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I really enjoyed the recent piano class that I attended which you so competently presented. I don't currently have a keyboard or piano, but I am definitely getting one and keeping the information for when I do. I play a little guitar and the information made a lot of sense and put the info I already know about guitar music into a piano-user-friendly mode. I am excitingly awaiting my keyboard so that I can get started!Thanks again. If the Universe gives me the $, I'll see you at the Boogie Woogie/Blues class.
Jacquie

Mr. Houston, For those of us who wish to learn an instrument without having to labor over countless hours of lessons and learn the fundamentals, your show has and continues to be, extremely helpful, as well as entertaining. Should those who elect to pursue piano in a much more serious vein can obviously exercise their option to learn and practice as their goals require. Many continued thanks, and warm regards, from an ardent viewer and admirer.
R. L. Gardner

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

I happened to tune in late last night and saw you on our PBS station (Houston, TX.) I totally agree with your teaching style. I inherited a great piano (Bosendorfer grand piano,) and I just started to play by learning chords to songs I like to sing. My family says all my songs sound the same since I just "tickle" the notes of the chords I play. (I do not play melody ...) Hearing you last night encouraged me to keep practicing. (I have to tell you, not really knowing how to read music is a "hurdle" I have had to endure when asked by others.) I noticed you do not have a workshop in Houston Texas, however, I feel the material presented last night will address many of my questions concerning "tricks of the trade". I logged on to see if I could order via the internet, however, if I cannot, I'll call the local PBS station and order your package. Again, I have pretty much quoted you by telling others that to learn, one needs to pick a favorite song and start playing something immediately. I have never found a piano teacher that would teach me like the method I saw last night. I am excited about receiving your material and look forward to hearing from you. As I iterated earlier, I have this "great" piano, and I have decided to expand my horizons. I believe you have the "tools" I have been looking for. Sorry for the lengthy message, but I really look forward to your response and to playing my beautiful piano. (The piano sounds so good... I can imagine what it will sound like if I really learn to play via your teaching methods.) Thanks for the encouragement,
R. Martinez, Houston, TX

Hi, Scott, Your course is great! In one week you've got me reading music and playing two-handed better than my lessons ever did. Although there is much practicising yet to do, it's fun now! You Da Man!
Mike

Scott, now I've hit the ANGER stage: I'm so angry that I wasted all that time. I used to go to the piano periodically and try and play and just get frustrated, go back to Good Ole Fur Elise which I didn't even know the whole thing because I couldn't read the second half of it, play Silent Night (by memory,) which somehow I knew the chords to and that was about it. All that time, 40 plus years I could have been enjoying playing , not to mention how good I'd be by now. For sure I could have been hired by Nordstroms years ago instead of wasting my life having a stressed out life as a lawyer. Oh well, at least now I'm having a great time now! I first saw your program on PBS here in Tampa, and I was hooked right away. My own personal music journey has been a bit arduous, wrought with self-doubt and lack of confidence in the traditional methods. I've managed, from being self-taught, to write some of my own dance music as well as run a small sound effect and custom music business for several years. I've always felt "something" was missing though. It's probably those forbidden fruits you achieve after years and years of traditional methods that just weren't visible right away that made me give up piano lessons. Well yesterday, I bought your book along with Aaron Copeland's "What to listen for in music." In one evening I had read yours, and later that night I was zipping through tunes I had been putting off since those old piano lessons. You touched on a number of concepts in your book that really hit home with me. The biggest being that most people's difficulty comes from reading notation and not really playing. After reading that in your book, the problem was obvious, and my self-confidence was restored. Your explanation of how to find chords and what they are was so simple that things I had heard for years and never understood suddenly made sense. Music and creativity to me are passions. Through the years I've made it over my own hurdles but could never grasp that one missing piece of the musical puzzle. After reading your book, I feel like I finally found the missing piece and can accomplish anything. Please know you have my most sincere and heartfelt thanks! I hope to see you here in Tampa on 8/21/04 at WEDU!!
Chris G., Tampa, FL

