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I recently purchased your "Just Standards" fake book. The really nice surprise was finding the intros for the songs. None of my other fake books have that, and I just love it. This book is just wonderful. I'm so glad I bought it, and I'm having a ball!!! I watch you every Saturday here in south Arkansas. I watched you by accident the first time, but it was such a wonderful show that now I make sure not to miss it. Your show is wonderful and so informative. The people you have on are great. I never learned my chords as a kid taking piano lessons. My teacher got married and another teacher wasn't pursued. I happened to take a course at a local college here about chords. The newspaper article read something like come take the course and go home and play. It was too good to be true, so I went just to see. It was the best favor I ever did for myself. For some reason I understood everything the man was saying. I hadn't played in years. I bragged about it so, my husband went out the next day and bought me a piano. I've been playing ever since. Believe me, If my mother could have gotten me to sit at the piano this much as a kid, she would have been in Heaven!!! Thanks to my husband, he really did me a great favor purchasing that piano too. Coming across your program has been wonderful encouragement too. Love ya, and I look forward to seeing you every weekend. Sincerely,
F. Pennington

I just LOVE YOU!!! God Bless you... I always knew there was an easier way to learn to play piano... I saw your special on PBS and I am GOING TO BE a PIANO player due to YOU. I took clarinet for 8 years because Mom said I couldn't take piano as we would never be able to afford one. I took secret piano lessons at my art school without her knowing... Shhhhh! Anyway... I'm ready to buy EVERYTHING you have to offer a semibeginner like me who can play chopsticks, Blue Moon and a few other songs I made up as a kid. I have a terrific ear and I Looooove Piano, but I beg you to explain what is the difference between Thank you so much Mr. Houston. Wish I could go to St. Augustine to take your class.. is it similar to the one I saw on PBS? I'm going to teach my 8 year old too. Oh yes I am. YOU ROCK!
J. Nguyenphu

Hi: I saw my first "Piano Guy" program over the weekend and must say it is one of the best entertaining, informative programs on KCET. I am one of those 'hobby piano players' that needs all the advice I can get from someone that doesn't have attitude and who only plays in Carnegie Hall! Scott's way of teaching is basic, understandable and enjoyable. As a member of the DGA and an employee of a television network here in Hollywood for 33 years, I can honestly say I admire the production values of the show that I believe is produced in Ohio. The set, lighting and sound and the high definition clarity adds to the overall enjoyment of the program. I have already told several friends here and around town about the show and they are anxious to watch it. Thank you for carrying the show, and I hope you consider bringing Scott to KCET for a fundraiser so more people can be exposed to his show during your primetime drive. Sincerely,
D. Brumett, Hermosa Beach

Scott, thank you so much. This is exactly the information I have been seeking. Having taught people to make good golf swings for 50 years, it is obvious to me that you are a true professional in every sense of the word. These are the things that can only come from people who have spent many years in an effort to help people learn something special. I am working on Breaking Up is Hard to Do. As I am sure you know , it has many of what I call "quick " chord changes. It is not one of the easier ones to start with, I am sure, but it is the one I want play. I am going to stay with it until I get it. Again, thank you. You are an absolute blessing.
B. Ledbetter

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.) My grandson 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 myself. My dad always played boogie woogie and blues, and I wanted to do that sooo badly. He always made it look so easy! Now I know why, my father 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. We didn't have a piano either. 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

Hey, I'd just like to say that you teaching in this style of music is beautiful, extremly. I feel that this should be taught more often to people who just want to play or to people who want to be a professional (like me). You have a very good show, and I hope it stays on forever because a person who wants to learn more about piano (tips, tricks, etc) can really better themselves by watching your show (and reading your book.) A person who has never touched a piano in his/her life will learn not to panic and freak out because of the note reading or the amount of keys (or for other musical reasons). So Scott as I said before your show is very beneficial and I hope to see more. I'll write you again soon.
Calvin C.

