Book Description
Seasoned piano educator Gail Smith offers this beginning-level piano method employing gospel, Christmas and sacred tunes. This volume begins with an introduction to elementary note reading on the piano. A brief dictionary of musical terms and basic piano chord encyclopedia are included. Carefully sequenced exercises and arrangements allow the student to progress gradually from simple arrangements to more elaborate settings, gradually incorporating right and left hand fills and patterns. In order to illustrate various arranging concepts, some tunes are shown in two settings-one simple, the other more complex. This is a great book to be used with or without lessons to learn the art of piano improvisation. On the 99-track CD (sold separate or in a book/cd set), the author talks and plays through the entire book. The author's goal is to encourage students to create their own gospel piano arrangements.
Customer Reviews:
can be of help.......2007-02-11
Tries to cover a lot in a short time. Not clear why the teaching is unique to gospel. Plenty of sheet music but short on lyrics. Binding makes the book quite difficult to keep open on the music stand. Still, I go to it now and then for a bit of different practice.
Product Description
You Can Teach Yourself Piano Chords combines regular music notation with visual illustrations to give a clear picture of how to voice basic piano chords. The first part of the book introduces the student to basic triads and dominant seventh chords in all the inversions. After mastering this concept, material such as Maj7th, min7th, diminished, augmented and suspended chords are introduced, followed by alternate bass note, addition of the 9th and common chord progressions. Regardless of skill level, the student will quickly be able to play an accompaniment by using only chord symbols. The appendix section will give the student a clear understanding in basic music theory. When using this book as a lesson book itÂ’s very helpful to refer to the appendix section while chords are being learned. The book can be used both for lessons and reference.
Customer Reviews:
Learn piano chords like guitar players learn chords .......2005-10-02
I am enjoying using this book to learn piano chords. It shows the chords using keyboard diagrams along with the notes on the treble and bass cleff (shows fingering). This book includes chords such as Major,Minor, Dominant 7th, Major 7th, Minor 7th, Diminished 7th, Augmented, Suspended, adding the 9th. You will find various chord progessions then Exercise Progressions for practicing. If you are looking for a book to help you with your chords and chord progressions this book is definitely the one to purchase.
Book Description
Want to go beyond "Chopsticks?" This visual guide to tickling the ivories will show you the way. By Chapter 2, you'll be playing simple pieces and practicing scales. You'll progress from getting familiar with notes, symbols, and keys to playing basic chords and reading music like a pro. Without getting bogged down in boring theory, you'll learn what you need to know and enjoy playing as you go! Whether you like Bach or rock, jazz or country, golden oldies or new age, you'll love learning to play the fun, visual way.
Concise two-page lessons show you all the crucial skills and are ideal for quick review
- Each skill, chord, or technique is clearly described
- Concise and understandable instructions accompany each photo
- Detailed color photos demonstrate proper fingering technique
- Helpful tips provide additional guidance
Download Description
More than 20 million Americans play the piano, making it the country's most popular instrument. This information-packed guide covers all the basics of reading music and playing the piano. It features full-color photographs that demonstrate the principles and techniques, progressing from playing basic notes to common chords to intermediate skills. Step-by-step text instructions accompany each photograph. It's perfect for piano students, people who want to learn to play a few songs, and adults who played as children and want to play it again! Mary Sue Taylor (Roswell, GA) has filled her share of musical requests, having played piano in the Atlanta area since 1954. Over the years, she's dusted the keys of nearly every piano in town, from formal society clubs to dim, smoke-filled jazz bars to the hottest house parties. She has taught beginning piano, jazz, improvisation, chord study, and other related topics to a diverse array of students for five decades.
Customer Reviews:
Looks good in print, but not a lot of content........2007-07-14
I browsed through this book in a bookstore (remember those?) and went home and immediately purchased a copy from Amazon.com. Unfortunately, I didn't find the book especially helpful or informative. I sold it and went back to my Alfred's All-in-One Adult course. I think this is still the best series for the beginning piano player like myself.
Let's be honest with ourselves!.......2007-02-23
I borrowed this book from my local library on three occasions. Enough! I thought. I must have one of my own. After wasting money and time on professed "quick fix" solutions, I came to the realisation that to play the piano requires dedication and hour upon hour of practice. Nothing less will do. As a tool to help you achieve this goal and to guide you through the difficult process, nothing can surpass the program which this book offers. I haven't travelled the journey yet, but I am on my way, knowing that I will eventually get there, given ongoing patience and my own copy of this book.
