5 comments about A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano.

1. I've read at least 5 books on Glenn Gould. I still believe the best biography on Gould came from Otto Friedrich called A life in Variations. I've also read Ostwald's The Ecstacy and Tragedy of Genius, Bazzana's account entitled Wondrous Strange, Andrew Kazdin's Glenn Gould at Work, "Creative Lying", and Rhona Bergman's "The Idea of Gould".
   
   "Romance on Three Legs", takes a different angle in that if focuses primarily on the Piano. I skipped pieces of earlier chapters that had stories in part from the other books and areas that were overused in my opinion since Friedrich published his book. I was more focused on how Gould came to find and treasure CD-318 (Steinway). This is the piano that carried most of his recording career. Hafner does a good job regarding the damage episode that occurred to this Piano and Gould's obsession to get it back to it's former glory which never quite happened. I was most interested in this part of the book as well. Gould sued Steinway years before, due to a worker who allegedly gave him too hard of a handshake. Because of this, Steinway probably gave him lesser than usual service on his behalf. This is also covered.
   
   On the subject of Gould, Hafner does no more than the other authors in my opinion. She covers the same stories, anecdotes. She does cover a bit more on Gould's relationship with a married man's wife, Cornelia Foss. This book is still noteworthy. I'd also recommend "A Life in Variations" and Andrew Kazdin's Book, Glenn Gould at work. Kazdin is brutally honest about the working relationship he had with Gould and also covers an area regarding the damage of CD-318. Hafner does give us much more detail and more account from Verne Edquist, Gould's primary piano tuner and function tweaker. This alone gives the book a bit more credibility in my opinion.



2. This book was my first introduction to Glenn Gould, other than a vague familiarity with the name. Hafner's book made me interested in hearing his recordings, now that I have some insight into the musician as well as the character. I enjoyed it as a story, and as a chance to learn far more about the piano as an instrument. Since my wife is a pianist with a couple of 90+ year-old Steinways, I'm finally getting what's involved in rebuilding one of these.
   
   You don't have to be a Gould aficionado to enjoy this read.



3. Katie Hafner has woven a wonderfully engrossing and engaging story from real life. She makes it seem as if the fates set the lives of a great artist, superb artisans and a masterful technician on an inevitable course of music nirvana. If you love any or all aspects of music - composers and their compositions, players, instrument makers and craftspeople- you can't help but be taken in by this gem of a book.



4. You might think of esteemed pianist Glenn Gould as brilliant but eccentric, but wait until you read about his piano. _A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano_ (Bloomsbury) by Katie Hafner is about the three-legged instrument of Gould's passion, but it also is about a working triad: Gould, his piano, and the tuner who enabled the other two to get along. If you are a Gould fan, this volume can take an esteemed place among the biographies you have already read; it covers Gould's life, but mostly in regard to the instruments he used. The beauty of the book, though, is in those other two parts of the triad. It is quite amazing to read about how pianos get made and how their own personalities affect those who perform on them. It is also great fun to read about an artist in his own right, Verne Edquist, the tuner who was more than just a technician but functioned as an ambassador between the pianist and the piano. Hafner's beautifully balanced and richly detailed book will be good reading even if you don't know much about Gould; it's a pretty sure bet you don't know much about the fascinating world of tuners and pianos she covers here.
   
