Book Description
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for the beginner looking for a truly complete piano course that includes lesson, theory, technic and popular repertoire in one convenient, all-in-one book. This course has a number of features that make it particularly successful in achieving this goal, among them are smooth progression between concepts, the thorough explanation of chords and outstanding song material. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of music.
Customer Reviews:
Well crafted course for the older beginner.......2007-09-09
After reviewing numerous 'method' books on piano, I found this one to be the most comprehensive and well rounded of the lot. Utilizing the best apsects from the myriad methods developed over the years, this book engages the student with popular tunes, theory and technical exercises from the likes of Hanon and Leschetizky, without overemphasising any one element at the expense of another.
Excellant!.......2007-08-26
This book is easy-to-understand and very thorough. I'm using it under the guidance of a professional instructor, but I think it could be used independantly with great effect, as well. It starts with the absolute basics, but it's amazing how quickly an adult can move along. I feel quite confident playing everything covered in this book, and I've enjoyed it very much.
I'm 31 years old, and I've spent, probably, 6-9 mos total in Level 1 (with a few months off this summer). I've just purchased Level 2, and I fully intend to finish this course through Level 3.
Get This Freakin Book!!!!!.......2007-08-07
I have had no prior knowledge of the piano whatsoever. I mean no lessons no nothing! I bought the book and after 1 week of practicing at 1 hour everyday I'm half way through this book. I'm playing music with ease folks! I signed up for a piano course and found out about this book. After looking through it I dropped the class and started teaching myself. Call me crazy but its paying off. You actually can learn on your own. Imagine what your friends and family will think of you when you said you learned from a book. Can we say "gasps". It's easy to understand and takes you along the way the RIGHT way. Get this Freakin Book!
Great method book.......2007-08-03
I love this series for teaching piano. It is very methodical and logical. And I love that it incorporates the Hanon exercises. I see students grow leaps and bounds using those!
If you use the correlated 'Greatest Hits' book, you've got a teaching/learning package that can't be beat.
By the way, the series is labeled 'Adult' but I would recommend it for any student who is past the age of brightly colored pictures and kiddie lyrics. I guess I'd recommend it for anyone over the age of 13.
useful beginner's guide .......2007-05-18
I found it useful but I use many other pieces of music to complement this book.
Book Description
A beginning course for adults who prefer a chord approach. It teaches chords for both hands so that the student can play more than single note melodies. It contains outstanding songs such as "The Entertainer," "Scarborough Fair," "Greensleeves" and "Amazing Grace."
Customer Reviews:
Love this book.......2007-08-31
I had knowledge on music and some self-studied skills on Guitar and Harmonica, but no experience with any keyboard instruments. I found this book very easy to follow and very well structured. After a little bit more than one month, I have finished the C position exercises, and fell very comfortable with self-studying piano.
Highly recommend to adults who want to self-study piano in their own pace!
Great for Lessons.......2007-08-17
These books were required by my piano teachers. They were very easy to learn from and and use for more practice and fun.
Highly recommended.......2007-08-15
I have no musical background whatsoever and this book makes me feel like I've got lots of talent. It is easy to navigate and learn the basics. A truly must have for every beginner.
Just what I needed!.......2007-03-21
I am a thirty-something person learning the piano with no musical experience at all. This book has definitely taught me to play, and no other book I picked up came close. The Alfred book starts at the very beginning with pictures of numbered fingers and numbered keys. And within a few pages you're reading music and playing with two hands! The pace is appropriate for an adult, progressing quickly, but with full explanation of each new skill.
I would still recommend getting additional beginner books if you're serious about learning the piano, because it's useful to have a variety of resources, but this book is the one that taught me to play.
Good luck!
CD Not Shipped With Book. Buyer Beware.......2007-01-09
I bought this book with a lot of excitement and was surprised when I saw that the CD was not shipped with the book. I don't know how I am supposed to purchase the CD or download the audio files. It's a little frustrating.
