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Hi Scott, I watched your video over the weekend and was very skeptical. I took formal piano lessons for two years and gave up because I wasn't really making "fun" progress if you know what I mean. I watched the first bit of your video thinking it was somehow just an unbelievable speel, but then I sat down and started playing a few notes...blues first. I printed out Begin the Beguine and In a Sentimental Mood (which you play in the video) and was able to pick them out...I threw in a few cheap tricks, and I'm hooked. Many thanks for putting the fun back into the piano! Sincerely,
Derek

Scott, Your talent and personality speak volumes! It is obvious from the verse of the critical drummer, he's jealous. Your methodology is to be commended. I own two of your books and have enjoyed every word. My children have also read them as a compliment to the sax and violin. Like you, they have fun playing their instruments; because that's what it's all about. If only there were more musicians, teachers, and realists like you. Keep doing what you are doing. For every village idiot, there are thousands cheering you on and waiting for the next PBS station to broadcast your show. Thanks again,
S. Thul, Charleston SC

I would like to say that I had a piano for about 20 years that I could not play. I had taken lessons for a while and still never got the knack for it and after reading your book for only about a half hour then sitting down with your fake books, I was playing songs that I loved by the end of the night. It truly was amazing. Sad part of this is I had to move and sell my piano...but I sold it to a young piano teacher and gave her your books along with the piano, and I am sure she is now passing along all the good stuff I learned from it. So, I wanted to say thank you for finally teaching me how to play the piano I had in my house for 20 years. Kasey Colorado Springs, CO
Kasey, Colorado Springs, CO

I participated in your piano class at KVCC in Kalamazoo last Saturday. Received my order of books yesterday. Thank you, thank you. It is so exciting. Now all I need is a piano. Ha! Ha! Just wanted to tell you how interesting and fun your class was for me.You are a very good teacher. Keep up the great work. I will be looking for your PBS show next year. All of your students can say, "We knew you when"---like before you became famous. Thanks again.
Carol Gibson

Scott, Thanks for the reply. Yes, that's the Wayne Dyer quote. I've got a good memory, but it was driving me crazy trying to recall it. I was probably trying too hard. By all means, I'll drop the station a note how much I appreciate the show. It's great how you help "de-mystify" the rules of piano playing and point out the various real world ways music is notated. As I think you've pointed out, this can even well-trained musicians can get hung-up on this. A friend of mine, Mark, is an accomplished, intelligent professional musician/composer/songwriter/singer/recording engineer/producer. He has been playing since a child and at highly ranked music college he majored in Jazz piano and record engineering and production. In his senior year, he even took a master class with Bill Evans, "the" Bill Evans, a couple of years before Evan's death. So, after a decade working in the NYC music scene he moved to Nashville where he's primarily focused on Country and Pop songwriting. Well, as talented and as smart he is, a veteran of many NYC recording sessions, his first Nashville recording session was a nightmare. He had a few songs he wanted to record so he assembled a group of some excellent Nashville musicians. But as talented as these musicians were, most couldn't figure out what he wanted from them. After all, he had everything charted out for them. He figured it would be a cakewalk. Wrong. Most of the Nashville musicians couldn't read music or his charts, which were standard charts used in his NYC sessions. Fortunately, one of the musicians could and he quickly figured out what the problem was. He grabbed an old business envelope from the trash, tore it in five roughly evenly divided pieces, scribbled something on each piece, and distributed the pieces to the musicians. They looked at the scribbling and within seconds were playing Mark's composition almost perfectly. That was Mark's rude awakening to the Nashville Number System, which, with all his talent, experience, and research he'd done on the Nashville music business before moving there, he'd never heard about. He felt like a total idiot, as if he knew nothing about music. Thanks again,
Robert

Scott, I want to tell you HOW VERY PLEASED I am with Cherly Bakall, my new Piano Teacher who I got from your Web Site. I had taken lesson 20 years ago, the old fashion way and gave up after 3 years. But now with Cherly I am learning SO MUCH, and I look forward to my lessons each week. Now I can play like I orginally wanted to. I have still a long way to go, but enjoying every minute of the lesson. Believe this, I cannot wait to get home after the lesson to practice, thanks to you Scott. Margret
Margret Rodman,

