The Easy Way To Play: 100 Favorite Songs Of Faith, Friendship And Love [Spiral-bound]

William L. Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995

Reader's Digest Books A beautiful, colorful collection of 100 touching favorites. Songs include: Amazing Grace * Blest Be The Tie That Binds * Can The Circle Be Unbroken * Climb Ev'ry Mountain * Everything Is Beautiful * God Bless America * I Believe In Music * The Impossible Dream * Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella * Let There Be Peace On Earth * Morning Has Broken * The Old Rugged Cross * Put Your Hand In The Hnad * Turn! Turn! Turn! * The Wind Beneath My Wings * You've Got A Friend * and more.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895778335
• ISBN-13: 978-0895778338
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 11.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book with songs we all love to sing., January 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Easy Way To Play: 100 Favorite Songs Of Faith, Friendship And Love (Spiral-bound)

I was so delighted with this book when I sat down at the piano and was able to play the easy versions of songs that are from my past--even "Bringing in the Sheaves" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" were songs from my childhood that brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

2.0 out of 5 stars The Easy Way to Play: 100 Favorite Songs of Faith, Friendship and Love, October 23, 2011

By 

MsSusanMusic - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Easy Way To Play: 100 Favorite Songs Of Faith, Friendship And Love (Spiral-bound)

I had to order this from one of Amazon's suppliers, so it was NOT packaged as well as they usually do! There was clear tape on the book, which was obviously NOT a new book as it was purported to be on the website! However, after carefully cutting the tape, I was able to open it and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing the many songs in it! Since I am fortunate to have become the first licensed and accredited SIMPLY MUSIC PIano teacher in South Carolina, I love that it is published in the Piano/Vocal/Guitar edition with the chord symbols above the music in "Lead Sheet " style! It even has the Bass notes in color, underneath the full score, so if you are playing an organ you could read & play that pedal line as well! Since it was published by the Reader's Digest, it gives a short history of the the song and the composer and/or lyricist! It has many songs I remember hearing and singing as a child, but have had trouble finding in print, like "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" and more!
I would highly recommend this book which includes a separate Lyrics book for family and group Sing-A-Longs, great to take to Retirement Centers and nursing homes to play for groups!
If you want to learn to play piano quickly from the best, most natural, yet comprehensive piano method in the world, check out the website: [...] and you can learn to play popular, classical, blues, jazz, accompaniment pieces and so much more from your very first lessons! Please excuse the mini promotion, but I want everyone to know the fun and rewards of playing that is offered in this method! I learned more in 6 months of Simply Music piano than I had been taught in 12 years of "traditional" lessons!
Susan Justesen, Founder/Director
Ms. Susan's School of Music
Greenwood, South Carolina
[e-mail]

5.0 out of 5 stars Hit The Right Notes and Enjoy Playing for the First Time, January 12, 2000

By 

Lee Hogan (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Easy Way To Play: 100 Favorite Songs Of Faith, Friendship And Love (Spiral-bound)

I've been playing the piano by ear for forty years and finally there is a book with dozens of songs I love and with a simple code system for hitting the right notes that allows me to enjoy playing. My playing does not torture my family anymore and I even am playing the simple cords provided. The choice of music is varied and broken into six sections: Hits Forever and Ever; The Great Show Tunes; Great Film Memories; Looking Way Back; Inspirational, Country & Folk; and Songs for Celebrations.

I have played and sung songs from every category. I am a good singer, but rarely sing alone unless someone is accompanying me. Now I accompany myself and a whole new world has opened up for me. The jury is still out with my family, but, as I get better at playing, they'll start to come around. After all, isn't live music in a home a wonderful thing?

There aren't many songs I don't know and I find myself playing and singing one song after another when for years all I could play by heart were a few old standards. Now I can play dozens of songs. I am in love with this book and want to know where I can order other song books by The Readers Digest and William L. Simon.