Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book Level 1: Lesson Book, Level One/2236

Very good for beginners

This is the first book to own if you are going to make a success of learning either piano or keyboard. It may be a good idea to get a teacher for a few lessons. This book is attractively designed for the adult and is well structured - going through the basics of health and safety, the beginnings of reading notation, playing pieces with hands separately and then together and starting with important keys like C, and G. There are attractive pieces from a range of traditions - Irish, English, American - country and western, the blues and spirituals and a few classics. By the end of this book, minor keys have been introduced. The book focuses on chords to be found in each key, and left- hand music is kept at a fairly simple level, with the right-hand carrying most of the tunes and travelling further up and down the keyboard. Naming of time length notation is done using the American system of;- eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes and whole notes, rather than quavers and so on. There is enough material here to last for about a year - depending on the amount of practice time that you put in. Having done this book it is worth following up with the second book. Come on - enjoy yourself.

I start off all of my beginners with this book (adults and children). The first few exercises position the right hand's thumb on middle C and the left hand's thumb on the G below middle C (This is different to the common left hand thumb on middle C but I prefer it). It then moves to G and then F positions. The primary chords are introduced a lot earlier than on other courses which again I prefer. Then gradually more accidentals and sophisticated pieces are included.Other highlights of the book include an illustrated guide to sitting and hand positions, the numbering of fingers etc. The first few exercises have the notes written inside the note-heads which is handy for absolute beginners. Most of the pieces have exercises beforehand to prepare the student for any new material or nasty corners.Most of my students are ready to start learning grade 1 pieces by about half way through the book. I haven't rated the full 5 stars because I do find that nearly all my students get a bit bored of the book by this stage.It is very clear and comprehensive, and a great introduction to the piano though - highly recommended!

This book is well-suited to older adult beginners. Starting from first principles the tutee learns an arrangement of the three primary chords in different keys which form the basis for most of these little pieces.

As an adult learner, I was sceptical about how well I could learn from scratch such a beautiful instrument as the piano, let alone begin to understand music and its construction. I really am a complete beginner with no prior knowledge of music, and yet after the first hour I had got to grips with one of the taught pieces, Jingle Bells, using both hands simultaneously. I was absolutely amazed. I went to bed that evening visualising the notes and making the hand and finger movements I had just learnt. This really is pitched at such a perfect level for the adult learner with very easy to understand instructions. It has a really nice flow and guides you along seemlessly. It has really inspired me and instilled a passion to continue through this book and series. Very well done and heartily recommend.

Required by my music teacher

so easy to follow and very well staged. I dont use the CD but go to You Tube for the same thing which shows the piano as well as the tune. Really helpful.

This is a really good book, but as with all online videos etc it does very quickly ramp up, I find myself on the same 4 or 5 chapters every time. Perhaps it's just me, but im finding it hard to progress much past the simplest of music, hoping something clicks soon, im getting bored of playing music from the hovis advert

Tutto ok, perfetto

娘がピアノを習い始めたのですが、とこの先生に勧められて購入しました。娘も気に入って頑張ってます（≧∇≦）

Hacía años que no estudiaba solfeo y me ha venido fenomenal para refrescar mis conocimientos. Se lo recomiendo a gente que haya aprendido las notas A B C D E F G, y no do, re, mi, etc... porque puede que sea confuso para ellos. Estoy aprendiendo muchísimo y muy rápido. Lo recomiendo. También recomiendo que antes de comprar el CD, vayáis a YouTube, ya que todas las piezas están allí.

This book is recommended for adults and seniors too who are absolute beginners. The notes are of larger prints with many great and familiar tunes which are not too difficult to learn. A good book to bring joy and a sense of achievement to every adult beginners.

THe only fault in the book is the pages are quite thin and i have to use clips to hold it open on the piano stand. Has been a great way to get back into piano.