos. Level 1 of 6.

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Daily Technical Studies for Piano (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

This classic is one of the best piano exercise books you can buy. It covers all the major techical problems of the piano. To name a few: finger independence, chord and scale passages, hands crossing, extensions, wrist vs finger action, etc.

Please note, however, this is not an easy book. That happens very much because (but that is one of the book's great advantages) the exercises are made to be practised in all the scales, contrary to a book like "Hanon", so I would recomend it to any pianist who has a two-three years experience and has made the first part of "Hanon" exercises.

Many exercises are the most boring you can get, but belive me, it is worth the effort. Just try this book for a week and you will certantly see a difference.

This is also a great work for correcting hand problems like bent fingers or streched out ones, bad wrist position, etc.

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Product Description:
This new Kalmus Edition offers pianists a complete set of technical exercises, from simple warm-ups through more advanced studies. Also includes a compendium of scales in various forms, a modulatory section, and a glossary of musical terms.

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Schaum Note Speller / Book 2 (Revised) (Schaum Method Supplement) [Paperback] Review

I bought this to help me learn the notes for learning how to play piano. Mom recommended it. (she taught piano lessons when I was a baby 30 years ago)

She said it is a classic, and although it is kind of boring, this is what's needed to learn the notes so that I can ultimately read music and play Mozart. It seems to be working.

I leave it in the bathroom with a pencil, and work on it for those few minutes when there's nothing else to do with my mind. ;)

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Product Description:
The Schaum NOTE SPELLER has the unqualified testimonial of thousands of teachers who pronounce it 'The Best.' Musical facts, beginning with line and space numbers are taught. Students learn by doing, since this book is in workbook form. This saves valuable lesson time, and immediately shows any mistakes in the beginner's thinking.

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Popular Piano Solos - Second Grade: Pop Hits, Broadway, Movies and More! John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano Series [Paperback] Review

Willis' 'Popular Piano Solos' series fits perfectly with John Thompson's Modern Course piano method and works with pretty much any other method.These books are also available with CD, for interesting accompaniments.

The arrangements are accessible, becoming more difficult as the book progresses.After each title, the corresponding Thompson method page numbers are given.Includes fun, lively pieces like 'Sway (Quien Sera),' and 'Raider's Theme' from Indian Jones.Large engravings make the music easy to see, and Baumgartner includes helpful fingerings.

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Product Description:
11 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: The Addams Family Theme * Alley Cat * Do-Re-Mi * I Could Have Danced All Night * The Masterpiece * Memory * My Heart Will Go On * Raiders March * Nadia's Theme * Sway * A Time for Us.

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How to Play from a Fake Book [Paperback] Review

I took classical piano lessons growing up, which is a very rote way to learn.I didn't particularly like it and I didn't particularly get good at understanding music -- I got good at fingering specific pieces.

I would have, in retrospect, preferred the method of learning and understanding the chords so I could pick up pieces on my own.The idea of "fake" books is to improvise the harmony based on the chords and play the to melody line along with it.By learning the chords and some ways of stringing them together, you can master just about anything.

It's not that simple -- it's a lot of practice to be able to turn chords on the sheet into realtime music.But it's a lot of fun, and I actually "get it" now on how music is put together.

This book in particular is well written, bringing you quickly to understand how to do this.It assumes basic ability to read music.And it is slightly corny in parts.But aside from that, its a nice self-paced tutorial into playing from "fake" books or other sheet music that includes chord information.

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Product Description:
For musicians of all levels, this book teaches how to use bass lines, countermelodies, introductions and endings, rhythmic patterns, embellish a melody and how to accompany. All the techniques needed to 'fake' a great-sounding accompaniment from just melody, lyrics and chord symbols.

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Music by the Masters [Paperback] Review

I used this book about 20 years ago as a student.Now, I use this book with my students. It is a great book full of short classical studies by prolific composers of the Baroque-Romantic Eras.This book contains a wide variety of music selections that teach various and sundry musical techniques and articulations.Great for the young pianist who is trying to bridge the gap into the Classical literature.

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Product Description:
This consistent top-seller includes 65 works by these famous composers: C. P. E. Bach, J. S. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Grieg, Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schubert , Schumann and Tchaikovsky. Excellent, motivating literature for the intermediate pianist.

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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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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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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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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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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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Technique Builders: Fundamental Study Patterns to Improve Piano Proficiency [Paperback] Review

This is a truly fine set of exercises for the late-beginner/early-intermediate pianist.Beyond the expected parallel and contrary motions, there are accompanied exercises.One hand plays an accompaniment to the other hand's scale runs, arpeggios, and chord inversions.Everything is related to the playing of songs.

This book focuses heavily on the seven diatonic triads of the C major scale and their inversions and arpeggios.But it also includes work on all twelve major triads and many chromatic studies, as well.Simple repeated bass figures, rhythms, octaves, and finger-independence drills round things out.

I really enjoy Technique Builders.I can open it to nearly any page and play something challenging and musical-sounding.Ten minutes to an hour of exploring its pages is very rewarding.I give it 5 stars!

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Product Description:
The ultimate objective is to train the student through repeated patterns and precise exercises, to acquire a conscious control in these techniques: the use of the whole arm for lateral freedom and arm weight, the forearm for rotation (Alberti bass and similar patterns) the wrist for flexibility in phrasing and the fingers for dexterity in passage work.

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