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#1843621 - 02/13/12 04:19 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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Full Member
Registered: 08/31/09
Posts: 184
Loc: Angola (Africa)
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Wish4 Thing, Jonnnhy D, I liked your "Greensleeves" recordings. I can not discuss the 8ths, but I prefer the non-reverb version of Wish4 Thing than the reverb version, at least in my pc loudspeakers.
SmellsLikeABeer, Ojustaboo, welcome to this thread.
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#1844119 - 02/13/12 08:29 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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Full Member
Registered: 08/10/11
Posts: 89
Loc: Brazil
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It sounds good, Wish4 Thing.
_________________________
Dittrich Piano, ca. 1978
Learning by self with Alfred's Self-Teaching Book
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#1844130 - 02/13/12 08:54 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Johnny D]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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Thanks for the feedback, fliper and Johnny D! I found a really simple sheet music on internet, no flat, no sharp... thought I'd give it a try to test what I have learned so far from AIO level 1 book... here is the recording: long long ago. and for the first time, I used metronome... since I have been playing along with CD, it felt very natural to me.
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#1844419 - 02/14/12 10:57 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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Junior Member
Registered: 09/28/07
Posts: 6
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This morning I played Blow the Man Down successfully without errors for the first time. I've been practicing about one hour a day since December working mainly (but not exclusively) through the Alfred All in One. This piece was my first stumbling block as it took almost a week to get it right. While I'm sure everyone's progress is different, I'm curious as to whether this piece was particularly troubling to anyone else. Also, are there supplemental pieces that are similar to Blow the Man Down which can produce more practice for this type of fingering? Thanks for the wonderful thread.
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#1844427 - 02/14/12 11:10 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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500 Post Club Member
Registered: 01/22/10
Posts: 752
Loc: Michigan
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Hi Jaojr,
I used Alfred All in One (when I very first started piano lessons) and I thought that Blow the Man Down was THE MOST difficult piece in the entire book. It is the first piece that you encounter with its rhythm and once you get blow the man down, the rest of the pieces come relatively more easily (at least in my experience). So Congratulations on getting it right, and just carry on in the book, you will see this rhythm pattern again and again. You might even chuckle later in the book to remember how frustrating BTMD was!!!! And without a doubt, if you read through this thread, you will find that you are in very good company!! Many people hate this piece so much they give up and go onto other things.
_________________________
Christine Ivan Sings Khachaturian Novelette Kabalevsky Elegy Massenet 
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#1845057 - 02/15/12 07:43 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 1075
Loc: New Jersey
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Hi Jaojr! Blow the Man Down is probably the MOST talked about piece in this thread. And I don't think anyone ever wrote in to say that it was easy. LOL Most of us pulled our hair out learning it, and took longer than a week. If you got it in a week you are very good. I think there are a couple of other pieces in the book with similar rhythm issues (Can-Can comes to mind), but you will "get" them much easier now that you have BTMD under your belt.
_________________________
mom3gram  Hoping to finish level 2 and move up to level 3 in 2012
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#1845134 - 02/15/12 09:29 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Wish4 Thing]
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Full Member
Registered: 08/10/11
Posts: 89
Loc: Brazil
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I found a really simple sheet music on internet, no flat, no sharp...long long ago. and for the first time, I used metronome. Sounds pretty good, Wish4 Thing. Where did you find the sheet music for it? The metronome is essential for learning piano in my opinion. It can be a little tricky at first getting used to it, but in the long run it helps. I know it helped me a lot with Blow The Man Down. I even put little carrot marks in the book on the notes that were to be played on the tick (down beat). However, the metronome has its critics too. Here is an article talking about the pro's and con's of using a metronome: Should I Practice with a Metronome? Personally, I usually try to work out and learn a new piece on my own. Then later I might use the metronome to get an idea of the pace of it, but then go back to trying to get the rhythm down without the metronome. Then when I have pretty much got the piece down, I will try to play along with the metronome to try to get the rythm down. Sometimes I will find that I am playing something a bit wrong because I'm missing a beat in a new measure, so the metronome definitely has its advantages. Then finally, I'll play it without the metronome although I don't think my timing is good enough now to keep a tight beats per minute playing throughout. More on the metronome: The Use and Abuse of the Metronome
_________________________
Dittrich Piano, ca. 1978
Learning by self with Alfred's Self-Teaching Book
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#1845344 - 02/15/12 02:33 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Johnny D]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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Where did you find the sheet music for it?
