5 comments about Grand Obsession: A Piano Odyssey.

1. Many pianists/composers have always believed the piano "is capable of anything". This book affirms this notion and gives a true picture of why we love music so much. While it helps to love the piano when buying the book, reading it I found that a love of music is as much the point of the book as the pianos, fine shops and interesting people visited in it. The authors search for a great piano (and the sound it's capable of producing) takes the author around the world. Most interesting are the real-life people you may well run across during your own search for a piano. A great summer read for anyone wondering why great music (and for many of us great pianos) touch our lives in such an amazing way.



2. I would love to go on raving about this book, but that pretty much speaks for itself concerning this fine piece of literature, so I'll keep it short.
   
   This memoir speaks the very deepest corners of my soul. I am a pianist and composer, and have been faced with many of the challenges that Perri Knize has in her quest for the perfect piano. This book has illuminated many things for me and has piqued my increased interest in the monthly tunings of my beloved piano (a Yamaha U5). My most warm and heartfelt gratitude, and empathy I suppose, goes out to Perri for her struggles and triumphs.
   
   As far as the written account of her journey, this new book, goes...it is a splendid read. The imagery is wonderful and the description of musical and physics-related topics are excellent for non-musicians and musicians alike. The style and prose is clear, lyrical, and very accessible; one of the most readable books of the year. Great job, Perri.
   
   --cp



3. Since I,like Ms. Knize, returned to the piano as an adult, I empathized with her journey of rediscovery of this glorious instrument. However, the more I read, the more I pitied her for obsessing over finding (and then endlessly seeking to restore) a piano with the "perfect" tone. In her quest, Ms. Knize reminds me of stereophiles obsessed with obtaining the "perfect" sound system. Both a piano and stereo components are merely instruments by which music is made or reproduced. Had she compromised on her piano early in the game on her piano, as we all must do in the end, she would have had her far more time for the music.



4. I could hardly put the book down. I found the relationship between author Perri Knize and her piano fascinating. I am not a musician. I could relate, however, to someone wanting to recapture an experience that meant so much. I study the German language/culture. The author's time in Germany as part of her research was very informative and insightful. Beautifully written. It's a joy to read. Sidney Lawson in Montpelier, Vermont.



5. I really enjoyed Grand Obsession. Perri Knize's story about her search for the perfect sounding grand piano strikes a chord with me not only as a pianist but as one with a passionate love of music. I also identified with Knize in that we both have a journalism background and musician fathers who inspired us.
   
   Her quest took her to many parts of the United States as well as to piano manufacturers here and abroad. It was a journey on which I was happy to tag along.
   
   This is more than a story about buying a piano, however. It's about nuances of timbre, complexity of tone, and the difference between being merely satisfied with a piano's sound or ecstatic about it. It's about knowing what you want and the resoluteness not to give up until you find it. It's also about understanding that perfection is elusive--and if achievable, often ephemeral.
   
   Her writing is intelligent, warm, accessible.
   
   Knize's references to string theory and how music relates to the psyche remind me of the insights found in Oliver Sacks' Musicophilia, which examines music in the context of neuroscience. Daniel Levitin's This Is Your Brain on Music is another book that will appeal to Grand Obsession fans. It is a satisfying story of why and how humans make and enjoy music
   
   As I progressed through the book, a sense of well-being filled me. I felt a connection to Knize and to all the rest of those whose vibrations undoubtedly resonate with mine. Highly recommended.

5 comments about George Winston Piano Solos (Piano Solo).

1. U've waited years & years for this. I was a little disappointed at the selection of songs. I was looking for some of his Doors stuff, & O Mar, & Autumn, & Plains, etc. I also noticed that ol' George hired someone else to do these transcriptions. Nonetheless, since sheet music of his is rare, I recommend this book.



2. I've loved me some GW for a long time. I've got two teenagers that asked for this book of sheet music for Christmas, and santa came through. I might have guessed that this music would be too tough for them to play, but both of them are playing their favorite pieces and sounding great. They told me that it's not as hard to play as you might think just listening to George play.
   
   Very highly recommended by me (and my kids as well).



