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Yes,I tried that after finishing Level 1 in 1998, and it was good relief...but soon after, I quit Alfred altogether for a few years, until last June when I started again. This time, I went through the pieces in strict order till I got to Olympics Procession when I took a pause to look at playing by ear, chords, harmony, etc.

Update: finished Morning Has Broken over the weekend. Actually had a lot of fun playing around with different rhythms and combinations of broken chords with varying note values in the left hand. For the first time I could "hear" a song in my head that was different from what was written on the sheet. That was pretty exciting.

Started in on Alexanders Ragtime Band and have made a lot of progress by going right to the hardest parts and just focusing in on them first. Its a good thing my wife was away for two days because I have a tendency to sing aloud to these jazzy standards - something that sounds alot better encased in the acoustics of a hot steamy shower with two ears full of water.

When I did Morning Has Broken - I also transposed it in to G Major and F major - it was quiet good fun to do.

Finished Alexander's Ragtime Band, at least good enough for the weekly tele-concert for Mom. I can't decide between the next in Alfred, Solace, or starting on one of the pieces in a new book I've got, Schumann's Album for the young. So much to choose from. Happy New Year.

Jim, I love that you play over the phone for your mother. She must really enjoy that.

AB - She is nearly 91 and, knowing her, she probably wouldn't say a word even if she hated my little concerts. One of the only people that I've never heard say anything negative about another human being. I'm very fortunate to still have both parents with us at this point and intend to make the most of whatever time remains.

By the way, although legally blind, she continued to play golf until just a few months ago, and regularly beat what she called the "young girls" (eg. 75 year-olds). When we had her to dinner recently she banged out a few bars on my new digital of some old standard that was still in her fingers after all these years. (she played as a child but I don't remember her playing much at all while we were growing up, and she hasn't had a piano in her home for years.)

Oh, I almost forgot... I have found a teacher and will have my first trial lesson on Thursday this week. I feel like a little kid, all anxious in anticipation of a new school year!!

Just making my first official post in the Book 2 thread. I started Book 2 on New Years day, and have only played the first two pieces so far. It took me nearly two years to get through Book 1, so I expect to be here for a good long time. :-) I'm looking forward to some new challenges, while I continue to review some of my old Book 1 favorites.

Congratulations mom3gram!

Thanks, Carl. :-)

Jim - I'm glad your mother is in good health and that you are enjoying each other.

mom3gram - congrats! welcome to book 2!

mom3gram. Welcome to book 2.

Good to see you here mom3gram!

Glad to see you made it, Mom3gram.

I will be taking a break from Alfred. I had my first lesson yesterday (she had an early cancellation so I took it) and we are going go on without the method book. First up this week is a piece from Schumann's Album for the Young that includes a heavy dose of very active left hand. And there will be assignments from Hannon, as well as other pieces of my own choosing.

I have to say I have mixed feelings about dropping Alfred, if only because the pieces seem to be coming under my fingers so quickly now. But in the end, for me, I do think this is the right course. Hope you all don't mind if I still pop in now and again.

Jim

Good luck, Jim!

Well, I'm on to La Raspa (still tidying up La Bamba, I've had a bit of a break here) and I find it physically challenging, particularly when my right had has to do 2-1/4-2-1/4 quickly. My fingers don't hit the notes at the same time. This is something that'll just have to get better over time. I dislike these pieces, but I appreciate them for helping me build speed and strength in my fingers.

JimF My teacher doesn't use Alfreds also. We work on technique and songs. Most recently Bach stuff. I have been doing Alfreds as a side. Its pretty slow going but I think that everything add to my progress.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Adult Beginner, wj3, BazC, and Jim. Well, I've spent about a week on the first two pieces. Although they were pretty easy, and basically a review, my fingers insisted on making mistakes. LOL But I've started on to "Guantanamera" today, which is a little more difficult. I also have a short playlist of Book 1 pieces, Greatest Hits pieces, and a few simple classics that I'm continuing to polish. I'm taking it slow, making sure it all sinks in.

Well I finally gave myself the go ahead on Guantanamera today. I don't know why I had so much trouble with it. I just couldn't get it smooth. Tomorrow I'll make my recording and call it good. I am up to Light and Blue. Its pretty easy. Just needs a little polishing....

Guatanamera was definitely not one of my favorites!

Guantanamera took me a good three weeks or so, and the first two weeks were unpleasant. But it eventually became fun. Seemed like there were a lot of Latin American pieces early in Book 2.

Here's my Rock A My Soul:

http://www.box.net/shared/01mbx8bu5m