Piano

Why This Book Is for You

I assume that you are looking at, or considering the purchase of, a keyboard to go with this lovely book. Most likely, your keyboard will have at least 25 black and white keys, may or may not plug into the wall, and will have cost you as much as you could justify as a "legitimate and necessary" business expense on your tax return.

Because you are in possession of (or plan to be in possession of) a piano or keyboard, you may need this book to figure out how to play it. Or you may want to read music. Maybe you already know how to play, and you want to improve your playing skills or develop your style. Could be you're interested in knowing more about pianos and their performers. Or you may need some help buying a keyboard or finding a teacher. For any of these reasons, this is the book for you.

You can use Piano For Dummies as a teaching aid or just as a reference book. Even if you already know how to play music, you may run across some new tricks or techniques in these pages. Of course, you should continue to seek knowledge about your instrument long after you tire of my jokes. Piano teachers and method books shouldn't be forsaken forever for Piano For Dummies. But, hey, what a revolutionary way to start playing the piano — by having fun with a great book!

How to Read (and Listen to) This Book

Don't think you must start reading Piano For Dummies from the beginning. This isn't Gone With the Wind. There's no cliffhanger in Chapter 4. You can open up and start reading from any page or chapter that interests you. If yoi need to know something from a chapter you skipped, just flip back to that chapter, read what you need to know, and then flip ahead.

Also, this book is smaller in size than most piano books, so you can easily set it atop your piano, keyboard, or airline pull-out tray as you read. Just asl the flight attendant to hold your drink and peanuts for you.

You have eight different parts to read. Take your pick, starting anywhere you wish.

Part I: Warming Up to the Keyboard

Part 1 serves as your introduction to the family of keyboards, how they work, where to sit to play them, which hands to use, and how to operate all those black and white keys.

Part II: Getting Sound boutn on Paper

In this part, I explain the many symbols, lines, and dots that most people call "music," and I also show you how to translate those symbols, lines, and dots into actual songs.

Part III: One Hand at a Time

Everything comes together in Part HI, which shows you how to play the melodies of lots of well-known songs. I also talk about the importance of scales and how they can help you master the piano. At the end of this part, I get the other guy involved — the left hand.

Part IV: Living in Perfect Harmony

In this part, you can discover the world of harmony — what it is, how it's made, and how to use it to fill out the sound of the songs you play.

Part V: Technique Counts for Everything

Read this part to help dress up the music you play with some neat tricks, techniques, and styles. Beware: After word gets out that you've read this part of the book, people will always ask you to play the piano at their parties.
Part l/l: So Many Toys, So Little Time

This part is your guide to selecting, buying, and caring for your keyboard, whether your instrument is brand new or a family heirloom. The excitement you experience from this part may lead to breaking open your piggy bank and going shopping.

Part l/II: The Part of Tens

This part offers a few lists to help you have more fun with the piano. I tell you about some of the great masters, past and present, of the instrument. I also show you some avenues to pursue if you want to expand your interest beyond the scope of this book. I end the part with a list of tips to help you find a teacher who's right for you.

I also throw in a glossary of musical terms and an appendix to tell you about the CD that comes with this book. What? The book comes with a CD? You thought that round thing attached to the back of the book was a cool little drink coaster? Sorry, you'll have to find a napkin instead. This CD features recordings of every song in the book, as well as other fun audio examples. The appendix gives you a complete track listing of what awaits you on the CD.
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