3. I am enjoying sitting back and listening to my husband play all my favorite pieces from this book.



4. All the transcriptions have some errors if you read them and listen to the recording at the same time. Therefore, I only use the book to learn the basic melody of a song(eg Kanon) then I learn the song by listening to the recording. I've found that if you try to learn a song in this book note for note from the transcription, it is very difficult and there are bound to be several errors in transcription along the way which would throw you off. But all and all, it is a very good and helpful book. I would recommend it to anyone trying to learn GW.



5. As some reviewers wrote, some transcriptions are not same as the recording. Regardless, this book is very enjoyable. Who doesn't enjoy playing George Winston's beautiful music? I think any player can enjoy this book because it is not very hard technically. I would have been even much happier if this book had included more blues, like "Miles City Train".

No comments about 2008-2009 Annual Supplement to The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano (Annual Supplement to the Piano Book).

5 comments about Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not!.

1. This is not an instructional book at all. It can be summarized very briefly. Play chords with the left hand, and melodies on the right. DUH! The author doesn't care how you do it, just do it! Just don't contort your hands! This is more of a motivational book but with nothing to support it, unless you count the author's numerous marketing links to his own products.



2. This book is helpful and concise. I don't have a lot of spare time to learn a new instrument and this book does save time. I was a bit disappointed that almost half the book is chord charts rather than (sheet)music. Since the book is not spiral bound, I am afraid to cut out he chord charts, as I fear the binding would fail. This makes the chord charts virtually useless. Additionally, it would have been nice if the author had included some practice music longer than eight bars. It made me feel like he is overly concerned that I also buy his fake book, rather than learn the piano. His teaching approach makes this book fun, easy, and effective. 3.5 stars ... could have easily been 5 with more "meat."



3. Forget playing classical music on the world stage. How about any kind of gig? Pop, rock, jazz, polkas. Or do you want to doodle in your own home.
   
   Should you take classical music if you don't want to play classical music? It really isn't necessary. But the book's premise that everything classical music teaches you is inappropriate for non-classical music is BS. The understanding of the music system and technique that classical gives you works across all other genres of music. Most gigging keyboard players (not just classical) have at least some classical background and it serves to make them better. I am one of them.
   
   Does this book teach you anything? Very little. It's mostly hype designed for folks who want the easy way out. Whatever method you decide you want to study, it takes time and work and perseverance if you are going to be any good.
   
   And this "method" won't help you much.



4. This book will give you everything you need to get started playing the piano. The book is a very easy read with concise, right to the point instructions and doesn't offer you anything but the basics, hammering home the key points.
   
   You should find that (assuming you have at least some basic knowledge of music) that you will be able to play a few recognizable songs within a matter of days! I am not saying you will play them like a seasoned pro, but you will play them in a way that would impress your friends or family and will prompt them to ask, 'when did you start taking lessons?'
   
   I love how Scott just dives right in and gives you what you need to know to play right away. The book is short and sweet and offers just enough content.
   
   I also purchased his fake book and the first song I started working on was "Hey Jude". The music notation is in the key of C (from what I understand the easiest key to play) and I would say after a few hours I could play it somewhat decently. After a week, I had it nailed. Not just a riff or two, but the whole song atart to finish! I was blown away by my progress and look forward to learning more and more songs.
   
   For roughly $10 you can't go wrong with this book. Just be sure and keep an open mind when you read it and please don't listen to piano snobs who will tell you 'oh this is just shortcuts and nonsense'. They are just jealous that they spend thousands of dollars on lessons and probably wish they learned piano in this manner to begin with.
   
   Highly recommended.



5. Seriously, thank God this book didn't cost me much; it is just a waste of space.

5 comments about The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano.

1. When beginning to look for a piano, we read Larry Fine's The Piano Book at the recommendation of our local piano technician. It is superbly written and highly informative. It covers everything from the mechanics of pianos in general to the relative features and qualities of various makes of pianos. In the end, it was well worth the effort and helped us make a well informed decision on the type and make of piano we purchased.



2. I bought this prior to buying my piano and it was a lifesaver. I'd read about it and had to try it myself. I highlighted many passages and re-read many sections while making my selection. I have not only told many others to buy it, but have also "loaned" out my copy many times. A great investment, whether looking to purchase a used or new piano. Good tips for maintaining piano as well.