I have not judged the quality of the book.
Other buyers, please be aware that the book does not ship with the companion audio CD.
Book Description
"Anyone who can dial a telephone can learn to play popular piano quickly and easily."
So says Norman Monath, author of How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons. His no-frills, no-drills method will have you playing simple tunes within 30 minutes -- even if you don't know one note from another.
The secret? Learning the basic chords and how to adapt them. With lots of clearly illustrated chord examples, keyboard diagrams and practice pieces ranging from "Silent Night" to "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," Monath teaches you:
* the basic structure of music
* how to alter the basic chords for creative accompaniment
* how to read tunes from sheet music
* how to improvise
* how to play by ear
* how to create your own playing style -- whether you lean toward pop, blues, jazz or rock
For everyone from rank beginner to experienced virtuoso, this step-by-step, uncomplicated guidebook makes learning to play popular piano the easy and enjoyable experience it should be.
Customer Reviews:
Fast & Easy Piano.......2007-06-09
My first venture into piano lessons and I have enjoyed it. Using basic chords I was playing nice sounding music in no time; not the one finger tunes. I recommend this to anyone who wants to play the piano and sound good from the start.
Learning to Play.......2007-06-08
I feel that though the book makes learning seem easy, there is still a lot of work to be done by the individual to learn the piano. It does however break learning into easy steps, and is a great tool for the person who would like to take a more laissez faire attitude to learning, or who cant afford a teacher just yet.
It has also helped me rekindle my interest in playing. Nice idea indeed.
Go for it! I mean it's not going to come to you! ;-).......2007-05-09
I think the reviewer Doc Jellison and I would get along famously because from his remarks, we share the same musical philosophy. Let me lay the cards on the table here. If you're familiar with my reviews, you'll note two things: I'm a staunch traditionalist by nature and if I sit down to play Beethoven's Op. 27, No. 2, 1st movement "Moonlight Sonata" or as Herr 'B' termed it, "Sonata Quasi Una Fantasia" , it will be exactly note for note as the man wrote the piece --- WAIT NOW! KEEP READING!--- because on 'that' piece, it simply sounds better 'as written' or 'sic' than any so-termed 'arrangement' or 'easy play' [you know, the RH A-D-F thing and the LH twin D keys ] versus all those multiple sharps and LH/RH gymnastics but, I say BUT, having said that and somewhat to the chagrin of certain 'purist' colleagues, I see absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever for those folks who are inclined for "whatever" reasons to lean towards so-termed piano "chord playing" or those ubiquitous "fake books" or "easy play arrangements" as an ad hoc work-around. Bottom line, chord playing, 'arrangements', fake books, hey, SO WHAT!
If you can play a 'rendition' or indeed an 'arrangement' of "whatever" song or indeed any classical piece that first and foremost pleases YOU, that's all that matters! As long as 'you' accept the fact that going the chord route or using fake books will not give you the sound of an Evgeny Kissin or Daniel Barenboim or, hey, Billy Joel or Dave Brubeck or 'whoever' where the name is mentioned in the musical genre you like and you don't go "WHO?" --AND-- your thing is 'not' to do world wide recitals or gigs for equal compensation, hey, I don't see any problem!
It's a matter of expectations and realities. For reasons that escape me, the fake books or those 'chord-player' or 'arrangement' books have received the bad rap a la mode as if to say with the nose in the air thing, 'THAT is not 'true' piano playing' or, I've heard even worse, "it's a veritable KAZOO methodology by way of using piano chords" -- so what? And you're getting this comment from a traditionalist who makes every attempt and effort to play the classic pieces 'sic' but there are those 'sic' pieces that are simply too difficult in their 'sic' original form, sooooo, I have no qualms whatsoever in reaching for a handy "arrangement" or 'fake book' of the piece when necessary. Does it surprise you to learn of classical piece fake books? But again I ask and say, especially when they might be needed, so what?
