Synopses & Reviews
A full-color guide that will have people tickling the ivories in no time
For anyone who s dreamed of playing in a band or imagined a family sing-along, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Piano will make the joy of making music an achievable reality. With step-by-step instruction and full-color photographs, first-timers will learn how to play notes and melodies, build chords, navigate musical keys, and even master advanced techniques such as syncopation. In addition, the book details the anatomy of pianos and electronic keyboards, offers a piano buyer s guide, and delivers an introduction to various musical styles including jazz, country, pop, and soul. With words and music for a variety of songs as well as a companion Web site with downloadable MP3 files that people can listen to and play along with, this practical, user-friendly guide puts learning to play within anyone s reach.
maranGraphics is the family-run company behind the bestselling Visual brand computer and technology books, which have more than 10 million copies in print. Their first general interest titles, Teach Yourself Visually Guitar (0-7645-2581-6), Teach Yourself Visually Yoga (0-7645-2580-8), and Teach Yourself Visually Weight Training (0-7645-2582-4), were published to great success last year.
Synopsis
Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer instructions that show you how to do something- and skip the long-winded explanations? The Visual Learning System in Teach Yourself VISUALLY Piano breaks down the complexities of this instrument into graphical two-page lessons that simplify learning. Inside you' ll find clear, step-by-step instructions covering all the basics of playing the piano and reading music. Full-color photographs show you how to build chords, play in different keys, perform with singers and other musicians, and master more advanced techniques, such as playing glissandos and the 12-Bar Blues. Plus, you' ll discover how to purchase the right piano and accessories.
- Question & Answer sidebars provide practical tips and tricks
- Large color photos demonstrate how to correctly play notes, chords, and more.
- Step-by-step instructions explain beginner to more advanced techniques
- Companion Web site features all the audio from the book and more
Synopsis
Produced by the award-winning maranGraphics group, Maran Illustrated Guide to Piano is a valuable resource to a wide range of readers - from people who want to play a few songs for their family in the living room to those who aspire to become serious musicians. Maran Illustrated Guide to Piano shows you the best way to perform each task, while the full-color photographs, music examples and clear, step-by-step instructions walk you through each task from beginning to end. Thorough topic introductions and useful tips provide additional information and advice to help enhance piano experience. Maran Illustrated Guide to Piano is packed with essential information for those who are sitting down in front of a piano for the first time, and will provide more experienced players with a refresher course on the basics and the opportunity to add more advanced techniques to their repertoire. Maran Illustrated Guide to Piano will cost less than the price of one private piano lesson and will be a permanent resource that will provide years of enjoyment.
About the Author
maranGraphics Development Group combines the efforts of many talented people. An industry expert in the field of each book and Maran's own writers work together to produce books that are highly visual, technically sound, easy for readers to understand, and adhere to maranGraphics' standards of structuring to provide the best learning experience.
Table of Contents
1. Piano Basics 2. The Basics of Reading Music 3. Basic Hand Positions 4. Playing Scales 5. Playing Chords 6. Beyond the Basics of Reading Music 7. Tips to Improve Your Playing 8. Special Playing Techniques 9. Improvising and Playing with Others 10. Styles of Music 11. Buying and Caring for Your Piano 12. Quick Reference