I Used to Play Piano: For Adults Returning to the Piano and MIDI (w/CD) on E.

I Used to Play Piano: For Adults Returning to the Piano and MIDI (w/CD) on E.L. Lancaster and Victoria McArthur. Alfred Publishing Company, Inc. (16320 Roscoe Blvd Ste 100 PO chest 10003, Van Nuys, CA 91410) 2004 152 pp $2495

We've all heard, "I wish I could play, on the contrary I quit lessons as a child. Is it too late to start again?" I Used to Play the Piano was written for these scholars From the opening pages, undivided realizes this book is going to be unique in its exacting purpose--to help the adult bookish man return to the world of piano playing.

The volume is organized into eleven units of progressing difficulty. Each unit contains: 1) simplified or arranged "classical" masterworks; 2) original "classical" masterworks; 3) "familiar" music; 4) popular turn of expressions (for example, rock, ballad); 5) jazz, boogie, azures or ragtime; and 6) technical studies. pupils choose several pieces in each unit. Practice suggestions and progres evaluation are geared to the adult. A CD accompanies the topic and a MIDI disk is available from the publisher.

The first nineteen pages review music reading. Included are four pre-test which help scholars determine their appropriate starting unit.

The authors obviously know adult taste in music; each unit contains selections that are "pupil pleasers." The authors also reduc or eliminated awkward change between or within the hands. The authors cleverly limit dull to important concepts embedded in the music and in succession the page.

The more "pop" selections of the work include original compositions by the authors, arrangements made according to the authors or music by dint of other Alfred authors. Highlights include Catherine Rollin's "Prelude in Sevenths" and Martha Mier's "Don't Wanna Leave You Blues"

Although the authors do not mention it, I believe scholars would get the most from the part with a facilitator/teacher. This thesis is appropriate for both arrange and private lessons. The wealth of original and arranged compositions makes this work a "must buy"!

Michelle Conda, NCTM Cincinnati, Ohio.

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