I keep hearing from various and sundry who would like to play the piano or do the portable keyboard thing, "Ohhhh, I'd love to play the piano, Doc, but I'm 'too old' [!] to start now" --- BOSH! You are NEVER too old! Get that one set in stone as your 'first' order of business. So too, there are ways around the laborious and often frustrating years of learning notes, ledger line notes [when the "Every Good Boy .... " or "FACE" or "ALL COWS EAT GRASS" jingles won't work with ledger notes, sight-reading skills, you-name-it technical skills but if your essential goal is playing for self-enjoyment and personal pleasure, I see nothing wrong with the chord approach to piano OR those fake books or easy play arrangements! They abound! Question is, why is that! Ahhhh! What does that suggest to you!
Believe me, from 'there', you just may reach the point where further incentives will be provided by YOURSELF to get deeper into it and hence provide your own motivation for what some term the "correct way to play" syndrome but again I stress, what is your goal, a Carnegie Hall recital, what, the Van Cliburn 'pro' [if under 30 BTW] or Van Cliburn 'Outstanding Amateurs' [35 and over] competition? Or is it in fact the enjoyment of the piano and keyboard using an approach that can get you going and perhaps spur you on to the nitty-gritty side of the piano and much deeper musical theory and playing technique as you progress! Would it surprise you to learn that I've seen renditions of even classical pieces that sound very good yet the player can not read music! Or, if it's ledger line notes, forget it! Ohhh yes!
If the keyboard appeals to you and, get this too now, you're into putting in the time and effort to sound decent even with the chord approach and fake books [contrary to popular belief they are 'not' all push-overs!] , well, what are you waiting for! Or those just as ubiquitous 'arrangements' [some of them even in the original key but much easier on the "LH" [Left Hand] as they say] when certain classical [or whatever mind you] pieces appeal to you but the original 'sic' music is simply too difficult, so, take another approach! These books will not hurt you and again I emphasize that I've seen cases where the chord or fake book approach has in fact led to determined efforts [to the extent possible] to tackle the 'sic' stuff albeit within reason.
I had a lady tell me after she did a fake book rendition of Beethoven's "Für Elise" , to wit, "You knew it wasn't as written, didn't you, Doc?" to which I replied "my reaction was as it was 'played' and it sounded fine! But, let me ask 'you', did the rendition [LH 'chords'] satisfy YOU?" and when a sort of head nod affirmation came, hey, case closed! Who is to say that the piece 'as written' won't be a future goal but until then, what or where is the problem! Play! Enjoy! Sic ... or work-around! Do 'your' expectations first versus those of others and their expectations 'of' you!
Obviously I'm addressing myself more to the 'adult' piano beginner but then more time may be available now to do that which you always wanted to do and there is generally more than just 'one way and only one way' to reach one's goals! Get the book! Start! 'Then' you deal with the realities and progress as YOU deem appropriate! Think the old football sports show filler, you know, "You Make The Call!"
... an 'ultra purist' whose motto is "each piece as written ... or not at all!" faints dead away forthwith after reading this!
Doc Tony
PS: And you 'electronic synthesizer' types, think the "FAME" flick, you know, Mr. 'S' sees Bruno Martelli "setting up" the gear and says to the lady pianist sitting just next to him, "Does he want to be a musician or an airline pilot!" ;-) What's that? You say you got the 'bends' reading this far below the standard short/succinct review, but, hey, while I plead nolo contendere to any 'length' critcisms forthwith, it had to be said! Fake books, arrangements and chord-playing books have their benefits and 'can' most decidedly lead to further efforts and enhanced playing skills! How so? Progress! Enjoyment! Desire for more ... and better! Motivation! YOURS! BTW, those "How to Use a Fake Book' tomes, 'do' check out Ann Collins and Blake Neely! Or various arrangements [classical] by Charles Bateman and a host of mixed bag stuff [popular, folk, jazz, religious, R&R, easy listening "arrangement books" by various folks and, when you perhaps want to tackle the sic 'as written' pieces, fine, but until then ... PLAY!
