Customer Reviews

The Library of Easy Piano Classics

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I received this book as a gift and it instantly became my all-time favorite compilation. Although I am an advanced pianist who loves to play the original versions of many of these songs, I still turn to this book again and again for pure listening and playing enjoyment.

Like the other reviewers, I appreciate the quality of the selections and the spiral binding. But what I love most about this book is how cleverly the pieces have been simplified. They are easy enough for an advanced student to sight read, yet somehow they retain all the essence of the originals, so they don't sound like the watered-down kiddie versions I remember playing in my "lesson books." They would definitely provide enough challenge for a beginning or intermediate student building a repertoire.

I feel the reviewer who stated that the arrangements were "needlessly simplified or altered" completely missed the point of this book. Imagine learning to play the "Moonlight Sonata" or Schubert's "Serenade" in a few weeks or even a single sitting! The pieces are condensed, but when you are playing just for fun, it makes sense to play only the parts that people recognize and admire. And what a great idea to transpose Chopin's "Etude in E" into the key of F so that it is actually possible to enjoy its lyrical beauty without going mad trying to remember all those sharps. Since composers tend to be men with large hands, I've had to chop notes out of their four-fingered chords all my life, so why not have the publishers do it for me? In short, this book does all the right things to make these songs a joy to play.

Whether you are a beginning student looking for recital pieces, an intermediate student wanting to learn sight-reading, or an advanced student who just needs a welcome break from months of laboring over the originals, this book has something for everyone. I would recommend it as an addition to any home with a piano.

This book is one of my favorites for hours of piano playing fun. In fact, both my mother and my sister ordered their own copies of this book after they saw mine.

The selections are wonderful and I really like the physical construction as well - nice heavy paper and a spiral binding make it easier to turn pages.

The arrangements are simplied versions of well known "classics". As another reviewer said, the word "easy" in the title can be misleading. They are easier than the original compositions, but I think many of them will still challenge the intermediate piano player.

Of course, a serious piano student might want to get something closer to the original compositions, but I think these arrangements do a nice job of capturing the spirit of the piece without over-taxing those of us who are just playing for fun.

I am trying to teach myself to play piano, and this book is great. After spending time playing songs from kindergarden, it's really nice to sit down and play something that gives you a lot of pleasure and really makes you want to play more.

This book has really motivated me to practice more and concentrate harder in the time I do spend at the piano. Also, it's a great bargain - it's a huge book and a LOT of songs for the price. Usually you spend 12-15 dollars on a thin book with just a few songs.

About one year ago I purchased both volumes 1 and 2 of Library of Easy Piano Classics - they have been inspirational to me as a returning student of the piano. I studied for 10 years as a young adult, then dropped it for 40 years and decided to return a year ago at age 70. My fingers felt like lead, I could barely read music, and I almost gave up. With the help of my piano teacher, I am re-learning the piano and studying the usual exercises (Hanon, Czerny), but the best part is learning to read music again and practicing these beautiful classical pieces in an "easy", shorter format. These books inspire me to take on the original compositions. I am gaining speed and dexterity practicing the abbreviated easy versions of classical music - and believe me, they are not the usual kindergarten variety of "easy" - they do challenge me but they don't tire me out as I regain my skills. One year after resuming my lessons, I am playing original Chopin and Beethoven pieces, but I also study many pieces from these easy volumes as an adjunct to the more difficult original pieces - just for pure pleasure, enjoyable, and fun. I recommend both these books to beginners and those who are re-learning the piano - you and others will love to hear you play ; these books will motivate you to not give up as you build your skills and eventually take on original works. This set of books is for my piano teacher, at his request, who will use them for students of all ages.

This book is a good deal for the money and has a good selection of classical music in it. If you are a beginner or want to play for fun, I recommend the book.

If you are a beginner but you plan to become a good piano player, look elsewhere. The pieces are all simplified which is what I expected. Unfortunately, I found some of the pieces were harmonically inaccurate. For example, Grieg's Morning Song does not follow the chord progression of the actual piece. It uses a different chord progression (resulting in a slightly altered sound than the original) and this throws you off when playing it.

