Rating: 
Summary: Not easy for true beginners
Review: After reading the reviews of this book I thought this book could be used by beginners such as myself, I was dissappointed! I read the first few chapters and found I needed to know how to play the piano and be able to understand vocal scores in order use the book. The book maybe "useful" to me in the future but not now.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the beginner.
Review: At first a true beginner would be suckered into thinking he/she would be able to play popular very quickly with this book, but that isn't true. A beginner should not use a book to learn how to play piano. A teacher is what you need. The problem with learning through this book is that it doesn't tell you when you need to practice or how to play specifically and the fact that it goes right into chords and songs that use a lot of black keys. The first 50 pages or so are easy enough but after that it is frustrating. The melodies given are in some ridiculous keys for a beginner. And with no references to what fingers to use someone with no experience would end up with a mess. Still it is a good read but not a teaching manual. 3 stars for a beginner.. on the OTHER HANDFor an intermediate player with a grasp of most scales and able to read notes and not spend 3 seconds pondering where to press, this book is an efficent book. An intermediate player would chuck out the first part since they know it and go right into the chord guide and beyond; gaining knowlege. An intermidiate player would know when and how to practice and be able to play with correct fingering, play different keys without too much trouble. At the end of the day improve their piano skills without too much frustration. 4.5 stars for an intermediate player interested in playing popular styles. I do not recommend this book for learning the piano but as a reference book for beginners. Useful for an intermediate player though. An advanced player would be beyond this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Pianists Wanting to "Play by Ear"
Review: Concise, fast & easy. But don't ever think you can get away without disciplined studying & memorizing. But that's such a small price to pay in exchange for learning to play the piano. This is creative learning. Simple keyboard diagrams. The author explains the why's in detail. It sure beats the stodgy regimented ways others taught in the past!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't hesitate to buy this book!
Review: Concise, fast & easy. But don't ever think you can get away without disciplined studying & memorizing. But that's such a small price to pay in exchange for learning to play the piano. This is creative learning. Simple keyboard diagrams. The author explains the why's in detail. It sure beats the stodgy regimented ways others taught in the past!
Rating:
Summary: How to play what?
Review: First, it loses a star (as will any book meant to be placed before an instrument with normal binding) because the binding is wrong. Spiral or lay-flat binding are the only forms acceptable for a book that is to be used with an instrument. Are you listening publishers? OK, that aside, this is a pretty good method if you want to use fake books and play popular tunes in a few weeks/months depending on your commitment. Great for the adult who wants to get in front of the keys and create a tune that will be recognized. Chord play with the left hand is great. I am still at the three note chord stage, but I am progressing a little every week. Good job Norman!
Rating:
Summary: It will get you playing!
Review: First, it loses a star (as will any book meant to be placed before an instrument with normal binding) because the binding is wrong. Spiral or lay-flat binding are the only forms acceptable for a book that is to be used with an instrument. Are you listening publishers? OK, that aside, this is a pretty good method if you want to use fake books and play popular tunes in a few weeks/months depending on your commitment. Great for the adult who wants to get in front of the keys and create a tune that will be recognized. Chord play with the left hand is great. I am still at the three note chord stage, but I am progressing a little every week. Good job Norman!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for beginners
Review: For the beginner, this book is excellent. I have looked at many piano books when I first began playing, and most of them were usually too complicated, or too simplistic. This book, however, was one that fell right in the middle and helped me understand all kinds of important ideas in music, such as harmony and melody, building chords and scales (and understanding HOW), reading music, how to understand progressions, and how to play by ear and improvise. It is certainly geared toward getting you "up and playing" in the simplest, fastest way, at a moderate pace, with a good depth of information that does not get overwhelming. Because of this, this book is probably suited much more for the person who has no music experience and wants to learn the basics of how to play out of fake books and begin improvising. It is probably not good for those who want in-depth and more advanced theory of music, but it is an excellent book to use as a stepping stone toward more adva! nced piano study. This is a must have book for any beginnger.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Pianists Wanting to "Play by Ear"
Review: Having taught piano the "traditional" way for 20 years, I bought this book for a student who already played by music but wanted to learn to play off a chord sheet (used a great deal by Christian Praise Bands). Mr. Monath uses very clear terms to describe how to play on the piano basic chords found in most fake books. I have too often found that the pianist who learns by using a traditional piano course method, can't play basic chords or play by ear. This book gives examples of songs to try to play using the right hand melody line and chords. I wouldn't recommend this book for someone who doesn't read music at all, but for anyone who's had traditional piano lessons and can play basic right hand melodies, it's a great way to learn to play chords and fill in from fake books or praise music.
Rating:
Summary: At last, I can play the piano!
Review: I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If, like me, you have spent years trying to get somewhere and getting nowhere instead, I found that in just a few sessions I was playing three and four note chords with ease and, what's even more amazing, actually understanding chord symbols such as Cmaj7 written above. Without any difficulty, suspended, augmented and diminished chords are instantly understandable and accessible. This book cuts through to the essentials for anyone who wants to play popular tunes with a reasonable accompaniment and explains things in such a logical and pragmatic way it takes all the tears and frustration out of learning to play the piano for pleasure. When the student is ready, Monath and Hal will appear!
Rating:
Summary: Not for beginner.
Review: I found this book is useless. The author had a ridiculous idea that you can play piano with only your right thumb. Maybe a highly skilled pianist can. I can't. It's frustrating to look at the music sheet, to search out where the key is and figure out which finger to use. I throw the book out in the first practice.
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