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Your book was just marvelous for a person such as myself. I practically read it in one sitting. Your writing is very personable in a conversational style. The book constitutes a "Rosetta Stone" of musical understanding to me. Funny thing, I just gave my old 1912 Beckwith Bros. piano to the local fire department, but I still have the keyboard. Page 34 will be important to my success in understanding chord constructions. Your biographical notes made the book nice light reading. Sounds like you have been there and done that. Great firsthand tips. Learning guitar here, too. My biggest musical waste of time was those darned old music books that were sold in the '70's and '80's from the organ stores with the letters in the notes. Really caused me to lose a lot of time in reading treble clef. Thanks!Sincerely,
C. Dotson

Dear Scott, I saw your PBS special "Play Piano in a Flash" over four years ago and at the time, I had taken only one guitar class all the way back in my freshman year of high school and I hadn't continued after the class was over and I was completely non-musical for close to 15 years until I saw your PBS broadcast a few years back. Within a few weeks, I bought myself a digital piano and within just about the same amount of time (I think even less time then that), I was playing full length songs (not just any songs, but MY favorite songs!) using the methods you teach and I have been a player ever since. I consider piano to be a constant source of personal expression, accomplishment, and just plain joy and there are no words to express my gratitude to you for being able to say I am a music maker. Thank you, thank you, and thank you once again! Best wishes, Ramona F.
Ramona F., CA, USA

Hi Scott: I have been trying to learn to play keyboard for a year now. Notice I said trying. I have borrowed books from people whom do not own a piano anymore and copying things on line and wearing out my library card. I have even gone into books stores and copied from their books. Then I found a treasure. Wait, let me give you a little back ground. I am a writer and we both work full time jobs and raised a wonderful family. Now we are pursuing our interests. Having never played an instrument before, I have always been interested in percussion, keyboard and violin. My other half is an avid musician with his buddies. They play guitars and every now and then they invite someone to play a different instrument. Well, I found your book-Play Piano in a Flash at the library. I read through it in my spare time, then renewed it. Today, I was playing around with the bass line "walk" on page 79: and guess what?! my mate was standing behind me and picked up his guitar and started playing with me! Then he asked me to play the same thing an octave higher. I did and he said, "Now that is something that he can work with!" WOW! I just wanted to say,"Thank you!" I may someday become part of the guys band. I will dedicate a book or song to you one day in appreciation. I have not interacted with your on-line program yet. Your book is great! It also makes me chuckle quite often.
Spicey

Dear Scott, I read your book Play Piano in a Flash. I saw it on TV on Channel 56 a few years ago. Except for a few Christmas carols and hymns I have never played music others have composed. I tend to like to make my own music. I play them on my keyboard synthesizer. I now have a CD burner as well. Your book has revolutionizes they way I do music and even look at life. Your book is a very simple direct no-nonsense way to play music instead of the complicated ways most teachers teach. Also. When I have a problem with something I look for a simple solution rather than to go through the same complicated bull the rest of my friends and family go through to solve problems. Who knows I may even put out a CD someday. That however remains to be seen. Sincerely Dave
Dave, Michigan USA

Dear Scott, when I was younger, I, too, studied percussion only because we were not rich and couldn't afford a musical instrument. My father was able to make a drum pad and for about $2 bucks, I could buy a pair of sticks. I desparately wanted to play in the band and progressed to learn tympani and some "noted" instruments, like the bells and chimes, because I could read notation. It was taught to me by my grandmother. However, having said that, when I went to study in college, my doors where quickly slammed shut because I had no "keyboard" skills. I did take vocal for a awhile and through the school of music, I was able to learn the "art" of piano tuning. So I found that I could "tune" pianos, but couldn't play it or demo it for my would be customers. I "clowned" around on the piano, and even took a few expensive lessons from a teacher who taught the "pointer" system, which really helped get me familiar with chords. But still couldn't play a tune. Long story short, I saw your TV show a couple of years ago, and bought your first book and promised myself if you were ever giving a class in Indianapolis, I would attend. Which I did, and would like to say that it opened my world of music and piano. I still don't own a real piano, but I took your techniques, embellished them a little, and practiced playing by ear on a $139 electronic keyboard. I am 60 plus and lost 40 years of playing enjoyment by not knowing those techniques. One thing I did learn in my early years, as you know, it is extremely difficult to get a melody out of a Paradiddle. As well as as all notation for snare drum is written on the same line, never varying up or down the scale, how boring can you get. Practicing the rudiments is akin to practicing scales in my opinion. Anyway, I truly believe that what you are doing with your program is vital to the continuation of music education, regardless of form. Many young people these days are not able to get that kind of musical training, because "band" is the first piece of curriculum to be sliced out of a school's budget. How long can you play "football", a lifetime, don't think so. But music skills will benefit you forever. I play my little $139 electronic keyboard, with and without auto rhythm generally 1-2 hours every night. Most of my playing is now, improvised. Keep up your good work.
John