Scott, I'm close to being 58 years of age. Ever since I can remember I have been told that I am not "musically inclined," and I believed it. Yet, this past Christmas I found myself sitting at my Roland KR-7 that I purchased for my "musically inclined" wife, playing my very first Christmas Carol. Thanks to you. Yep, I sat through every PBS show you've done they've aired, and I caught. I purchased your DVDs, your books, and I watched, read, then watched again and reread everything I purchased. Then I played. Well, I tried. It wasn't pretty or snazzy as you can play, but I played - one finger at a time to start. Then I started using all of my fingers on one hand. Then I started playing with both hands (that was tough!). Heck, I even managed to "keep time" without becoming flustered (something I find so very difficult to do). My wife, well she was shocked when I did my first "solo" with "Silent Night" coming out of the KR-7 speakers and sounding pretty good! She even started singing. When I was done, she looked at me, saw my grinning face and all she could say (I hate this part!) was "Play it again, Honey!" So, the next time you get "input" from someone like that, do us all a favor: Remember those lives you've touched, especially that "old guy" in Ohio who is still grinning and "banging" away with his "not being musically inclined" on his KR-7 and getting a hell of a lot better at it! I hope that one day, I will be able to attend one of your seminars. Preferrably when you're in "Paradise" (that's Ohio for the rest of those non-Ohioans). I'll be the one wearing the "Ohio State" sweatshirt in the front row, and grinning.
D. Howard, Kettering, OH

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

I can't believe it! I've been "working" the piano (I can't say playing the piano) for over 20 years. It has always been a struggle because I was never a good note reader. I have always envied those people who could just sit down and play through music like it was nothing. Now, for the very first time, in two hours of reading your book (I'm only halfway through) I was able to sit down and play through a piece of music that I would never have even dreamed of being able to play before now. I can't thank you enough.
M. Shimandle

I saw your program on WLAE-TV (one of the local PBS stations in New Orleans) the other day. Playing piano with lead sheets sure beats having to trudge through hours and hours of lessons. (I did when I was a kid learning to play.) Wish I'd learned to read a lead sheet early on. One advantage with playing a lead sheet I might note is that if a player has problems with arthritis, it's easier on the hands because you choose to strike the notes on the keyboard in a way that you feel comfortable, rather than having to do it in a way that would cause a flare-up. After all, there is flexibility with how one strikes a chord! This makes it fun and easy to play. Just a thought…
M. Constant, New Orleans, LA

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

Hi Scott, Even driving to D.C. in a tropical storm would never have kept my son and me away from your class yesterday. We were in the front row, and what a wonderful treat it was to be right there, after having this on my things-to-do-A-list for two or three years! I had done the five-years-of-lessons thing, actually while my kids were little, and I was at home, and finally stopped. I will now resume focusing on one of my loves, the piano (this time with Scott lenses)! My heart was actually beating faster today, just remembering your closing remark about the reason for us being at your class, because inside each of us is a musician. Until I meet you and Theresa again at a Master Class (smile)... Sincerely, D Rehling
D Rehling,

I just wanted to say thankyou. We have On Demand, and I stumbled across your show. It really helped me understand music so much more. I played the guitar for about 5 years. I put it down because after 2 years I was not progressing. Lately I have been playing the violin. I like to use the piano to help me when I get stuck on a song because you can sit down and just try to pick out the melody. I tried to understand how the layout of the piano worked, and your show just made all the difference in the world, even for my violin study! It may sound stupid or wierd, but your way of teaching really works! Thankyou So Much!!!
T. Wells, Penn Valley, CA

Hi Scott, I took your class in Upper Arlington a year ago February. Thank you for helping me fill my days with music. I try something new weekly and am surprising myself greatly! Think it's time for me to graduate from the Christmas fake book that I bought. I also picked up a Beatles one but glanced and quickly transfered it to the bench!! I just might tackle the easy ones in there now. I tell everyone about your class. Sincerely,
P. Orr, Columbus, OH

Just stumbled across your program on PBS. Outstanding! Why don't more people teach these methods to beginning adults? My history... piano lessons at age 5 -6. Then quit.Trombone lessons in 6th grade. Then quit. Around high school, I took up playing bass guitar, a few years later. I had a band. I went from band to band eventually headlining clubs in L.A./Hollywood (500 miles from home). Somewhere in the middle of a 15 year career I went to junior college to study music theory, and later apprenticed as a recording engineer for a few years.I currently play keyboards, guitar, bass and sing backups. Ispend most of my time songwriting on my computer (multi-track digital recording.) I seriously wish you tremendous success with your program... Every person on the planet should experience the joy of the creative process of either writing music, learning someone else’s music, or even fiddling around to create their own simple melody. Our public school systems have resorted to cutting music programs at the first sign of budget cuts. This is a huge loss for our kids. Even in the schools that continue their music programs, they are using the "classical teaching methods" that seem to turn kids (most of them) off eventually. Your method is truly exactly how I taught myself to play, as well as 96% of the musicians I've ever worked with.I hope your books/CDs/videos and seminars all sell out and reach as many "musical newbies" as possible. Your methods, as well as your presentation, has incredible potential to hold the interest of anyone even slightly interested in playing music for self-enjoyment. Best of luck to you.
J. Johnston, San Jose, CA

