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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Complete Preludes, Books 1 and 2 [Paperback] Review

This is one of those sets that I think, if I were stranded on a desert island with a Steinway (and a good piano tuner), I could delve into for years with little other music.
These short pieces are excellent for sight-reading difficult passages with many key changes and unexpected accidentals, for intricate harmony and for expression of mood. The names are evocative of feelings and sights, such as an underwater cathedral, bells in the evening air, wind through heather and the like.

Though short pieces of a few pages, each provides a particular challenge to the piano student, as well as being appropriate for concert encores or intimate playing.

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Product Description:
Here, in one volume, are two bodies of work that, perhaps more than any others, reveal the essence of Claude Debussy's extraordinary expressiveness and his innovative gifts for musical imagery. Each book contains 12 preludes for the piano, many of them well known to today's musical audiences because of their great popularity with pianists worldwide.

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Impromptus, Op. 90 (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

I was quite disappointed in this product. I'm not sure if it's just the copy I got, but the printing/stapling went awry and one side of the music did not print on page 20. I would ask for a refund of this product if I hadn't gotten it online. Save yourself the trouble and get a copy of this music that doesn't look like the printer was having an off day.

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Product Description:
This concise edition contains four expressive and lively impromptus that will challenge advanced pianists. To clarify the composer's original notations on tempo, dynamics, fingering, pedaling and ornamentation, Dr. Baylor has included notes on performing each piece and provided footnotes for difficult passages. These editorial suggestions make preparing for a performance both enjoyable and educational.

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The Jason Robert Brown Collection: 24 Selections from Shows and Albums (P/V/G Composer Collection) [Paperback] Review

A Summer In Ohio
All The Wasted Time
And I Will Follow
Coming Together
Dreaming, Wide Awake
Getting Out
Grow Old With Me
Hear My Song
I Could Be In Love With Someone Like You
If I Told You Now
I'm Not Afraid Of Anything
It Don't Get Better Than This
It's Hard To Speak My Heart
Just One Step
Letting You Go
Moving Too Fast
Nothing In Common
See I'm Smiling
Someone To Fall Back On
Stars And The Moon
The Next Ten Minutes
The Old Red Hills Of Home
The Picture Show

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Product Description:
This collection includes the best of the first ten years of this young Broadway songwriter's career. It includes 24 selections from Songs for a New World, Parade, The Last Five Years, and also from the albums Songs of Jason Robert Brown and Wearing Someone Else's Clothes. In addition to many songs never before in print, this collection also has a note on every song by the composer, as well as a biography.

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Burgmuller: 25 Progressive Pieces, opus 100 (Book & CD) (Alfred Masterwork Edition: CD Edition) [Paperback] Review

Wow, this book is a treasure. I am taking lesson for 3 years and as an adult, my fall back is speed as I don't have flexible fingers like young kids.I have been doing Hanon trying to strengthen and to keep my fingers flexible, but I get so bored with the monotone.I still am at a beginner/intermediate level (4) and this book is just perfect to learn and practice. This book is definitely great until advanced level, as it will be so enjoyable to play and you will never get bored. All 25 pieces have beautiful melodies and so enjoyable to learn and most importantly...the speed.I listened to the CD and it helps so much to feel the speed; and with such lovely melodies, I could not get bored.This book is sooo worth it to have in your collection.I'm so glad I have it in my collection.
Play on :)

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Product Description:
Burgmuller's most famous work, the 25 Progressive Pieces, are short compositions with descriptive titles. Easier than his Opp. 105 and 109, each selection exposes students to a different technical challenge with the main emphasis on the phrasing, articulation, and dynamics often found in Romantic piano music. The collection includes "Arabesque" and "Ballade," both popular with many early-intermediate pianists.

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Romantic Impressions [Paperback] Review

This book is well worth the purchase and subsequent time given to the practice of individual songs will yield a pretty little repertoire. If an adult student, this book is late elementary.

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Product Description:
Warm, lyrical, cantabile melodies and rich harmonic structures are found in this expressive series.

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Complete Ballades, Impromptus and Sonatas [Paperback] Review

This is a great book. I have used it on numerous occasions and can give no more than an absolute satisfactory report. Often, publishers write incorrect fingering and/or dynamics, and this book appears to have notsubdued to that level. The publishers obviously knew what Chopin wanted anddelivered just that instead of placing marks they thought were appropriate.

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Product Description:
Edited by Chopin's student and teaching assistant Carl Mikuli, this edition includes highly authoritative versions of these favorite pieces: Ballades-No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23; No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38; No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47; No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52 Impromptus-No. 1 in A-flat Major, Op. 29; No. 2 in F-sharp Major, Op. 36; No. 3 in G-flat Major, Op. 51; No. 4 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66 (Fantaisie-Impromptu) Sonatas-No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 4; No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35; No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58 New compilation of scores originally published by G. Schirmer, New York, 1894-1895.