Hi Scott, Hey! Congratulations! And you all deserve every bit of glory and honor that comes with such a deal! I, for one, am very proud of you. But here's why I am so proud of you. 'Cause you know what I get to do, now? When anybody asks me, "who taught you to play like that?", I get to say, "Oh, Scott Houston, you know, the Emmy Award winning Piano Guy on PBS!" That just STUNS them all!  :o) But, anyway, sincere kudos to you and the great people who work with you so very well. Take special care, (I am one of your 61 year-old students and loving every minute of it!)
J. King

It really works! After only a couple of weeks of very limited time, and playing ONLY when (and what) I like, I have mastered not one but four of my favorite songs! Each successive tune is easier than the previous because there are fewer new chords to learn. I just love playing, and will try to teach my 8-year-old grandson to play too! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
C. Hersker, West Chester PA

This is the GREATEST course I've ever seen. It simplified so much. It just all makes sense now. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
S. Martin

Scott I hope this email gets to you personally and not just to some Internet mail cache. I want to offer you my heartfelt THANKS for what you have done. I am sure you’ve heard it a thousand times already, but…you’ve changed my life. I saw your spot on WTVS, the Detroit PBS station, and I was moved enough to call in a pledge during your program to both let THEM know that they had a winner in you, and to let YOU know that you found your mark with yet another piano player wannabe. I don’t even have your book or Chord C hart… but just from what I learned in watching your show, I am teaching myself to play my favorite song. You see, I already had the sheet music and even some lead sheets, but I didn’t realize their significance. I thought that extra stuff was for guitar or some other instrument. In the hour or so you spent with your audience I had an epiphany and came to realize that I now had all the tools that I needed to play. I didn’t even need the book… but felt that I owed it both to YOU to pay for the knowledge you shared with me (indirectly…perhaps, but I hope you get the full retail value of the materials that I contributed to get) and to PBS for bringing you to all the people who watched. Thank you and Be Well
R. Uranis, Detroit

Thanks to you Scott, and PBS for bringing me and my grandchildren hours of fun! After watching your show, some of my grandchildren elected to take piano lessons (traditional) even though they still do your stuff. It's not a competition. We are enjoying music on many levels, including as an audience. My grandkids even got excited listening to a PBS jazz program the other day, pointing out some rythems they recogonized from your teachings. What's so bad about that???????Thanks,
Lynn

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

Hey Scott: First, I want to congratulate you on your awards. You certainly deserve them. Secondly, thanks for the Barn Burner Ending. Your instructions are so clear that I can do this to perfection!
g. Wells,

For decades I have been stuck at a very beginner level, only being able to learn a song note-for-note and play it by memory. Really, I only knew 3 songs, and not very well. Two years ago I bought myself a beautiful 'electric' piano, dating from the 80's. It's a Yamaha CP-70 ... and it is absolutely fabulous. I made a commitment to playing the piano every day. To be honest - I hadn't yet heard of your show ... but as it turns out, I discovered the same style of learning-to-play as you teach - but, I didn't know how to describe it! All I could say was, "IGNORE the bass clef ... play a single-note melody and play the 'guitar chords' (as I call them) with your left hand. In fact, I called the chording on the left hand my 'Richard Clayderman' style: Root, 5th, Octave-Root, Octave-3rd. Some have called this the 'romantic' chord. Anyhow ... when my father watched your show he told me about it, and I said - wow ... that sounds like what I do! I now watch your show, and am learning even more! So - my testimonial is ... your technique WORKS! I *never* thought I'd be able to advance beyond the 'plateau' I had reached (very, very basic) ... but now, I can play 200+ songs - no kidding! The difference is - though - that I no longer play by memory. I need the music in front of me - not because it's difficult to play using this technique, but, because I'm learning/playing SO many songs, I don't have time to learn them all by memory. In the end, I've honed my reading skills and can pretty much play any song placed before me, as long as it's a 'lead sheet'. Thanks SO much for introducing this technique to us all. Keep up the great work! Yours, Allan Shearer Canada
Allan Shearer, Brockville, Ontario Canada

