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#1102542 - 01/08/09 11:15 PM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Registered: 12/21/08
Posts: 963
Loc: Portlandia
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I've had both from the library. The Piano Handbook is a nice big glossy book, full of interesting information, but I don't think it would be a good book to start with as your only how-to-play book. It gives lessons that move very quickly, and would be more appropriate for someone who used to play pretty well but needs a refresher course. How to Play Popular Piano assumes you know nothing, and teaches you how to play chords and melodies from a "fake book", which is a big tune book with only chords and melodies (as opposed to full piano arrangements). But that only lets you learn tunes you already know, since you don't know how to read music to learn the melodies of new tunes. Still, this book would at least get you kind of started... but... Why not start with Alfred\'s Adult All-in-One , like so many people do? Then you could get encouragement from others on the monster-huge Alfred's threads. Plus it starts from the very beginning and teaches you how to read music, find notes on the keyboard, make chords, etc. It's seems designed for someone who's teaching themself how to play. [edited to add URL]
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Please step aside. You're standing in your own way. piano blog
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#1102543 - 01/08/09 11:38 PM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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500 Post Club Member
Registered: 02/20/08
Posts: 744
Loc: CA
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Originally posted by tangleweeds:  Why not start with Alfred\'s Adult All-in-One , like so many people do? Then you could get encouragement from others on the monster-huge Alfred's threads. Plus it starts from the very beginning and teaches you how to read music, find notes on the keyboard, make chords, etc. It's seems designed for someone who's teaching themself how to play. [edited to add URL] [/b]  I started from scratch without any previous knowledge of musical instrument or any note reading skills as well, and the Alfred's method book, level 1 has helped jump started me quite well, I believe. Good luck to you which ever method books you decided to go with. Key Notes 
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Music speaks where words fails.
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#1102544 - 01/09/09 05:54 AM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Junior Member
Registered: 01/08/09
Posts: 1
Loc: Mississauga
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I am new to the forum and this is my very first post. I too am totally new to piano and also new to reading notes etc. So I should start with the Afred's Adult All-in-one? How long does it normally takes before you could actually play something? Just out of curiosity to see whether I could even attempt; I'm kind of afraid to.
Thanks.
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#1102545 - 01/09/09 08:10 AM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Full Member
Registered: 10/27/07
Posts: 258
Loc: Kansas
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activemind,
I don't know which book you should start with but it is fun if you have a music store or two near you to look at the various books. As a kid I learned out of John Thompson, 40 years later I started over with Faber and Faber. Alfred's does have a big following here with threads devoted to the book which could be a huge bonus.
Don't be afraid to. If you really are, or it seems overwhelming, see if you can find a teacher who can get you going. You'll be able to play something very quickly. It's unlikely it's what you will actually want to play:) or rather, it won't have all the sounds and tones you think it should have. However, it's a process. Baby steps. A very rewarding and fun journey.
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A Hero is one who hangs on one minute longer. Author: Unknown
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#1102546 - 01/09/09 11:02 AM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Full Member
Registered: 01/05/08
Posts: 293
Loc: Salem, Or
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I started with Alfreds Adult AIO. With not much prior music experience. I played trombone in junior hi but that was 45 years ago. (Iam 62). Alfreds starts you off at the very beginning which was a good fit for me.
I have both of Carl Humphries books and they very fast moving for a beginner.
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wj3 1906 Claredon Upright Alfreds AIO Level 2: Working on Solace(simply Joplin), Burgmuller Le petite reunion, Innocence Czerny op 599, Alfred AIO Level 2.  
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#1102547 - 01/09/09 01:02 PM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Full Member
Registered: 01/05/09
Posts: 110
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Originally posted by tangleweeds: I've had both from the library. The Piano Handbook is a nice big glossy book, full of interesting information, but I don't think it would be a good book to start with as your only how-to-play book. It gives lessons that move very quickly, and would be more appropriate for someone who used to play pretty well but needs a refresher course. How to Play Popular Piano assumes you know nothing, and teaches you how to play chords and melodies from a "fake book", which is a big tune book with only chords and melodies (as opposed to full piano arrangements). But that only lets you learn tunes you already know, since you don't know how to read music to learn the melodies of new tunes. Still, this book would at least get you kind of started... but... Why not start with Alfred\'s Adult All-in-One , like so many people do? Then you could get encouragement from others on the monster-huge Alfred's threads. Plus it starts from the very beginning and teaches you how to read music, find notes on the keyboard, make chords, etc. It's seems designed for someone who's teaching themself how to play. [edited to add URL] [/b] I take it you mean these three books? http://www.amazon.ca/Alfreds-Basic-Adult...31521259&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.ca/Alfreds-Basic-Adult...31521259&sr=1-2 http://www.amazon.ca/Alfreds-Basic-Adult...31521259&sr=1-3 So there are 3 in total? or more? how many years would this take a person who practices an X amount of hours each day? do most piano stores carry these books? do you think if i buy a $1000 digital piano (i was thinking of the yamaha p140 or it's successor) the piano store will throw these in for free (could buy the set from the amazon site and free shipping for about $30 CAD after discount, so is ~$30 CAD too much to ask?)
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#1102548 - 01/09/09 01:14 PM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 1106
Loc: New Jersey
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That's it! If you can get all three for $30 with free shipping (and if you plan on staying with the books through all three) it is worth it.
I only bought the first book and I've been in it for almost a year. I will buy the second one when I get a little closer to the end. I'm so slow that it's going to take forever to get to the third one.
Most people seem to take a year or a little less for each level, and there are a few who flew through them in a few months each. It all depends, I guess, on talent, previous music experience, and how much you practice.
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mom3gram
ALFRED'S ADULT BOOK 1 GRADUATE
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#1102549 - 01/09/09 01:49 PM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Registered: 12/21/08
Posts: 963
Loc: Portlandia
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http://www.amazon.com/Adult-All-One-Cour...1526721&sr=1-19 My understanding is that the All-in-One books have the theory and technique stuff included, whereas the the Basic Adult Piano Course books require you to buy the theory book separately (and maybe other stuff too?). They all have the same tunes, though. Both series have 3 volumes. I don't see any reason to buy more than one volume at a time unless you get a deal on buying them together. I can't find the version of the All-in-One course that comes with a CD on Amazon, though. That's why I originally linked through Sheet Music Plus, who I've had very fast and positive experiences with.
_________________________
Please step aside. You're standing in your own way. piano blog
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#1102550 - 01/09/09 04:05 PM
Re: beginner books, which one?
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Full Member
Registered: 12/29/08
Posts: 91
Loc: Minnesota
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Yeah, don't make the mistake I did and buy the all in one thinking you need the theory one too. I got my all in in off of amazon... it's ISBN is 0-88284-931-X http://www.amazon.com/Adult-All-One-Cour...1535086&sr=11-1
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