textbook for college piano class.......2007-02-11
I am an associate professor with San Diego Community College Continuing Education. For 10 yrs. I have taught music classes for older adults. I am using "How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons" as a text, along with a fake book entitled, "Your First Fake Book". Most of my students are seniors and don't want to spend the 5-7 years it takes to learn to play a moderately easy piece of sheet music. Monath's book doesn't even require learning bass clef. Instead it teaches chord theory. With this approach, there is only a melody line with chord symbols. My students learn left-hand accompaniment patterns, using chords, rather than what some arranger has provided in the bass clef. They also learn how to provide harmony in the right hand using the chord symbols provided in a fake book.
This is the fourth textbook I have used and I will probably never try another as Monath's book allows me to meet all of my course objectives--and in one semester.
Hal Jellison, PnD
Piano Playing in 10 Easy Lessons.......2007-01-31
It's a book that I now have read three times, which has provided me with the best understanding of learning how to play the piano, then all the former lessons that I have ever taken.
The sequential format between theory and practical is outstanding.
In just over a month's time, I now can play and understand the music selections that have collected in my piano bench for many years.
Being able to do just that, is "A dream come true"
Book Description
This book begins with an extensive review of the chords and keys previously studied, using fresh and interesting material that will provide enjoyment as well as reinforcement. Particularly noteworthy is the systematic presentation of chords in all positions in both hands.
Customer Reviews:
Still great.......2007-08-17
I used these in piano class, my dad used these 50 years ago, my grandmother is using them to teach herself now. Great for everyone and always a classic.
decent beginning.......2007-06-09
this book and john thompson's modern piano book are the only beginning adult instruction books that I could find
Good service and quality.......2007-05-24
The book was in great shape, the price was right and the delivery was quick.
Very Good.......2007-01-19
This version of Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course is very good, but I think that the Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic level 2 would be a better, more up-to-date choice.
Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course:Lesson Book, Level Two.......2007-01-16
Good basic piano course, easy to follow.
Book Description
As seen on public television stations nationwide, a revolutionary new approach to playing non-classical music on the piano.Have you ever wished you could play the piano? Well, now you can! Scott "The Piano Guy" Houston teaches you to play the way the pros play, in a style enormously simpler than traditional classical piano and with an absolute minimum of note-reading. By focusing on playing the melody with the right hand (one note at a time) and simple chords with the left hand, Houston gives you the tools you need for a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Best of all, your tour guide to this adventure forces you to have fun along the way!
Customer Reviews:
If you're trying to decide..........2007-09-26
...whether to buy "How to Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons: What Music Is and How to Make It at Home" or "Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not!" by Scott Houston, buy BOTH--- and do read Scott Houston's book FIRST. He explains the whole premise of playing off chords so much more clearly and simply. After reading Scott's book, you can delightfully play all sorts of piano music you may have around your house effortlessly after a few tries. To give you an example, I used to practice fairly simple folktunes for about a week before (somewhat joltingly) being able to play up to tempo at an even pace. Now, knowing what I know from Scott's book, I can play any such song in about 15 minutes. Really! And I can play faster and more eloquently than I ever could before. Now, I have confidence that I could accompany any singer (including myself)-- a trick I used to think only "good pianists" could do (with much practice). In short, it motivates you to play music almost immediately in a fun and joyous manner.
