The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano
by Carl Humphries
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Book Summary Information
Author: Carl HumphriesEdition: Spiral-bound
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-12-01
ISBN: 0879307277
Number of pages: 290
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780879307271
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano
Book Review: A Review in Progress
Summary: 5 Stars
The book begins with a beautifully illustrated history of the piano. The author follows with sections covering Posture and Technique, Hand Positioning/Fingering and Reading Music: Pitch and Rhythm. It is essential to understand the concept of Rhythm. Exercise 1.2 has 3 examples, total. One in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 (Each time signature has 8 bars of notation). MAKE SURE you are completely comfortable with these Rhythm exercises before venturing into the playing exercises or else you may become lost, frustrated and then give up. It may be a good idea to purchase an additional book on reading music, depending on how far you wish to take your musical learning. For example, in Ex. 1.10 "Victory March" (in 2/4), the first measure is a 'pickup measure' which means that (for this song) we start playing on the count of "2" instead of "1".
Currently I am nearing the end of Unit One in Section One, which includes Nine Playing exercises. For the first six, you play pieces using both hands but at separate times. For each succeeding piece, you learn new techniques which prepare you for the next.
For the last three exercise, you begin to play with both hands at the same time, for example:
#7. Ex1.12 "Roundabouts" p.50
You play virtually the same thing with both hands but with slight and subtle differences.. a good one to start with.
#8. Ex1.13 "Wedding Bells" p.50
On paper it's a simple exercise with just eight measures of quarter, half and whole notes except that you are now playing completely different things with both hands. A perfect exercise to get your brain thinking. Afterward, you feel like you've made a breakthrough. A pivotal moment but just the beginning...
#9. Ex1.14 "Morning Hymn" p.51
A pretty melody and a good followup.. perfect.
The author does a very good job, in my opinion, in holding your hand and at the appropriate time, letting go to let you swim on your own. However fear not because as you slowly improve your skills, he once again holds your hand but you are expected to use what you have learned. This thought occurred to me over and again as I got better and gained confidence. This becomes less and less apparent, however, as we move further and further along.
One thing I recommend which the author does not mention.. and that is to practice with a METRONOME. It is an extra expense (between $20-$30) but worth the investment especially if serious about learning to play.
For example: Korg TM-40 Large Display Digital Tuner and Metronome
Here's my process for learning a new piece:
1. Clap out the rhythm for each clef separately.
2. Play each measure - one at a time - going slowly. Learn the treble clef first and then the bass clef. IMPORTANT - Pay attention to the finger markings on the page. The author provides the numbering but leaves some of them blank when it becomes repetitive. He expects the student to fill in the rest. Generally, I fill in these blanks while going through the notation for the first time. It really does help to visualize playing the new notation.
3. After you can play both clefs separately, it's time to play both clefs at the same time - DO NOT WORRY ABOUT MISTAKES and about playing too smoothly at this early stage - As your reading improves, this step will become less difficult!
4. Now it's time to really get serious and practice with your metronome. Start at the slowest speed working your way forward - DO NOT RUSH THIS STEP.
5. After you can play both clefs at the same time with little or no problems at 40-50 bps, go find the CD and learn what speed the author is playing at. If you have a digital metronome, you can 'tap it out' by following along with the first few measures.. or if you are using something non-digital, just find the closest speed. Either way, write this number in your book for reference.. for example: Tempo = ?
(*NOTE* Generally, the speed or "tempo" of a song is indicated by a phrase rather than a number - This topic is lightly covered on page 68 in Unit Three, Section One.)
This step is a learning tool and we are just using this number as a 'target' speed for reference. (see next step)
6. Now, the important part: PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE until you can play the entire song at the 'target' speed mentioned in the previous step. Generally, before I begin practice on a new day, I will play each clef separately, at a slower tempo rate then where I ended the day before. (In the final stages this will not be necessary) I also know that it doesn't do any good to try and 'learn too much, too fast' - It is better to "Let it Happen" rather than trying to "Force it". Your brain needs time to absorb what you have learned. If you get stuck on one particular measure, just stick with it until you can play smoothly.. or take a break or play something else and just come back to it later. If you get confused or skipped a step, go back to playing one clef at a time.
7. *OPTIONAL* Go to a remote location (a community center, etc.) that has a piano and play without disturbing others. In time, you may find yourself making new friends.
Additionally, while learning each exercise, I am also writing them down on staff paper in a manuscript book. This gives me an additional understanding of what exactly I am doing and what I am learning. This is helpful since I am also studying music theory. A book on notation will help ensure that you are writing it correctly, for example: Norton Manual of Music Notation
You may be able to find a good deal on a used book, or visit your local library.
I also bought two inexpensive "Beginning Classical Piano" books which I read, as I would read a novel, in order to sharpen my skills. Once I get far enough in my playing skills, I will begin to attempt these pieces. (without the steady hand of Carl Humphries to help, but that is the whole point.)
For further motivation, I am using certain pieces from the book as 'Benchmarks'. For example, in learning to use both hands, the first benchmark is the song called "Greensleeves" (Ex. 2.2) which begins the second unit of section one of the book. Looking ahead, further pieces include 'Fur Elise' (Ex. 5.4), 'Prelude in C' (Ex. 8.7) and 'Gymnopédie No. 1' (Ex. 11.5) as examples.
8. As the very last step before moving on to the next piece, I play along with the example on the CD to make sure I have the correct "feeling".
