Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book, Bk 1

by Willard A. Palmer

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. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician. Titles: Alouette * Alpine Melody * Amazing Grace * At Last * Au Claire de la Lune * Aura Lee * The Ballad of Gilligan's Island * Beautiful Brown Eyes * Blow the Man Down! * Brother John * Caf� Vienna * The Can-Can * Chiapanecas * Cockles and Mussels * The Cuckoo * The Donkey * The Entertainer * A Friend Like You * The Gift to Be Simple * Go Down, Moses * Good King Wenceslas * Good Morning to You! * Got Those Blues * Greensleeves * Happy Birthday to You! * Harp Song * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas * Here's a Happy Song! * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * Jericho * Jingle Bells * Joy to the World! * Kum-ba-yah! * Largo (Dvorak) * Laura * Lavender's Blue * Little Brown Jug * London Bridge * Lone Star Waltz * Love Somebody * The Marine's Hymn * Mary Ann * Merrily We Roll Along * Mexican Hat Dance * Michael, Row the Boat Ashore * Money Can't Buy Everything * My Fifth * Ode to Joy * On Top of Old Smoky * O Sole Mio * Over the Rainbow * Raisins and Almonds * Rockets * Rockin' Intervals * Rock It Away! * Scarborough Fair * Singin' in the Rain * Standing in the Need of Prayer * Tisket, a Tasket * Waltz Time * What Can I Share * When the Saints Go Marching In * Why Am I Blue?

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction, Textbooks

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1983

Reviews

[Jonathan Mckay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picking piano back up after about 20 years this was good sight reading practice. Hope to make it through the whole series.

[Pita Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've used both this book and Faber & Faber's adult piano adventures. For those who are/teach adult learners, I do sometimes recommend using both books at once. There's far more here in terms of chords and harmonies than in the Faber adult adventures level 1. In either case, they're both excellent resources for beginners. You don't even need a teacher if you choose to start with either of these books.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0

This is by far the greatest adult piano-teaching method I have ever come across. It doesn't go very in-depth, and as a result you can only play a limited range of music. But it kept me happy and motivated enough, so I am so glad to have found this book.

[Michael Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for those who have some familiarity with piano and music theory. Does a great job of integrating chord theory into practice. As a bonus there are some great classic tunes in the back. By the end of the course you’ll be able to play them and be sufficiently challenged.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was great. I taught myself piano using this book, at 37.

[Edward JD) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first piano book from many years ago updated with a different cover.

[minhhai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started piano with this textbook. Overall, it's a clear, well-organized, instructive textbook for beginners like me. The course starts with playing with 5 music notes on each stationary hand, then gradually introduces new notes. Music theory is briefly introduced when needed, so you won't be overloaded with tons of paper work exercises. Two hands will gradually become independently controlled. In most cases, the left hand plays chords while the right one melodies.

Exercises are the main part of the textbook. Any newly introduced technique will be followed by one or two practicing short pieces. Those pieces are pretty easy and fun to play but also helpful in developing techniques. The first level (this book) covers several basic keys (scales, most frequently used chords), 1/8 notes, pedals, staccato. Upon completion, you will get used to the keyboard and play some fun pieces, but there will be a lot more in subsequent books of the series.

The not-so-good parts about this book is lack of most basic instruction for beginners, such as how to sit, how to execute a note, how to move the wrists, and most importantly how to practice a scale! If you want to play piano properly, you will need a teacher or a better textbook. Another shortcoming of this book is too few practicing pieces. You can't master the techniques without using external sources.

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy instructional book. Good for newbies.