Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Alfred's Basic and All in One Adult Piano Course Book #2

I do the same, and the book of choice is Alfred Book 1. Mom3Gram, what easier book(s) to you work on?

I go back to Book 1 a lot too, Howser. Yesterday I spent my whole piano time working on 3 pieces from Masterwork Classics, but I've also been reviewing the later pieces in Book 1. I don't think that I learned the last 8 or so pieces as well as I should have, which probably contributes to the trouble I've had in Book 2. I love "Greensleeves" and I think it's the best piece that I play, but I've been trying to re-learn "Scarborough", "Entertainer" and "Amazing Grace" well enough that I can add them to my "permanent" repertoire. So Book 1, Book 2 and Masterworks are my go to books right now.

Joe and the others are right in a way. The first third of Book 2 isn't much harder than the last several in Book 1 - I just never really got those down well enough either. The perils of self-teaching. LOL

For "easier" pieces, I generally use some of the pieces from Gil DiBenedetti's free site. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who goes back to Book 1.

I was playing Light And Blue and I realized that one of my problem is that I keep looking at my hands while playing.

How do I overcome that?

by not looking at your hands

Try playing with your eyes closed.

Light and Blue was one of my favorites so far. Play it slowly and accurately THEN start increasing the speed gradually. If you're making several mistakes as you play then you're playing too fast.

Very good lesson this week. The student that was ahead of me was playing on their digital piano so I was able to work a good 10 minutes on her regular piano. I'm finally able to do a 2 octave C major scale in 3rds in parallel motion. I should be able to work out doing it an octave apart much quicker.

Almost done with Book 2! Woot! I remember when I first started learning how to play the piano...I bought all 3 books and I would look in book 2 and think that there was no way I'd be able to play any of these pieces. Now...learning a new piece is becoming easier and easier. I remember having so much trouble with "Blow the Man down" in book 1 and now when I look back at it...I wonder what was so hard about it HA! I even find myself memorizing a lot of the pieces. I'm so glad I stuck with this :P.

That's fantastic, Romolo!

how long did book 2 take you?

Wow, that's quite helpful.

Will try that, thanks WJ3.



Thanks GracieCat, will slow it down and see.

I started in the summer, july 2010, so about 8-9 months.

wow i started it in june 10 im still on it tryna push thru it...its taking me forever.

I started a year ago January 1, but I'm slow. LOL

its ok...your not the only one lol

I do practice a lot though...I think more than the average person would. Usually twice a day. More on weekends.

Just curious...what are some of your favourite songs in book 2 so far?
Mine would have to be Guantanamera, Brahms's Lullaby, Etude, Love's Greetings, and by far by favourite is Waltz in G Minor. I seem to play it everyday :P.

I haven't gotten that far into it yet, but my favorites would have to be Hungarian Rhapsody 2, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and Festive Dance (which I'm still working on).

Another quick question...
Does anyone else feel like they have an easier time sight reading and playing with the right hand than with the left? I find it a lot easier playing the notes without looking on the treble clef than i do with the base clef. I can play the melody without looking at the piano keys but its a lot hard to do that with the right hand...am i the only one?

Danny Boy is becoming a real challenge... :S