3. Essential resource if you're buying a piano or just want to know more about this wonderful instrument



4. ...which is pretty far. Fine's book is legendary and important, and if you are thinking of buying even a relatively expensive piano, you should read it. It should come as no surprise that the standard "grand old names" are rated at the top, and things stair-step down from there until you arrive at the bottom of the Asian barrel. No surprises there. And many feel that Fine is too hard on some very fine pianos, giving a skewed impression of the many very good Chinese pianos that are coming on the market. What is instructive is that you will learn what is made where, which can be a very hard thing to find out on your own. If you're walking into a store and don't know Young Chang from Hailun, and perhaps think that a Boston might have been made in Boston, and that a Steinlager is made in Germany, you really need to do your homework first. If you're seriously shopping for a Bosendorfer or Bechstein or Steinway new off the floor, then you don't need this book. But if you want to get a good piano for a fair price and need to learn your way around this odd landscape, start here. IMPORTANT - get the updated supplements! A lot has changed in even the last 5 years, and advice on certain models no longer holds true. Some names have dropped in quality, others have risen considerably. You won't learn this in the piano showroom!



5. Larry Fine's book is invaluable for those who plan to purchase a piano. This book has loads of information regarding the manufacturers, the quality of the brands and the history of the pianos. Save yourself some money by purchasing this book before you shop for a piano and you could save yourself a few thousand or more. Buying a piano is like buying a car, you have to "test drive" them first, and then negotiate. Read this book and walk into the showroom knowing you are getting the best deal and finest piano you can afford.

5 comments about Piano for Dummies.

1. It's very easy to learn piano with the this book and it's really funny. You learn without the stress of a regular "learning manual".



2. This is an excellent book for teaching yourself piano. All the reviewers who slam this book for corny humor can go jump in a lake. There are plenty of serious music books that just shovel out the facts in a dry manner, so if that is what you want, fine, no reason to get uptight about a book that trys to use a more human touch. I want to also make it clear that the book does not tell jokes per say, so you dont have to read through long groaners to get to the material. The author simply interjects personal examples. Its a technique that is used in all the dummies books, if you dont like it, dont read dummies books.



3. This book is not terrible, but it does talk down, like you were a dummy. I got it at the library. There is a cd of songs, but when I played it, it was not just a piano, but with an accompaniment, that would not be so useful for one trying to play just the piano piece. I found the songs to be hard to read. You would have to open the book up, photocopy them and enlarge them up to a readable size. The one good thing is the book is basic, and does not try to teach you to play by ear. Very few people can play by ear, and it takes a lot of training to learn to play by ear. Many quick courses tell you play by ear, it may not work, if you don't have a musical ear.



4. I like this book, well organized and easy to follow instructions. Easy to read to. Basic concepts are covered with some expanded details. Definitely recommend to other for its well written.



5. It was my first "for dummies" book and most probably the last. The book is big and empty; the author should have used at most 50 pages. The CD contains short musical clips that you've probably heard before or you can download for free. I gave it two stars because the book actually helps a small tiny bit contrary to its size.
   
   I recommend instead "Alfred's Group Piano for Adults" it's much better but I'm not sure if it's the best one out there.

5 comments about The Jazz Piano Book.

1. Use the concepts in this to help you decipher & transcribe jazz you like into you're own playing.



2. The product was fine. More than fine. Your shipping department needs some training. They put this book in a box 15 times times larger than the book (I measured) with a few air bags. The book bounced around in the box during shipping and arrived damaged. Pretty annoying for a $30+ purchase. I received a few dollars credit for the damages. Would have requested a new book but it would have been shipped the same. The person I talked to was very nice, but he was in India, so I rather doubt if your shipping department heard of my complaint.
   Camille Gollon



3. I have searched high and low for a comprehensive instructional book that contains equal parts application and exercises. This is the book. The book is replete with snippets of famous jazz songs that provide a window into the techniques of many great players, and Mr. Levine is thoughtful enough to provide source albums and songs for listening purposes.
   