Now for "How to Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons: What Music Is and How to Make It at Home". It's A LOT more philosophical, and a lot more wordy. It explains everything in much greater detail, and is very fond of the basic Oom-pah-pah sort of playing. The "standard" technique call for playing the melody an octave higher, the root note in octaves on the lowest possible section of the piano (for the Oom) and the chord (reconfigured so as never to reach higher than middle E nor lower than middle C) for the Pah-Pah. This takes quite a bit of PRACTICE. I certainly do not master this in 15 minutes! However, using this technique, I sound like one of those pianist that play at cash bars in restaurants that used to send my mother in the other direction because the "noise" gave her a "headache". It may work exceptionally well for some pieces, and it is certainly not the ONLY device taught in this book. It *is* a good book, with lots and lots of ideas of how to vary the bass notes and such to get a "full" sound from your piano. But you might get a headache or two... and might get discouraged and give up playing piano after all. (DON'T!) It is less motivating, and much more practice than Scott's book. I just can't decide whether I even like the result of the techniques shown. But music theory is explained in a somewhat harmless manner....
Now, I again suggest you buy BOTH books so that you can read them both, try them both, and make your own decisions. However, if you're relatively new to this topic, I suggest that you at least buy Scott's book first. Yes, you'll probably finish it in one sitting and it will seem so OBVIOUS after you read it that you'll wonder whether you ought to have spent the money for the book at all. Yes! Now, sit down and play the piano using these technique to see for yourself!
(To give you some point of reference, my level of playing beforehand using the classical method was Book Four of John Thompson series.... about intermediate I'd say.)
Azphil.......2007-06-30
Great instruction. I've played sax for years and never touched the piano until now. From moderately easy to moderately difficult. Good learning system.
Play Piano in a Flash!.......2007-06-28
If I could give this 10 stars I would !!!!
Our son started this program the day it arrived and he has not stopped since. In no time at all he was playing his favorite songs on the piano and has even arranged 2 of his own songs!
He had not had any type of lessons prior to this, just the desire to learn to play the piano. (I do have 3 aunties who are all self taught-so he may come by this naturally)
Anyway, if you are wanting to play the piano and do not have the time or the money for expensive lessons BUY this book! You will not be sorry, it is worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned. (atleast "this is one woman's opinion")
In less than 2 years he now plays and sings solos in church!
Great book for beginners.......2007-06-09
I really liked this book. Specially because it clarified for me somet hing I had thought: Classical piano and party piano are a world apart so the ways to learn to play the two can not be the same. Most people want to play piano for parties, have fun, etc. But then they get into learning classical piano that is not it! This book shows how to learn the right way. I do not mark it as 5 star as I do think it is a bit glib on "how easy it is to play piano" and gives you the idea that there is nothing to it, when the truth is that is easy but requires hard work and practice if you want to become good at it. Everything else is great
Very helpful.......2007-04-30
This well-written little book is just what the trepidatious beginner needs.
Even a rank beginner would probably do fine with this. Having read Houston's book, I'm now even angrier at my old piano teacher than I used to be (yes, you, Mrs. Ó Murchú!). You mean it was that simple all along?
Houston, using layman's terms, makes it plain that there's no mystery to the piano. Chords with the left, melody with the right, and away you go.
He does glide over the fact that you actually DO have to either i) learn the melody by heart on the keyboard or ii) learn how to sight-read quickly, but there's no avoiding that really.
A good book, easy to read, and will definitely get you playing simple tunes (that sound good!) within days or weeks.
Like many, I was introduced to Houston's book and technique through Public Television, and despair for the United States should PBS go under.
Customer Reviews:
Alfred's Basic Piano Library Level 1A Gets FIVE STARS!.......2007-08-12
I have taught piano lessons for over 20 years. During that time, I have found that Alfred's Basic Piano Library Level 1A is great for young beginners. When children are about 5-6 years old, they have trouble controlling their hands, as well as multi-tasking. So, learning to use fingers correctly, count, and learn letter names can be very frustrating. In ABPL Level 1A, children do not have to learn the names of the notes at first. They merely play the notes according to the numbers of their fingers. The notes go up or down the scale, but they are not on a staff. So, they learn fingering and counting, but not letter names for the first several weeks.