Scott: I just want to thank you for recommending the "How to Write Songs" book. I have already had fun with it. I also want to say thanks for your last newsletter. It will help me to explain to people, including music teachers I know, why I have gone this direction with my piano playing (to their disbelief). The proof is in the pudding when I say I can't read regular sheet music, but now I can play over 300 songs using the lead sheets in my 4 fake books, and they all sound pretty good, I might add. I really appreciate your fundraising on PBS, or I never would have known there was a "Piano Guy" who could give me lessons on TV! Thanks again.
D. Watson, Calgary, AB, Canada

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

Dear Scott, I just have to write and tell you that I bought your book after seeing you on the last 10 minutes on the PBS station here. I took piano lessons when I was a teen for about three years and never really played my very favorite songs. Now I'm playing just about everything I want to play. Your method is amazing. I tried some other methods similiar to yours, but they were written for organ or keyboard and the difficult chord inversions reallydidn't sound right on the piano. I'm really glad that I can actually learn a song in a couple of days instead of a couple of months. I do play hymns quite a bit, but it takes me a couple of months to learn a new one. This is really great. Thank you so much. I finally got to see the whole PBS program that you do. It was very inspiring. I bought a new Baby Grand piano last summer and I'm really enjoying it, now that my children are grown. Also, I subscribed to "Piano Notes" the 17th of March and didn't receive anything except a thank you for joining, so I subscribed again a couple of weeks ago. Please let me know what I'm doing wrong so that I can receive this. Do I have to have something special on my computer? My computer is only about two years old, and I thought I should be able to get something like this. Thank you so much,
P. Summers, Excelsior Springs, Mo

Scott you are the best on TV! Thank you for being there and I do play little better just by watching your show on TV on Maui and on the web..... Mahalo..
Nelson, Hawaii

Hi Scott, I watched your video over the weekend and was very skeptical. I took formal piano lessions for two years and gave up because I wasn't really making "fun" progress if you know what I mean. I watched the first bit of your video thinking it was somehow just an unbelievable speel, but then I sat down and started playing a few notes...blues first. I printed out "Begin the Beguine" and "In a Sentimental Mood" (which you play in the video) and was able to pick them out...I threw in a few cheap tricks, and I'm hooked. Many thanks for putting the fun back into the piano! Sincerely, PS: Ever see the movie "Oscar" with Sylvester Stallone? My goal is to play/noodle that bit with the accountant in the middle of the film...it's seems easier now than it looked before.
Derek

Hi, Scott!, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your information...you've fulfilled a lifelong dream! I've been spreading the word about your class--people get really excited when I tell them they don't have to spend years on lessons! Piano playing seems to be a deep longing in a lot of people's hearts. Well, now that I "know" how to play, I've been shopping for a piano! Enjoy your day.
Tom W, Indianapolis, IN

Dear Scott: As one of your Canadian supporters I want to say that your lead sheet techniques opened up a whole new world of piano enjoyment for me. Over the years I was fortunate enough to be able to play by ear but only in the key of C, but that became so boring to me that I gave up the piano. One day I stumbled upon your program on the Seattle PBS station. It re-energized my interest in the piano to the extent that I can now, using the lead sheet technique, play any music in any key. Reading the left hand is now a piece of cake for me by following the chord signs and working out my own arrangements. Your program opened up a whole new world of music for me for that I will be forever grateful. I am sure there are thousands like me Keep up the good work!
J. Arnett, Sooke, British Columbia, Canada

Hi, Scott! No questions: I'm watching you right now in LA on PBS station KCET, and I'm writing to THANK you. I've been a flute player since the age of 10, went to college on a music scholarship, but could never hack music theory or the piano barrier (so I got a PhD in psychology). Went to grad school at North Texas, listening to the 1:00 Lab Band, and have tried several times to teach myself bass clef and keyboard. YEAH, RIGHT. Anyway, NOW I GET IT!!! Why didn't any of my jazz ed friends at NT show me this years ago? When you explained to the class on PBS that there was NO reading bass clef, I threw my arms ups and went "WOO-HOO!" 60 seconds before you did, and thought, "Why aren't they getting this?" Doesn't matter, I do. THANK YOU! Some day when I get a keyboard, I'll be spending a lot of time putting your teaching materials to work!
Becky