It's from a Chinese piano sheet music site... I've added a link to the Alfred AIO collection site for your reference. The metronome is essential for learning piano in my opinion. Thanks for the valuable discussion! I've also added the link to your post in the FAQ page. I've been thinking to re-record Greensleeves with metronome...:) I do feel I become dependent on CD or metronome to be able to play at a steady speed... otherwise, I tend to play faster and faster...:)
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#1845606 - 02/15/12 08:18 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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Full Member
Registered: 11/16/11
Posts: 231
Loc: Japan
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That's so funny. Long Long Ago is one of those songs I remember my friend who were lucky enough to have piano lessons playing back in the 70s in Okinawa. It's in my Japanese lesson book, too. I guess it's popular in Asia.
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#1845612 - 02/15/12 08:22 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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Full Member
Registered: 11/16/11
Posts: 231
Loc: Japan
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I use the metronome similarly to you, johnny D. I find it a little annoying, so I don't like to have it on that often, but once I more or less have the fingering down, I like to have it to make sure I've got the rhythm right, or to help me get the rhythm right. I still clap out pieces, too.
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#1845695 - 02/15/12 09:54 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: MaryAnn]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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I guess it's popular in Asia. Yeah, one of my Chinese friends said that was the first piano piece her teacher asked her to play... it was in a Chinese music book, but I think it's similar to this book: Piano Pieces for Children (scroll down to see the "song list" tab). I've been reading some comments in this and level 2 threads regarding lack of left hand training in Alfred's course... so I think I will try to expand my repertoire to include more melody on the left hand... thoughts?
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#1845806 - 02/16/12 03:15 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Johnny D]
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Full Member
Registered: 08/31/09
Posts: 184
Loc: Angola (Africa)
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#1845811 - 02/16/12 03:28 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Wish4 Thing]
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Full Member
Registered: 11/16/11
Posts: 231
Loc: Japan
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I've been reading some comments in this and level 2 threads regarding lack of left hand training in Alfred's course... so I think I will try to expand my repertoire to include more melody on the left hand... thoughts? Bach! That's what I've been doing.
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#1845895 - 02/16/12 09:12 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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500 Post Club Member
Registered: 06/16/11
Posts: 961
Loc: Maine
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Yes! Bach for the LH. Or you could come join us on the Piano Adventures thread  . Starting in 3A there is a variety of LH parts. I've been thinking about Blow The Man Down. I think the problem is there are no preparatory exercises for the dotted quarter against quarter rhythm. A good teacher would devise some exercises, but studying it on your own you just hit it cold, and WHAM. Not good.
_________________________
Baldwin Hamilton 45" upright... not fancy, but well loved
Lully, Minuet in d
Gossec, Tambourin
Burgmüller, Arabesque
McKay, Song of the Range Rider
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#1845940 - 02/16/12 10:08 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Wish4 Thing]
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Full Member
Registered: 03/13/11
Posts: 96
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I've been reading some comments in this and level 2 threads regarding lack of left hand training in Alfred's course... so I think I will try to expand my repertoire to include more melody on the left hand... thoughts?
Yep, Bach. The famous Minuet in g major is a great place to start!
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#1846015 - 02/16/12 11:52 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: PianoStudent88]
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Junior Member
Registered: 09/28/07
Posts: 6
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I've been thinking about Blow The Man Down. I think the problem is there are no preparatory exercises for the dotted quarter against quarter rhythm. A good teacher would devise some exercises, but studying it on your own you just hit it cold, and WHAM. Not good.
Not good indeed. Spending hours playing sections over and over has alienated my dogs, cat, kids, and I think my wife has put a divorce lawyer on speed dial.
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#1846020 - 02/16/12 12:05 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: MaryAnn]
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Full Member
Registered: 11/13/11
Posts: 33
Loc: Arizona USA
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I've been reading some comments in this and level 2 threads regarding lack of left hand training in Alfred's course... so I think I will try to expand my repertoire to include more melody on the left hand... thoughts? I've been working my way through Alfreds Basic "All Time Favorites Level 1". It expands the use of the left hand and not so much of the I IV V7 progression. There's a lot more use of octave intervals and some melody. Lyn
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#1846098 - 02/16/12 01:38 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: MaryAnn]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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Bach! That's what I've been doing. No wonder I liked your recording so much:)
Yep, Bach.
The famous Minuet in g major is a great place to start!
MaryAnn and Gahdzila, are there any particular Bach repertoire book(s)/online sheet music sites you are using to train LH? Thanks, fliper! I've added your comment to the FAQ page too.
I've been working my way through Alfreds Basic "All Time Favorites Level 1". It expands the use of the left hand and not so much of the I IV V7 progression. There's a lot more use of octave intervals and some melody.