Super!.......2006-12-17
Great for beginners or people needing to brush up on the basics. I had trouble with a lot of the advanced chords til I picked up this book. I was confused for a long time, but there in a few pages everything suddenly made sense! If you want to learn the fundemantals of the piano definitely get this book. It has simple, easy, to-the-point text and real pictures. The only thing is I wish they had made it spiral bound. Oh well. It's worth it.
Book Description
Everything you need to know to get started playing electronic keyboard now! Melody, harmony and rhythm are explained in an easy-to-understand, step-by-step system. Explains how to use chord symbols to play from pop sheet music, fake books and lead sheets. You'll learn about the "Circle of 5ths" and improvising techniques.
Customer Reviews:
Teach Yourself to Play Electronic Keyboard.......2007-01-12
I selected and was charged for express shipping, but it took over a week for the item to be received. I was not sent the above book, but Teach Yourself to Play Piano. This was the first time I experienced anything
like this where the service received could have been better. I would possibly re-think using this form of acquiring merchandise if this happened on any frequency.
Great book, still working on it though.......2007-01-04
I have been trying for a short while and the books steps are great for a real beginner like me.
Book Description
Teach Yourself Chords & Progressions at the Keyboard will have you playing great chords and progressions right from the beginning. You will learn how to build and organize all the traditional jazz chords into progressions in every key. As you progress, you will learn how to comp, create new bass rhythms and improvise from chord symbols using blues and ii-V progressions. Also included are unique arrangements demonstrating how to play in the style of Meade Lux Lewis, Erroll Garner and Bill Evans.
Customer Reviews:
Totally Useless.......2007-09-22
I needed a list of chords--not a book to show how to play a basic 1-3-5- or inversion thereof, therefore, not what I expected.
Book Description
This easy-to-understand book will get you playing right away and at your own pace, in the comfort of your home! Teach Yourself to Play Piano covers everything from the basics of hand position and good posture to playing melodies and songs. By the end of the book, you'll be able to play hands together, using a combination of whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and their respective rests. You will also be able to read a selection of notes from both the bass and treble clefs, and you will be able to play some simple chords in the left hand. Don't wait any longer - there's never been an easier way to teach yourself piano!
Customer Reviews:
Good book for Beginners.......2007-02-06
I am a beginner and I can understand this book very well. I do wish it had more songs in it though. It's good for getting the basics.
Piano book.......2006-08-21
Terrific and easy to use. You need to read it ahead of time and then play and probably read it again.
Product Description
You Can Teach Yourself Piano is a revolutionary concept in piano instruction. No other method comes close to matching this book's scope in teaching not only basic music reading skills, but also the essential technique and theory for playing in all contemporary keyboard styles. Central to the philosophy of the You Can Teach Yourself series, this beginner's book is written to give the serious adult student a solid foundation while studying on their own without the advantage of having a private teacher; it will show you all you need to know to get an authoritative start on the instrument, presenting technical and theoretical concepts as needed while offering carefully graded, challenging material to hold your interest. In addition to the incalculable assets of ear training and development of taste in modern harmony, upon completion of this method the student will be fully prepared to handle the demands of modern piano music.
Customer Reviews:
Adequate but some serious deficiencies.......2004-01-25
The visual quality of the DVD is adequate, though a little murky - obviously a copy from a taped VHS version. The piano lessons and theory were presented in a logical approach and were easy to follow, even for this beginning keyboard player. The commentary was fine, though somewhat pedestrian. I would have also appreciated a directly overhead view of the keyboard to more clearly pick up the keys being played.
However, the really deficient aspect of this DVD is that it only covers the first 60 of the 124-page accompanying book. This means that the more interesting examples, at least to me, of syncopation, blues, jazz, etc. are omitted. As the DVD is already almost 2 hours long this maybe inevitable but I would have liked to know this information before purchasing. A better option would have been to offer the related CD, which covers nearly every piece in the book, in the overall package. The CD itself costs $16 from Mel Bay, which is a little pricey.
Comprehensive for the adult learner.......2002-09-13
I have considerable musical background (I have played trumpet for 15 years, guitar for 6, and numerous other instruments) but never really sat down to master the mechanics of keyboard playing. This book was exactly what I was looking for because it starts from the basics of two-handed fingerings, and takes the player all the way to chord playing, etc., which is what I will focus on as a worship leader and musician. While this book moves quickly through theory and does not hand-hold, it does still cover a lot of ground from the basics to more complex concepts in music. The complete novice will probably not feel comfortable with this, but I still have to say that I am pleased and impressed with the scope of this book. If you have some musical background and are looking to cross over into piano as a second (or third or more) instrument, you will most likely appreciate this book because it does not dwell on the elementary concepts you are already familiar with.
