Ｏｎｌｉｎｅ Ｐｒｅｍｉｕｍ VVIP+++ Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One by Willard A. Palmer,Morton Manus

Alfred Music; First Edition (US) First Printing edition (September 1, 1983)

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One by Willard A. Palmer,Morton Manus

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One by Willard A. Palmer,Morton Manus is General Description of the Alfreds Do It Yourself Courses:Although this series of books won't replace a talented teacher, if you have a hankering to finally be able to play that piano (or keyboard) that's been hanging around your house forever, this series will do the trick. You won't wind up playing something that threatens the position of the great piano maestros of our day, but you'll be able to pick up chords and a melody and make a song sound like you wish it to.This series relies on baby steps to teach you a key, or a technique, or a set of chords. You play some simple exercises, then a song or two that emphasizes what you've just learned in the exercises. From time to time you reach a level where you are ready to take on a small song book. I recommend that you get the song books too and play thru them each time you reach one of those levels.If you really want to learn to play the piano, make sure you can allot at least a half hour a day to practice, and an hour is better. At that rate in a very few weeks time you'll be able to impress family and friends, and maybe play the music for singing carols at a Christmas get together. :-)Book One, Level One is 95 pages of lessons and practice songs. It covers:* Learning to sit at the piano* Learning the keys (of the keyboard)* Beginner theory* Learning note lengths* Learning several often needed music Keys and Chords* Pedal usage* Concepts such as rest notes, connected notes, stacatto, and triplets* More complicated key combinations as you move alongYou'll play songs such as:* Mexican Hat Dance* Good King Wenceslas* Merrily we Roll Along* When the Saints go marching In* Money Can't Buy Everything* Alouette* Kum-ba-yah* Michael, Row the Boat Ashore* Blow the Man Down* Joy to the World ("no bullfrog" version)* On Top of Old Smokey* The Can-Can* The Marine Hymn* Little Brown Jug* O Sole Mio* Greensleeves* Scarbourough Fair* He's Got the Whole World in His Hands* The Entertainer* Amazing Grace* several other songs you may not recognize, but which serve as good practice lessons.This songs are all arranged in simple keys: C, F, G, and so forth (at most one sharp or flat). That means that a few of these tunes will not necessarily sound exactly as your ear remembers them from professional performances. That's OK. This is a beginner's book. They very correctly keep things simple, but at the same time give you some music you can enjoy as you learn to play it.Suggested supplemental books you may use as you proceed through Level One are:* Adult Theory Book* Adult Sight Reading Book* Adult Duet Book* Adult Sacred Book* Adult Christmas Book 1* Greatest Hits, Level 1* Christmas Hits, Level 1* Adult Pop Song Book 1* Adult All Time Favorites, Book 1* Adult Country Book 1* Adult Jazz/Rock Course (VERY substantial book)You can safely skip any or all of these supplemental books, and just play the songs in each lesson in this book over and over again until you are ready to proceed. However, each book provides additional practice with new songs, and at the level of skill you have already achieved. They are not expensive, so I bought all but the first four.

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One by Willard A. Palmer,Morton Manus is Very good book. However, with the Adult All-In-One Piano Course being out there, I definitely prefer that book to this - it's more thorough. But if you're an adult and just want to play and don't care about the theory (like note-reading and writing), then this book would be great.

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One by Willard A. Palmer,Morton Manus is I hadn't played piano for over three decades (!) when I bought this book and decided to review what I once knew, and get back to playing music again. However, after a few weeks, I realized that if I wanted to really get things right -- and not just imagine that they were correct -- I would need a teacher. I found a wonderful teacher, someone who has guided me through each piece in the book, and helped me perfect it. There are some really beautiful songs in the book, so the student doesn't get discouraged as often happens when playing stupid, simplistic pieces intended for children. I especially loved "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin, "Amazing Grace," and "At Last," a version of the Etta James classic. Oh, yes, let's not forget "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"! After one year and four months, I am almost ready to tackle the next book -- with my teacher. It has been slow going, but I've enjoyed every minute.

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One by Willard A. Palmer,Morton Manus is I am a beginning keyboard player, still learning my scales (Thanks, Hanon!) and the base clef. With this book, I feel I'm getting the chance to really learn to read, as well as learn the harmonics of the keys. It's easy to follow and simple to understand without it feeling condescending or patronizing. Tons of little tunes to get you exercising your fingers, which are well designed where the first bar has the letters in the notes - then those letters disappear and you're expected to know which are which (or recognize the patterns they create). I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone just starting out. It's really well done and will get you playing in no time... even if it is a little slow. ;D