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Many thanks for your book!!! Finally a method that really makes sense. Thanks to you I have started playing again after having giving up more than 12 years ago. I have a question I hope you can help me with. What is the best fingering method for chords? in other words, how do I figure out what finger should hit what key when playing a chord? I also like to play chords sometimes with the right hand. Should the fingering mirror that of the left hand? I look forward to hearing from you. Sincrely,
G. Tohme, Toronto, Canada

Scott, I've seen you on PBS several times. Your method is so common it's shameful. I've known it for years and love your presence and presentation. I wish your method was required for all teachers in elementary schools. The purpose of this note - I use a similar approach to teach my fellow workers mathematics. I think you are a great teacher. Your methods applied to other fields could revolutionize education in this country. Please keep up the great work. I hope you prosper.
T.P.

Scott, What a wonderful job you have done. I can't believe I am starting to "make music". Thank you. Chris
Chris

THIS IS SO AWESOME!!! SCOTT YOU CHANGED MY LIFE! JUST LIKE I TOLD YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN DALLAS! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!
R. Arnold, TX

Hey Scott, just FYI I never had any lessons and bought your book a year ago with the cheap tricks 1 & 2 this year, its been fun and it works. I was in a music store playing around on some key boards and a guy came up to me and said wow how long you been playing, when I told him he could not believe it. I told him try the Scott Houston plan. Thanks
GP

Thank goodness I didn't have cable and I was forced to watch public television on the day you were on the air. I have been a music student for almost 2 years now. I started on acoustic guitar, then moved to electric. I have recently picked up electric bass, and I just purchased an electronic keyboard for my 25th birthday. I understand some basic theory (intervals,scale degrees,etc.) which makes your program even easier to grasp. I haven't even gotten through the entire book yet, and I am amazed at how you have broken down playing the piano. I am aspiring to be a private music instructor for a career and now with what you have given me I am off to a roaring start with the piano....thank you dearly!
Anonymous

Just got your book I love it! I, like so many others, had just given up, bought my first "fake book.” First week I'm playing, “ Always, and When I fall in love.” Thank you for your "user friendly" book. I'm getting ready to celebrate my 70th Birthday. It's never too late to learn. I'll be treating myself to the chord finder for my birthday. Bless you!!
A. Shanahan

After reading Play Piano in a Flash, I bought your fakebook. I love it! I had piano lessons as a kid but didn't practice, LOL! Hey, I LOVE music but those songs were awfully dreary sounding! AND, no one was whipping me to practice, LOL! Then, at 15 I tried again. Seemed too arduous a task to get to the point of being able to play songs that sounded good... Now I am 51 and even though I am musically illiterate for all intents and purposes, I am enjoying playing the lovely sounding chords along with the melodies in your fakebook. Since you said, "Have fun" that is just what I am doing. I sit at the piano, and flip through your fakebook attempting to play all the songs that strike my fancy at that moment. I get too bored practicing just one song over and over which is too much like work, so I skip around. I am learning chords pretty fast. I can see that I am getting a bit better every day and one of these days, I may even get up to tempo! What beautiful sounds I am making! I am finding that I love some of the tunes that I loathed before because of the schmaltzy renditions I had heard on the radio! Do another great fakebook, Scott!
M. Palombi

I just got your three videos, and they are GREAT!!!
S. Wills

Hi Scott. I took your class in Findlay and enjoyed the hell out of it! I'm even enjoying it more now that I can play some things! I know you are a busy man! Thanks again for helping me to enjoy my Clavinova.
K Lloyd, Findlay, OH

Fantastic program! I just discovered it this morning on KOCE-TV, Los Angeles. Your production values are great! I applaud your production and technical team, camera work is excellentl....the lighting, audio, your set and that beautiful Boston piano looks GREAT in HDTV!!! My mom is a piano teacher, so years ago in order to keep me interested in the piano after I started playing football in high school, she taught me the 'chord' system so I could play popular songs rather than the revised versions of "Little Wig-Wam"! I'm not good enough to play a concert hall, but I can entertain my friends during half time at a local sports bar!! Good luck with your new series.
D. Brumett, Hermosa Beach, CA

I began taking piano lessons at the age of seven, and continued with them for the next 11 years. I can play quite well, as long as there's music in front of me. I have always been amazed by people who could sit down and just play, or "doctor up" basic songs. I thought it was all playing by ear, and didn't think I had that talent. I came across your show on tv, and was intrigued, but again, didn't quite believe it could be that simple. I checked Play Piano in a Flash out from my local library, and read it last weekend. How cool are you! It suddenly "clicked" and I went to the piano and played five songs the way I've always wanted to play them, instead of the way they were written! My extremely strict, classical piano teacher that I had for the first 10 years of lessons, always made me feel like such a dope at theory, but she never would stop to explain it a different way. After reading your book, it made sense in just a couple hours! The piano teacher I had for one year my last year of high school had a great understanding of re-writing music in the chord manner you speak of, but she never let me in on her secret, so I still felt like it was something out of my grasp. After reading your book, I'm a little honked-off at both teachers for not coming out with the mystery and let me be a part and have fun playing too! I've been playing for almost 25 years, but today I really feel excited about playing. I am the fill-in pianist at our church, and I have always been amazed at the way some of the gospel pianists can play. I "get it" now, and I'm really tickled about it and look forward to my next turn at the church piano! Thank you for unveiling the mystery in such an easy to understand manner! I'm looking forward to getting more of your material! Thanks again,
J Harrison

