Customer Reviews

How to Play Piano: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Piano

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I'm a busy mom who is really short on time, and yet after reading the first 40 pages of this book, I'm playing 6 songs. . . such as Jingle Bells, Skip to My Lou, Go tell and Rhody, and Beethoven's Ode to Joy. I'm playing two handed at this point, and with very little practicing (again, no time). I have not purchased any other "how to play the piano" books, and don't feel I need to. This book is great!

I didn't read notes or play any musical instruments before I bought this book from Amazon. I have to say this is truly a book for the very beginners. After just a few weeks practicing on the piano, I can now play quite a few tunes listed in the book. A great tool for the beginners.

for those wishing to learn the basics of piano this could be the book for you. this book will take you from a complete beginner with no musical knowledge, to someone that can read and play music with both hands, play eighth and sixteenth notes, play the sharp and flat keys, play runs of notes and the many included practice tunes, and at the same time be prepared with the required skill set to pursue a particular style of piano playing whether it be jazz, swing, etc.

thank you roger evans

A good if somewhat elementary presentation of the material. However the graphics are very helpful.

I have not had a chance to go through this book and try some of the lessons. So far I am glad that it is here, but I have to wait for my piano to come so that I may practice and use the book. It is my hope that it will help me to become a proficient piano player!

nothing like i thought it might be. alot of just reading, not enough music. Would not recommend this product. However, there were some fun songs to learn.

I know how to read music but have never played keyboards. I am a little over 1/2 way through this book and really like it - the songs are a little outdated, but the way the author progresses through the lessons is great; I am playing melodies with both hands and feel as if I've come along way. I bought a couple of other books and can tell they are teaching from a little different aspect; I chose to finish this book first then work my way through the others.