How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Learn to Play from Sheet Music or by Ear [Paperback] Review

For the beginner, this book is excellent. I have looked at many piano books when I first began playing, and most of them were usually too complicated, or too simplistic. This book, however, was one that fell right in the middle and helped me understand all kinds of important ideas in music, such as harmony and melody, building chords and scales (and understanding HOW), reading music, how to understand progressions, and how to play by ear and improvise. It is certainly geared toward getting you "up and playing" in the simplest, fastest way, at a moderate pace, with a good depth of information that does not get overwhelming. Because of this, this book is probably suited much more for the person who has no music experience and wants to learn the basics of how to play out of fake books and begin improvising. It is probably not good for those who want in-depth and more advanced theory of music, but it is an excellent book to use as a stepping stone toward more adva! nced piano study. This is a must have book for any beginnger.

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Product Description:

"Anyone who can dial a telephone can learn to play popular piano quickly and easily."
So says Norman Monath, author of How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons. His no-frills, no-drills method will have you playing simple tunes within 30 minutes -- even if you don't know one note from another.
The secret? Learning the basic chords and how to adapt them. With lots of clearly illustrated chord examples, keyboard diagrams and practice pieces ranging from "Silent Night" to "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," Monath teaches you:
* the basic structure of music
* how to alter the basic chords for creative accompaniment
* how to read tunes from sheet music
* how to improvise
* how to play by ear
* how to create your own playing style -- whether you lean toward pop, blues, jazz or rock
For everyone from rank beginner to experienced virtuoso, this step-by-step, uncomplicated guidebook makes learning to play popular piano the easy and enjoyable experience it should be.

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Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard with LCD Display Review

We bought this keyboard last week and are having a blast with it!

I've always wanted to learn to play the piano, and while this isn't a piano, it's as close as I can get while I'm living in an apartment.

It came with a stand and power supply, but not headphones like the premium version, all for less than $100 at Target.

There is a song bank with over 100 songs to choose from, and it teaches you to play 3 different ways. It has a voice to tell you which fingers to use to play which can be turned off with the push of a button. The keys light up really well, and the sound is acceptable for the price.

The only thing that I don't like is the display. It's a little hard to see when you're sitting down and playing. It would be nice if it was angled a little so there wasn't a glare on the screen.

Overall, I'd say it's worth the money.

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Product Description:
The LK-100 incorporates the 3-step lesson system to help you learn to play quicker and easier. This unit also features auto accompaniment system to generate complete backgrounds with drums, bass and chord parts with the left hand, while playing melodies and solos with the right hand. Includes 61 Full-Size Illuminated keys, 12 note polyphony, 100 tones, 50 rhythms, 100 tunes, LCD display, dual speakers, 3-step lesson system, microphone jack with volume control for sing along, MIDI, and auto-accompaniment.


Keys illuminate to show you what notes to play in lessons or built-in songs.Click to enlarge.
Easy-to-understand on-screen indicators help to simply keyboard play.
Connect a microphone and sing along.
Learn to play with the three-step lesson system.
61 Lighted Keys
The "LK" in LK-100 stands for "Lighted Keyboard." Designed to provide a fun way to learn how to play music, the keys illuminate to show you what notes to play in lessons or built-in songs.
On-Screen Fingering and Timing Indicators
Easy-to-understand on-screen indicators help to simply keyboard play, even for novices.
Amazingly Realistic Tones
Pick your sound from 100 different presets, and bring on the big chords with 12-note polyphony.
100 Built-In Song Bank tunes
A total of 100 built-in Song Bank tunes come built in for playback enjoyment or play-along practice.
3-Step Lesson System
Develop your musical skills by following the keys as they light. First, you become familiar with the timing of the notes by watching the keys light as you playback one of the 100 built-in Song Bank tunes. Next, practice playing along at a pace that's comfortable for you. Finally, try playing along at the normal tempo.
A simulated human voice is used during the Step 1 or Step 2 lesson feature to call out the fingers you should use to play the required notes (Voice Fingering). The timing of notes is also indicated on the display screen.
Auto Accompaniment
Simply specify a chord and the keyboard automatically produces the matching rhythm, bass, and chord patters. One-touch fill-ins make accompaniments sound interesting and natural. 50 built in auto-accompaniment patterns.
Transpose Function
An easy operation instantly changes the key of the keyboard.
MIDI compatibility
Connecting to another MIDI device lets you sound notes on both this keyboard and the connected device by playing on this keyboard.
Microphone jack
Connects a commercially available microphone and you can sing along with Song Bank tunes.
Battery or AC Power
Power the LK-100 with six AA-sized batteries (approximately four hours of continuous operation with alkaline batteries) or purchase the AD-5 AC adapter separately to power from your electrical outlets.
What's in the Box
LK-100 Keyboard, Music Stand, User Manual

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