Piano book review: classical repertoire for beginners (listen to samples)

[@CaptainCaveman782]

wow, this really surprises me! Oher KZbin channels have millions of subscribers, yet this one is a lot better, very well prepared and structured. Let's share this channel folks. The really resonants with me.As an upper beginner, I wasted months, at several hours per day attempting life time favourites such as Clair delune, Moonlight Sonata. After 3 months , I quit and went back to a beginners method book and made weekly improvements It was a fools endeavor but lesson learnt. Hope you don't fall into the same trap.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thank you for your support! And, thanks for the encouraging testimonial to go back to the accessible beginner pieces and work your way through to eventually arrive at the advanced pieces. Piano takes patience and perseverance, but so worth it! Best wishes, Johnny.

[@LeonStanford-wp1ox]

😂😂😂😂😂🎉😂

[@katttttt]

How's it going? :)

[@joggerman8455]

This is quality KZbin content. You deserve more views.

[@احمد-ن6ي3ي]

I do agree with you Mr Jimmie Hendricks

[@sp1704]

I wish someone would have given me this type of book as a kid. My best friend was the daughter of a professional pianist/ organist, and she was amazing. Naturally, I wanted to play the Chopin, Debussy, Schuman, Grieg etc my friend was playing, and my teacher was giving me, "baby songs." I still have my scales, Hanon and Schmidt books I remember using with my next teacher, but I remember feeling like the pieces were so basic and unrewarding. I was still learning how to coordinate my left hand, meanwhile the payoff for the standard children's repertoire was just not there for me. I was an adult beginner trapped in a child's body! 😂 I remember feeling differently about Suzuki when I later picked up violin, because it felt like I was playing "real music" even in books 1 and 2! I eventually went on to major in Music and studied piano with the RCM books to satisfy my piano requirement, and feeling better about that chapter in my piano learning. I am coming back as an adult (and parent of tiny musicians), I just hope it doesn't have to feel like such a slog this time around. Thank you for your recommendations!

[@FlexLessons]

This is a massively helpful video. I hope it goes viral! I am such a fan of the Masterwork Classics series, and I am glad to see other teachers talking about it.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

@Flex Lessons - thanks so much!

[@lumpichu]

Good to know what to look for after I finish my first book. Personally I hate piano arrangements of orchestra pieces.

[@ericwarncke]

Thank you so much for making this comparison Dr. I love long form content like this and you really geek out hard with this. Great work as I know this took a long time to make.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks so much! I do love this sort of content.

[@CaptainCaveman782]

Agree and I love the chapter lists so I can revisit😀

[@katttttt]

Thanks!

[@gabriel-x7x9g]

You are very well spoken and articulated. I think I didn't hear you stuttering or missing a word once. It was so fluid through the entire video. I came for the piano and your video was pretty useful for me. But I ended up surprised by flawless communication skills.

[@nawazsayed7110]

Very helpful video for selecting the right Classical book for beginners.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thank you!

[@bk6131]

the books review is so helpful to make decision! Put it into my plan. Thanks for preparing this high quality review

[@arlenek6797]

Excellent. As a returning player to the piano. I have the Faber books series, even the Christmas ones. I love them. Thank you for this. I find if I try to race ahead. It always reminds me it is better to play the piece properly, and enjoy. It is not a race.

[@danielnadar75]

This was the best video I came across for the supplementary book I was looking for. You are Incredible, so much knowledge you poses and the way you make this listing its outstanding! no wonder you have a PHD. I don't know which country you are in but if I ever get an opportunity I'll love to be your student and learn Piano from you!! Thanks for this as I am doing Faber Method book and wanted to supplement myself with classical pieces and this has help me made a decision! God bless you and keep up the AWESOME work!

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Wow, thanks, Daniel for your kind words! I love getting to share this information with all of you to help on your piano learning journeys. Great to hear you're working from the Faber method book and now can get started in a Classical book. Which Classical book did you choose to use?