Level 1A also introduces C D E first and then F in the bass. This is better for the children because they often mistake B below middle C for D above middle C. They also mistake A for E, and G for F, and vice versa. B A and G in the bass clef (right below middle C) are not introduced until later in the series.
Good Book for Young Beginners.......2006-06-15
I have been using this book with young students [...] for the past 8 years. It moves at a comfortable pace and introduces good musical concepts. I definitely recommend the accompanying Theory Book to reinforce the concepts over the time between lessons. My students have had good results and advanced quickly with this as their start. I have been very happy with it.
Perfect for a young student.......2006-02-01
I chose this book to teach a 6 year old new student. It's a wonderful book because it progresses slowly- each page introduces one new concept and has the child practise it in small steps. It is perfect because the child does not become overwhelmed. The illustrations are really nice too. And the print is big and spacious-looking. You can also get it with a CD that goes along with it for $1 more.
After ordering the Usborne book here and finding it crowded and confusing, I went to my local music store and picked this book out of all the beginning piano books. It's a really nice one.
Average customer rating:
- August Wilson's Piano Lesson
- Excellent
- The Piano Lesson
- "The Ghosts of the Yellow Dog got Sutter."
- Great play.
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The Piano Lesson
August Wilson
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 United States
| Drama
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Drama
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Wilson, August
| ( W )
| Authors, A-Z
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Wilson, August
| African American
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Drama
| African American
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
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ASIN: 0452265347 |
Customer Reviews:
August Wilson's Piano Lesson.......2005-09-05
This play is indeed a classic in African-American literature. Every high school and college student of every race should be encouraged to read and discuss the brilliant family dynamics that the play so skillfully portrays. The text is so well written that the reader has a vivid sense that they are actually watching, rather than reading the play.
Excellent.......2005-06-17
August Wilson is the greatest American playwright. Not the greatest living American playwright, but the greatest, period. His best plays stand comparison with the best work of Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams. No American playwright has produced such a consistent body of work, and no American playwright has attempted a cycle with the scope and ambition of his series of plays. Wilson's subject is the Great Migration, the story of the African-Americans who emigrated from the southern states to the cities of the industrial North and their slow construction of satisfactory lives in the difficult and changing world of 20th century America. Wilson has written 10 plays on this subject, one for each decade of the 20th century, amounting to a fictional history of African-Americans in the urban North. This is, however, history from below. Wilson's heroes are garbagemen, short-order cooks, day laborers, self-taught musicians, and street vendors. One of his great gifts is his ability to use common speech in a way that is consistently interesting, frequently eloquent, and often powerful. He gives poetic voice to people usually regarded as inarticulate and invests ordinary struggles with real but not exaggerated significance. The African-Americans of Wilson's plays are a doubly uprooted people. Uprooted initially by the grievous trauma of slavery that sundered their connection with their native traditions, the emigrants fleeing the Jim Crow south and its brutal racism are uprooted also from their homes, families, and the traditions developed in the aftermath of slavery.
Wilson's overall story is the reconstruction of African-American identity and family life in the cities of the North over the course of the 20th century. Wilson's plays often feature protagonists whose sense of identity and families have been damaged greatly by the oppressions of racism and the atomizing effects of the industrial economy of the North. Over the course of the cycle, Wilson shows characters re-establishing a sense of connection with their ancestors, even back to Africa, and gradually developing the family ties to sustain them. Wilson repeatedly uses supernatural elements in his work, particularly as a device to advance his theme of the importance of developing a sense of historic connection with ancestors, including those originally abducted from Africa. This could easily be hokey, but his matter of fact use of these elements is very effective. Another recurring theme is the importance of music, particularly the Blues tradition developed by African-American musicians, which he sees as a vital and creative force in African-American life, often carrying truths across generations. Some of the most affecting parts of Wilson's work are his demonstrations of the direct and indirect destructive effects of American racism on family life. Even more powerful are those scenes in which his characters overcome these obstacles to reaffirm family connections.