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Prince - 3121 (Pvg) [Paperback] Review

I didnt shop carefully. I thought this was a Prince coffee table photo book like the last few I bought. Bought this, and 3121 for the wife for Christmas. Unfortunately She doesnt play an instrument, and I play guitar. Thankfully this wasnt the only gift I gave her because when we saw it was ONLY sheet music, I looked like Fred Flintstone giving Wilma a BOWLING BALL for a gift when she doesnt bowl and he does... all the time.

The publisher really SHOULD post up some pics of the inside contents so the buyer can understand what they are paying for.

A disappointment.

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Product Description:
All 12 songs from his critically-acclaimed 2006 album, including: 3121 * Lolita * Te Amo Corazon * Black Sweat * Incense and Candles * Love * Satisfied * Fury * The Word * Beautiful, Loved and Blessed * The Dance * Get on the Boat. Includes eight pages of color photos.

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Czerny Art of Finger Dexterity, Op. 740, Complete" (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

I haven't gone much further in the book, but, based on the few exercises I have gone throu, I feel a great improvement in the security of my fingers to play.

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Product Description:
An intermediate/advanced piano study by Karl Czerny.

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Bach 2 & 3 Part Inventions (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

This edition of the inventions & sinfonias is actually quite good value for money. The fingerings are of course a personal preference, but the main issue I findwith this edition is the poor paper and so-so print quality. Still, great price, just make sure you have some decent lighting and good support when reading from this edition as the stapled back gets a bit flimsy. Otherwise it's quite good VFM. The actual music, of course, speaks for itself. And it does so in spades.

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Product Description:
Students, teachers and professional pianists will find this leather-bound collector's edition invaluable. This historically accurate edition contains a wealth of background information on ornamentation, dotted rhythms in the Baroque style, and the recommended tempos and guidelines for performing the works on the piano. Bach's writing is carefully separated from the editorial suggestions in light gray print. A wealth of footnotes compare the various sources consulted. 116 pages.--This text refers to the Leather Bound edition.

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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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Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Opus 43" (Belwin Edition) [Paperback] Review

Many people are familiar with the 18th variation of "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" from the movie "Somewhere in Time."It's a very romantic piece.If you familiar with the 18th variation only, youshould treat yourself to listening to all the variations played back toback in the "Rhapsody."
This book has those variations whichhave been reduced by Rachmaninoff for two pianos/four hands.I wish, ofcourse, it had been a piano solo, because I would probably get a lot moreuse out of it.
"Rhapsody" is strictly for the advanced pianist. This edition has no fingering notations which would have been helpful forall except the most advanced players.And, those players may findRachmaninoff's "Rhapsody" not as challenging or rewarding becauseof the repetition involved in its themes.However, I find"Rhapsody" very rewarding to play largely due to its romanticthemes and its capacity for expressive interpretations.The 18th variationplayed by itself is an enjoyable recital piece.I give this book myhighest recommendation.

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Product Description:
Sergei Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, for advanced piano duet.

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Songs without Words (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Plastic Comb] Review

I always like the layout and look of the Schirmer editions, but I ended up returning this one in favor of an urtext edition because it was so heavily edited.It seemed that nearly every measure had some editorital addition, and while I don't mind a little bit of commentary to clear up a phrasing or dynamic issue, this was really over the top.

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Product Description:
These 48 pieces were composed over a period of two decades, beginning in 1832, and published in eight groups of six each. Many of these songs were dedicated to the women in Mendelssohn's life and reflect the sunniest qualities of his melodiousness, spontaneity and invention. Maurice Hinson has skillfully researched and edited these works back to their original form and provides a very informative introduction, which includes many detailed suggestions for a stylistic interpretation and performance, as well as biographical information on the composer's life.

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Sleigh Ride and Other Christmas Songs & Carols [Paperback] Review

I thought this product was the same collection of music we had as a kid... but no.:(Anyway, the collection still has a lot of good songs in it, but I didn't realize that the "Big Note Piano" on the corner meant simplified.It's definitely beginner music (intermediate and advanced players will be rather bored).

I guess they don't make the full collection anymore.It's too bad.I'm looking for some old Christmas songs that were only in this book.

