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

Hi All
I am learning a little from the Alfred books, plus some other books too. I did a search here on Piano World for fake book, and found that one of the members of Piano World wrote a pretty nice lesson book, that comes with a cd. I got it, and it really looks like a nice way of adding things to learn to the methods we are in.
I am still a Level 1 Alfred, and Piano Adventures user, but I know that you level 2 guys and gals will love the things that Pete the bean teaches. I started a thread and asked him if he would help us out a little, and he said yes, and posted a free lesson that will be very helpful to everyone in the thread. Just thought I would suggest that you check it out, not trying to sell anything, but just sharing what I think is some great help for all. Oh, and how nice it is too that the guy that wrote the book, is a member right here with all of us on Piano World.
Also, while I am thinking of it, there is a link in the thread for a lot of free audios of some jazz lessons that I think is a great resource too. Pete has a link for the audio of this free lesson on there too. Thanks, and hope to see many of you on that thread. Here is the link.

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/7708.html

Flat 7

Not trying to sell anything? Really? That would be different! So Pete the bean's book, CD and all his lessons are free then?

Regards, JF

Hi JF
Pete did give a free lesson on the thread. I posted a longer answer to this on this thread.
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/7708.html

Thanks,
Flat 7

Does anyone know if Alfred's All-In-One Book 2 is available with a CD?

Thanks!
Ang

Yes it is available. I find it only marginally helpful. The music sounds very computer generated. The piano is usually accompanied by other instruments making it more difficult to hear the piano part. Why they do that I don't know. After all, it is a piano instruction book.

On the CD the piano part comes from one side & the accompaniment from the other, so all you have to do is turn off one speaker to hear the piano by itself.

Regards, JF

I have found the pieces posted at the begining of this string to be great. I copied them to my hard drive and use them as a quick reference when I start a new piece. All of the pieces are not there but that does force me to practice counting beats once in a while. I wish the pieces from the supplementary books were available also.

I am currently working on the Hokey Pokey and Night Song. Hokey Pokey is one of the first songs I felt like I had to just let loose and let my fingers take over. It really made it much easier. Its funny how some songs that you really do not like can push you to the next step. I really like Night Song; it makes me feel like I am playing the piano and not just going through another learning exercise.

Hi Bob...Welcome...

The Hokey Pokey drove me a little crazy, but really enjoyed Night Song.

Glad the pieces in the opening post helps you. If you or anyone else has a nice recording of any Alfread piece, let me know and we can add it to the list. Duplicates are welcome.

I especially need book one pieces.

Happy New Year

Mark...

Mark,
As I have been working through book 2 I have come across a few songs that were not included in your links. I was able to find most of these by going to Utube and typing in the name of the piece as well as Alfred's book 2. I think I found everything I was looking for. Some of the pieces were posted by people from this forum. I saved copies of the audio to my hard drive using the Audigy software that came with my computer soundcard. This method may be helpful to others looking for songs.

Just started with Book 2, I'm teaching myself after a long period of near inactivity. I'm using Book 2 plus simple Bach pieces to bolster my confidence again. I really like the AIO's approach of interweaving theory and practice ... makes a lot of sense to me!

I am also using the AIO but mostly purchased it due to the binding. I used the standard version of book 1 and it never sat well on the music stand. I do not spend much time on the theory portion of book 2 but have read about half of Edly's Music Theory for Practical People. It started to get more advanced then I was ready for but I will go back to it in the future.

OK back from holiday break & travel. Pretty much done with Pomp & Circumstance, now just gotta polish off the Seventh Blues one. Then I have my 45m lesson with teacher so we can continue on next part (step) of #2.

Since the pieces in #2 are generally longer I've noticed that unlike #1 when you do 2-3pages of theory it can easily cover 4-5 songs!

I am currently working on Olympic Procession and trying to polish up Hava Nagila. For some reason on the opening of that one my fingers run away and slip in a few perfect wrong notes. Up to this point I have not been working with a metronome. Does anyone use them and how do you know what rate to set it for with the pieces in Alfred's?

I’ve used a metronome to help me keep a steady tempo on a few pieces. As for knowing what to set it to, or knowing the intended tempo on some of the Alfred pieces in general, this is were I’ve gotten the most use out of the CD. I never use it to play along with, but I will listen to some pieces to get an idea of the tempo. I have a built in metronome on my DP and it has a “Tap” function where you set the time signature (meter) and then just tap the button in time with the music and it sets the tempo.

After saying all of that, I would think “Hava Nagila” would be a tuff one to use a metronome on due to the tempo changes.

PS: I’m currently working on “Battle Hymn of the Republlic” and “The Riddle”.

Undone

I spent my first session with the metronome yesterday working on Olympic Procession. I set the metronome to a tempo of 60 playing only the weak beats. It is funny but it changes your focus from playing the correct notes and cords to playing them on the beat. It sure points out where you are weak in the piece. I am not sure how much I often I will use the device but I can see the value.

I am simply 'g Swinging Sevenths, that is all

I agree - nice little swingin' tune - I recorded this & submitted it to a monthly piano bar not too long ago. There's also several versions of it back on page 1 of this thread.

Regards, JF

Hmmm seems I'm playing it way faster but them it's Swinging so I figured faster... I may have to re-visit and see..

Don't forget, we can always use additional recordings for any and all Alfred pieces for the opening pages. Duplicates are welcome.

Thanks!

Mark...