Willard A. Palmer (1917–1996)

I have been playing the piano for years. I am self-taught and started when I was about 35. After years of playing I realized that part of the reason I was not advancing in my playing is that I had no structure behind what I was doing. I would find a piece and practice until I learned it or give up because it was too difficult.

I decided to go back to the beginning and using this book, I am working my way through each exercise and learning the fundamentals, something I had not done before.

I am show more most of the way through this book and find that I am taking a different approach to learning new pieces. The pieces are, for the most part, familiar and not kiddie pieces, so more enjoyable for the adult beginner.

After I finish this book, I will be moving on to Book 2.

Highly recommended. show less

In terms of the awesomeness of the songs included, this probably deserves 2 or 3 stars--they're usually pretty hokey, and the best you're going to get here is an arrangement of Scarborough Fair. But I think it does a very nice job teaching music theory and introducing new piano skills.

One of my all-time favorites is in this book (yeah, the famous one; A minor?). Wonderful romantic music by my personal favorite romantic composer.

Christmas music for beginner piano