You have an exceptional talent and gift for teaching, with the ability to anticipate your students' questions or potential confusion during your instruction andduring the presentations of your guest pianists' performances. You interject at the right time; then clearly commuicate your point so it doesn't become clouded or vague to the student. You are an outstanding instructor! You have made my time at the Baby Grand so much more enjoyable ......... Thank you.I have purchased your books and DVD's. I can play some classical (if I work my tail off,) but enjoy your style of music because.....YOU take the work out of it. I enjoy MOST music. Scott, Thank you again. Sincerely,
Bill H

Scott, your show and teaching methods have helped thousands of people learn to play and enjoy the piano. Your show is always fun to watch, and you have a great sense of humour which simplifies learning the piano. Please continue with your efforts which have brought great enjoyment to many including myself. May you continue for many more years to come.
E. Anderson, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Scott, I saw you on KOCE and just wanted to pass along I thought you were outstanding! Very inspiring. I've been playing drums for 40 years and have enjoyed it immensely. Now it is time to play a little keyboard and I think your system, approach, and excellent communication style can make this possible. Keep up the great work! Howard.
Howard,

Dear Scott, I am a Vietnam, disabeled vet, and I want to thank you for giving new hope with PBS show and book. I never even sat down at a piano until your show on KVCR. Now I try to play and have fun. My granddaughter and I try to play together. She lives in Minn. but we talk to each other about it. I can't take notes fast enough to keep up with on your show. Would you please tell me how to learn the blues and Fats Domino and Jerry Lee like your last show, "I GOT RYTHM' SHOW. THANK YOU SO EVER MUCH. IT IS HARD BEING DISABLED AND NOT BEING ABLE to go out much. It is so great to have a reason to try something new for my grand kids as well as myself. Prayers to you and yours.
J. Kopelow

The evening I spent in your class was one of the most fun times I have had in a long time. I learned more in that 3 and a half hours, than in many years of piano lessons. I am still working (or should I say playing,) with your book I bought from class. I do play almost every day now, and am really enjoying myself, which is the name of the game. I do not yet know my"Misty"but will probably find it soon. Thank you for being here!
Edna Anne S., Portsmouth, OH

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

I have played the piano for many years. Since seeing your show on TV and receiving the book and video from my donation to public TV, I have played the piano more often. I have even played songs that I have had trouble playing and am still enjoying playing more and more. Thanks!
R. Butler

Scott, It is now 5 years since I attended your workshop in Illinois ... Since then I have progressed and have around 100 pieces I play.I started taking lessons 1 year ago (having not had any lessons before) and am at level 3. My music teacher says he has never had a pupil progress so fast, FYI, I am 70 years and am having SO MUCH FUN. It all stems from your program! I am really indebted to you. May you have continued success!
Barrie Bentley, Henderson, NV.

I have received a digital piano for our house in Florida, and am SOOOOO excited - I have been practicing on my keyboard here in Western Springs, IL., and hope to be able to play "Misty," by the time we go back down for the holidays in sunny Fla. I practice while my grandson (age 3) plays on the computer - he loves his Spiderman CD game, so I have plunked out "Spiderman, spiderman......" for him! He loves it! Thank you for getting me starting, Finalmente!
Addie Callahan