It is at this step, that I write out the notation in a separate book, for example: Notenblock Staff Paper
Finally, here is the complete list of songs that you will learn after going through the entire book. "Classical" is not the only style of playing that is covered:
01. Ex. 1.6 "Frere Jacques" p.46
02. Ex. 1.7 "Oranges and Lemons" p.47
03. Ex. 1.8 "Fairy Dance" p.48
04. Ex. 1.9 "Bugle Call" p.48
05. Ex. 1.10 "Victory March" p.49
06. Ex. 1.11 "Soldier's Song" p.49
07. Ex. 1.12 "Roundabouts" p.50
08. Ex. 1.13 "Wedding Bells" p.50
09. Ex. 1.14 "Morning Hymn" p.51
10. Ex. 2.2 "Greensleeves" p.56
11. Ex. 2.3 HENRY PURCELL "Minuet in A Minor" p.58
12. Ex. 2.4 JS BACH "Minuet in G Major" p.59
13. Ex. 2.6 "Song of the Lonely Beetle" p.60
14. Ex. 3.1 HENRY PURCELL "Air in D Minor" p.69
15. Ex. 3.2 "Gnome Dance" p.70
16. Ex. 3.3 AMADEUS MOZART "Minuet" p.71
17. Ex. 3.4 JOSEPH HAYDN "Allegretto" p.72
18. Ex. 3.5 "Somersaults" p.73
19. Ex. 4.1 MUZIO CLEMENTI "Un Poco Adadio" p.75
20. Ex. 4.2 JS BACH "Musette in D" p.76
21. Ex. 4.5 SCHUMANN "Humming Song" p.78
22. Ex. 5.3 "Wheelbarrow Man" p.84
23. Ex. 5.4 LUDWIG BEETHOVEN "Für Elise" p.86
24. Ex. 7.6 "Clowns" p.104
25. Ex. 7.7 "Country Gardens" p.105
26. Ex. 8.7 JS BACH "Prelude in C" p.114
27. Ex. 8.10 BURGMÜLLER "Ballade" p.119
28. Ex. 10.1 ROBERT SCHUMANN "First Loss" p.135
29. Ex. 10.2 HELLER "Avalanche" p.137
30. Ex. 10.3 Staccato Note Study p.139
31. Ex. 10.5 JOSEPH HAYDN "Allegro in G" p.141
32. Ex. 11.3 JOSEPH HAYDN "theme Sonata in A" p.152
33. Ex. 11.5 ERIK SATIE "Gymnopédie No.1" p.154-5
34. Ex. 11.6 CPE BACH "Solfeggio" p.157
35-36. Rock ballad/shuffle p.165
37. Country Shuffle p.165
38. Orleans p.166
39. Cajun p.166
40. Straight-eight boogie p.166
41. Get down rock p.166
42. Country p.166
43. R&B p.166
44. Gospel waltz p.167
45. Straight-ahead gospel p.167
46. Funk p.167
47. "Lullaby" lead sheet p.170
48. "Lullaby" embellished arrangement p.172
49. Ex. 13.1 MUZIO CLEMENTI "movement Sonatina in G" p.177-9
50. Ex. 13.3 AMADEUS MOZART "Sonata in C" p.182-5
51. Ex. 14.1 JOHANNES BRAHMS "Waltz in D Minor" p.191
52. Ex. 14.2 FRANZ SCHUBERT "Impromptu in A flat" p.192
53. Ex. 14.3 FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN "Prelude in E Minor" p.194
54. Ex. 16.1 JS BACH "Invention in C" p.213-4
55. Ex. 16.2 The Entertainer p.216-7
56. Ex. 16.3 Octave study C sharp Minor p.218
57. Ex. 16.4 BEETHOVEN "Scherzo No.2 Op.33 in C" p.220
58. Ex. 16.5 BEETHOVEN "C Minor Sonata Op.13 'Pathétique'" p.221-2
59. Ex. 16.6 BEETHOVEN "Andante No.11 Op.119 in B flat" p.223
60. Ex. 17.1 CLAUDE DEBUSSY "The Little" p.227-8
61. Ex. 17.2 ARNOLD SCHOENBERG "Opus 19 No.6" p.231
62. Ex. 17.3 BÉLA BARTÓK "Change of Time" p.234
63. Salsa montuno p.240
64. Latin Rock p.242
65. DUKE ELLINGTON "Sentimental Mood" p.245
66. BILL EVANS "Sentimental Mood" p.245
67. Ex. 18.4 PAUL DESMOND "Take Five" p.256-7
68. Two-handed linear groove p.253
69. Drum chart as piano dance groove p.254
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
· The book is spiral bound which is a HUGE plus.
· Numerous playing exercises (non-CD) extend throughout the book.
· Lots of interesting biographical information about the Composers are included.
· Thirty pages of reference material is located at the back.
· It is important to read each section carefully and complete each exercise.
· Count progress in 'steps' and your confidence and interest should grow.
· Expect to spend 2 or more YEARS getting through the entire book.
· Playing the piano is a lifetime activity .. enjoy the process!
· The songs on the CD are enjoyable listening to while doing other activities.
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For more information, see the 'Forum' entitled "A Discussion in Progress" at the bottom of this product page.. or copy/paste the following into the address bar of your browser:
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~
Summary of The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano
This illustrated handbook offers a comprehensive tutorial for learning to play piano alone or with a teacher. An accompanying audio CD demonstrates key techniques and concepts, and the author explores the common origins of different musical cultures to show that learning different kinds of music can be an enriching experience. Readers discover how classical piano technique and musicianship inspire creative approaches to composing and improvising across a variety of styles, including pop and jazz.Instruments & Performers Books
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