Question:
Going to College, Learning Piano, Need Good Beginner Piano Books
Hey,
I'm taking a very keen interest in composition and piano lately and I think I definitely want to pursue something in that area. So first, I need to really learn piano.
I have a 60 dollar gift card to Barnes and Noble so I was thinking of getting some piano books.
Nothing extremely hard but nothing easy. I need to challenge myself.
So far all I have found, with no reviews on it but i did get a chance to look inside it, is the book called First Lessons in Bach, Book 1: Piano Solo, 16 Short Pieces.
If you guys have any ideas that would be great. I figure maybe you guys could help since I'm in the same position some of you may have been before (saxophone player, auditioning for college in 3 months, learning and practicing as much as he can)
Thanks a lot. Hope some of you can help me out!

Answer:
Uhhhh, have you noticed all the pictures of the saxophones around here? Are you sure you're not looking for ? :D

Sorry I can't help.

Answer:
is where you might look, but they're just going to tell you to get the Mark Levine Jazz Piano book. It's not a Method Book per se, but rather a theory book. It's tough going in the beginning, but you'll need to know this stuff.
Otherwise, you are going to learn a lot by studying (harmonic analysis) BACH CHORALES and CHOPIN PRELUDES.

Answer:
try these ;
Jazz Piano DVD Real Book
[MLB727] $24.95US



Per Danielsson
Learn loved jazz standards from a piano player’s point of view. Per Danielsson analyzes and teaches both melodic and harmonic material with an “easy to understand” approach, paying particular attention to each tune’s unique features and demonstrating elements of the standards that have evolved over time to become the recognizable components that make these songs the classic masterpieces as we know them to be.
The visual application of this DVD will help you to absorb the tunes more completely, and speed up the learning process. The tunes are recorded with a four piece band to fully express the sound, style and material being taught. ©2006, DVD, 82 minutes
Questions? Contact Music Books Plus!
Toll-Free 800-265-8481 (U.S. & Canada only)
905-641-0552 (8:30 am-5:30 pm EST M-F)
FAX: 905-641-1648
Or of couse MARK LEVINES BOOK.
Anything by BACH never hurt either.

Answer:
Dohnanyi: Essential Finger Exercises
I first learned about these when I studied with Jeremy Denk for a short while. The big difference between them and all the "traditional" finger methods (Hanon, Czerny,) is that they rely on finger interdependence rather than independence. Pedagogically, there's a huge argument over those two, but I, and most people now, tend to side with interdependent.
On a side note, if you ever get a chance to hear Jeremy, do it.


Answer:
And like Tim said, you can never go wrong with Bach.
Of cours other standard stuff like the Schubert Moments Musicaux would be great as well. I'm also partial to the Mozart G Major sonata, K. 284 (I think taht's the number.) It's a youthful one, but a very nice little piece. El Circo, a suite by Joaquin Turina is an awful lot of fun and quite easy as well.
Are you a complete beginner? In that case, you won't be attacking any of this stuff immediately and should first get a GOOD teacher. There are many people around that "teach" piano that don't understand it at all.