150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever (Easy Piano (Hal Leonard)) [Paperback]

Hal Leonard Corp. (Creator)

Book Description

Series: Easy Piano (Hal Leonard) | Publication Date: June 1, 2006

150 of the most popular songs of our time in easy, accessible arrangements. Includes: Bewitched * (They Long to Be) Close to You * Fly Me to the Moon * How Deep Is Your Love * My Funny Valentine * Some Enchanted Evening * Tears in Heaven * Till There Was You * Yesterday * You Are So Beautiful * and more. 550 pages of great music!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation has become the worlds largest print music publisher, representing some of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time. We are proud to publish titles of interest to all musicians as well as music lovers, from songbooks and instructional titles to artist biographies and instrument price guides to books about the music industry and all the performing arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423410866
• ISBN-13: 978-1423410867
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Lieder & Art Songs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Easy Piano, June 7, 2007

By 

Susan K. Schoonover "Sue Yingling" (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever (Easy Piano (Hal Leonard)) (Paperback)

Though advertised as easy piano I would estimate many people would need a couple of years of lessons and practice to feel really comfortable playing most of the selections exactly as they are written. The book is a hodgepodge of songs many from the 50's and 60's and some from even earlier in the twentieth century. The strength of the book is the full lyrics that are included for many of these old standards. And as others have said for such a large book it is remarkably easy to keep open on the piano stand.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive collection of popular music from 100 years, May 26, 2007

By 

Priscilla Stilwell "Music Is Life..." (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever (Easy Piano (Hal Leonard)) (Paperback)

This book covers nearly all styles of music from the past 100 years or so. Also great for beginning pianists who want to play by popular chord symbols or by site-reading simple accompaniament.

I have used this book for most of my voice students at one time or another, and I find that the options never end! This collection is a fabulous collection of popular songs from all genres of English music. Included are folk, jazz, blues, country, rock, pop, R&B, musicals and more.

I still don't know nearly half the songs in this book, and I have been using it for some time. My students go through the book, choose a song they know and like, and I am able to learn another beautiful song while I teach them!

This book is strongly recommended for anyone wanting to be a well-rounded musician of popular music. If you ever anticipate playing for weddings or other events, this book provides a plethera of options. If you just want to learn some great music, this is a fabulous option!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Over-simplified music and too many old musicals, August 3, 2008

By 

Bekki - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever (Easy Piano (Hal Leonard)) (Paperback)

I only enjoy playing about 5 of the "150" songs in this book, including Moon River, Close To You and a few other well known songs. There are way too many songs from old American musicals, most of which I either don't know or don't find particularly "beautiful". Also, the songs are so over-simplified that the joy of being able to perform a complete song on the piano / keyboard is completely taken away, since to really make these songs sound complete, you'd need guitar accompaniment or something else to fill them out. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is included but is one of those that is too over-simplified and just doesn't sound as good as it could do.
The music is definitely "Easy" but in making the music this easy, a lot has been lost. I should have returned this book.
I would recommend it to the older generation, or people who reeeeally love American musicals and those who are real beginners on the piano and can only cope with playing one note at a time with each hand.