Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic: Level 1 (Plastic Comb)

by Willard A. Palmer (Author), Morton Manus (Author), Amanda Vick Lethco (Author)
Key Phrases: key signature, tetrachord beginning, one white key, Bert Konowitz, The Primary Chords, Left Hand (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for the beginner looking for a truly complete piano course that includes lesson, theory, technic and popular repertoire in one convenient, all-in-one book. This course has a number of features that make it particularly successful in achieving this goal, among them are smooth progression between concepts, the thorough explanation of chords and outstanding song material. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of music.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 143 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company (July 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882848186
• ISBN-13: 978-0882848181
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,862 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Instruments & Performers > Piano
  #2 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Appreciation
  #3 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Techniques

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book for the Beginning Adult Piano Student, April 11, 2000

By	Kim (Indiana) - See all my reviews

I am using this book for piano lessons I started taking in early January. I've wanted to learn how to play the piano my whole life and now at 40 I decided to do it. This book makes it very easy, so far anyway! The pace is steady, I look back now at the songs in the beginning that I struggled with and they are so easy! The combination of warm-ups and songs are just right. I highly recommend this book!

79 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Exactly what I was looking for., February 10, 2004

By	RacerX (JAX, FL) - See all my reviews

Okay, I am a "middle-aged" adult, and for years wanted to learn to play an instrument and be able to read music. I first started out with the violin because I really liked the instrument, but didn't continue because it was too much at once (violin + reading music).

Anyhow, I recently picked up the Alfred's Piano course, in conjunction with a keyboard purchase, mainly to teach me how to read music. The piano was a learning tool more than anything. But this book has sparked my interest in the piano! I'm actually having a lot of fun "playing" the lessons (the keyboard helps too).

Overall, this is a great book that combines lessons, theory, and technique.. It's exactly what I was looking for. If you order the book, I'd recommend getting the book/CD combo.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning the piano -- a difficult endeavor made easy!, March 11, 2008

By	Chelsea B. Davis "Omega Molly" (Mount Pleasant, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic : Level 1 (Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course) (Plastic Comb)

I used to play the clarinet in middle school. Now I'm 18 and it's been quite some time since I've read sheet music. Playing guitar for six years literally ruined my ability to read the stuff, because I would always use tabs instead. But eventually I grew jaded with the guitar, and I decided to choose a new and fresh direction -- the piano!

This book is very well-written, and leaves no gaps. Within just a few days I found myself relearning all that I had forgotten from band class years before, and I've now reached the point where I know more than I did! And I haven't even finished the book yet!

Plus, it tests you on theory and technique. You get to fill in parts of the book, which really helps you get involved with what your learning.

One reviewer downrated this book because of the song choices, and its accompanying CD. I feel that this is in err. I believe the song choices are just as good as any. If the tunes were familiar, then they wouldn't be as challenging to learn. And as for the CD...I did notice that the piano parts are rather quiet, but I always thought this was because it was a play-along CD (which is what I use it as). It's as good as it needs to be.

Besides, the pieces get more interesting as you progress, some of the final pieces being "Greensleeves", "Scarborough Fair", "The Entertainer" and "Amazing Grace" (and written in a way so that each hand will be dually occupied). And by the end of the third book in the series, you'll be playing some of Beethoven's most popular pieces, like "Fur Elise" and "Moonlight Sonata"!

Also -- something that concerned me when I bought this book: do you need a full-fledged piano? The answer is...no!! A sizable keyboard will do you just fine. But, you just might find yourself looking to buy a real piano once you delve deeper into these lessons...because this series really does inspire and nurture a great love for this amazing instrument.

If you're looking to learn the piano and can't afford a teacher, don't have time for one, or you just learn better on your own -- this is a must-have aid to your learning.

Good luck, and I wish you well in your learning!! :)