Not all of Wilson's plays are outstanding, but all are at least very good. Readers will differ on their favorites. In my opinion, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Fences, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom are outstanding. The rest vary from excellent (The Piano Lession) to the very good. Cumulatively, they are a really impressive achievement. Mention must be made of the fact that Wilson has been aided by outstanding collaborators. Wilson's plays usually go through a series of versions before the final version emerges. Wilson has had the benefit of working with unusually talented directors, notably the gifted Lloyd Richards, who was responsible in large measure for recognizing Wilson's talent. Wilson has benefited also from the existence of a whole generation of remarkably talented African-American actors. These people made it possible for Wilson to realize his vision. We have all been the beneficiaries of the work of Wilson and his collaborators.
The Piano Lesson.......2005-03-29
This book by August Wilson is a good description of the Black movement to the North in the early 20th century. It correctly shows the ins and outs of a black family life in America before emancipation years and the value placed on providing a better life in the North than was afforded earlier in generations down South. All this while sticking together and not loosing family values.
Bernice does not forget the pride the strong will along with the sense of propriety she had learned from her ancestors. Boy Willie reflects his inherited traits as well, but has that impatient irresponsibility like every kid. He is like his father in the sense that he has a strong will to own something that he could call his own that he could never do before. For Boy Charles this was the piano, but for Boy Willie it was a place called Sutters land, this is were his ancestors had worked on while the whites had control.
Each character has its own way of showing the great variety of skills and talents which the slaves were capable of when they were brought to America. Even though these masters tried to take away these skill and talents they were incapable of taking away these gods given talents to the African Americans. This is a great book and I recommend it not only to African Americans but to all races. It is a great book to read and has many morals. I recommend this book to everyone because I have enjoyed it greatly.
"The Ghosts of the Yellow Dog got Sutter.".......2004-12-15
Winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, August Wilson's sensitive story of a family's struggle to reconcile the past with the present centers around the carved piano which dominates the living room of Doaker Charles and his niece Berniece. The legs of the piano are carved with faces of their slave ancestors, carvings made by a distant relation who was owned by the Sutter family and working on their farm in Mississippi before Emancipation. Berniece's brother Boy Willie, recently released from a prison farm and penitentiary, has come to Pittsburgh with his friend Lymon, determined to sell this ancient piano in which he claims half-ownership. His arguments with Berniece conjure up the ghost of Sutter, who calls out Boy Willie's name.
The struggle of Boy Willie and Berniece over possession of the piano gradually broadens as they reveal the past, incorporating vivid pictures of the family's tenuous survival from slavery to the present. A dozen or more of the white men who have been most abusive over the generations have met their deaths by "falling" into wells, crimes of revenge attributed to the Ghosts of the Yellow Dog. These ghosts are supposedly the ghosts of five black men burned to death in a boxcar by Sutter after his carved piano, the one in Berniece's living room, was stolen. The most recent Mr. Sutter "fell" into a well and died three weeks ago, and Berniece believes that Boy Willie may have had a hand in his death.
The play's success rests on the well-developed family relationships and their interactions on stage, as they reflect the legacy of slavery and its aftermath. Berniece wants the piano because the blood of her family has been worked into its wood--it represents her heritage. She and Doaker have learned a whole new culture of survival through their move to the city, but they do not want to forget the past. Boy Willie, by contrast, wants to sell the piano in order to buy land for his future, remarking, "I got to mark my passing on the road. Just like you write on a tree, 'Boy Willie was here.'" He, however, still focuses on vengeance--righting past wrongs. The tension between these viewpoints provides the drama and, in a powerful concluding scene, conveys the message of this play, ultimately a "piano lesson." Mary Whipple
Great play........2004-10-02
This is the best of August Wilson.
Great dialogue/speeches, intense relationships and characters, sibling rivalry (as metaphor for embracing one's history or using it to build towards something new), and a suspenseful essence. This is a definitive classic for its depth and symbolism. The inexplicable need to excercise a tortured past and move hopefully with the present toward the future.
