One time, my teacher sort of blurted out, "You are so easy to teach!"

It was the best compliment ever. I still hope he thinks that, at least every now and then

I agree with Sinophilia that Etude 10-3 is one of the hardest pieces in Book 2. For me, also a favorite--one of those that I continued to play (eventually from memory). It's worth the effort, imo.

The key (F major) isn't (imo) necessarily easier, it's just that the key of the original piece (E major) isn't introduced until half way through Book 3. Even with the simplified arrangement in Book 2, there's a lot going on in the music. Several voices, a couple of grace notes, some two-part writing, a range of dynamics, four "parts" to learn (starting with first full measure, m.1-5 and m.9-13; m.6-8; m.14-16; m.17-end).

Best wishes with the piece and the rest of the book!

I'm working on hava nagalia on my brand new piano ... I was playing before on my little digital yamaha piano. And that was fine, but what a joy to play and practice on my new acoustic!

I'm so jealous!!!

We started on a rickety old acoustic that wouldn't hold a tune. It wasn't long before I bought a Casio digital...but it's just not the same. I've really got the itch to buy a new acoustic.

My teacher's studio is in the back of the local piano store...which means I have to walk by all the gorgeous new pianos every time I go to my lesson. Naturally, this makes my itch that much worse! I've been eyeing one....but I haven't played it because I'm afraid I'll fall madly in love and buy it on the spot! But I may not be able to resist much longer.

@earlofmar

@hamlet cat
I am also more into learning pop/blues/folk than classical music, and I find the Alfred's method just perfect because it's a blend of all this! But I also bought the Piano for All series, it's a completely different method which mainly teaches chords, rhythms, and accompaniment techniques. You might want to have a look at it.

Hey, guys!

Welcome, Heather and hamlet and earl!

I suppose if the pieces were interesting to me, I'd practice on them more and roll through at a breakneck one-a-week speed like Diana , but most of them just aren't that interesting to me.

I started Danny Boy last week, though, so I'm getting there! This is the 2nd to last piece in the book!

I am also working on Chopin's Prelude in E minor Op 28 no 4. What a BEAUTIFUL piece. I've wanted to play this for a while, and finally asked my teacher if she thought I could tackle it, and she replied, "oh, yeah, this one will be easy for you." LOL. As I've mentioned before, she always overestimates my abilities, so I figure if she thinks it will be easy for me, then I should be able to get it sounding good in a couple of months with a lot of work. It's coming along pretty good so far.

I finally dropped Mozart's Sonata Facile. I worked on this one for a long time, 10 months or so. I think it really was over my head and beyond my abilities. I could muddle through the whole thing, and most of it was memorized...but I never did get it up to even a moderate tempo. Nonetheless, it was great practice for me to work on it, and I learned a LOT.

Hi sinophilia. I think I'll stick with the regular book 2, but I'll take a look at the All series next time I'm at the music store. I have a habit of buying too many piano music books and already have enough to keep me busy a long, long time. I'm determined to use each and every one of them at some point.

I think the Piano for All series is only available online (pdf's with videos and mp3's) > pianoforall.com

But I'm with you on the 'too many books' thing, I think most of us adult beginners is guilty of this crime! I'm actually starting to pare down instead of increasing my learning materials.

My mistake, sinophilia. For some reason I was thinking about the Alfred All In One books when you mentioned the All series. I looked at that web site and noticed on one of the pages, it shows color coded pictures of the keyboard, instead of regular music notation on the staff. Is that they way the entire coarse is done?

Actually these books also use standard notation (something I like and understand better, having been through Alfred's books 1 and 2), it's just that the author keeps telling you "don't ask why it is like this, just trust me for now". That's the approach, to start you playing rhythms and chord progressions straight away without thinking too much. Videos are especially useful.

Still having fun in the refresh section at the start. The amount of La's in La Bamba are different every time played! Quite an achievement I feel.

Also, I trust your assessment of the series. So, I'm close to purchasing it, maybe 80% sure at this time.