   Gould was particular about his pianos, needing far more than a standard fine piano. He had a Chickering to practice upon at home, a small grand piano made in 1895. Its keyboard action, its touch, was perfect for him, but he could never perform a concert on it because it was too small and it had a banjo-like twang. It is Steinway CD 318 to which this book is devoted. CD 318 improbably came to birth during the years of World War II, when the Steinway firm's main products had been preempted by the war effort. Verne Edquist was a tuner working for a department store that housed CD318. He was born in 1931, one year before Gould, and had congenital cataracts which rendered him nearly blind, and he went into tuning as one of the traditional trades for blind people. Gould was impressed with the characteristics of CD 318 when he found it, pretty much abandoned at the department store, and he was delighted that Edquist was just as impressed with it. There were other tuners who worked on the piano if Gould was on the road, but the partnership with Edquist was just what Gould needed to continue his astonishing star turn, even after he had soured on public performances and begun concentrating only on recordings. His beloved piano (it was he who called it "a romance on three legs") had everything he needed, just the right touch and just the right sound, as long as Edquist could maintain it. CD 318 is so much a character of this book that it is sad, nay, tragic, that while it was being moved in 1971 it was dropped, giving it wounds from which it could never recover. Gould could not turn his back on his piano, though, and he and Edquist worked on making it playable, although it could no longer meet his standards. It is touching that upon trying the refurbished piano for the first time, he moaned, "This is not my piano. What has happened to my piano? I cannot play it; I cannot use it." He persevered to try to use his wounded instrument, and made recordings on it, but it could not perform the way it had. He had not encountered it when he made his first epochal recording of the _Goldberg Variations_, and when he went back for a second celebrated recording in 1981, CD 318 wasn't an option.
   
   There are plenty of strange stories here about one of the most peculiar and accomplished musicians who ever lived, and some of them have turned up since Kevin Bazzana's terrific biography of Gould, _Wondrous Strange_. The lovely emphasis here, however, is on the triad of pianist, piano, and tuner, making this book a unique three-way biography. When Gould had to go on to other pianos made by Yamaha, he didn't need Edquist as much, and the two drifted apart without any schism; it is a tribute to Edquist's professionalism that he could work for the eccentric genius as long as he did. Gould died in 1982, only fifty. Edquist was called in to help install CD 318 in its permanent home at the National Library, and Gould's estate had stipulated that it can be tuned but cannot otherwise be modified; it is available to visiting performers. A fitting end to this story is that Gould's performance of Bach's _Prelude and Fugue in C_, recorded on CD 318 tuned by Edquist, is part of the recording sent on Voyager 1 in 1997 to the outer reaches of space. "When I heard that," said Edquist, "it was like a dream. There's Bach writing the music, Glenn is playing the music, and it's my tuning that's giving it voice. And it's going somewhere in outer space." Maybe millions of years from now, alien listeners will be amazed at the music; listeners on Earth will enjoy the music all the more after gaining the insights within this delightful book.



5. Great book for anyone interested in Glenn Gould, music in general, pianos or if you are a piano technician.

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 George Winston Piano Solos (Piano Solo).

1. 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).



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



3. 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.



4. 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".



5. Wonderfully transcribed music to sound just like George Winston's pieces. I love this book! Not too difficult.

5 comments about Piano for Dummies.

1. Easy to understand - even for someone with no musical talent or experience. Great place to start.



2. 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".



3. 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.



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 Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course : Lesson Book, Level Two.

1. The book was in great shape, the price was right and the delivery was quick.



2. this book and john thompson's modern piano book are the only beginning adult instruction books that I could find



3. I used these in piano class, my dad used these 50 years ago, my grandmother is using them to teach herself now. Great for everyone and always a classic.



4. I took piano lessions years ago {now 64} i wished to start back so i bought a keyboard. Looking at Amazon for some lession books I came across these three volumes by Alfreds and decided to buy. Very glad I did. If you stick with it and practice, you will do well and teach yourself how to play some good music. My wife got interested and now she is playing. You will love the progress of the lessions and will learn much. One more thing these lessions are for real, not the right-hand, one-hand like some, these books {three} are for the serious person who wants to learn music and play well. You won't go wrong and you CAN do it all by yourself. Michael Beck florence, Alabama.



5. Seemed like a great book. I bought it around the same time as a motorcycle. Unfortunately, I was moving along nicely in the book and getting the hang of things when later that month I lost control of my motorcycle, drove into a drainage ditch, flew over a driveway, and hit a retaining wall. Then with a broken arm, amongst some memory loss, I didn't pick it back up.

5 comments about Complete Preludes, Nocturnes and Waltzes: 26 Preludes, 21 Nocturnes, 19 Waltzes for Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics).