Scott, THE NEXT STEP is the most excellent music book I have ever seen. It has the best explanations of any music book I have ever read!! Thank you so much! Musically yours,
B. Alexander

Hi, I have only recently discovered your show, and it is really fun. I am a 49-year-young player who just began last fall. Your show teaches some real basics I think teachers miss. My husband and two grown sons are musical. I couldn't read a measure of music! Playing the piano is something I have always wanted to do, and now I am having a blast! Thanks for your show and for the joy the piano brings.
April

Thanks for making it easy and fun to play the piano. I'm 33 years old and have played saxophone all my life. I've never understood chords until you made them simple to understand. I still have so much to learn, but you have made it seem like reading English rather than Greek or Hebrew. I really enjoy the blues scale and wonder why other music teachers haven't shown me that! I've mentioned the blues scale to several musicians I know and none of them have ever heard of it. It alone has brought me so much enjoyment. Thank You for really making it easy!
G. O'Conner

Thank you so much!!! For the first time today (although I have been struggling for 2 years on classical piano lessons without going anywhere) and thanks to your wonderful teachings, I can play my favourite tune Canon in D of Johann Pachelbel. It came so easy with the chords! I am so much enjoying myself and am so relaxed when playing that it brought tears to my eyes. Your wonderful video really did strike a "chord" in me. You made it all so simple and enjoyable. As a child, I was "forced" to play the piano, and it became such a stressful thing for me that I didn't touch music for many years. I then started again about 5 years ago but gave up because I chose the path of classical music. It was far too ardeous so I gave up. I started again 2 years ago here with a very good "classical" school (because I always thought that was the way to go about piano lessons,) and I struggled and nearly "ressented" my piano which became a chore and was ready to give up again. But THANKS to You, after watching your video tonight I can now for the first time truly become one with my piano. It is fantastic to be able to play music "naturally" without having to strain and to just let the music flow... With much gratitude,
Patricia Grist

Scott, I just wanted to let you know how much your program on tv has helped my playing. (MPT – Maryland Public Television.) Even though I have much formal music training in composition, voice, and guitar, piano has always been difficult for me. In the past two weeks, however, I have made more progress than in the past 6 months. Seeing how little movement there was in between each chord change was an aha! moment. Instead of jumping around on the keyboard, I am able to smoothly transition between chords and thus play more up to tempo. Thank you so much for your wonderful show. Katie T. BS/MS Music Composition
Katie, Maryland/USA

Scott,   I’ve been using your system for two years, and although I have had a couple of lapses of perserverance (as in the days when I was taking lessons) it has given me hours of pleasure, and I am delighted to have discovered it. Keep the Faith!
T. Boothroyd

Scott, I looked through every one of your testimonials and it was wonderful to read them - but I was sorry mine was not on there. I wrote when I first saw you on PBS, telling you how you have made one of my deepest desires for over 40 years come true - to be able to finally play the piano after years of lessons that did not help me play. I know you must receive so many testimonials that you are unable to post them all. You have given me one of the greatest gifts - I still am blessed and amazed every day that I can sit down and get so much joy from playing the piano. It is because of you! My life is changed on a daily basis because you have made this a possibility for me by your teaching! Thank you! May God bless you. I look forward to seeing you on PBS again very soon!
Anonymous

A million thanks, you introduced me to piano and I haven't looked back. 4 years later and I'm still going strong. From not knowing the keys or note names to playing full tilt boogie and blues. I still can't believe how lucky I was to see your KCET show and buy your book. Forever Grateful, Kelly
K. Mahon, redondo beach calif.

Hey what's up Scott. Yes, I am another person telling you that you've made it easy for me to play the piano: I really love the way you lay it out, I don't know why my teachers never taught me that way.
Anonymous

Dear Scott, I bless the day I found you are PBS. I am 57 yr. old registered nurse, who took the usual piano lessons for years, and quit "playing" for the usual reasons you have mentioned. Within 24 hours of seeing your presentation, I sat down and had fun at the piano for 2 hours and was practically giddy with delight. My biggest regret was that I didn't discover you while taking care of my dad who had Alzheimers. I could have played for him. He loved piano and even after his diagnosis, he took lessons. But, I do care for my mother-in-law, and she enjoys listening to me play. I love it, and I tell everyone about you. I have a younger brother who has played chord piano for years. I thought he just played "by ear." I love your half-hour shows. Please, don't go away! It's overwhelming to think about all the joy you have give to so many! Thank-you. PS I did get my Baldwin console tuned within a week of seeing you for the first time.
S. Rose, West Milton, OH

Greetings from Munich, Germany! Thanks so much for your wonderful book! I had no idea how to play keyboard. I am a drummer and have been working with Apple Computers for all of my life. Now Apple shipped iLife - which includes the wonderful program GarageBand. So I ran to the store, got the iLife package for my PowerBook and bought a simple keyboard - the M-Audio Keystation 49e. Okay. Fine with loops. Fine with fingering around. But no idea about melodies, reading notes, and chords at all. Then I found your book and - BANG - here I go. I have some fake books. I AM PLAYING KEYBOARD NOW! Thank you! Great work!
S. Wimmer, Munich, Germany

