Book Review - Maran Illustrated Piano
Category Book Reviews
I was recently sent a copy of the book Maran Illustrated Piano from the maranGraphics Development Group. It's another subject treatment using the "maran illustrated" technique, and again it's an excellent work...
Chapter List: Piano Basics; The Basics of Reading Music; Basic Hand Positions; Playing Scales; Playing Chords; Beyond the Basics of Reading Music; Tips to Improve Your Playing; Special Playing Techniques; Improvising and Playing with Others; Styles of Music; Buying and Caring for Your Piano; Quick Reference; Index
The Maran books use a graphic-intensive format with liberal use of color and heavy-stock paper. With Frank Horvat as the technical consultant, they take the reader through an informative history of the piano, famous composers, and the structure of the piano (along with the various styles and related instruments). From there, they get into how to read music as well as the basic hand positioning for playing. The material on reading music is well done for anyone who needs to acquire that skill, even if they aren't interested in the piano. The book then starts to show how to play scales, chords, and progressively more difficult pieces. It would be very easy to use this book to do your own self-learning program, and it'd be a great way to figure out if you want to take the next step and find a piano teacher to help you progress.
The illustrations and photography of hand placement jump off the pages with the high-quality printing and paper. The pictures of Horvat sitting at the piano look a little stilted, but there's only so much "action" you can add to those settings. The only photo series I didn't much care for in the book have to do with the piano pedals. The pedal photos have someone's black shoe, white sock, and bare leg in the frame. That's just wrong... :-)
Shoes and socks aside, this is an excellent choice if you are looking to learn how to play the piano on your own. You will gain a solid foundation with the instrument, and from there you can take it to whatever level appeals to you...
I was recently sent a copy of the book Maran Illustrated Piano from the maranGraphics Development Group. It's another subject treatment using the "maran illustrated" technique, and again it's an excellent work...
Chapter List: Piano Basics; The Basics of Reading Music; Basic Hand Positions; Playing Scales; Playing Chords; Beyond the Basics of Reading Music; Tips to Improve Your Playing; Special Playing Techniques; Improvising and Playing with Others; Styles of Music; Buying and Caring for Your Piano; Quick Reference; Index
The Maran books use a graphic-intensive format with liberal use of color and heavy-stock paper. With Frank Horvat as the technical consultant, they take the reader through an informative history of the piano, famous composers, and the structure of the piano (along with the various styles and related instruments). From there, they get into how to read music as well as the basic hand positioning for playing. The material on reading music is well done for anyone who needs to acquire that skill, even if they aren't interested in the piano. The book then starts to show how to play scales, chords, and progressively more difficult pieces. It would be very easy to use this book to do your own self-learning program, and it'd be a great way to figure out if you want to take the next step and find a piano teacher to help you progress.
The illustrations and photography of hand placement jump off the pages with the high-quality printing and paper. The pictures of Horvat sitting at the piano look a little stilted, but there's only so much "action" you can add to those settings. The only photo series I didn't much care for in the book have to do with the piano pedals. The pedal photos have someone's black shoe, white sock, and bare leg in the frame. That's just wrong... :-)
Shoes and socks aside, this is an excellent choice if you are looking to learn how to play the piano on your own. You will gain a solid foundation with the instrument, and from there you can take it to whatever level appeals to you...
| Permalink |