   Additionally, the book provides you, early on, with a method for interpreting songs out of the real book. With this easy method, you can instantly begin building a repertoire of material, and revisit these songs with the techniques learned in later chapters



4. The author states (I don't know his exact words) that 6/9 chords are essentially equivalent to maj7 chords and throughout the book he uses them interchangeably. To me this is an example of slipshod thinking and therefore I wonder just how far one can trust this author. On the plus side, the discography is excellent.



5. This is not an easy book to get a handle on. Beginner's may be overwhelmed. Intermediate students will need help in structuring the topics and lessons. Advanced students will probably find plenty of nuggets of jazz wisdom to make the purchase of this book worthwhile. As a long time musician relatively new to jazz, I find this book extremely valuable for learning about jazz, but it isn't terribly helpful in improving my piano chops. I still give it five stars because I didn't buy it to learn the piano so much as to learn jazz, and obviously, jazz piano. That may sound crazy, but it makes sense when you realize there aren't many specific "drills" to learn the various aspects that Levine teaches about jazz and specifically, jazz piano. Yeah, he may say something like, "Be sure you can do this in all twelve keys", but you're not going to stop reading the book, rush to the piano and practice for four weeks before you continuing reading. The kind of stuff he "teaches" takes a lifetime of experience and playing to learn. So I appreciate being told about it, and I like having some perspective added to such a very deep field of music, but after you buy this book, you're still going to need to do some drills, (try Jazz Chord Hanon: 70 Exercises for the Beginning to Professional Pianist, Jazz Hanon (Private Lessons), Post-Bop Jazz Piano - The Complete Guide with CD!: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series (Hal Leonard Keyboard Style), and even Piano Essentials: Scales, Chords, Arpeggios, and Cadences for the Contemporary Pianist (Book & CD)), learn some songs (use The Real Book: Sixth Edition), and get some instruction (try your local community college or music store). In short, Levine's book is a wonderful map and a readable, useful guide for just about anyone with interest in playing jazz on the piano.

5 comments about Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises - Complete: Piano Technique.

1. This book is great and is in great shape. Perfect for strengthening and training fingers.



2. I used this book in grade school when I took piano lessons and HATED it with a passion. Some decades later, I'm picking up the piano again, and my weak fingers made me think about these exercises. I acquired the book, and have been working through the exercises again, and over just the space of 6 weeks have noticed dramatic improvement. It's taken a while because I don't practice every day, or for the same length of time. Just for giggles I've tried playing the first exercise a couple times at the fast end of the recommended metronome speed (60-108). At first I just couldn't do it. Now I can get through about half of it at top speed, and I can play the first two exercises with quality at 80. I find that by practicing the exercises first without the metronome, then with at the low end, then slowly increasing the speed, that I get a real sense of accomplishment and progress in smaller doses, which is very satisfying and motivating to work on the longer term goals of learning whole pieces of music.



3. I'm just learning play piano, this exercises are very good to develop agility and strength in both hands.



4. This book takes the budding pianist through exercise to strengthen fingers and build up agility and coordination. The exercises can be quite melodic themselves, especially as one builds up speed using increasingly fast settings on a metronome.
   While repetitive and bound to drive your closest nuts, it is the best way to achieve a solid foundation as a piano player.



5. I teach piano, in addition to having played for over twenty years, and this book is essential. For my beginning students ages 8-adult, it's a great way for them to get started sight-reading using the interval-reading method as opposed to the note-reading method. The exercises will build up finger strength and dexterity, and make the note-patterns second nature. The scales and arpeggios are presented in a such a way that even my first-year students can do them with very little difficulty, as long as all the exercises are played in order.
   
   For more advanced students, there's a way to liven up the exercises 1-20 so that even the most advanced students are challenged--play one exercise in one hand, and simultaneously play a different one in the other hand, then when that exercise is complete, switch them. After five minutes of this, you'll be asking yourself, "Who needs caffeine?" because you'll definitely be wide-awake!
   
   This book also enforces good technique because it hurts if your fingers/hands are not used properly. There shouldn't be pain, throbbing or burning--you have relaxed hands and be able to play this all day long. If you can't, you need to see a teacher for a few lessons at a minimum, to fix your technique.
   
   If you have any aspirations of playing piano well, this book is the place to start, and you'll be playing from it all your life . . . so just jump in and buy it!

5 comments about The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano.