Definitely Not For Beginners.......2001-08-09
I started out in music by purchasing Mel Bay's Complete Method For Modern Guitar, which I rate 12 stars. The write up about what Mel Bay's Complete Method For Modern Guitar offers anyone is absolutely true, if you work hard and apply yourself.
What does this have to do with playing the keyboard? Read on: When I finished the course, I understood the "mysteries" of MUSIC. Now, I'm into keyboarding. I bought one, brought it home and began playing it almost instantly without ever having a lesson. Was it magic? Was it a "miracle"? Definitely not.It was because of the knowledge I gained from Mel's music course. Music is music. No matter what instrument you play. The only thing I have to work at is the famous left and right hand-playing simultaneous "thing."
A friend of mine recently bought his daughter a keyboard. This was after seeing my keyboard and after my giving him a demonstration of the technology and versatility this instrument offers-besides being fun to play. He also bought Mr. Dennis' book about teaching yourself Piano. He and his wife looked at the book and couldn't figure it out. So, he called me. He thought the book would be using the "spoon-fed technique." I looked it over and told him to send it back. This book is definitely not for beginners. If one doesn't already have an understanding of music theory, sight reading, etc., this book will mean nothing...particularly if you're 8 years old. So, I started giving Jamie music lessons until her parents find a teacher who does that for a living. 'Cause I don't. I'm just helping a friend out.
I hope my opinion helps someone out. Thanks for giving me a chance to express it.
Definitely Not For Beginners.......2001-08-09
I started out in music by purchasing Mel Bay's Complete Method For Modern Guitar, which I rate 12 stars. The write up about what Mel Bay's Complete Method For Modern Guitar offers anyone is absolutely true, if you work hard and apply yourself.
What does this have to do with playing the keyboard? Read on: When I finished the course, I understood the "mysteries" of MUSIC. Now, I'm into keyboarding. I bought one, brought it home and began playing it almost instantly without ever having a lesson. Was it magic? Was it a "miracle"? Definitely not.It was because of the knowledge I gained from Mel's music course. Music is music. No matter what instrument you play. The only thing I have to work at is the famous left and right hand-playing simultaneous "thing."
A friend of mine recently bought his daughter a keyboard. This was after seeing my keyboard and after my giving him a demonstration of the technology and versatility this instrument offers-besides being fun to play. He also bought Mr. Dennis' book about teaching yourself Piano. He and his wife looked at the book and couldn't figure it out. So, he called me. He thought the book would be using the "spoon-fed technique." I looked it over and told him to send it back. This book is definitely not for beginners. If one doesn't already have an understanding of music theory, sight reading, etc., this book will mean nothing...particularly if you're 8 years old. So, I started giving Jamie music lessons until her parents find a teacher who does that for a living. 'Cause I don't. I'm just helping a friend out.
I hope my opinion helps someone out. Thanks for giving me a chance to express it.
Definitely Not For Beginners.......2001-08-09
I started out in music by purchasing Mel Bay's Complete Method For Modern Guitar, which I rate 12 stars. The write up about what Mel Bay's Complete Method For Modern Guitar offers anyone is absolutely true, if you work hard and apply yourself.
What does this have to do with playing the keyboard? Read on: When I finished the course, I understood the "mysteries" of MUSIC. Now, I'm into keyboarding. I bought one, brought it home and began playing it almost instantly without ever having a lesson. Was it magic? Was it a "miracle"? Definitely not.It was because of the knowledge I gained from Mel's music course. Music is music. No matter what instrument you play. The only thing I have to work at is the famous left and right hand-playing simultaneous "thing."
A friend of mine recently bought his daughter a keyboard. This was after seeing my keyboard and after my giving him a demonstration of the technology and versatility this instrument offers-besides being fun to play. He also bought Mr. Dennis' book about teaching yourself Piano. He and his wife looked at the book and couldn't figure it out. So, he called me. He thought the book would be using the "spoon-fed technique." I looked it over and told him to send it back. This book is definitely not for beginners. If one doesn't already have an understanding of music theory, sight reading, etc., this book will mean nothing...particularly if you're 8 years old. So, I started giving Jamie music lessons until her parents find a teacher who does that for a living. 'Cause I don't. I'm just helping a friend out.