If you're beginning in music but want to go far, buy another (more expensive) beginner's classical music book. If you're playing just for the fun of it and want to be able to play some of those difficult classical piano pieces, then by all means buy this book.

The good:

This book contains essential pieces that everypianist should know. It has 300 pages, and since it's spiral-bound itfits easily on your music rack. The notes are big and clear on high-quality paper.

The bad:

A lot of these pieces have been needlessly simplified or altered. I personally would rather spend the extra time to learn the ENTIRE compositions, and I was extremely disappointed to find how incomplete these are. But at least it offers some good practice.

Also, anyone about to buy this book should realize that the word "Easy" in the title is misleading. This book is bordering intermediate-level. END

I've purchased several collections of classics and this one is the best. It contains without a doubt every song you can imagine wanting to learn to play - everything from Fuer Elise to Moonlight Sonata, from the Carman theme to the Danube Waltz. Easy to read notes, and written at a level that even I, with only 1 year of lessons under my belt, can attempt to play some of my favorites. It's spiral-ring bound, so lies flat during playing, a definite advantage. My piano teacher likes it so much that she's asked me to order 2 more for her other students.

I've been playing piano for five months. I bought this book because I thought the pieces were going to be apporopriately challenging sight-reading material. I was mildly disappointed when I realized that I don't possess the skill required to sight-read these pieces.

Nevertheless, many of the pieces are beautiful works of art by the best composers in history. The arrangements make the music sound rich, unlike actual "easy" pieces. Debussy's "Clair De Lune" is delicious.

Since this book is too tough for me to sight-read, I'm going to use it to memorize the best songs of all-time and add them to my musical arsenal.

Since the year started, I've been on a quest to discover the most efficient way to sight-read any material accurately. I've learned that 4 steps are necessary.

1. KNOW THE NOTES LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND.

Buy index cards and make "flash cards" in order to quickly name any note, including those on leger lines. Quiz yourself whenever you can.

2. KNOW THE SCALES.

Buy a book with all the major and minor scales. Scales are great warm-ups that familiarize you with key signatures and chords. I recommend Alfred's Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences. It's a little better than their Basic Book of Scales.

3. SIGHT-READ AT LEAST 15 MINUTES A DAY.

The best way to become good at sight-reading is to practice sight-reading as much as possible. Learn to find the notes with your eyes glued to the page while using the black keys like Braille. Also, know your handspan. Most adults can comfortably cover an octave with their thumb and pinky. This knowledge helps you when making leaps and playing chords. Sight-read one hand at a time until you can easily play songs at the prescribed tempi.

4. STAY AWAY FROM SIGHT-READING BOOKS THAT PROMISE LIKE POLITICIANS.

Richman's Super-Sight Reading Secrets is a scam that will cost you $10 for the information that I'm offering you freely. If you're an adult beginner who would like a little more guidance, invest in Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Adult All-In-One: Level 1. Also, use google to learn about playing melodic intervals. These teach you to accurately gauge the length of the jump required to make it to the next note.


In conclusion, if you are a beginner who wants to be a better sight-reader, you don't need this book. The Jehovah's Witnesses have a 225 page hymn book entitled: Sing Praises to Jehovah. They are always willing to give their literature away for free. However, don't let the lyrics brainwash you. Hymnals are great sight-reading practice, and theirs is FREE! Although Easy Piano Classics is not for beginning sight-reading, use this 4 pound marvel to learn the most beautiful songs of all time and proudly add songs to your repertoire one masterpiece at a time.

As I wrote in my review of "All the tunes you've ever wanted to play", if you already own that book, you do not need this one. They are the same books, with the same selections, with the same arrangements. However, the pages in this book are larger, thus the notes are easier to read.

Since I have not had the use of a piano in over 20 years, needless to say I am rusty! But, this wonderful collection allows me to play wonderful classical pieces and not offend my ears!!! I began piano lessons in the very early 40's and took them for about 9 years. I played off and on for my own amusement from time to time, but now that I am retired and have purchased a keyboard, I play daily. Playing is pure enjoyment for me, and this collection makes me think the music I produce is concert-stage material!