Keyboard Musician for the Adult Beginner (Frances Clark Library for Piano Students) [Paperback]

Frances Clark (Author), Louise Goss (Author)

Book Description

Series: Frances Clark Library for Piano Students | Publication Date: June 1, 1980

Here is a complete repertoire and textbook for the older or adult beginner. Starting with material appropriate for the first lesson, it moves rapidly through discoveries, music and activities equivalent to The Music Tree and Levels 1 and 2. On completing the book, the student is ready for Level 3 of the Clark Library. The book provides quantities of music, all of it selected or composed to appeal to the older student -- Studies (introducing each of 65 new subjects), Repertoire (155 solos and duets), Accompanying and Transposing (62 melodies to accompany and to transpose to all major and minor keys), Sight Reading (107 one-line pieces that review each of the new discoveries and teach sight reading skills). In addition, the 22 units in 208 pages include: Technical Exercises, Rhythm Exercises, Written Work and Improvising. A Glossary at the end defines all new signs and terms introduced throughout the book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Summy-Birchard (June 1, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874871034
• ISBN-13: 978-0874871036
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Keyboard
  • #70 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Piano
  • #82 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Instruments & Performers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adults learning piano, April 20, 2000

By 

Bruce Saunders - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keyboard Musician for the Adult Beginner (Frances Clark Library for Piano Students) (Paperback)

Both my wife and I have been recommending this book for many years to adults wanting to learn the piano. As part-time piano teachers, we found that the lessons progress at an very good pace for most adults. The choice of songs used in the lessons are tasteful mixing both folk and classical traditions. This book also works well for someone with some music reading background but no previous piano playing experience. This book uses the classical approach and doesn't offer instruction on specific styles like rock, jazz, blues, etc. Overall, I still think it's the best adult piano method book that I've come across so far.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Adult Beginner Instructional Book, June 7, 2009

By 

M. Carter "Aspen Runner" (Aspen, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keyboard Musician for the Adult Beginner (Frances Clark Library for Piano Students) (Paperback)

Frances Clark's beginner book moves you through a series of exercises that truly help develop both dexterity for the adult learner as well as rapid sight reading improvement. I am very, very pleased with my progress.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for adult beginners, October 22, 2009

By 

Conscientious Consumer (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keyboard Musician for the Adult Beginner (Frances Clark Library for Piano Students) (Paperback)

Great product for the adult beginner. The pace is pretty quick and doesn't patronize the learner, but you really should have an instructor. It doesn't emphasize learning all the notes from the beginning but key notes that you can build upon. Learning piano can be overwhelming, but this book tells you what you need to know to start and builds on the the basics so it's actually easier to progress faster and really feel like you are learning something. The exercises mix different skills so it will be easier to do music from different books and not be stuck playing twinkle twinkle for the rest of your life. I had a beginner keyboard book and didn't learn anything, but three lessons using this book and I was already excited to start reading sheet music.