Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a concise well written book for the beginner, February 12, 2005
This review is from: How to Play Piano: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Piano (Paperback)
I had no prior experience with music playing (other than blowing some simple tunes from a harmonica) and, yet, I found this
book to be surprisingly easy to learn from. It smoothly and concisely guides the reader through the key elements of piano playing, starting with one-hand playing, but quickly to two-hands, then chords, etc., and ending with sharp and flat notes. It is well organized, has well thought out exercises, advices, and a diverse collection of (short) attractive tunes of increasing complexity (from Jingle Bells to Waltzing Matilda to Silent Night to Green Sleeves to We Shall Overcome to Minuet in G Minor). I prefer it to other teach-yourself piano books that take much longer to cover the same skills, such as The Complete Piano Player or Piano for Dummies. I particularly like that it gets to two-hand playing almost right away, which I feel is better preparation--even if it feels hard and slows the playing initially. It may have helped (coordination-wise) that I have been typing for 20+ years with both hands. If you are looking for a book that teaches all the essentials of basic piano playing in a thoughtful and concise way, then I recommend this book.
If you perfer a slower pace, then maybe look elsewhere.
For me, this was the perfect book to learn from.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roger Evans enables older beginners to play piano, August 10, 2006
This review is from: How to Play Piano: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Piano (Paperback)
Roger Evans, in his most insightful book, "How to Play Piano" (1981 St. Martin's Press) brings to the older beginner the satisfaction of playing the piano in both the treble and bass cleffs.
Soon the student learns to coordinate both his left and right hands to play a number of wisely selected melodies, first in the key of C, then in the key of G Major with one sharp followed by key of Fmaj with the first flat B.
Next Roger introduces three flats in the key of E flat major. By this time, and with practice, we find that we have stepwise
mastered three of the common key signatures. That is why I rate his book at the five star top evaluation. Those of us who have not been taught as a child, thank you very much, Roger Evans.
My very best wishes,
Don W
Don Wohlenberg
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book., June 9, 2007
This review is from: How to Play Piano: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Piano (Paperback)
The book is short and to-the-point, giving a novice an easy-to-read primer on the basics of playing, as well as an intro to reading music. I recommend it highly to anyone who is just starting out.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
