Library of Easy Piano Classics (Library of Series) (Plastic Comb)

~ Hal Leonard Corp. (Author)
Key Phrases: poco rit, All Rights Reserved, New York, Division of Music Sales Corporation (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A treasury of pieces for easy piano that over the years have captured the imagination of music lovers. Mention a title that is universally known and loved, and chances are you will find it in this volume. Includes Clair de Lune, Country Gardens, Melody in F, Pachelbel’s Canon, Debussy’s Clair de Lune, and Albéniz’s Tango.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 298 pages
• Publisher: Music Sales America; 1 edition (December 31, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825612845
• ISBN-13: 978-0825612848
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,006 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

143 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant favorite!, February 16, 2002

By A Customer

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.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, May 8, 2000

By A Customer

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.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A motivating beginner book, April 11, 2003

By	Elizabeth Sutherland "dragn" (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.