Lyn
Thanks, Lyn! I've added your comment to the repertoire book collection. Yes! Bach for the LH. Or you could come join us on the Piano Adventures thread . Starting in 3A there is a variety of LH parts. A friend of mine gave me one Piano Adventures book that she used long time ago: for the older beginner, Accelerated Piano Adventures, lesson book 2. Is it the same series that you are using? I'll take a look at the thread:) Thanks! (You are on the repertoire book collection too now:)
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#1846107 - 02/16/12 01:49 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Wish4 Thing]
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500 Post Club Member
Registered: 06/16/11
Posts: 961
Loc: Maine
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Yes, it's part of the Piano Adventures family. Piano Adventures Accelerated for the Older Beginner level 2 covers the same material as regular Piano Adventures levels 2A and 2B, with some different songs. After finishing it you are ready for regular Piano Adventures 3A. I think that after finishing Alfred Adult level 1 you would be ready for Piano Adventures 3A. (Even before the end of Alfred, actually.) You might also find the Faber & Faber Developing Artists series to be of interest. You can get a preview of most of the volumes by clicking on the images at the bottom of the page.
_________________________
Baldwin Hamilton 45" upright... not fancy, but well loved
Lully, Minuet in d
Gossec, Tambourin
Burgmüller, Arabesque
McKay, Song of the Range Rider
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#1846119 - 02/16/12 02:04 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: PianoStudent88]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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I think that after finishing Alfred Adult level 1 you would be ready for Piano Adventures 3A. (Even before the end of Alfred, actually.)
Thank you, PianoStudent88! I bought the Alfred book by accident... I went to music store looking for piano books after I got a keyboard as xmas gift, and the guy in the store suggested the Alfred's, saying it's the book that the university here is using to teach adult students... and it's assuming the student has 0 knowledge about piano:) My friend who had the Faber's book had a teacher. Her teacher recommended the Faber book. Interesting. I wish I knew this web site earlier:) Thank you all!
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#1846134 - 02/16/12 02:17 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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500 Post Club Member
Registered: 06/16/11
Posts: 961
Loc: Maine
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I think you're in a good position, Wish4 Thing. I think the rock-solid recognition of I-IV-V chords in common keys that Alfred's Adult 1 gives you is useful. You could start working through the Piano Adventures Accelerated level book 2 at the same time (if it's easy, you'll get through it quickly, and if it's challenging then it's good practice). When you finish Alfred 1, you'll be ready to jump to another series or set of books.
_________________________
Baldwin Hamilton 45" upright... not fancy, but well loved
Lully, Minuet in d
Gossec, Tambourin
Burgmüller, Arabesque
McKay, Song of the Range Rider
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#1846135 - 02/16/12 02:25 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: PianoStudent88]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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You could start working through the Piano Adventures Accelerated level book 2 at the same time (if it's easy, you'll get through it quickly, and if it's challenging then it's good practice). When you finish Alfred 1, you'll be ready to jump to another series or set of books. Good suggestion! I actually finished Alfred's level 1 once long time ago, started Alfred level 2 book until about 20 pages, couldn't go any further... I felt I needed to go back to the basics. This time around, I think I'll take your suggestion, practicing more basics with other books before I jump right into Alfred's Level 2... thanks again!
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#1846544 - 02/17/12 01:54 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Wish4 Thing]
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Full Member
Registered: 11/16/11
Posts: 231
Loc: Japan
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MaryAnn and Gahdzila, are there any particular Bach repertoire book(s)/online sheet music sites you are using to train LH?
I got the music for the Minuet in G for free from here: http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/Intermediate1.htmlThere's other good stuff there too. To learn it, as per my teacher's instructions, I first learned the melody in the right hand, all the way through the first page. Then I learned it in chunks of 2 measures, hands separate then together. My teacher took out a few of the notes (two runs of 4 eighth notes in the left hand at the end of the 2nd and 3rd measures; she initially took out the octaves until she realized that with my gigantic hands I could hit them pretty easily) The next thing I learned was a Krieger minuet in A minor. I think it's probably a little easier, but the music came from a book she had, so I don't know where you can get it. [My primary lesson book and all my teacher's repertoire books are Japanese, so not much help] Now I'm learning another Minuet in G, Musette, and Minuet in D minor from a Japanese Baroque music book. I think most of these are in Easy Classics to Moderns: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Classics-Mode...1558&sr=8-1
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#1846561 - 02/17/12 03:06 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Lyn in AZ]
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Full Member
Registered: 08/31/09
Posts: 184
Loc: Angola (Africa)
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... so I think I will try to expand my repertoire to include more melody on the left hand... thoughts? Bach! That's what I've been doing. See this http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1680171/1.html I've been working my way through Alfreds Basic "All Time Favorites Level 1". Lyn I have this book too. Pieces are chalenging to me. I played only the first two pieces. The first piece - "Ach Du Lieber Augustine" is similar to "Blow The Man Down" regarding the hands independence. I would like to listen you play "Finlandia Theme" (the second piece). I am planning to get back to this book, as a long term learning.