1. I am a professional musician who never really got around to formally learning how to play the piano. I was looking for a book that didn't spend a lot of time introducing fundamental musical concepts and "cut to the chase" fairly quickly. This is entirely the case with this book. Although the highly motivated beginner music student could use this book, I think it's best for those who are coming to the instrument with some background knowledge of music as well as good practicing habits (as the book doesn't get into this at all). The range of subjects covered is really wide, and you really get into the "meat" of everything rather quickly. Highly reccommended!



2. This is a bit more advanced than I had anticipated. But as I move into it I find that I am learning very quickly and am impressed by the overall quality of instruction. Sometimes I have a few double takes where I don't fully understand something(I have 0 musical background) but I just pop on the internet for clarification. Using the book combined with various internet sites I'm progressing rapidly.
   
   So if you are a beginner and are not easily intimidated go for this book. But know that it doesn't exactly hold your hand through the exercises.



3. I am a professional pianist who wanted to get out of some bad habits.
   Mr Humphrie's book takes you back to the beginning so you can undo bad habits and weaknesses you did not even know you had.
   The CD is a marvellous drilling tool.
   Set your CD player on repeat and you can drill until you get the the exercise right.
   Yes,he progesses rapidly but if you are determined and dead serious about becoming as good as you can be,this book may be for you.



4. 
   
   This book's ambitions are tremendous within a single volume; perhaps that is the reason why it fails so monstrously. With the aim of giving the player footholds in classical, jazz, bebop, fusion and experimental music along with instruction in music theory, history and development of the modern piano dovetailed with biographies of immortal figureheads of music within the bound of 290 pages, each page is about another twenty laps around the track. What's worse is that in order to maintain its pace, the author must sacrifice valuable practice exercises designed not only to strengthen and improve performance and flexibility, but to give the player some confidence, especially for a beginner.
   
   We are not all music prodigies, nor are we actors in a musical in which everything magically falls into place the second or third time after first becoming acquainted with the move. The book does come with a CD of how the music should sound. However, the paradigm moves as such a quick pace as to make the aspirant not only confused, but cringe at the height of the new summit of work to be called at least fairly performed.
   
   To the beginning student, I would recommend this book only as a supplement beside a far more general piano book to serve as a test for particular skills and challenging music. For the more advanced student, still, I would urge him not to buy this since it mixes very general terms and skills with incongruous and brief music: it would be better to find a book that matched both musical difficulty with learned information.



5. This is a great book to learn from as an adult beginner. As a voice and piano teacher I run across a lot of different teaching materials. This book holds the interest of the piano student.
   
   For Voice Check out:
   Vocalize!

5 comments about Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One.

1. For those who didn't find the CD with the book, I found the songs online at http://www.sonicx.com/Alfred/



2. I have used Alfred's Basic (non-adult) Piano Course for years with my students with great success. When I began to teach an older beginner, I thought I'd try the adult course. I am not as pleased with it. The adult course focuses mostly on chords in the left hand, so one does not learn to read the independent notes as readily in the left hand. The left hand does not get the strength and independence that the right hand does because of this emphasis on chords. Therefor I will be switching back to the regular Alfred Basic (non-Adult) course.



3. Excellent book. Easy to read and follow. I am new to piano and the instruction in the book is very clear. The books actually helps to give me more encourage to continue to learn piano. Definitely recommnend to others. I will finish the book and conitnue to the next level.



4. I have never played piano before and I'm halfway through book 1. I'm taking my time, but its been about 3 weeks. The stuff coming from my fingers sounds like real music and I'm using both hands to play complex music. I never felt overly intimidated though, each new song is a challenge, but never too much of one. The first few songs take minutes, then a couple sessions. I try to practice in tiny chunks (I have a 5 year old son), of about 15 minutes and the length of the songs in this book are great for that. I can't recommend this highly enough.



5. I bought the book AND the CD from Barnes & Noble. I don't know why Amazon doesn't stock them both together. I found the book very good, but the CD has a really cheesy soundtrack which sometimes drowns out the piano examples. The pages are clear and precise, the diagrams easy to see, and the concepts clear. Overall I would say that this is a good book for the beginner and you really should buy it WITH the CD, just try and forget the awful din coming from your speakers; just listen to the piano examples to see what it should sound like.