The Elton John Keyboard Book [Paperback]

Elton John (Author)

Book Description

Series: Knowledge Representation, Learning, and Expert Systems | Publication Date: June 1, 1993

This terrific collection features 20 of Elton John's best songs: Bennie and the Jets * Candle in the Wind * Crocodile Rock * Daniel * Don't Go Breaking My Heart * Goodbye Yellow Brick Road * Honky Cat * Rocket Man * Tiny Dancer * and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; 2 edition (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793514789
• ISBN-13: 978-0793514786
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Keyboard
  • #36 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to play just like EJ at the piano, get it!, June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elton John Keyboard Book (Paperback)

Before reading this book, I thought that it might be just another usual collection of EJ's sheet music, where the piano arrangement is nothing but a repetition of the vocal lines in chords. But much to my astonishment, it is'nt. Being a fan of EJ for over 20 years who enjoys playing his songs (for leisure only, of course), I can tell from the transcriptions, simply by looking at it, that the Publisher is true in advertising it as the authentic piano transcriptions. The only complaint I have with this book is that there are 2 to 3 songs which are in fact not that popular, and should have been replaced by more popular ones such as "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" and "Skyline Pigeons" etc. I am also puzzled why "Friends" were included but "Seasons" were not. Anyway, this is only a minute flaw which bears no significance comparing with the great joy that I get from this book. I hope that the publisher will consider publishing Vol. 2. One word of opinion : get the Billy Joel Keyboard Book as well. BJ is as good as EJ!

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, September 6, 2002

By 

M. Packham "Stuart" (Perth, Western Australia Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Elton John Keyboard Book (Paperback)

Here you'll find Elton John's music transcribed down to a tee. This is a welcome change to nonsensical 'interpretations' that conspicuously sound exactly the same as the melody line. You want to play 'Bennie and the Jets' from the starting heavy chords to the verse to the jazzy piano solo, here you go. Blue Eyes, Rocket Man, Someone Saved My Life Tonight (excellent song)... it's all here. In some instances (like Honky Cat for example), there's just no point in bothering to learn the music EXACTLY, because Elton John just improvised within chords in the first place. So it's best for you to do the same unless you want to pore through pages of the same music phrased slightly differently. Next time it would be better to include the more 'precise' songs in Elton's catalogue.

Anyway, this is a great collection. Some of the songs aren't very well known but get the album they're on and you're away. Hours of fun.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unleash your inner rock star, November 20, 2009

By 

L. Power "nlp trainer" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elton John Keyboard Book (Paperback)

If you are thinking about buying this book it may be helpful to know what's included.

Bennie and the Jets
Blue Eyes
Border Song
Candle in the Wind
Crocodile Rock
Daniel
Don't go breaking my heart
Don't let the sun go down on me
Empty Garden
Friends
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Honky Cat
I guess that's why they call it the Blues
Little Jeannie
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Rocket Man
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Tiny Dancer
Your Song

If you're like me, then as you play these pieces you notice yourself making breakthroughs in your playing. Although I am still working through this book, I particularly enjoyed working on pieces such as Bennie and the Jets, Rocket Man, and Your Song.

I highly recommend this book, and hope you found this helpful.