Scott, I caught your show last year on PBS in Las Vegas. I was so impressed that I immediately ordered your CD and purchased a Yamaha 88 key keyboard (nice too, because I can play piano, harpsichord, or a host of other instruments, and it has a built in chord dictionary). Like many others, I had always wanted to play piano but, as you correctly point out, was mystified (and turned-off) by all those black marks (mostly in the bass clef (all cows eat grass -- didn't help much!) Now, less than a year later, I play well enough to please myself (which is what really counts) and, from time-to-time, a goodly number of K-5 children at various Clark County Schools at which I substitute teach. I can't begin to thank you enough for bringing this aspect of music to my life.
B. Burkhart

Hi Scott, thank you very much! I started taking lessons at age 54 and quickly got discouraged. My friend saw you on a PBS special and told me to try your method. I bought the book, DVD and CD solely on her recommendation. This is so exciting. I wanted you to know that for Christmas I gave my daughter a clarinet. She wanted to play it again after giving it up in junior high. Now I'm 55, and she is 21. Because of your DVD and book she and I were able to play together. It was so much fun! Thank you again.
R. Alder

Wow, you knew exactly when I needed a pick me up on these Christmas songs. I've been playing just over one year now thanks to you, and frankly I wasn't looking forward to getting out the Christmas carols again because they just...well anyway, your tips on sprucing them up were just the thing. My kids are actually singing along now when they used to just turn the tv up louder or cover their ears and run out of the room. Keep em coming and I'll keep on practicing! Thanks for the Newsletters I look forward to more and more and more. Happy Holidays!
D. Steward, Henderson, KY

I make a point to watch your program everyday on WHUT in Baltimore and find it fascinating. I am a retired technican and bassist and always learn a bit more from your show. I strongly believe in your method and when I played in bands, I would lay out my bass lines from the chords of the lead sheets. It's great that you display and explain the construction of those chords. Your guests are extremely accomplished. I find Brad Sowash most interesting in both playing skills and his ability to demonstrate and evplain his technique. Bobby Floyd shares years of experience with tricks of the trade in his wonderful style. In one segment, you revealed the fact that your father played trombone with either Benny Goodman or Glen Miller. That had to be quite an influence on your musical career. I love your show; stay with us and thank you. Rick
Rick Steckel, Maryland / USA

My wife and I just watched your television show and thought it was GREAT! You're an excellent teacher and have really motivated us to try some of the things you were showing. In fact, my wife has always wanted to play boogie-woogie style piano, and now you've given her the basics. Thanks and keep up the good work. (I plan on taping ALL of your shows.) Take care,
Ed & Maryann

Hi Scott, all this while I've been trying to self-learn piano on my keyboard with its sample music, I can say its the only guide I have to help me practice by memorizing notes shown on the electronic screen, and now I can play certain songs from grade 4 and above, but the problem is its very hard for both my hands to synchronize when it comes to that, its either the left or right hand would go out of beat, plus, my fingerings aren't correct at all! Sometimes when I tried to compose something it gets me off my feet...But your lessons are slowly improving my skills and I'm very grateful of that, thank you!
Hui Min,Tham, Malaysia

I'm in Los Angeles and I use to watch your show on the PBS station here. I have noticed recently that I haven't seen it broadcast in a while. I assumed that it had just ran its course, and it was time for it to leave the air. I will send PBS an E mail asking them to start running it again. I hope that others will do the same. Like I said, I have 3 DVDs of yours: The piano Guy with Scott Houston, both volumes of the tricks and professional tips, 2 audio cds and your small paperback book. I have learned so much from reading the book and listening to the audio tape with left hand chord examples, and things to do with the melody etc. The 2 DVD's with the guest pianist on them are the best. Everytime I watch one of them I learn something. Your choice of guest pianist on the DVD's were very good ones. I enjoyed what every one of the pianist had to say. My favorite is I think his name is Dave Powers, well if I have his name wrong, it is the pianist that was playing the Beatles tune Yesterday. on tape two he plays "The Christmas Song (chestnuts on an open fire). Anyway thanks again for the left hand chord suggestion on the song that stays on the same chord for 10 measures. Oh yea! thanks for the quick reply. You responded real quick. I thought I wouldn't get a response for a day or so. So thanks!!!
T.S.