[@danielnadar75]

@@PianoTeachingPros Both as you suggest you students and it makes sense as well coz both of them have different flavours and different learning and I don’t want to rush just completing the method book as you mentioned piano is a life long journey so will start with the faber classics book 1 right away and once once I am half way through method book will start with the Masterpiece Classics. Thanks again for amazing videos and your time.☺️✨

[@PianoTeachingPros]

@@danielnadar75 Great to hear your plan to use both! Enjoy the learning journey!

[@tonimariegarcia5772]

Thank you, Janci. This has been extremely helpful to me. Toni from San Antonio, TX, USA.

[@lynn_anderson2]

Very good review, thanks!👍🏻

[@MrGuitare42]

You are amazing!

[@klaudiasmusicjourney]

Thank you for another great in depth review ♡ I've just ordered Faber's Piano Literature series today before watching this video, but now when I've seen how you recommend Masterwork Classics I would love try it also. It seems really well organized for developing skills in progressive way.

[@spdaltcap5433]

This is AMAZING. All of your videos are so exceptional. Wow

[@2logj]

amazing amazing just amazing i would like a recommendation of method book for hand independence Dr Janci,thanks.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Hand independence strategies can be practiced out of a technique book. I'll review those books in the future! Thanks for watching!

[@PianoTeachingPros]

@2logj You can also check out this video on hand independence. Best wishes! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3aqiKOEorGSf68

[@mariecohen3052]

Thank you immensely ❤

[@joelrobertandersen]

thanks!

[@Neimykanani]

thank you so much! I was struggling finding any reviews about classical music books!

[@m1nhhoang]

Dr, much appreciate this!

[@umeshkumarb6482]

Thanks madam😊

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

What a fantastic video!! Thank you so much for your thoughtful and exhaustive review. Just ordered both of your top recommendations through your amazon links above. Cheers and please keep up the great work. I'm a new fan from Northern VA.

[@nleo6748]

Thank you 🙏 Is it good to continue on with the series for Faber Classics and Master Classics? Thanks

[@LazerWonder1998]

For Piano Adventure -- I think most people define "Classical" pieces as those from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic era. I'm not sure where Renaissance, neo-renaissance, etc... would fall into... but I wouldn't classify them as classical. Maybe modern? Either way, I think that's why you don't see those pieces in the piano adventure series. They are defining classical as how the average joe would. Also, they have a the "Popular" book that is another supplementary book to the Adult All in One course. So, (as I'm sure you know) would find the "missing" pieces mentioned. PS: One of your student recommended your channel to me. :) I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I've learned a lot on what to watch for when I'm teaching students. (I'm a self-taught piano teacher... as in, I took lessons as a kid but never took pedagogy. So now I'm trying to figure out how to teach this instrument.) It's been very helpful. Thanks. :)

[@robertopena715]

Thanks. This video really help me. Hello from Mexico.

[@annairwin8147]

You are fantastic great video

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Je vous en prie.

[@BH-ii7rn]

I'd love to know your thoughts on Beyer? I enjoy the short pieces, I'm on 19 and am able to advance by 1 or 2 weekly. I think I like it in part for convenience, I've been playing 8 weeks and acquired a Yamaha csp170, digital piano, Beyer is on the app which I think simplify some of the early road blocks, older beginners run into, mainly, reading music. So far, by end of week I'm able to read / play the piece on an acoustic for my teacher...

[@phyllisgordon6577]

Great critique. What would you recommend for a retiree who wants to play church music? There seem to be a dirt of information to support this small community of learners. Thanks for your wonderful work.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

I recommend getting as much knowledge as you can about harmony and chord progression. Get a hymnal to practice sight-reading, and a theory book to help understand chords. Alfred’s essentials of music theory book (amzn.to/3X15oo4) has all the basics.

[@Soberan]

Thanks for the vid, love it 😊

[@LeeJCander]

Just discovered this. Great channel ☺️

[@Xirnatts]

Very helpful! Thank you very much :)

[@CaptainCaveman782]

Hi Janci, perhaps I missed it but it would be great to see a video on technical books like Czerny, Hannon, Schmidt , 12 a day, etc . It is difficult to decide and one is often unsure how much time to spend on these techniques.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks for the comment. Actually, my next book review is on technique books. Stay tuned!

[@michael.a.covington]

28:30 "meaningless names" -- as a linguist (not a musician) I can assure you that meaningless terms are almost impossible in human language. People expect words to mean something, and even if some composer applied a term capriciously, others would immediately take it to describe some characteristic of the music, and would apply it to similar pieces. Words don't go around without meanings.

[@AnaSouza-mz7lf]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@davidtolabin5316]

Hi Janci! A combination of Adult Piano Adventures + A dozen a day books + scales are working well for me (I think) as an "upper beginner". To complement things I stick to the same channels (with tips and hints) so the thing won't get messy (too much info from different sources might be confusing). Any thoughts or recommendations on this self made "program"?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Sounds like a good plan. When you go to more advanced levels, it's still good to find a good teacher for some in-person feedback. Of course, you are always welcome to ask questions here. - PTP Team

[@davemitchell469]

Hi Dr. Janci. A quick question. For a beginner at what speed (given accuracy and quality) would you consider sufficient at a minimum to accomplish playing the practice pieces in the book before moving on to the next lesson?

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Good question! The speed actually depends on each individual piece. I consider the pieces polished or finished before moving on to the next piece when the student can play at a tempo to satisfy the indicated tempo and style marking (if given). For example, if marked Allegro or lively, that BPM is around 120. If Andante, BPM 76-108. If nothing is given, we decide on the style suggested from the music. I'm more concerned about accuracy and expression within the style, rather than a specific tempo they have to achieve.

[@Ema9961]

Hello - thank you for this comprehensive comparison. I am a very beginning adult learner, but I am more interested in learning popular songs than specifically classical, although some classical is great too. Is there a piano book you recommend? Thank you

[@PianoTeachingPros]

We plan to do a pop repertoire book review in future, stay tuned - PTP team

[@watchingyoutube7330]

Hi. Have you reviewed any books that will help an adult beginner with intervallic reading? Thank you.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

I highly recommend Masterwork Series, level 1-2 is reviewed in the video. Excellent classical repertoire for sight-reading: Masterwork Classics, Levels 1-2; amzn.to/3tG9Xbo Masterwork Classics, Levels 3; amzn.to/3MbePME Masterwork Classics, Levels 4; amzn.to/3Iz9z2Z Masterwork Classics, Levels 5; amzn.to/3sqPKFw

[@solukhumbu911]

hi dr. bronson, would you give me the good fortune of taking online piano lessons with you? you explain things with great clarity and order, i would love to learn from you.

[@PianoTeachingPros]

Thanks for asking, but my teaching load is currently full. Enjoy the content on my channel. I'm working hard to upload a variety of teaching content. Thanks for watching! Best wishes.

[@kevindam8694]

Your channel stands out for quality of the content, thanks for your videos. A feedback: your videos are “intimidating”. I mean you don’t need to be super friendly like @pianote :) but you Chan remembers me my terrible math teacher at school

[@scientistplayspiano7422]

If I had a math teacher teaches so well, math would be my favorite subject, lol

[@Sam-eq7zm]

This is the Queen of all piano book reviews I've seen on KZbin, authoritative and clear. It is intimidating to those mediocre ones, haha ~ This channel deserves to be as popular as pianote.

[@jodieashcroft7828]

Of course this is type of thing is very subjective, but I think she's friendly enough, very informative and a great presenter. I don't find her "intimidating" at all.

[@LeeJCander]

Mozart was 100% trolling when he wrote that piece 😂

[@XJarhead360]

Great video but it seems like your rushing through the explanations...perhaps slow down a tad.

[@XJarhead360]

I bought "Big Book of Beginner’s Piano Classics" and returned it. It is not a book for beginners.

[@PopPress-r3s]

Had to watch this at 1.5 speed

[@LearnFromMaestros]

Be patient, good things take time, lol

[@PianoTeachingPros]

We have other audience request for speaking slower. Unfortunately there is always different preference. You can use the chapters to quickly jump around.

[@LunKipgenAR]

These dosnt sounds like beginner😅 it's for intermediate

[@katttttt]

Nah the pieces she is playing from the books are easy

[@etudeando]

You would better practice czerny Etudes Op 299

[@PianoTeachingPros]

We may do a book review on Czerny in future.