Thank you ! Thank you ! What a gift you are to all of us non-classical piano players. You and you alone are responsible for bringing life to my piano playing. When I was relying on note reading I could perhaps stumble through one tune after a couple of weeks. But WOW after watching your show on PBS and buying the featured CD and book I am over-joyed to say that piano playing is finally more fun than work. Over the years I have bought a lot of piano song books hoping to one day play the songs. Never happened for me until that one magical day I saw your PBS show for the first time. What you said on the show was the missing key for my piano playing. One song use to take me about two weeks of frustration to only be able to stumble my way through the tune. OH BOY, now with one of my many song books with melody and chords, I am playing most any tune within 3 or so minutes. Now I see that you have a weekly show on PBS which I found yesterday. You were with a DAVE (sorry didn't ! get his last name) who sang Yesterday by the Beatles while he played the piano. You teach well ,and it's good to get a weekly dose of your piano teaching. Again, thank you -thank you for sharing your take on piano playing with the rest of us non-classical piano players.
A. Franceschini

Dear Scott, First of all, thanks for a revolutionary system. Without it, I would probably have abandoned playing long ago. Now I'm getting pretty good at playing and enjoying it at the same time. Thanks again.
J.J. Laplace

I think that you are brillent, and now I'm hooked. I love to talk about music. I mean I sing, dance, play the flute (learning,) and I LOVE TO PLAY THE PIANO.
S. Stamps

Thanks for such a wonderfully simple approach to learning to play. I bought a piano about 5 years ago, bound and determined to learn to play. I had taken lessons when I was a teenager but just got too frustrated and gave up. But at 45 I decided that I just had to learn, so I bought the piano. I do believe with you method I will finally be able to accomplish something that I am sure I am going to love to do!
M. Mac Gillivray, Lachine, Quebec Canada

Scott, I am a novice keyboard teacher, my music experience being playing guitar for a few years until I got arthritis. Nevertheless, I have been teaching my 10 yr old daughter, Lillie, to play keyboard . I can teach theory, history, concepts, etc., but not technique. I bought your first two DVD's on sale on your site and they really fill in the gaps in my instruction. I am only halfway thru the first DVD and we have both have learned a great deal. You do a nice job articulating musical styles and techniques into simple to learn and understand pieces. If I could get my fingers to work the way I want them to, I would be playing boogie-woogie! Nice job, Scott.
J Suda, Rochester, NY

Scott, I am a professional musician, 51, currently playing country/country rock, oldies etc. I think your methods are revolutionary in the respect that most all teachers REQUIRE their students to read first. I taught keyboard and guitar for many years in a music store environment. I too was one of those teachers who required reading first, but went out and played the way you teach your viewers. I never tried to incorporate my shortcuts into my lessons because most of the students would give up before they attained the proficiency to understand what I was talking about. I now tell my friends who are learning, about your show on PBS. I am getting loads of thanks from them all. I tape your shows for myself and find something in every episode that I will use in the next few weeks, though sometimes they're used that very same night! The piano players that you bring in to review a technique or a particular song are the cream of the crop as far as performers go. I am impressed weekly. Keep on keepin' on, you're making a differance in a lot of players lives. Take care,
T. Wheeler

Scott, I had a friend send me a video tape of one of your NPR fundraising specials, and two hours later I ordered over $100 of product from you. It is exactly what I have been searching for the past 20 years. I knew there had to be a method like this out there that took the pain out of learning to make music. You are an unbelievably talented educator. My hat is off to you. Thank you for what you do!
T. Tight

Dear Scott, Mine is a typical story. I started lessons at seven,continued until high school. My piano teacher, a Nazi with nail clippers, managed to wring all the joy of music out of the experience. Nonetheless, I received an excellent classical education. After I won't say how many years (many, many) I discovered the piano again. This time I was determined to put in practice time (I would never practice as a child) and do you know, I've become very, very good in less than a year. Would you believe Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto? Would you believe the second movement of the Moonlight? The one with five flats? Practice does make perfect. As a child, I also picked up the rudiments of the lead sheet, because popular music was my first, forbidden love. I know chord basics, melody lines etc., but after seeing your program on public television last Sunday, hearing you play and listening to your ideas about quick tricks I realize I wanted to go further. I love the old standards, Gershwin, Porter, etc. and have several fake books but I am getting bored with my limited knowledge. I want to get into jazz riffs with my right hand and do more than just broken chords with my left. I want to stretch the melody as far as it can go and then come back to it. Can you advise someone like me who is a little more advanced? Do you have any books or materials geared to my level? (I loved your explanation of blues C F and G chords, for instance. It wouldn't be something I would pick up on my own). I want to know all your secrets! Many thanks for your program. It was inspirational even for a non beginner.
C. Homard

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