Others say...

"The Best---And I should know, I've tried them all."
I started piano later in life. Oh well, I took about six months worth in the 3rd grade. But, I love music and I sing. No, I mean I really sing, like classical!! So, I read music. Of course, you still have to get it from your brain to your fingers so it was like starting from scratch. I am in the last book of this series and play rather well for a late bloomer. I began and went through the first book by myself----would have been much faster to have a teacher. Then I got smart and got a teacher, who also uses these books for ALL his adult students. I feel completely the opposite of the negative review. If you recognize all the tunes in the book, you will NEVER learn to count. Some recognizable pieces are fine, but most are not. This series gives you everything you need, including easy to learn theory. It advances through each book the way that it should. Just like I had to do to learn to read music for vocalizing. Stick with these books--find a teacher who will work with you and go for it. In a couple of years you will be amazed. And if you don't do that, in a couple of years you will be two years older and still not know how to play piano. Good luck!

"Great for beginners"
When I first started taking piano lessons, this was the book my piano teacher and I worked on. The pieces are simple and boring, but yet demanding to the novice. Since it is an all in one book, you really get your money's worth. Playing the piano is not just about hitting keys, so one must learn some basics about chords and so forth. This book is a great primer.

I highly recommend this book.

"Great book, easy to read"
I like this book, I started taking piano lessons at the age of 42, and I'm having a good time with it. The only thing is this book should come with a CD but mine didn't and I'm not sure why.

"Boring...but excellent primer"
This is a pretty good book for the adult learning to play the piano. I didn't give it 5 stars because it's quite boring, but it serves the purpose. At our local small town university I was able to take a piano class for adults and the teacher allowed us to use our own choice of books. I'm not disappointed with my choice. My only regret is that they should have included a CD with it. Then again, my book is used - so the new book may include a CD.

"Learning the piano -- a difficult endeavor made easy!"
I used to play the clarinet in middle school. Now I'm 18 and it's been quite some time since I've read sheet music. Playing guitar for six years literally ruined my ability to read the stuff, because I would always use tabs instead. But eventually I grew jaded with the guitar, and I decided to choose a new and fresh direction -- the piano!

This book is very well-written, and leaves no gaps. Within just a few days I found myself relearning all that I had forgotten from band class years before, and I've now reached the point where I know more than I did! And I haven't even finished the book yet!

Plus, it tests you on theory and technique. You get to fill in parts of the book, which really helps you get involved with what your learning.

One reviewer downrated this book because of the song choices, and its accompanying CD. I feel that this is in err. I believe the song choices are just as good as any. If the tunes were familiar, then they wouldn't be as challenging to learn. And as for the CD...I did notice that the piano parts are rather quiet, but I always thought this was because it was a play-along CD (which is what I use it as). It's as good as it needs to be.

Besides, the pieces get more interesting as you progress, some of the final pieces being "Greensleeves", "Scarborough Fair", "The Entertainer" and "Amazing Grace" (and written in a way so that each hand will be dually occupied). And by the end of the third book in the series, you'll be playing some of Beethoven's most popular pieces, like "Fur Elise" and "Moonlight Sonata"!

Also -- something that concerned me when I bought this book: do you need a full-fledged piano? The answer is...no!! A sizable keyboard will do you just fine. But, you just might find yourself looking to buy a real piano once you delve deeper into these lessons...because this series really does inspire and nurture a great love for this amazing instrument.

If you're looking to learn the piano and can't afford a teacher, don't have time for one, or you just learn better on your own -- this is a must-have aid to your learning.

Good luck, and I wish you well in your learning!! :)