From Library Journal
Instruct: to provide with knowledge, especially in a methodical way. That is, in fact, what Phillips and Chappel of Cherry Lane Music do in this logical, pedagogic introduction to keyboard instruments, music theory, and piano technique. The chapter on the famous?or is it infamous??"Part of Tens" includes information about past and present masters of the instrument, ways of expanding your interest beyond the scope of the book, and tips on finding a teacher. Printed musical examples are plentiful, and an accompanying audio CD is included. This book intends to be fun and funny and succeeds in a vaudeville sort of way. Students are encouraged "to continue to seek knowledge about your instrument long after you tire of the jokes" and told that "piano teachers and method books shouldn't be forsaken forever." The do-it-yourself phenomenon has made the "Dummies" books very popular. This one is particularly appropriate for school media and public libraries.?Janet Brewer, Murray State Univ. Lib., KYCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
At first glance, a piano may seem like an intimidating instrument that would be very difficult to learn how to play, but despite what your seventh-grade piano teacher may say, playing piano isn't brain surgery. It just takes time, practice, and patience.

Piano For Dummies starts at the very beginning and walks you through everything you need to know to turn that oversized hunk of furniture into an instrument that can make beautiful music. If you don't know how to read music, this book explains in friendly, uncomplicated language all the basics of music theory and applying it to playing the piano. And if you've been playing piano for a while – or took piano lessons when you were a child but haven't played since – you can pick up some valuable tips to improve your playing or use the book as a refresher course.

Here are some of the topics you'll find in Piano For Dummies: Buying a piano: Acoustic versus electronic How a piano works, and how to care for one Left- and right-hand piano techniques Examining keys, scales, melodies, harmonies, and chords Plenty of musical examples to play The history of piano musical styles Advice for piano teachers A Top Ten list of pianists you should know about

Piano For Dummies also includes a glossary and a free CD, which includes audio of all of the examples in the book so that you can play along.

So if you've always wanted to learn to play piano, but you don't have the time to take piano lessons, you can pick up the basics in Piano For Dummies; you'll be tickling the ivories with ease in no time!


From the Back Cover
Play-along audio CD included! The fun and easy way to get started on the piano

A Reference for the Rest of Us!

Perfect for all keyboards?not just piano

Find out how to have some fun with your piano

Don't leave your keyboard in the corner collecting dust! Open the book, run through a few simple exercises with virtuoso Blake Neely, and soon you'll be tickling the ivories with the best of them. From basic scales to old favorites, classical themes, blues, boogie-woogie, and more, this friendly beginner's guide and songbook doesn't miss a beat.

All 97 songs and exercises from the book on audio CD

Play along with "Oh Sussannah." " The Beautiful Blue Danube." "Swanee River," " Ode to Joy," " Greensleaves," " Danny Boy," Berry-style blues, a boogie-woogie bass line, " Hank the Honky-Tonk" riff, and much, much more

Discover how to:

Familiarize yourself with the keyboard

Understand the language of music

Have fun when you practice scales

Impress friends with great grooves and riffs

Play classical, rock, blues, and country

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About the Author
Blake Neely has been playing piano since he was about 4 years old, although it took a while before real audible music could be detected. His fascination with music led him to other instruments, such as the French horn, guitar, and drums, but the keyboard remains his baby.

Upon graduation from the University of Texas in 1991, he moved to Los Angeles to experience the music business. He licensed music for Hollywood Records and later worked for Disney Music Publishing as editor of all printed music publications.

An award-winning composer and author, he has written symphonies, a piano concerto, and numerous orchestral and chamber works. He is co-author of the acclaimed FastTrack series, published by Hal Leonard Corporation.

Blake has worked as a composer, orchestrator, arranger, copyist, engraver, musicologist, and consultant for such prominent figures as Disney, Hal Leonard Corporation, Decca Records, Hyperion Books, composers Michael Kamen and Alan Menken, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

Currently living in Austin, Texas, Blake spends his free time tuning into his family: wife Elizabeth, daughter Jordan, and son Jacob. Blake is the proud owner of a Kawai grand piano and Kurzweil, Ensoniq, and E-Mu synths and samplers. You can reach Blake via e-mail at BlakeNeely@aol.com.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Whether your dream is to play like Liberace or Jerry Lee Lewis, you'll have a grand time with Piano For Dummies, the ultimate user-friendly reference book for tickling the ivories.

Even if you've never read a note of music before or you couldn't carry a tune if it were strapped to your back, you can be playing those 88 keys in no time with all the easy-to-follow tips and sound advice from award-winning composer, arranger, and pianist Blake Neely. Catch the beat, scale your way to new pianistic heights, and dress up your music with great grooves, rich chords, and the building blocks of harmony. Find your own rhythm in rock, blues, jazz, or classical keyboard styles; decide whether the piano, organ, synthesizer, or harpsichord is the right keyboard for you; and play along with almost 100 sample tracks and exercises included on the bonus CD that comes with Piano For Dummies. And remember the way to get to Carnegie Hall -- practice, practice, practice!

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal