Keyboard artists in the time of J.S. Bach were simultaneously performers, composers, and improvisers. By the twentieth century, however, the art of improvisation was all but lost. Today, vanishingly few classically-trained musicians can improvise with fluent, stylistic integrity. Many now question the system of training that leaves players dependent upon the printed page, and would welcome a new approach to musicianship that would enable modern performers to recapture the remarkable creative freedom of a bygone era. The Pianist's Guide to Historic Improvisation opens a pathway of musical discovery as the reader learns to improvise with confidence and joy. Useful as either a college-level textbook or a guide for independent study, the book is eminently practical. Author John Mortensen explains even the most complex ideas in a lucid, conversational tone, accompanied by hundreds of musical examples. Mortensen pairs every concept with hands-on exercises for step-by-step practice of each skill. Professional-level virtuosity is not required; players of moderate skill can manage the material. Suitable for professionals, conservatory students, and avid amateurs, The Pianist's Guide leads to mastery of improvisational techniques at the Baroque keyboard.

Andras Schiff is one of the most important pianists of our time. This stimulating account of his life and work, told in two parts, takes readers on an intimate journey from Schiff's childhood in Hungary through to the present day. In conversationw with Martin Meyer, Schiff discusses a diverse range of topics from his experiences with anti-Semitism and communist rule to his musical training with maestros such as Pal Kadosa and Ferenc Rados, as well as his thoughts on playing techniques and musical interpretation. In a collection of Schiff's writings we are enthralled by a guided tour of Bach's 'Goldberg' Variations, sobered by Schiff's public defiance against nationalistic and racist attitudes - to the extent that he refused to perform in Haider's Austria or Orban's Hungary - and delighted by the playful 'Ten Commandments' for concertgoers. More than a memoir, this is a seminal compilation of the thoughts and experiences of one of the greatest musicians of our time, of his inimitable art of making music out of silence.

This volume focuses on the core composers of the 18th-century repertoire. It begins with an overview of the keyboard instruments that were in use during the 18th century and a chapter on performance practice. The book proceeds through each major composer, beginning with Bach, and then progressing through the French masters, Scarlatti, C.P.E. and J.C. Bach, Haydn, Mozart and early Beethoven. Each chapter is written by a well-known scholar in the field and includes history, musical examples and analysis.

Because it has always represented a rich collaboration of the music, art, architecture, handicraft and science of its day, the organ, more than any other instrument, continues to reflect the spirit of the age in which it was built. This collection of essays, by leading scholars of the organ, follows the history of six organs in Scandinavia and Northern Germany, telling a unique story of the cultural history of northern Europe during the past four centuries. A CD with appropriate repertoire played on each of the six instruments accompanies the book.

Jazz, Rags & Blues, Books 1 through 5 contain original solos for late elementary to early advanced-level pianists that reflect the various styles of the jazz idiom. An excellent way to introduce your students to this distinctive American contribution to 20th century music. Available separately (item #18115), the CD includes dynamic recordings of each song in Books 1-3 of this series.

(Willis). Containing a selection of first chart songs, the pieces in this book are ideal for pupils reaching Part Two, Part Three or Part Four of the Easiest Piano Course. As well as reinforcing basic technique they also help to develop musicality and increase the enjoyment of learning. Songs include: The Climb * Eye of the Tiger * Grenade * Hallelujah * Love Story * Poker Face * Viva La Vida * and more.

(Piano Solo Songbook). A thorough collection of beautiful classic jazz piano solos featuring standards in any jazz artist's repertoire. Non-jazz pianists will also find these well-thought out arrangements very beneficial. Includes: Afternoon in Paris * Birdland * C-Jam Blues * Django * Dolphin Dance * Giant Steps * I Hear a Rhapsody * In Walked Bud * Killer Joe * Line for Lyons * Moonlight in Vermont * Moten Swing * A Night in Tunisia * Night Train * On Green Dolphin Street * Shiny Stockings * So What * Song for My Father * Up Jumped Spring * West Coast Blues * Yardbird Suite * and more.

A comprehensive and immersive survey of thirty-five Beethoven piano sonatas "Beethoven piano sonatas accompany every pianist, amateur or professional for his or her entire life and constitute one of the most miraculous constants of the human civilization. To help us around the exciting journey through those masterpieces Jan Marisse Huizing combines his expertise, knowledge, and above all his unconditional love for this music."- Alexander Melnikov, pianist Beethoven's piano sonatas are among the iconic cornerstones of the classical music repertoire. Jan Marisse Huizing offers an in-depth study of the sonatas using available autographs, first editions, recordings, and nearly three hundred musical examples. Digging into the historical background and historical performance practice, the book provides illuminating detail on Beethoven's pianism as well as his characteristics of notation, form and content, "types of touch," articulation, beaming, pedal indications, character, rubato, meter, metric constructions, tempo, and metronome marks. Packed with anecdotes, quotations, and considerable new information, the book will inspire all involved with these masterworks, playing a fortepiano or modern Grand, giving the sense of the composer sitting beside them as he translates his inspiration and ideas into his notation.

(Educational Piano Library). Book 4 expands on the related five-finger patterns learned in Book 3 to introduce the scales of C Major, A Minor, G Major, and E Minor. Chord progressions in close position are also presented in each of these keys. Syncopated rhythms, syncopated pedaling and opposing articulations between the hands create performances with style, color, and texture. This package includes a Piano Lessons Book and an enhanced CD. The CD works in any CD player but it also contains MIDI files for Windows and Mac computer users.

Piano Star Theory is an activity book for young players in the early stages of learning the piano. Packed full of engaging exercises and games, it can be used alongside any beginner piano tutor to help develop a student's understanding of musical notation. The imaginative activities link to practical music-making, building aural awareness and boosting the confidence of young musicians.Key features: * Written and practical theory activities, covering the note values, rests, pitches, time signatures and other symbols most commonly found in beginner piano tutors * Short, specially written pieces which can be sung, clapped or played * Quizzes, puzzles and a Piano Star Theory board game * Colourful illustrations and fun stickers * The perfect companion to the Piano Star beginner repertoire books.

This book contains valuable material to help players strengthen their sight-reading skills in preparation for the ABRSM Grade 3 exam. Featuring preparatory exercises that gradually introduce key new elements encountered at Grade 3, along with a comprehensive selection of sample sight-reading pieces, More Piano Sight-Reading supports students with the transition between grades, and encourages them to integrate sight-reading into their daily practice. More Piano Sight-Reading is available for ABRSM Grades 1 to 8, offering additional support for the sight-reading requirements of the current syllabus.

La celebration du bicentenaire de la naissance de Cesar FRANCK (1822-1890), ne a Liege, fixe a Paris et naturalise francais, se veut d'etre a la hauteur de ce compositeur de premier plan. La restitution de sa place exacte dans le contexte historique et artistique de son epoque se revele passionnant: nous y decouvrirons nombre de paradoxes, images d'Epinal entourant la personnalite, l'oeuvre et la comprehension de Cesar Franck. Cet ouvrage s'attache a en eclairer plusieurs aspects contradictoires ou fausses en nous appuyant sur des temoignages, parfois inedits, de ses contemporains, de sa famille et de ses disciples. Attachant, presque mysterieux, Franck a de quoi seduire par une sensibilite romantique contredite par une vie discrete, presque effacee. Isole et mal compris de Saint-Saens, Gounod, Massenet, mais porte par ses disciples enthousiastes, il se revelera tardivement comme une figure marquante du renouveau de la musique francaise. La fulgurante serie de chefs-d'oeuvre de la fin de sa vie continue de fasciner, preuve du rayonnement d'une musique sincere, passionnee et hautement accomplie.

(Keyboard Instruction). This comprehensive book/CD will teach you the basic skills needed to play boogie-woogie. From learning the basic chord progressions to inventing your own melodic riffs, you'll learn the theory, tools and techniques used by the genre's best practicioners. The accompanying CD demonstrates most of the music examples in the book, with left- and right-channel tracks created for helpful hands-separate practice.

A technical volume on the construction of organs. Comprises an alphabetically arranged detailing of the various components of organs, their characteristics and uses. Also includes a study of organ building.

24 stylish pieces in a range of jazz and light-hearted styles, supported by witty illustrations. Great stuff that sounds cool, but is still easy. Piano Time Jazz Book 2 is around the level of Piano Time 3.

A group of resourceful kids start "solution-seekers.com," a website where "cybervisitors" can get answers to questions that trouble them. But when one questioner asks the true meaning of Christmas, the kids seek to unravel the mystery by journeying back through the prophecies of the Old Testament. What they find is a series of "S" words that reveal a "spectacular story!" With creative characters, humorous dialogue and great music, The "S" Files is a children's Christmas musical your kids will love performing.

Makers of the Piano Volume 2: 1820-1860 continues the overview of early pianos begun in Clinkscale's Makers of the Piano 1700-1820 (OUP, 1993). Although a few of the biographies overlap, the majority of the makers are completely new. Approximately 2,400 makers and manufacturers and about 2,200 pianos are listed in this book. Of this total, about 645 are English, the majority of whom were active in London; more than 200 of the London makers have not been discussed in previous publications. In addition to British makers, several hundred others have not before been catalogued in English. This group includes makers active in nineteenth-century Hungary, Austria, major German cities, Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Canada, and the United States. Particularly useful is an appendix prepared by John R. Watson of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Virginia of detailed drawings of the major types of instrument styles discussed in the main text itself.

Six terrific songs from the 1965 Disney animated classic: The Bare Necessities * Colonel Hathi's March (The Elephant Song) * I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song) * My Own Home (Jungle Book Theme) * That's What Friends Are For (The Vulture Song) * Trust in Me (The Python's Song).

Learn to play the electronic keyboard and open up a brand new world of musical knowledge with this exciting method from Alfred. Beginners of all ages can start their journey to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Beginning with the fundamentals, you will learn about MIDI, position at the keyboard, preparing your instrument for use, and proper hand position. You will then move right along to learning about the different keys on the keyboard and basics of standard musical notation. You will immediately dive into playing notes and transforming them into well-known songs, all while continuing to increase your ever-growing knowledge of reading and understanding standard musical notation and keyboard functions. Throughout the book, you will be introduced to a variety of styles, including pop, rock, country, blues, classics, folk favorites, hymns, spirituals and ragtime and upon completion you will know how to use chord symbols to play from pop sheet music, fake books and lead sheets. This book is for keyboards with automatic rhythms and "single-finger" chords.
The book features the following helpful resources for reference during and after your lessons:
* Explanation of the Circle of 5ths
* Improvising techniques
* Exciting arrangements of "The Entertainer," "Amazing Grace," and many more.
Be your own teacher, and let Alfred be your resource every step of the way.

(Schott). The Classical Piano Method is ideal for adults and young people looking to learn the piano from scratch, or for those returning to the piano after a substantial break from playing. You will learn traditional, classic technique, and will be introduced to interesting, varied and well-known classical pieces right from the outset. The method is friendly and is carefully designed to progress in small manageable steps, beginning with simple fingering patterns and exercises, moving onto some of the most beautiful melodies and pieces from the baroque, classical and romantic eras: such as Ode to Joy, Fur Elise and the Blue Danube Waltz . This repertoire collection provides 45 extra pieces explicitly linked to the levels of progression (starting with beginners) found in Method Book 1, providing a wider range of beautiful pieces for the solo pianist. The pieces are drawn mainly from the classical repertoire, and also include a number of folk and contemporary pieces in interesting and varied arrangements.

Although eighteenth-century Viennese keyboard music, especially by such composers as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, is among the most popular ever written, there has been surprisingly little serious research into the instruments for which it was composed. Consequently myths and guesses abound, while accurate and reliable information is hard to come by. This book fills that gap. Based on evidence from primary source material, much of it previously undiscovered or neglected, Maunder traces the history and development of the various keyboard instruments available in Vienna throughout the eighteenth century-harpsichords, clavichords, and pianos-and their use by composers and performers. There are detailed descriptions of many surviving Viennese instruments, several of which have only recently come to light; contemporary newspaper advertisements for over 1200 keyboard instruments are reproduced, in the original German as well as in English translation; and an alphabetical list of eighteenth-century Viennese makers includes much newly-discovered biographical information as well as some previously unknown names.