I hope my opinion helps someone out. Thanks for giving me a chance to express it.
Product Description
The exciting sound of the blues, born in America, finds its way into all styles of music heard around the world. These days everyone hears that familiar "color" in rock, pop, folk, classical, and other jazz styles. This easy-to-follow and complete programmed course teaches you to create your own blue music at the piano. Explanations and examples are given and become even more advanced. This book works more easily for you when you already know a little about reading piano music. Playing the blues teaches you essential music theory in a fun "hands-on" way, so a piano teacher can include this as a part of regular lessons. All the elements of basic blues are here. This is a guide, a textbook, and a teacher. If you study music and want to know how to play the blues style, this is the book for you! The accompanying recording contains 26 of the exercises and examples from the book.
Product Description
This book is the perfect introduction to jazz piano fro those who are already somewhat proficient as pianists but aspire to playing in the jazz style. The author emphasizes the importance of chords in playing jazz music and offers a comprehensive dictionary of traids, dominant sevenths, half and fully diminished seventh chords, plus ninth, and thirteenth chords. Chord symbols and voicings as well as modal and blues scales are also addressed. The last half of the book includes a generous fakebook and a songbook consisting of several of the authors progressively arranged compositions.
Customer Reviews:
There are better lesson books out there.......2007-02-08
I was disappointed with this book. All the songs are composed by the author, and unfortunately I had never heard of any of them. Most of them don't sound very "jazzy". And the songs on the CD aren't in the correct order. It is a drag trying to find the correct song on the CD to match the one on paper.
Excellent for home studies for the jazz piano beginners.......2007-01-02
I have a few piano books, and this is the best one. I think this is the best way to learn Jazz piano, without a private teacher.
I should say that my main instrument is guitar, and as I manage to get a private guitar teacher shortly after I got this book, I have not used it extensively. On the other hand, I have made huge progress on jazz guitar with a similar approach.
The book consist of two parts. A section of tunes in an easy jazz arangement. With the acompanying CD you can hear how it is supposed to sound. This is a quick way to make your piano playing sound like jazz.
But to really play jazz is not play ready made arrangements. So the other part of the book is a fake book. I'd like to see some more well known standards there but that is ok. More important is the section on how to approach a tune in the fake book. Here are ideas about how to play the left hand. Note that unless you are already quite good at the piano, it takes a lot of practise to use those ideas.
I tried some of them, like a simple idea of playing arpeggios on the left hand and the tune in right hand. I only manged to play two notes per measure when I should play the tune at the same time. But the result sounded surprisingly jazzy on some tunes.
It may not be right for the absolute beginner at the piano, and not for those who already know some jazz piano. And be warned, working with the fake book takes time to progress. It may not sound right the first time you try, but working consistently should move you in the right direction.
Recommended.
Books:
- Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook
- Mom's Best Meals: Over 250 Classic Home-Cooked Recipes--From Pot Roasts to Peach PieFamily-Favorite recipes from Taste of Home readers (Taste of Home Annual Recipes)
- Moose Tracks!
- Never Be Lied to Again: How to Get the Truth In 5 Minutes Or Less In Any Conversation Or Situation
- Nirvana: The Biography
- Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes
- Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes
- Out With the Stars: Hollywood Nightlife in the Golden Era
- Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Psychoacoustics: Facts and Models (Springer Series in Information Sciences)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Handbook of Employee Benefits
- iPod & iTunes For Dummies
- Managing Up: How to Forge an Effective Relationship With Those Above You
- Islam and the Myth of Confrontation: Religion and Politics in the Middle East
- Les Misérables
- Planet of the Hairless Beach Apes: The Eleventh Sherman's Lagoon Collection
- Introduction to Human Molecular Genetics
- The Commercial Exploitation of Intellectual Property Rights by Licensing
- Dynamic Trading Indicators: Winning with Value Charts and Price Action Profile
- The Top One Hundred Credit Card Crimes & How to Stop Them
Piano
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Gospel Keyboard Styles: A Complete Guide to Harmony, Rhythm and Melody in Authentic Gospel Style (Harrison Music Education Systems)
The Best Gospel Songs Ever
DVD- Learn To Play Gospel Piano
Mel Bay's Complete Book of Improvisation, Fills & Chord Progressions
The Big Book of Gospel Songs (Big Books of Music)