I was impressed with the article you wrote on "Creating and Re-Creating" in your recent newsletter. For years I have been ask if I play the piano and have always responded " That I play at the Piano." I guess that this was my way of saying I am a Creator. I try to tell others that ask about how to play the piano, that it is like being an artist. You mix the sounds, rhythms and tempo to create your own favorite sound or color. If you like it its yours; but if it is not just right you have the right to change the color. Thanks for putting my thoughts into words. Keep up the great work and the spread of knowledge. To educate is a great gift and you are truly blessed with this talent.
G. Hall, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Hi Scott. I first started playing piano with your method last April when I saw you on TV. I could not play piano then. Yesterday I played "Misty" for the first time with the root note method. Thanks for the wonderful chord finder. It is better than what I expected and worth every penny. I looked up all the chords to "Misty" with it. Thanks so very much.
Pat

Scott - Thanks for your newsletter. You characterized it a bit corny, but it was right on the mark for me. I started learning to play the piano from scratch with your system two years ago. While I'm not exactly fantastic, I can play the songs listed below well enough that my friends are impressed. More importantly, however, my heart feels good when I play these pieces of music. I never dreamed I could ever play such music on the piano until you came along. What a gift you have given me! Thanks! I started with an electronic keyboard ($139). Worked with that for a year. Bought a Yamaha upright when I moved into my new home a year ago. Three months ago, I treated myself to a brand new August Hoffman baby grand. Needless to say, I'm in piano heaven!! Best wishes for Thanksgiving.
S. Denlinger, Washington DC

I enjoyed the Piano in a Flash class. It was wonderful & inspiring. I've been playing a lot and believe I'm getting better all the time. Slowly, but surely. It's great fun! Thanks again, Scott!
Julie B., Elgin, IL

Hi Scott: I'm enjoying the 10th season of shows and the new artist, David Benoit! I'd like to hear an arrangement of Mac Arthur Park. I'm sure you're working on ideas already for season 11 ... I really like the new "I gotta play that" segment! Thanks!
B. Appleby,

I just turned on PBS and heard you speak about the medical benefits of playing the piano. I'd like to share my experience with you. I had developed Carpel Tunnel Syndrome from using the computer. Then, after over 20 years, I recently started playing my piano again. I found that the pain in my arm disappeared after I played the piano. I also felt relaxed and energized after playing. So, my cure for Carpel Tunnel came from playing the piano. I know someone who had surgery for this, and still has pain. Maybe people who suffer from this should take your course before they consider surgery!
B. Fettinger

I'm really enjoying your show and my new hobby. I'm just an ol' redneck country boy from Arkansas that never envisioned himself actually playing a piano. But your method makes it fun to learn. Hope you're on the air for many years to come.
Ken

I saw you on PBS, and It was like an answer to my prayers. I am a singer/songwriter, that plays piano by ear. I was looking for something to help me with the rythmic patterns. After that one evening, I started practicing the examples you used on TV. It really helped. I bought the e-book, and now I want to hear the examples. This is great. If you ever come to California, let me know I would love to go to one of your seminars.
E. L Abston, Vallejo, CA

Thanks again for the class. I really enjoyed your lecture. I went home and was able to use some of my self created guitar song sheets to play some nice music. I had never thought it could be so easy. But I am still interested in learning to read better and play the nice classical songs as well. I like the popular and classical variety. I look forward to seeing you on PBS.
D. Cossa

I watched your show tonight. You are a blessing to anyone that wants to play. You are so "on" as the way to play the instrument. i play piano, guitar, drums, sax, flute, accordion and violin. All are hard but not without reach. I wish I had you as a teacher growing up instead of having to figure it all out myself, but I did and am able to play with many great musicians and top artists. Your reference to Ray CHARLES reading music made my laugh of the day. Play on! I love your message.
B. Baker,