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Product Description:
Thirty-nine big note piano arrangements. Includes: Angels We Have Heard on High * The First Noel * Jingle Bells * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * O Holy Night * Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town * We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

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Islamey and Other Favorite Russian Piano Works [Paperback] Review

The book contains many favorites of all time such as Prokofiev's Toccata Op.11.Notes are blurry in some passages, but are usually adequate.It was a great tool to discover composers and sheet music, but more so to rediscover and enhance one's musical interest.I recommend this book to absolutely anyone willing to enjoy life.

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Product Description:
Celebrated title piece plus such all-time favorites as Rubinstein's "Melodie in F," Moussorgsky's "Hopak of the Young Ukrainians," Scriabin‘s Nocturne in D Flat, Op. 9, No. 2; Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2; Tchaikovsky's "Chant sans paroles"; and many more. Authoritative editions.


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Mozart 21 of His Most Popular Pieces: Alfred Masterwork Edition [Paperback] Review

The Alfred Masterworks Editions are my favorite piano music books. I've been playing the piano for about 20 years, and these are the best series of books I've used. They have very good, clear notations, the arrangements are really well presented and put together, the fingering recommendations are the best I've seen (with the little numbers by the notes), and the biographical information and performance recommendations are a nice touch.

I only wish they had more books in the series.

This Mozart book is a good starter for someone who hasn't played Mozart before, and is looking to get better acquainted with his music.

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Product Description:
Some of Mozart's most popular works are contained in this volume, including the "Fantasia in D Minor," the "Sonata in C Major" (first movement) and the "Turkish March" from the Sonata in A Major. Other selections include intermediate-level transcriptions from operas and orchestral works. Arranged in the order of difficulty, each piece is prefaced by a short description. A biographical sketch of the composer is also provided.

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Complete Lyric Pieces for Piano [Paperback] Review

I have enjoyed flipping through the book and playing pieces at random. The pieces are so beautiful and unique. Some of them are easier to play than others, but most of them could be played at first sight. It's a great addition to my classical sheet music collection.

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Product Description:
All 66 works from the ten sets of little mood pictures created for piano by the Norwegian composer from 1867 to 1901, reprinted from the authoritative C. F. Peters edition. Technically uncomplicated and reasonably easy to master, these popular works have been favorites of generations of pianists, both amateur and professional.


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The Annotated Rhapsody in Blue [Paperback] Review

Being a professional pianist for over 10 years, I heard Rhapsody in Blue after buying the Fantasia 2000 CD.I was astonished.I immediately went to Sam Ash and I found this book.It is by far THE MOST COMPLETE sheet music book of this piece.The piano 4 hands or version for 2 pianos doesn't come close to what this book has.In the first several pages, it describes all of the changes and improvisations put on the piece since its debut.Then, it gives the player and FULL version, including, orchestra parts that can be played on the piano.Granted, it's a very difficult piece, but it sounds wonderful.Even if you're a beginner or intermediate player, you will find much information and joy from this book.I highly recommend it!

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Product Description:
THE ANNOTATED RHAPSODY IN BLUE has been restored to Gershwin's original Manuscript by the talented Alicia Zizzo. This special edition includes the addendum to the two piano, four hands edition and the fully restored piano manuscript.

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Etudes For the Piano: Complete (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Plastic Comb] Review

This edition is awesome. It has a plastic spiral that lets the book open and lay flat, and in comparison to books without it this feature is definitely better.

The measures are numbered and they are spaced evenly throughout the pages. There is no crowding of notes and footnotes are kept at the bottom. The font and note color is big and black too.

Overall this takes the cake because Chopin's Etudes are so difficult the edition must be as clear to understand as possible.

I only wish that Alfred publishing would make more complete editions like this of other artists such as Beethoven and Debussy. In any case this edition is superior to the Schirmer editons.

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Product Description:
Although each study emphasizes an aspect of virtuoso piano technique, the etudes are some of the most effectively moving of all the concert works in piano literature. This 144-page volume includes the 24 Etudes, Opp. 10 and 25 as well as the three etudes without opus numbers composed in 1839 for Moscheles and Fetis's Method of Methods. Pedaling is taken from the original manuscripts and first editions, and fingering is editorial.

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The Well-Tempered Clavier: 48 Preludes and Fugues, Vol. 2 [Paperback] Review

I appreciate what the Kalmus press has done to give helpful footnotes for the ornamentation and the score layout is very clean and spaced well. A good "easy" read, that is relatively easy...if you know the pieces in this book you'll know what I'm talking about!

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Product Description:
A newly engraved edition of the 48 preludes and fugues, Volume II for piano was edited by the noted Bach expert Dr. Hans Bischoff. It includes a table of embellishments and a preface from Dr. Bischoff. KALMUS EDITIONS are primarily reprints of Urtext Editions, reasonably priced and readily available. They are a 'must' for students, teachers, and performers.

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