Piano The Books

It was a fabulous purchase. The item was in perfect condition for a fraction of the price in a store. I am completely satisfied! AAAA++++

SERIES: Alfred's Group Piano for Adults
CATEGORY: Piano - Alfred's Group Piano for Adults
FORMAT: Book & CD-ROM
EDITION: 2nd
The Second Edition of Alfred's Group Piano for Adults, Book 1, includes updates inspired by numerous recommendations from group piano teachers and students. This book includes a CD-ROM containing both Audio and General MIDI Files of the 500+ accompaniments included in the text, each with an interesting and engaging arrangement coupled with the piano part. Designed for collegiate non-keyboard music majors with little or no keyboard experience, the easy-to-use text contains 26 units, each intended to be covered in one week, thus fulfilling two semesters or three quarters of study. Theory, technique, sight-reading, repertoire, harmonization, improvisation and ensemble activities are taught thoroughly and consistently throughout the text. Book 1 is 360 pages.

This third volume of Alfred's Premier Piano Course continues to fulfill my expectations. It is extremely well organized and incorporates many things I have wanted to find in one series like intervalic reading, early presentation of Bass clef recognition, immediate use within a musical context of every new rhythmic idea, one or two measure technical previews that really make their point, and even some theory presentation that is then applied to the next piece with minimal but pointed drill. There is a separate Theory book that goes with the series.

The pieces are short and attractive and include familiar songs and other selections in various styles. I would use an adjunct Sight Reading book, but this volume itself could be used as a refresher book and sight reading supplement on its own.

Not being a lover of assignment books, this one impresses me and seems very helpful. It starts with a Performance Repertoire page - a nice idea to open with your successes! The dual assignment pages are laid out efficiently; 1 page for minimal instructions and check offs by the teacher and boxes for the student to write in daily practice times and a second page with more adequate space for expanded teacher suggestions. 4 staff lines are available for teachers who like to write out scales or exercises (or students to write little compositions) and there are places for feedback to and from parents.

An excellant continuation of this excellant and fresh new Method Series. The pieces are varied and lean to a jazzy or "popular ballad" style which will appeal to contemporary students. Notwithstanding, the clear, sound pedagogical approach, clean print and format and appealing pieces will prepare students for any style of music since the jazzy pieces are excellant for rhythmic precision and understanding, the Waltzes and Ballads for legato and expressive playing and the one early Rondo introduces a different more classically oriented style and articulation. Level 3 also introduces the pedal thoughtfully and it is generally well placed to enhance the music, not smear the line!

Alfred's Premier Piano Success is great. Comes with a folder to hold all of the books. Great for organization.

This book is great for people just learning to play piano. I have a keyboard at home that I practice on. It takes you step-by-step through each phase/step, and one lesson builds on the next. I m learning a lot with this book- highly recommended.

Do you have Alicia Keys' live album? If you liked 'Unplugged,' check out this book. Great piano parts/vocals/and guitar chords. Includes 'Wild Horses,' 'Karma,' and 'A Woman's Worth.'

This is a fine collection of the songs of Broadway's most celebrated
composer-lyricist, Stephen Sondheim.
His music has been consistently superior to any and all who have ever written a Broadway musical, particularly those of his contemporaries.
His works have been performed all over the world for decades now, a
clear indication of the admiration and respect due to a composer of
the highest caliber and genius of Stephen Sondheim.

I got this book because I've been "woodshedding" jazz standards, and while my ear grows I wanted to see what the journeymen do when it comes to playing tunes that have had the soles played off of them for close to 100 years in some cases. Dick Hyman is the master with boatloads of experience playing the "american songbook" for decades. This book does not disappoint. The suggested chord substitutions for the common chords is what is instructional. He may have 2 or 3 separate subs which not only give you alternatives, but they also give you food for thought if you are trying to teach yourself how to suggest your own substitutions. On top of that, the harmonic substitution suggests alternate ways to solo to the tunes. There's no replacement for experience, and Dick definitely has it.

As a guitar player, I found this superlative though I figure if you're a keyboard player, it will make even more sense to you.

Zoot says check it out.