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#1846736 - 02/17/12 12:14 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: MaryAnn]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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Thanks! Yeah, you told me about this site before... Sorry, I thought there was a book dedicated to Bach:)  I have this book...:) THANK YOU! Minuet in G is in there, fingering is a little different... Another question I have is that, did your teacher pick any pieces from Thompson's book? As I read one comment somewhere in this forum that Thompson is the book to go if you want to play classical... I know Thompson is popular in China (maybe Asia too?). Since your teacher assigned you all the classical pieces, I'm curious if Thompson is in your repertoire (I have "John Thompson's modern course for the piano", wonder if I can use it as a supplement material as well...) Thank you for the link as always, fliper! I like that thread, too bad II doesn't seem to post in this forum any more...
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#1846899 - 02/17/12 04:36 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Mark...]
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Junior Member
Registered: 02/17/12
Posts: 1
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I just got the book and trying to self teach myself. More like a fun hobby and hopefully I'll get better at it. Anyone ever try RocketPiano? I just purchased this as well and see how far I can get. http://da202z15bgwa6w2jucfmvn9q89.hop.clickbank.net/Here's the link if anyone is interested in reading up on it.
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#1846916 - 02/17/12 04:52 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Pianoman84]
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Full Member
Registered: 06/15/09
Posts: 201
Loc: Scotland, United Kingdom, Sol,...
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I just got the book and trying to self teach myself. More like a fun hobby and hopefully I'll get better at it. Anyone ever try RocketPiano? I just purchased this as well and see how far I can get. http://da202z15bgwa6w2jucfmvn9q89.hop.clickbank.net/Here's the link if anyone is interested in reading up on it. Welcome aboard.. don't forget to post your rocketpiano affiliate link! 
_________________________
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#1847611 - 02/19/12 01:52 AM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: Wish4 Thing]
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Full Member
Registered: 01/29/11
Posts: 89
Loc: TX, USA
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Anyone ever try RocketPiano? I just purchased this as well and see how far I can get.
Welcome! I did a search in the beginner forum... some said it helps with theory; some said it was a mistake... looking forward to hearing your experience with it... The metronome is essential for learning piano in my opinion. I've been thinking to re-record Greensleeves with metronome...:) and here it goes... the recording of Greensleeves with metronome (tempo 102bpm)... I feel it's a little better than playing along with CD... thanks for listening and any comments... and have a great weekend!
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#1849158 - 02/21/12 03:00 PM
Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1
[Re: fliper]
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Junior Member
Registered: 03/09/11
Posts: 7
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I'd love to - once I get over "freezing up" when some one else is listening. This happens to me and to a lot beginners. My recordings are made with a lot of work, it is not just seat, press the "red button" (recording) and play  . It helps if you know well the piece and play it concentrated, without thinking in the other things or let your fingers play alone (called "muscle" memory). It is like the other things you need to learn, you need to practice to feel confident. See this http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1671793/http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1787690/1.htmlI almost finished Level 1 last year and got interrupted... Hi Wish4 Thing, I am sure that you will finish it this time! I like your recordings, I always listen yours after I learn the piece. ...do you need to be able to read sheet music for this book? Or does it teach you that too? As Nikky said, the book starts from the begining Regarding the books I quote this "Re: Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1 - 09/05/10 03:04 PM Posted by: mom3gram Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course - has lessons and pieces to play, but you must buy a separatetheory book. Levels 1,2, and 3. Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course All-In-One - same lessons and pieces as above with the exception of maybe two or three different pieces, includes theory and exercises. Levels 1,2 and 3. (Has spiral binding with is nice because it lays flat) Alfred Self-Teaching Piano Course - same lessons and pieces but with more explanation and study hints for each piece. Has some bonus pieces at the end of book. No spiral binding. You can post here with any of the above, as MOST of the pieces are exactly the same." http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Basic-Adult-Piano-Course/dp/0882846167http://www.amazon.com/Adult-All-One-Course-Lesson-Theory-Technic/dp/0882848186/http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Self-Teaching-Adult-Piano-Course/dp/0739052055/http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Self-Teaching-Adult-Piano-Course/dp/0739078453/http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Teach-Yourself-Play-Piano/dp/0739033999/Please search the most updated versions of the books as these links are old. Nikky book link is newer that the above link for the same book. Note you can purchase the book with CD or without CD. The Self Teaching can be purchased wuth a Cd or with a DVD (I did not know this with DVD). I have the Alfred All-In-one and also the Teach Yourself book with a DVD (DVD is very nice IMO). Hey there, I know the answer is probably somewhere in these 159 or so pages, but that's quite a lot to cover to find this, so taking the lazy man - more efficient route: can someone explain the difference between the "self-teaching(yellowish cover)," and "teach yourself(white cover)" book? Also, is it recommended buying the ones with the CD or DVD bundled? Thank you very much in advance, any help is/will be greatly appreciated!
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