1. Carefully transcripted and correctly analysed in both tonal and expression matters this sheet music Chopin collection covers the needs of both the experienced and the amateurs pianists.



2. This is an excellent book from Schirmer's Chopin collection "Complete ...", in this case "... Preludes, Nocturnes and Waltzes". Really amazing collection of Chopin's master pieces. This book worths every cent you invest in it.



3. i've never thought getting this would be beneficial since there are tons of free resource on the net, but i was wrong. better arrangement, more detail, it's just better for learning and playing. again i'm an beginner, but i like this book so much. chopin all the way!



4. not that i/ll ba able to *play* many of the pieces here. i have always liked the schirmer library series. this has quite a lot in it compared to some volumes.



5. When one plays the music of Chopin the keys on the piano actually become keys.Keys to another universe.This universe is no doubt where he is right now and forever.I do not believe the bar has been raised higher for the piano than Chopin raised it in his 39 years.This is a great bargain as well.I had been playing his Preludes in an old book I had that has now fallen apart from so much use and I gladly would have paid this price for the Preludes alone.I am just now getting into the noctures and the second one,which I believe is in e flat I had heard years ago somewhere and always wanted to know who had composed it.Painfully beautiful.Of course than again so is everything he ever did.Highly recommended.

5 comments about John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano: First Grade Book.

1. I have bought this book because my daughter's piano teacher recommended it. I have to inform you that the french version in Switzerland cost 4 times your price......the book is very good with exercises and practical examples. It is however for someone who is taking courses with a professional.



2. I purchased this book as well as "The Piano Handbook". I don't feel this book is technically "bad" (It's actually pretty decent on what is played), the book - and CD seem to try a little too hard to sell itself as being "fun" at the expense of information and accuracy.
   
   To highlight the main problem I had with this book - the CD. I listened to the CD and the piano parts were not alone but also included bells, a metronome, and a few other sounds as well - outside just the piano. I purchased the book to learn the piano, by hearing the piano piece only being played so I could study it. What did I get? Sounded more like a small band playing the music to keep kids interested. Maybe the book is just aimed for kids more than adults.
   
   Outside the lousy CD, the songs seem to drop the person into the middle-end of the pool right off the bat. How so? Playing with two hands at the same time. I'm pretty sure this is the beginning of the series, and if I'm wrong then I apologize, but I don't think I am.
   
   The songs felt a little too difficult at first, with almost no instruction about how to properly play. This diminishes how well it'd work for learning on one's own.
   
   Do I feel it's an OK buy? Quite honestly, yes I do under a few circumstances:
   1. Buy another book too. Personally I got "The Piano Handbook" ([...]) which I find much more helpful for the beginning stuff.
   2. Try to find a teacher - especially if #1 isn't met.
   3. Be prepared to work through with little use of the CD to gauge your progress. I wish I could say more positive on the CD.
   
   I'm a beginning piano player, only playing for a very short time. If you have some knowledge already, this book may be OK for you then.



3. I teach beginning piano students and have found this book to be excellent. It teaches several points of theory along with the songs and everything is done in an easy to understand style.
   
   This series has been around a long time, I actually studied out of it myself as a child, but it is far from dated. This book and the entire series gives a good solid core in music and piano to the new student whatever the age.



4. This book has excellent exercises for finger coordination. It moves along in a consistent manner building upon skills learned as you progress through the book. This book is not for the self learner. I could not use this book without the help of my piano teacher. I use this book along with my kids (14,11 & 8). The skills it teaches are good at any age. My only complaint is that the CD plays way too fast. If I were an advanced player I might be able to follow along, but this book is for beginners like myself.



5. This book has gained its reputation through the years (since 1937). The method has been proven and the pages of the book have a genuine and attractive old fashion look.
   The songs are progressively more interesting and pleasant, but the companion CD has unappealing arrangements with electronic sound which are in contrast with the book, instead of simply sticking to the piano score and the acoustic piano sound. For beginners, I think that a simple demo of how the tunes should be played is most valuable. Such are the CDs in the very well written, bound and printed The Piano Handbook (A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano, Book With CD) and also in an excellent edition of Czerny op. 599 (published by Nakas in Greece).
   
