Customer Reviews

The Elton John Keyboard Book

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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only complaint I have with this book is that there are 2 to 3 songs which are in fact not that popular, and should have been replaced by more popular ones such as "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" and "Skyline Pigeons" etc.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!

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.

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.

This is the best book of Elton John's sheet music I've ever found. The transcriptions are almost perfect. My only complaint is a couple of the songs that weren't included (Levon, Burn Down the Mission), but the songs that are included more than make up for it.

I bought this book a few years ago, and have been enjoying it immensely ever since. It is very true to the original recordings, and is good for several things. Students of music will learn piano voicings, chord changes, licks, and solos of one of the best piano players in popular music. That will make you a better player and better songwriter, if that's your thing. I'm not a great piano player, but my playing has vastly improved partly because of hours spent at the piano playing tunes from this book. Some are more difficult than others and will challenge the experienced keyboardists. Others are fairly simple and easier for the intermediate players. Either way you will greatly benefit from this book, whether you want to play these tunes backed up by a band, whether you are learning these tunes for your own gigs, or whether you just want to entertain yourself at home. (a big plus: you'll be a hit at parties if you can sit down at a piano and play any number of these tunes, like "tiny dancer" or "rocket man" or "goodbye yellow brick road"). Don't hesitate to buy this book, it is accurate and user-friendly.

I found this book to be a great resource not only for performing Elton's songs but to analyze his stylistic traits and chord progressions from a theoretical standpoint. After sitting down for two hours just listening and reading along (which I recommend doing), I feel like I real know Elton (musically, that is). A must-have if you plan to cover these songs in a band or just entertain yourself and your friends.

Having said that, I think the editors got a little lazy in parts. The 'fills' as they call them are not consistently written and hard to follow when playing. There are also a few 'throwaway' songs, made to make the book longer but having no real appeal to anyone except EJ freaks. I'd much rather have Levon, Take Me To The Pilot, Grey Seal, Burn Down the Mission and Funeral for A Friend than Empty Garden, Blue Eyes, Friends and Little Jeannie. We'll have to hope for additions in the 3rd Edition, but what's in there is more than enough to get your feet wet! Enjoy!

I am interested in getting the original EJ piano music as I had a similar inclusive book years ago- and I HATE the silly chord melody arrangements-
BUT AMAZON NEEDS TO LIST WHAT ALL THE SONGS ARE SOMEWHERE just like they do in a CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get with it Amazon- it is hard to buy when you do not know what is in there!

Those looking for pin-accurate transcriptions maybe a bit disappointed. Whilst there is an obvious overall work of transcribing the original recording, it's not fully perfect.

I spotted a number of mistakes. Including:

1) First bar of 'Your Song'.
2) Forth bar of 'Mona Lisas And Had Hatters' (A-F chord descend).

Dedicated Elton John transcriber Glen at Elton's Cafe pointed out that 'Crocodile Rock' isn't as accurate as his.

Another big problem I have is on a number of songs, second verses (and sometimes beyond) are placed on the music transcribed for the first verse. I don't know if it was to save paper/costs, or just a naive idea?

I'd also be careful with the UK Elton John: The Piano Transcriptions book (sporting a few different songs as well), in which I've spotted similar issues. However, this (EJKB) does appear to have a more accurate (or possibly indeed 'accurate') transcription (note other instruments are usually covered too at select sections, which is nice) of 'Bennie And The Jets' compared to the UK book (which I believe, features no coverage of other instruments), which can be bizarrely different at times.

This book has revolutionized the way I play the keyboard. Often times, printed sheet music is only a loose guide for what is actually played on a recorded track. This book is almost verbatim what Elton is playing on the original recored versions of the tracks. This book is a definite for any serious musician and or Elton fan. It is very accurate and wonderful for an average player and for a seasoned player to expound upon and improvise. I agree with another reviewer that they should publish volume 2 for sure!!! and 3 and 4!!!

Good transcriptions and most are not too difficult to play. Everybody has their favorite Elton tunes but I would liked to have seen more tunes where the piano was prominent like "Burn Down the Mission" among others. Overall very good value