The PLAY, PLAY, PLAY message iS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE. I HAVE GOTTEN SOOOOO GOOD I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, JUST FROM PLAYING AND PLAYING. I AM AWARE OF THE CHANGES THAT SEEM TO ALL OF A SUDDEN BE THERE. IT JUST AMAZES ME. MY ABILITY TO HAVE MY HANDS GO TO KEYS WITHOUT CONSCIOUS EFFORT, MY LEFT HAND JUST GOING TO MELODY NOTES WHEN IT'S EASIER. SONGS IN THE FAKE BOOK THAT WERE SO DIFFICULT FOR ME A YEAR AGO ARE NOW SIMPLE. MY READING ABILITY HAS SO ADVANCED FROM WHERE I STARTED--WHICH WAS ABOUT ZERO DESPITE THE 3 SEPARATE GROUPS OF CLASSICAL PIANO LESSONS I HAD HAD DURING MY LIFE. MY LIFE TRULY HAS CHANGED. THE ELECTRONIC CHORD FINDER IS GREAT TOO, ESPECIALY WHEN I WANT TO DO INVERSIONS. "INVERSION" IS A WORD I HAD NEVER HEARD OF IN MY LIFE. I STILL HAVE THE 2FT X 3FT CHORD POSTER SITTING NEXT TO THE PIANO. IT COMES IN HANDY NOW AND THEN ALTHOUGH I RARELY NEED IT ANYMORE. I DO BLESS THE DAY I WALKED INTO MY MOM'S ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY AND JUST HAPPENED TO CATCH YOU ON PUBLIC TV. AND,,,,,,, NOW ALTHOUGH I'M NO LIBERACE, I GO AND PLAY FOR THE PEOPLE IN MY MOM'S FACILITY. THEY ENJOY IT, MISTAKES AND ALL (THEY'RE HARDLY A CRITICAL AUDIENCE.) I ENJOY IT.
S Sturm

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

Scott, I am so excited about this I can't contain myself. First of all, thank you so much for writing back with such detailed and easy to follow information. I can't wait to get home and try it out. (I was up until 1:00 this morning playing and forced myself to stop!) Thank you, thank you , thank you! You have FOREVER made a profound impact on my life by bringing my passion for piano playing back. Have an extraordinary day!
Malcolm

Scott: I ordered your latest "One-on-One" DVD, "Misty" last summer and was able to finally view it in its entirety over this past weekend. My opinion of it in one word: "GREAT!" You made some great improvements since the first one that you came out with last year. My congratulations! You may or may not remember me. We have traded emails several times in the past. I have been a faithful follower and student of yours since I first purchased your original DVD, "Play Piano in a Flash," after having watched you on a middle-of-the-night PBS fund raising show on TV over three years ago. That DVD really got me serious about learning to play the piano using the chord method that you espouse. I have pretty much "devoured" just about everything that you have put out, and then some. My playing has improved a great deal since that first DVD, so much so that I decided this past summer to trade in my Baldwin upright for a Yamaha grand piano. Not only has my playing improved dramatically, but it has further inflamed my desire to learn even more about this wonderful instrument, as well as the music that I can now play. As I have learned more and more, my enjoyment level has increased exponentially. I can practice and play the piano for hours on end, totally immersed in the joy and relaxation that music brings. And I owe it all to you, Scott. For all of it, I am eternally grateful. Regarding the "Misty" DVD: the chapters on "Voicings," "Beginning and Endings," "Ideas for the Left and Right Hands," and "Transposing" were great. It was just what the "advanced" student needed. Not so much for what can be done with that particular song, but it opened up a whole new "door" for me to be a "music maker" with all the other songs in my "repertoire!" Please continue to do the same for all future "One-on-One" DVD's. Start the DVD with the "basics," but definitely put in some lessons for your more advanced students. I have learned more from that one "Misty" DVD that any other DVD that I have ordered to date. I just recently received Volumes 3 and 4 that you just released, and I look forward with great anticipation to "devouring" them, too. Again, Scott, thank you so much for all that you do to expose us all to the joy of music. It is a wonderful vocation, indeed. I do look forward to the day when I can thank you in person, something that I definitely plan to do. Who knows: perhaps you may be the recipient of my first CD, if I ever get to be that good! But even if I don't, it will be so much fun just trying! And that's what it's all about, right? Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Bountiful New Year. I look forward to whatever else you have in store for us for the coming New Year! God bless. Sincerely,
K Gathercole

