Piano for Beginners?

26 Jan 99 - 02:16 PM (#55761)
Subject: Piano for Beginners?
From: Peter T.

Do any of the wise Mudcatters on this site have any good advice about beginning piano books/methods? I have an adult friend who is beginning, has a sort of folk/jazz/classics taste, and I suspect wants to learn enough to be able to accompany herself. I have some very old conservatory books from further back than I care to think, but I assume that there must be some more user friendly stuff out there now. Has anyone run across anything they would recommend, that isn't either too gooey or too overwhelming? I think she is also going to be without a teacher for awhile. She has a little music background (knows about chords and keys and so on, but has never really had an instrument of any kind until the beginning of this month -- the piano was deeded to her, and she thought, well, this must be a sign to get started).

I appreciate any advice, since when I pass it on, I will seem wise (no, I will pass the credit).

Yours, Peter T.

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27 Jan 99 - 03:14 AM (#55877)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: [e-mail]

You can look at what Homespun Tapes have to offer. There are two videos in my catalogue for rank beginners. One is called "Put your hands on the piano and Play" and the other is "Play piano by ear". Both are taught by Daniel Abrams.

Once you have the rudiments down, they have somewhat more at the next level.

Rather than giving you the details, let me point you to the Homespun URL and you can look for yourself.

Click here

I haven't tried their piano stuff, but they have some good guitar tapes (I tend to avoid video lessons--old fashioned, I guess ;^} )

Murray

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28 Jan 99 - 09:08 AM (#56071)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: Peter T.

Thanks for the tip, Murray, I appreciate it, and will pass it on.

Yours, Peter T.

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08 Oct 09 - 12:47 PM (#2741247)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: GUEST,mary malm

i want to learn how to play piano
thanks

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08 Oct 09 - 01:02 PM (#2741259)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: Rasener

Doh and there was me thinking I might learn Rock n Roll keyboard playing by Jerry Lee Lewis or Floyd Kramer. Even worse you have to pay for the lessons.

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08 Oct 09 - 06:25 PM (#2741534)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: Jack Campin

I have right here a little booklet called "How to Vamp Without Music", which tells you how to play chords without using any conventional staff notation. 16 pages, no author named, published by John E. Dallas & Sons, Dallas Building, Clifton Street, London E.C.2, price 1/- (which dates it before 1971?). Tune examples: No Place Like Home, Cementine, John Brown's Body, Blow the Man Down, Annie Laurie. The chordings are pretty normal.

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08 Oct 09 - 07:04 PM (#2741564)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: Leadfingers

Piano as a musical instruction means QUIETLY ! When you are learning , that is something to ALWAYS remember !

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08 Oct 09 - 07:17 PM (#2741574)
Subject: RE: Piano for Beginners?
From: Zany Mouse

There is an excellent range of books called "Making The Grade" which takes you from complete beginner onwards. The tunes in there are all well known and is a doddle to follow. You will be able to get them from any music shop.

Oh, and start at Grade 1 of course!

Blessings
Rhiannon

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