Thank you so much for coming to the Villages. There were 5 of my friends and I who have played for years. We were not sure that we would benefit from your seminar. As I am sure you know, we did. I am still taking piano lessons and studying classical music. I am fortunate that my instructor also includes popular music as well. However, I am reading standard sheet music to play these pieces. I told her about your approach, and guess what? We spent a lesson going over one of her fake books. It was great fun, and I will continue learning your style. Thanks again from all us.
Catherine Smith, Florida

Dear Scott, I want to let you know that I have been playing piano for 50 years (still at the hobby level!) and that you, your techniques and especially your TV show are a real inspiration for me. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and I race to the piano after the show to try your techniques. Thank you SO MUCH for bringing a new dimension to my playing, even after all these years. You are more than a fantastic musician, you are a marvelous teacher and an ambassador for the musical life. Regards,
Linda

I just happened to catch you on PBS. I own a 1930's Ivers & Pond and after just watching half of your show I was making music in minuets :). I do play guitar, so that helps in understanding tha basics on chords. That and I also found this site for chord charts! Thank You :)
C. Morlock

Thank you so much for your wonderful book. I am thrilled that I can actually wrap my head around something that has challenged me for years. Much appreciated.
J. Grant

Scott, I saw your fundraiser show in June. I bought your books for adults & kids in June. I bought a 88 key ditital keyboard in July because I was so inspired by your show that I just KNEW I could learn to play using your method. Saturday night (Feb 23) my grandson and I played some songs together for a talent show. A time for us, Twinkle Twinkle little star (of course),The Entertainer and some Blues licks and ended with Lean on Me... (Our own arrangements) he played left hand, I played right. I played a time for us and the entertainer by myself, but my grandson and I played the rest together. I can't believe how easy you have made playing the piano. Thank you so much for opening up a whole new world for my grandson (Gage, age 10) and I. My dad always played boogie woogie and blues and I wanted to do that sooo bad, he made it look so easy! Now I know why, he must have been using your method before you made it popular. (And probably before you were actually born) He died when I was 17 though and I never got a chance to learn from him, and we didn't have a piano. And...you're right... it is easy!!!!!!!!! Gage loves, loves, loves, playing the blues. By the way, I am 52 years old, I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!! Thanks Again, S Peruski
S Peruski

I play the piano, but would really like to be able to sit and play without practicing forever to be able to play a piece. I want to really enjoy myself at the piano. Thanks!
P. Harris, Ogden, UT

I watched your TV show on Saturday morning and decided to go to your web site and buy your book. It came in on Saturday, and I read it on Sunday. I immediately went down to my Roland keyboard and began jamming out tune after tune. I'm waitng for my first fake book to come in the mail. I had some books of the traditional style of music which I could not make heads or tails out of until I read your book. I've been taking lessons for over a year and really could not play hardly anything. This is amazing!!! I called and cancelled my lessons, and now I'm teaching myself what I want to play. Thanx!! se you Saturday morning on TV
Jeff, Buffalo NY

Hey Scott,   I am 74 years old and have wanted, all my life, to be able to set down and play anything on the piano. Thanks to your wonderful appearances on public TV broadcasts I am now able to read and play tunes, slowly and sometimes not too recognizable,  from the lead sheets you sent me, but I am improving daily.  I have been doing this for only two months but have already realized some of the joy and sense of accomplishment I have wanted all those years. Please keep giving others the same opportunity.   Sincerely,
A. Pearson

I'd just like to let you know how much I enjoy your program. I'm a church pianist with mostly a southern gospel to jazz feel. I've also been giving lessons for 16 years. In every episode of your show I'm able to pick up a trick or two that I'm able to use in my own playing or can pass on to my students. Your show is a joy to watch! Thanks
Anonymous

Hi Scott, I too am a working drummer, a professional according to my tax returns. I watched your program, bought the book and CD's and a piano and never having played piano before in my life, now 6 months later, I am beyond proficient, and my bandmates are amazed at how quickly I picked it up. I gave you full credit. The program was enough to get me excited about playing. I have been playing drums and guitar for years, granted, that gave me a bit of an edge on music theory, however your program gave me the tools and hope that I could play what I thought was a very complex instrument. Now I play the piano as much as the drums and guitar. Playing about having fun, showing someone how to play and giving them the inspiration to carry on. Your show and teachings have done that for me and countless others. So I will help you out by telling all the musicians I know (which is a lot) to watch your show, attend your classes, buy your books and CD's and help Public Television. Hell, I might start my own petition :-) Keep the faith, you are providing a gift to many, many people, myself included and for that I thank you! Take Care,
M. Baxter, Hanover PA

Scott, I love everything you do! You present every bit of information in a fun, easy to understand format that helps the novice as well as the master. Keep up the great work. I love seeing all your latest projects. Thanks for everything!
J. Simon, Utah

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