Hi Scott,You don't need to respond to this e-mail. I just wanted to thank you for your great ideas. I am a piano teacher who was looking for a more interesting and fun way to teach adults. I saw your show on PBS, and it really inspired me. I was trained to play only classical music, so I didn't know about lead sheets and what sort of popular music people might like to learn. I now use a fake book with one of my adult students, and she was very excited that she could play with two hands after having had just a few lessons. The pieces that you played on TV also gave me the idea to try some jazzier tunes with my students. Thank you so much for improving my teaching.
Laura

Dear Mr. Houston, I have watched your show for quite some time now and I want you to know how much I enjoy your teachings and simple techniques of piano playing that you show. Your guests are awesome and provide so much knowledge. I have enjoyed applying these techniques throughout the years that I have been playing the piano and they have been very rewarding personally. I have highly recommended your teachings and show to many of my friends and collegues who desire to improve their piano playing. Keep doing what you're doing. Best wishes and God bless.
Michael V., Florida, USA

Hi. Just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I took classical type lessons for five years, 40 years ago as a child, and have had a baby grand piano taking up silent space in my home since then. About every ten years I would make a resolution to practice, but never followed through because there was no immediate payoff I guess. By accident I saw you on KERA about a month or so ago, sent off for your book, and in two days I am playing with great joy. I am really making music with that old baby grande. It's not professional, nor would I yet want anyone but friends to hear, but I'm truly loving the sounds I'm making using your method. Thanks so much!
G. Gardner

Scott, I just want to thank you. I bought your DVD and took all of your advice. Now I am playing like crazy. I love it. Thank you so much for taking the time to teach this wonderful and easy method. I have found that the EZ Note Piano books are the best for me using your method. I am so amazed how easy I play now and couldn't play at all before. I am so glad I bought your DVD. You know, I didn't watch it for a couple of months. I was trying to learn the violin, but my husband said it sounded like two cats fighting. He wanted me to learn the piano. I got out your DVD and watched it. The next thing I knew I was playing and having the time of my life. I just can't thank you enough. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Much respect to you.
V. Weathers, Van Nuys, Ca.

Hi, saw you on PBS and found your book to give it a try at our local library. Yesterday, I read up to page 61 and tried your method on a song I have been wanting to play - IT WORKED!!! thanks!! I have played the clarinet for 32 yrs so I read musicical notation and 2 years classical piano but the left hand was beyond me - hate bass clef. But your method made me not feel so inept and NOT so dependent on the written music. YEAH!
Lori

I love your book, "Play Piano in a Flash," chord finder and your fake book. I started learning to play piano before my kids were born and then had to give up the lessons to raise my family. My family is grown up now. I want to continue learning. Your technique of teaching is fantastic. You have brought a wonderful hobby back to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
M. Tulett

Your TV show has inspired me to put together a medley of Celtic tunes. Your ideas of chords and how to play them combined with my piano teacher's ideas for transposing have allowed me to become possessed with this project. Thanks for the inspiration.
K.L.,

Hi Scott, I'm just a beginning piano player... I had a few years of piano lessons in my teens. Now I'm 37. I was flipping through channels and found your show. I've learned so much more from watching just two of your shows about specific areas that really interest me, than I have learned after a few years of classical lessons. I always wanted to learn improvisation and about the different parts of songs relative to a keyboard, but could never articulate it well enough to anyone. I love the way you show the top view of the piano keys as it's being played. That is so incredibly helpful. My TV will be tuned in to ETV, at 11:30AM every Sunday! If I get up to Columbus, I'll see if I can stop by and say "Hi." In the interim, I'll have to get your book or videos. Thanks for a great show. And I look forward to watching more episodes of The Piano Guy!
Anonymous

Your method is Great! Having taught and played many years, I was looking for a method book that would allow my students to quickly learn some type of chord playing while continuing their classical studies. Your method is a very fun one to work with and there has been much positive response from my students. I also showed your pamphlet to my huband, Henry, after the class and he picked up Jingle Bells right away! Thank-you very much and have a Great Day!
Doreen H., Cleveland, OH

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