Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Alfred's Basic and ALL in One Adult Piano Course Book #1

I'm in Central PA but headed to Cape May, NJ (southern tip) for next two weeks - latest NWS forecast this morning shows Florence headed most likely somewhere near or just a bit north of the North/South Carolina border, but there is still time for are other possible computer generated paths to take hold...stay safe.

This thing is big Handyman. Some models are showing heavy rains into PA. Be careful traveling.

I have now started on Laura. Might be a little more difficult for me since I am not very familiar with the song.

Hey all, thoughts on Alfred Piano Course Express vs Adult All-in-One? Thanks!

Finfan - this is the beautiful title tune from the 1944 movie - here is one live vocal version:

Laura

Also search for "Laura Piano Alfred" on YouTube for versions from the Method, including an extended tutorial...

Thanks Handyman! I've been listening to the Johnny Mathis version and Tiny Mozarts rendition of the Alfred's score. Still new tunes are always slow for me. I'll probably spend 5 to 6 weeks learning this one.

I’ve been just reviewing and polishing lessons from the book this past week and look to do the same this week as well. It’s more review In both the Faber and Alfred’s 2 starting pages so that’s the lesson plan. I hope you all are well.

Ryan, I only have experience with the All In One course but I’m surprised that you haven’t got an answer.

Slow (but I suppose steady) progress.

I sometimes play so well when I practice..then seem to completely derail when I play at my lesson. I get frustrated making mistakes...which turns into a vicious cycle of me cursing and starting over Of course I came home and seemed to play just fine

Thankfully, my teacher is very easy-going.

Getting into "F Major" in Alfred's...Little Brown Jug looks like it might be a challenge. Not too much more to go in book 1!

Working on a version of "Sunny" as well.

I love being a beginner, don’t you?

Always!!

A common affliction it seems. Just had my 11th lesson and I am getting better in this respect.

I’m happy for your progress progman.

I’m up to playing When The Saints Go Marching in (melody on both the right and left hands). I made the mistake of trying to learn the F chord on the right hand as soon as was introduced for the left hand by just mirroring the fingering, and reaching with finger 5, only to later find out that for the right hand the fingering is actually different (leaving finger 1 in place and sliding everything else over). Didn’t take too long to relearn the chord their recommended way, but I’ll be careful to try to avoid making assumptions again.

In Fundamental Keys, I finished book 1, and have moved onto the original book. I was able to review the beginning material pretty quickly, and am working on the first couple of classical pieces now, which is exciting. I find it’s been quite nice to work through both in parallel, as they seem to have different strengths, and introduce things at a different pace. They both do a good job with having melodies played with either hand. AIO introduces hands together playing much sooner, and some chords, while FK has yet to introduce chords at all. However, I think FK’s pieces have been a bit more challenging melodically and rhythmically. The biggest difference is that AIO has been in C position the whole time so far, while FK has had hands start in different positions constantly (but still remaining in position for the whole piece), which I think may be helping with my ability to better read notes. I also set up some flash cards (in anki) for note reading, and identitying keys on the piano, which I think are helping.

great progress, Coatimundi!!

I'm about set to tackle "Little Brown Jug". I have the feeling it may be problematic, as this is the first F major song, so I have to remember that the b is flat.

I had the darndest time with the first few bars of the G blues scale. I had to play VERRRRRRY slowly with my metronome in order to get it.

I'm curious about this Alfred's course. Are there any examples of early pieces? The videos I've seen seem quite advanced!

Good stuff Coat - my teacher highlighted the right hand F chord thing - you will get used to it in no time. I have dappled with Fundamental Keys and agree with your comments. I'm a bit ahead of you working on getting consistent with eighth notes. Are you counting out loud, using a metronome?

Look on YouTube for Let's Play Piano Methods and find the playlist for this specific book. He goes through every piece in depth and there is a Play with Me segment at the end of each video.

That should help you. He has many other method books as well.

Thanks, I will have a look.

I see book one is very basic, the videos start from page 12 and is very basic, an introduction to the keyboard (earlier videos are unavailable but I wouldn't need them anyway) , I can skip those.

tinymozarts on YouTube also has a set of videos for this method book, and many others.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeW-cELRAmSl9fQyFwa9BIpeSHzlxuSYM