The Piano Lesson is a vivid experience of the irony that a drunken Wining Boy speaks of upon coming back to his neice Berneice's house: (to paraphrase) at the bar strangers treated me like family and at home my family treats me like stangers.
Very deep and ultimately satisfying.
Customer Reviews:
Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Lesson Book Level 1B.......2007-03-14
I purchased both 1 A and 1 B for a friend who knows nothing about music but wanted to be able to teach her seven year old daughter basic keyboard playing. The books are excellent for this purpose. They are clear, well-paced and make learning fun from the beginning.
Kid Friendly book.......2007-01-03
Book was recommended by my child's piano teacher. It is kid friendly and easy to read.
Customer Reviews:
Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level 3.......2007-01-16
Is the logical next step from Alfred's Adult Piano Course, Level 3. Easy to follow and understand. The series provides the gradual increase in exercises that help with piano playing skills.
Superb.......2005-08-31
This piano book is a great sequel to the other books Alfred has published for the advanced (and adult) piano player and learner. The books contain very good learning tips and examples of music and the knowledge of notes. I highly recommend this series. also for the variety of music pieces from well-known, semi-pop and classical.
Book Description
From the very first lessons in Book 1, students are making music as they explore the piano keyboard through fun improvisation pieces called My Own Song. The beginning of the book introduces finger numbers, the black-key and white-key groups, and basic rhythm patterns. Directional reading is taught first by finger number, then by note name, and then by interval (stop, skip, and repeat). Once the students are introduced to the staff, they learn reading guides Bass F and Treble G and read by interval in several different hand positions. This package includes a Piano Lessons Book and CD featuring wonderful tracks to accompany the student during practice or performance.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent program for 6 year old........2007-09-28
I'm using this to teach my six year old, and couldn't be more pleased. It moves at a really slow, easy pace which is exactly what she needs. She does not feel overwhelmed and yet finds the exercise challenging. She also gets the songs stuck in her head.
Great for early learners.......2006-10-10
I bought this book at the same time as a couple of the John Thompson books. Even though I learned with the John Thompsons, I think this book is great for early learners because it starts simply with finger numbers and pictures of the keys, without trying to teach note reading at the same time. My five year old is really enjoying the book so far and is enthusiastic about learning the piano. He is young enough that if you try and fit too much into the lesson at once, he loses interest. I definitely recommend this book for young ones.
excellent learning tool.......2006-07-13
This is a great book for beginners. The very first day the student is playing a little song. Easy to follow and understand even if you have no prior piano experience. I have tried others and did not like them, but I would definitely choose this method again and recommend it to others. The price is very reasonable and it comes with the CD.
Great Beginning Piano Book.......2006-04-20
I bought this book for my 4 year old daughter to begin piano as part of homeschooling for Kindergarten. I also borrowed Usborne's First Book of the Piano from the library and was glad I didn't buy it! Although I like that in Usborne's the notes are written with the letters C,B,A, etc, instead of finger numbers, there are way too many concepts per page and very very busy pages. Leonard's Piano book on the otherhand introduces one concept at a time and the pages are not cluttered. The CD is a great and fun feature. It has accompaniament music for each song the student plays, which not only is great for a "teacher" who doesn't play, but great that the student can hear the music as s/he is learning. A great way to teach piano, btw, is to "show" how the piece is played and is suppose to sound first and then let your child do it.
great for learning.......2006-01-30
I bought this book/cd for my 6 year old daughter. She is at that age where she will not let me show her how to do anything! She took the book and the cd and is teaching herself how to play the piano! She has given several "recitals" for our family and I am amazed at how much she has learned.
It is a wonderful introdution to the piano and I would highly recommend it for anyone, young or old.
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Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One
Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course : Lesson Book, Level Two
Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises - Complete: Piano Technique
The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano
Adult All-in-one Course: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Book 2
