Customer Reviews

Piano Lessons: Learning the Piano Keyboard, how to play piano instructional DVD

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

 

 

Like the other reviewers, I am a beginning adult piano student. And like most of us, I'm going through a plethora of books and DVDs to find the "right" one. Pete Sears' DVD comes pretty darn close. He has a very conversational style that would almost make you think he's a little "spacey", but that is far from the case. He provides a very solid (and I believe) very classical approach to piano instruction. However, the DVD is a long lecture - not sub-divided into specific topics. I found it very cumbersome to go back to a paritcular point. I strongly suggest that you go to his website and download the script to the DVD (I use the script as a textbook when I'm practicing his exercises). Its all there and its a "must" if you really want to get the most out of his very good approach to piano instruction.

I am brand new player, This DVD is right on target. It covers everything from Half steps, to chords to reading music. I can't understand someone saying this isnt for beginners. He even tells you what kind of CHair to buy. If you are going to spend money, this is the best money to spend. Granted he does jump around, and some of it might seem confusing. Watch the whole DVD and you will understand. If you are looking for music theory and learning for real look here, if you are looking for mary has a little lamb, or twinkle twinkle look else where. I rented almost all the DVDs out there on this subject, and this one is the best hands down so far. About 10 times more useful information on it, and I can't believe the DVD is only 17$.

It is very nice DVD course of piano, very logical and very practical. It explain things very well, the musical theory, the way how to play and so on. It is much of fun to follow exercises and as in two weeks of following one I can play some simple pieces but what is much more important I understand what I'm doing. 5 start I love the DVD.

The dvd is a joy to watch and listen to. Mr. Sears is going to give you musical concepts that you will have to practice with and develop to create your own personal expressions. The tools he gives are the ones that artists who play "by ear" use. Mr. Sears love for music and the joy he feels as he expresses himself on the piano and his desire to share his path with us comes warmly through. The emphasis is on the blues. You will not learn individual songs here, but rather the ideas that go into blues and improvisational playing. This DVD is just a starting point. But a good one.

Do not underestimate the value of these lessons! Rock icon Pete Sears has generously created an inexpensive all inclusive package (DVD and online book) on how to improvise jazz blues and play like him and his contemporaries: e.g., Elton John, Ian Stewart (Stones), Nicky Hopkins (Stones), Ian McLagan (Rod Stewart), Ian Armitt (Long John Baldry).

Instruction is purportedly for beginners or intermediate players, but it's for anyone who wants to get confident and proficient at piano improvisation. Simple blues exercises encourage improv right away, something I haven't always found with lessons, where the student must go through rote scales and arpeggios ad nauseam before getting to anything that sounds like music. Scales are important, but fun, feeling and listening are also necessary.

The beauty of the instruction is the stressed importance of learning chords and exercises in as many keys as you can and noting the spatial relationships that allow for quick key transposition. Pete also encourages playing around with building chords in as many variations possible whenever you can. This promotes quick, creative thinking when improvising, rather than getting stuck in root positions and triads, like I had a problem with.

I'm a fairly solid player but can't always pick out the construction of fast licks on recordings. Here, Pete tells you what he's doing, then performs the concept where his playing can be viewed through a camera angle above. Because it's a DVD: if something confuses, you can watch it again.

Chord inversions and jazz voicings comprise rich arrangements. Scales and modes over chord progressions create a variety of moods. Everything but the time and hard work is in this package. You'll become great if you keep at it and follow Pete's thoughtful instruction.

I bought this DVD hoping to learn how to play chords on piano or keyboard. With three years of piano lessons I was able to kind of follow the instructor. It's definitely not for beginner. I learned some new music theory. Each topic would be better if the instructor includes familiar songs to demonstrate or examplify. Overall I would not recommend this to eager learner or those who are looking for introductory or systematic instructions to learning piano or keyboard.

I am indebted to Mr. Sears for sharing his expertise in this DVD. It represents three hours of very well presented instructional material. His presentation style is a delight, and it is joy to a count this top professional among my teachers. I've reviewed a large number of piano instructional DVD's and this one stands out as my all time favorite. It is also very reasonably priced. If you are a beginner expect to review this DVD more than once.

His ending dialog on music appreciation is in itself almost worth the price of the DVD.

Again, thank you Mr. Sears. I hope you will one day do another.

WPFleming

Gallup, New Mexico

The title of this DVD is a little misleading - while it does teach you "how to play the piano" and it covers all the rudiments that are necessary for a foundation of piano playing, in my opinion the real value comes "between the lines". The real gems are watching a well-rounded musician playing blues riffs with ease close up while explaining what is happening.

The DVD covers the basics well and you'll need to know your 7ths, blues progressions etc if you want to play pop/rock piano. It covers the elements necessary for rock, pop and classical, i.e. scales chords and melody.

Pete puts his own spin on piano lessons, especially when he says "play this chord and just listen to it for a minute". One sometimes forgets that listening is an important part of playing and putting a melody together with chords creates music. Pete is a bit soft spoken at time and a review of the chapter helps in revealing more than a superficial run through does.

Pete Sears is a true rocker ( in the best sense of the phrase, a little "insane" as he puts it, a little mystical, a little spacey perhaps but always right on with the instruction. Well worth the money and time to invest into it! Rock on Pete!

This is the best of DVD's available on this subject, best instructional and best value and I've tried most of them. Pete Sears takes a mature beginners approach to learning...refreshing not to hear 'Go tell Aunt Nancy' and 'Ode to Joy', which is why I gave up on the piano years ago. Now with an insight into note intervals and chord structures and Pete Sears' obvious passion for the instrument I'm motivated. If you don't wish to play piano its still worth the price for the musical insights the humour and Mr Sears irony. Would like him to make a follow-up aimed at the more advance player and also publish accompanying Book/CD set.

Yes, the audio could be better, yes, the video quality is not A++, yes, Pete wanders at time and yes, you need to download his pdf file. BUT, this is a rare opportunity to sit beside a fine musician and an inquisitive mind! Mr. Sears is obviously not a music teacher, he's a music maker and that's what he's attempting to instill in the viewer. He provided a basic skeleton or structure with the chords, scales, modes, etc., and then he shows you HOW TO MAKE MUSIC! You have to know three things: 1) what to do, 2) how to do it, and then 3) do it. Pete gives you the first two, the third is up to you.

I loved his expression, "let the music breathe". Make the music your own, don't copy him or anyone else he admonishes. As the Chinese say, ".... teach a man to fish and he'll feed himself for life." I think he does an admirable job all things given.