Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course : Lesson Book, Level Two

by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus

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. Titles: America the Beautiful * Arkansas Traveler * The Battle Hymn of the Republic * Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair * Brahms Lullaby * Canon in D (Pachelbel) * Deep River * Down in the Valley * Farewell to Thee (Aloha Oe) * Fascination * A Festive Rondeau * Frankie and Johnnie * The Hokey-Pokey * The House of the Rising Sun * Introduction and Dance * La Cucaracha * La Donna E Mobile * La Raspa * Light and Blue * Loch Lomond * Lonesome Road * The Marriage of Figaro * Morning Has Broken * Musetta's Waltz * Musette * Night Song * Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen * Polyvetsian Dances * Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 * The Riddle * Rock-a My Soul * Roman Holiday * Sakura * Scherzo * Space Shuttle Blues * Swingin' Sevenths * Theme from Symphony No. 6 (Tchaikovsky) * Tumbalalaika * Village Dance * Waves of the Danube * When Johnny Comes Marching Home * You're in My Heart

Genres: Music

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1984

About the author

Willard A. "Bill" Palmer (1917 – April 30, 1996) was an American music scholar, educator and composer.

Dr. Willard Palmer wrote nearly 800 published works, including an accordion method, several piano methods, a method for Hammond Chord Organ, a guitar method, hundreds of solo pieces and many choral works for the Alfred Music publishing company.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

I liked continuing my mission of learning the piano through this book. This series was great in that it was challenging enough so that I didn't get bored, but also simple enough that it can be used in self-instruction. Diving into more of the specifics of piano-based music theory was really helpful as well. However, I did feel myself getting a little tired towards the end, because the songs are similar to the first book, and either I was not practicing enough, or I needed formal teaching to strengthen my playing of songs like those included in the last half.

[Wendy Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to piano playing

[minhhai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second book of the series introduces some new keys, chords (diminished and augmented) and a couple of techniques. However, I have an impression that it's a mere collection of arranged pieces for beginners.

The textbook provides almost no instruction on techniques, i.e., how we should play the pieces. For example, in the piece named "Boheme", there are several arpegios and the right hand must perform a "wave-like" motion to transfer the weight along the arpegio. The book doesn't mention that and it took me a while to figure that out on Youtube.

Some hard exercises are mixed with easy ones. For example, the piece "Pomp and Circumstances" is too tough for the purpose of introducing the two-hand writing. In later part of the book, there are much easier pieces.

I'd recommend to use this textbook only with an experienced instructor, not for self-study.