I am 38 years old and the mother of 2 children, Matthew (3) and Katelynn (1.) I grew up with two sisters, both play piano. My older sister Virginia was classically trained, a wonderful player, taught mostly by our mother. Mom also used to play for us when we were kids but hasn't played in years. My younger sister Kris was a "child prodigy" who has played by ear since she was three and old enough to reach the keys. She is a professional singer and musician in Atlantic City and the Phildelphia area. She has recently started teaching piano to young students. I guess I was the "black sheep" or the competition was just too much for me, but I never played. In junior high school, I took up the clarinet but was never very good at it. They sort of poked fun at me a bit at home when it came time for me to practice. It was not a very enjoyable experience for my family or for me either. The teasing was all in fun, and I laughed too. I knew I was basically terrible, a squeaker. It did teach me how to read the treble clef though, and I of course always knew which note was which on the piano. Aside from Jingle Bells and Chop Sticks, that was about all I could play. The piano was out of the question for me. That was my sister's thing. It would never be mine. I've always loved music but was never much good at it. I was always in the choir in college, never a soloist! Even then I would bring my sisters in at Christmas concerts to support our choir! ANYWAY..... I saw your PBS workshop around July of last year. My baby was a newborn, and I decided I wanted my children to see me play. We dusted off my husband's keyboard, plugged it in, and I started teaching myself any piece of music I could find. I got a couple of basic books, learned a few chords and have been playing and improving ever since. The songs actually sound like the songs now! Mostly, it is just fun. My Mom bought me a keyboard last Christmas. It has lots of neat features, and I love it. I really just wanted to play, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for my daughter and maybe a Christmas song or two. Today I picked up the sheet music for Pippin, which we grew up with and love. I'm starting to learn a few of those songs too, and I even surprise myself that I'm sight reading so much better. My daughter climbs up on the bench and bangs away now too. I told my sister the basics of your method (i.e. playing the voice line with the right hand and chords on the left, and then embellishing them as one learns.) She said, "I've thought of that! I knew it would work!" Too bad she didn't say anything to me about it! Mostly, thank you, thank you, thank you! I never would have had this wonderful fun experience, if not for you. Sincerely,
K. Evans, Atco, NJ

Scott, I am a convert. I took 5 years of piano lessons and quit when I was a teenager. I was playing (or attempting to play Bach and Czerny.) You couldn't sing along with any of it. Anyway, watching PBS one day...well, you know the rest of the story already. Thanks again for helping me play on the same piano that I had as a kid, a terrific Baldwin Acrosonic upright. It has the full bodied tone that you get with a baby grand, but it has sitting for 42 years in my home unused after my parents gave it to me. After all, "Bobby plays the piano," they would say, but only now, can I. Thank you for giving me music again!
B. Leone, Sunbury, Ohio

I'm learning so much from all your fine products. You should get the HUMANITARIAN AWARD of the YEAR for all you have done to help people learn piano. THANKS SO MUCH!
B. Ault, N.C.

Hi Scott, My first matchup with a real piano was in college, 35 years ago. I was a vocal major but had to take some piano. When I finished my first few semesters, I felt I knew less than when I started. My piano prof actually believed I might have been handicapped or tone deaf or ... Over the years I have often found myself wishing I could play piano but the memories of the college horrors always got in the way. But several things happened. I had been working on some songs I wanted to record (for my own pleasure and for friends and family, too) and I invested in a pretty good keyboard and an eight-track digital recorder/mixer and Cubase SE software. Making this long story short. I saw your program on PBS. I bought your book. I also bought Rooksby's book on writing songs with the keyboard. Then I actually read your book and did what you said to do. I just received my first fake book (an "easy" edition). I am on my way. Scott, I am 61 years young, now. Music has been a very important part of my life. It has been my solace, my joy, my drive at times, but always my deepest love. I wonder just how much you realize what a wonderful gift it is you give to people like me. I play guitar a bit but there has always been the piano in the back of my old dusty attic (yeah, my head). I have so many songs to learn to play ( I can play 3 of my favorites) now and so many more in my heart and soul to write and share with my friends and family. My deep thanks for your dedication to those of us who otherwise might have never discovered how easy it is to develop such a skill as this. Best wishes to always as you continue reaching us "non classical" needy ones. Blessings and Peace always,
Jim K, Omaha, NE

Hello Scott, You were sooo RIGHT & i am soo happy. I love the Beatles and others you chose in your fake book.I am a young at heart 61 yr. old lady making music, still can't believe it. I practise an average of 3hrs a day but more on the weekend. I just love playing my keyboard. I'm looking forward to your next edition of your favorite fake book. I have bought 3 books from you including your tv package. I can never thank you enough. LL in Yulee,FL(25 miles N. of Jacksonville)
L. Lewis, FL/USA

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

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