   Also, in this book, beware of the cover; its printing is of bad quality and the red ink may leave marks to adjacent books, sheets or furniture.
   
   So, three stars [***..] for the book with the CD, but I would give five [*****] for the contents of book, in the version without the CD (currently available from amazon for $ 6.95 but not appearing as a link to include here).

2 comments about 2008-2009 Annual Supplement to The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano (Annual Supplement to the Piano Book).

1. Great book if you are shopping for a Piano. It gives you a wealth of information regarding pianos, piano manufacturers and the whole industry. This is the supplement to The Piano Book - so it has the updates on manufacturer reviews (lots of changes in the last 5 years due to Asian manufacturing, company mergers, and ones that are no longer in bus).



2. Very well written and complete. It includes the details that most of us not working in the piano field need in order to make a good decision.

5 comments about My First Book of Classical Music: 29 Themes by Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin and Other Great Composers in Easy Piano Arrangements.

1. The book arrived in perfect condition. I am anxious to have my granddaughter try it out. It is one of her upcoming birthday presents.
   Thank you.



2. Even the right hand only player, can enjoy classics from these simple arrangements. The left hand is coming along with practice. This book makes learning the classics less intimidating. I would pay more for a spiral bound version.



3. I bought this book for my beginning piano students but am not thrilled with the arrangements. Keep looking.



4. It is excellent for melody but many of the songs are in the wrong key. Taht is the only reason for 4 stars. I will by it again.



5. When I bought "My First Book of Classical Music..." I was and still am amazed by how great this piano book has turned out to be. It has 29 themes by the true masters of Classical music. The songs are beginner level but the author Bergerac has to be commended for his great work to these classical piano songs !!! in bringing out the very best in each song. You will be playing each page from start to finish and loving each classical piece of music. I can't recommend this book enough - 5 stars *****

5 comments about John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Part 1.

1. I used these books when I was a kid. I bought this one for my daughter to help her learn the piano. It is very well put together and kid friendly.



2. I love it. Students learn the notes one-by-one in songs with duet accompaniment. There are work pages to do along with songs to play. The book is colorful and fun to look at. The progression moves along slowly so that each concept is learned; while at the same time students are playing songs each week and feeling much success. I like it a lot better then the old Thompson series.



3. I've been teaching my 5-year-old to play and she has progressed quickly using this book. I've been playing since I was 4 myself, but I haven't taught music to anyone. This has been easy to use and I like that it comes with accompaniments to each piece that I can play with her. It references a CD, but mine didn't come with one.



4. I keep this book and its sequel on my piano. Recently a friend came over with her 4 year-old daughter and started playing the lessons in the book. The two of them were able to make significant progress in about 30 minutes.
   
   I am using the activities to jump start my toddler's music exposure. She enjoys the cover, and the notes are simple enough to engage her. She is learning timing and correspondence between tone and piano key, and I am using the time to fine-tune my own understanding of piano playing.
   
   Overall, this book is a very good companion for your piano if you want to give guests and children the opportunity to play your piano and learn even with no previous lessons.



5. I have been teaching piano to children and adult beginners for five years now. At first I picked up this "classic" for my young beginners, ages 4-7.
   Experience has taught me that this method is tedious, slow and CONFUSING. Too much information is thrown at the learners in the first three written pages. Too little actual playing is done from the get-go.
   
   At an estate sale I found an old, out-of-print book that helped me to re-think ALL of the current piano methods. Beginners should be taught on a single treble staff until they master most of the notes. The non-dominant hand should be used equally or MORE than the dominant hand.
   
   As the child learns to read notes, then music can be written on a double treble staff. Once melody and chords are mastered in both hands you can introduce the bass staff using the same technique.
   
   After the pupil has mastered all of the above then the GRAND STAFF should be introduced.
   
   Unfortunately, I have not found ANY published method using this method, so I handwrite music for my pupils. Maybe I'LL have to publish my own! LOL.