Can anybody tell me what's the best piano learning programs on DVD or Cd they've ever come across.

Please, do not include Duane Shinn's, David Sprunger's or Play piano in a flash; I think they all suck.

I welcome your suggestions.

Take a look at:

http://www.jazzpianolessons.com/dvd_viewall.php

or


http://www.playpianotips.com/DVD

Rodney

which do you recommend, based on level of difficulty? so far, the jazzpianolessons.com look a bit more auspicious than the other one. Which one have you tried?

Joejazzy
Which of Duane Shinns courses did you try and what was wrong with it ?

Just curious ....

Thanks

I've tried: How to dress naked music; how to play more notes....; there was one CD on Erroll Garner, and another about how to practice. I have 2 problems with his DVDs: First, he doesn't teach. Second, they are overpriced.

Joe,
I'm not familiar w/the first site, but I gave a listen to the video on the second and wasn't impressed. Do you still have the Shinn materials?

So the course " How To Dress Up Naked Music"
consisted of a CD by Erroll Garner and another CD telling you how to practice ??

"So the course " How To Dress Up Naked Music"
consisted of a CD by Erroll Garner and another CD telling you how to practice ??"

No, I bought a total of 4 courses: 3 DVDs and 1 course of Erroll Garner on audio CD.

" I'm not familiar w/the first site, but I gave a listen to the video on the second and wasn't impressed. Do you still have the Shinn materials?"

Sorry, I sold them on Ebay last year; it was a waste of money. Duane is a good pianist, but his didactic ability is ludicrous.

Thanks for the info

I have Yoke Wong's Improv DVDs and found it was quite good if your Beginner to Early Intermmediat and are looking to venture into playing from Fake books. It covers pretty much everything you need in that respect.

I found the jazzpianolessons web site from watching some of the lesson snippets on Youtube and thought that his teaching style was very good. I'm going to pick up the "Basics of Improv" DVD and will post a review in the AB forum when I'm done with it.

Perhaps you could be a litle clearer in your current level of playing, what style(s) of music, what you're looking for in a DVD lesson package, etc.

Rodney

Since you asked for the best on DVD, and assuming you're into jazz and improvisation as opposed to classical, I think Dick Grove's School Without Walls is the best, but it's a serious study program, and not cheap, and definitely not a "play piano in a flash" kind of thing. Most everything else is lightweight by comparison.
I've checked out some of the Willie Myette videos (jazzpianolessons.com) and thought they were pretty good. You can also subscribe to his online lessons instead of buying the videos, so you can check them all out pretty cheaply.
Nobody mentions Homespun much, but they have a number of different videos available for a number of different styles. They're kind of hit-and-miss, though.
As far as Shinn, I've taken his 52-week course (it was on VHS then), and have to say I disagree with your assessment that he doesn't teach. I don't know about the courses you bought, but his teaching in the 52-week course is pretty good, in my opinion. This course is definitely in the beginner to intermediate category, though.
If you're a little more advanced you might want to check out the Barry Harris videos. Not specifically geared toward piano as much as improvisation in general. Barry is a dynamite teacher and pianist.
For sort of a basic approach to solo jazz piano, you can take a look at PlayLikeMe.com. Pick up any one of their DVD's and you can learn their approach pretty cheaply.
Jamey Aebersold has a DVD called "Anyone Can Improvise". Again, it's not specifically aimed at piano, although he demonstrates a lot on the piano - it's more about a basic approach to improvisation. His website jazzbooks.com has a practically unlimited catalog of jazz materials, from play-alongs to books and DVD's.

I appreciate your reply EP; I must admit that you made some great recommendations here. I tried playlikeme.com; I bought almost all their DVDs. My skills have improved tremendously with them. Bill Susman's approach is truly one of the easiest ways to learn and play Jazz.

I'm trying to take myself to the next level; I need something more advanced. My improvisation skills suck. Also, I need to add a little bit more groove into my left hand. I'm starting to get tired with the R-5; R-7; R-R patterns; I'm trying to find ways to be more creative with it.

I might check Aebersold as well to see what they have for me. Thank you very much for your suggestions.

Have any of you ever tried any courses from this website? I think the improvisation and reharmonization courses look interesting, but I'm curious to know if any of you know anything about it? I don't think I've ever heard anything mentioned about it, other than the common piano instructors that are brought up all the time.
The site is: http://www.learnpianowithrosa.com/index.html
Thanks, and let me know! I love learning new and exciting things on the piano when the opportunity is there, but I want to be sure that I'm not getting ripped off! LOL!
K

If you want to learn to improvise Bert Ligon's book Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony is the greatest tool out there. This book is the best thing since sliced bread.

I've been a member of Willie Myette's site for over a year know, and I'm very happy with his lessons. Learned alot from it, especially when it comes to Jazz and ideas on improvising. He offers a free trial period so you can see if you like it or not. I have a few Homespun DVD's aswell and agree with previous poster that it's a little hit and miss with those.

I like Willie Myette's online program, although he sells DVDs.

You can try it free for 35 lessons. I bought a year membership, you can access Jazz, Latin, Funk, Gospel and Rock. Lots and lots of material from beginner to advanced

Homespun does have some good courses also.

I like the online component of Willie Myette. You can buy monthly or yearly, and just one style or all. He runs sales periodically.

If you buy the online, you have access to so much...he really breaks things down. I'm working on his lesson on When Sunny Gets Blue now, very doable, although the chord analysis is over my head for this one.

Someone in another forum talked about the various courses available at Keypiano.com

If I understand correctly, the 'Play It Series' can be used without having had to go through the 'Name It' series, as the 'Play It' series includes the information from the 'Name It' series.

The poster said that this had helped him a great deal with sight reading.

Why not ask players you respect how they got so good.

I'd be willing to bet no one ever achieved greatness from having studied from a DVD, but I could be wrong.

Some things like technique need to be taught one on one. Theory can be learned from a book though a good teacher can make it interesting and speed along the process.

If you are into the Jazz thing, I highly recommend Chick Corea's Keyboard Workshop. Though it is fairly advanced, it has got some killer tips. The lesson from that that really stuck with me was the 10 fingers exercise where you think of each finger as its own sort of drum stick. Cool video especially if you are a fan of Chick's playing

Dave maybe right about no body achieving greatness from a DVD but they haven't been around too long.

Seriously, for technique, nothing beats having a real teacher. But if you have already studied with a teacher and can play a bit, DVD's are pretty good for getting a kick start in learning different styles of piano, like country or boogie. You're not going to learn about hand position, breathing, and that sort of thing from a video but you can learn other elements of playing.

Peace out,
D