What a great show! If only my mother had started me this way. I totally resisted those early lessons and now, 50 years later, I'm learning piano on my own and loving it. The whole idea of playing only songs you like (My Funny Valentine etc.) makes it so much more fun. Also, the concepts of chording and saying "to hell with the time value of notes" allow beginners like me to enjoy the thrill of hearing music magically come out of their fingers. CONGRATULATIONS!
C. Snyder

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

Hi, Scott! I've been playing piano for many years, and can sight read a fairly complex piece of classical music without getting into too much trouble; however, I have always wanted to be able to sit down and just improvise popular tunes. Thanks to The Piano Guy, I'm learning how to do that, so thanks! I wanted to respond to your e-mail on "Creators" versus "Re-Creators". I couldn't agree more with what you said about trying to recreate something perfectly, especially as it pertains to classical music. I remember listening to a recording of a Chopin piece on the radio the other day, and the pianist (whose name I forget) was hitting every note, exactly as it was written on the paper, but there was no *soul*, no feeling. Frankly, it was pretty boring to listen to, even though I LOVE Chopin. If music was only about slavishly reproducing the little black notes, we wouldn't have any differentiation between music performed by good symphony orchestras, and music performed by mediocre ones. Even the untrained ear can tell the difference between what's stirring, and what's simply tedious. I'll take the former, any day. Anyway, thanks for all the great informative information, tips, and tricks on your show... which are made all the more accessible by your easy-going personality. I'll be watching! Cheers,
DJ

Hi Scott, For many years I wanted to play the piano so I could play my father's songs to family and friends. Well, that didn't happen. Life got in the way, and I pretty much forgot about playing any instrument. Wella, last March I watched your show,and with some scepticism, bought "Piano In A Flash." Here it is a few months later and not only can I play, "Everything Happens To Me," "Let's Get Away For It Al,l" I can Play songs from "The Piano Guy's Favorite Fake Book, songs for the grandkids and rock and roll from the 1950's. I've even written an original melody for my wife of 42 years. I am 65 and have been able to do many cool things in my life. Learning your method of piano playing is one of the best and definitely the most fun! THANKS!! M Adair
M Adair,

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

I bought the book and quit my traditional lessons I had been taking for the last year. In two weeks, I sound and play better than after I had taken a year's worth of traditional lessons. Your method is a real blessing. Thanks!
Mark

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

Good morning Scott, I attended your workshop on Saturday, July 15 in Albany, NY. I can't express my gratitude for your method of teaching. As you spoke lightbulbs kept going off in my head as I saw the correlation between what you were teaching and my guitar playing. You simplified and demystified the piano and music in general. I feel confident that I will now have my dream of being able to play a tune on a piano come to fruitation. You are a God-send...I only wish my friends could have come on Saturday also, as your method allows anyone to be able to bring music into their life. I will keep you apprised of my progress. But most of all, Thank you for opening up a whole new avenue of musical enjoyment in my life. Thanks again for all you do!!
Lori

I like your show & playing style. I've played guitar since I WAS 16 years old. I'M 52 years old! NOW, I PLAY GUITAR VERY WELL. My mom wanted me to play piano. I tried about 8 yrs until I lost my desire to play. About 1.5 yrs. ago I seached for a way to play keyboard! I got a cpu program to play piano. She taught at Juilliard. I got bored because I wanted to learn at a faster rate!! I needed to start recording at home. I found one guy who was Ok, but I found you on pbs by accident. I have been following along. Now I play well enough to record!! I've learned from watching & trying. For the 1st time in my life I'm starting Jazz. If mom could hear me now she would be happy!! I PLAN TO CARRy ON! Thanks for sharing the tips & tricks that the pros use!!
Anonymous

I recently attended your class in Henderson Kentucky in late October and I am currently plunking my way through your Christmas Carol book. I am sounding better as I go (at least that's what my family tells me!) But I can tell a big difference too, considering I have never had a piano lesson in my life! A short story: Three, maybe four months ago I bought this great big hunk of a piano at a yard sale for $80.00 which no one in our house had a clue how to play. I paid a fellow $50.00 to tune it knowing no one could play it. I dusted it weekly and tinkered out a few chords and kiddie songs when I was bored. And I fussed at the little ones when they banged around on it with hot wheel cars and barbie dolls. I coerced my 13 year old to try out a few piano lessons with her aunt that totalled all of three lessons (this was with future hopes that she in turn would teach me) and then I saw your newspaper ad........ I just wanted to let you know that I am very pleased with my "progress." Though I don't think I'll get very rich playing the piano for hire........I am very delighted to be able to sit down and actually sound out a song or two.........and I have introduced some people I work with to your methods and I am hearing some great (and funny ) things. Keep up the enlightening and encouraging work!
D. Steward, Henderson, KY

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...great show! Thanks! I attended your 1day seminar in Elgin, Il. a while back....been learnin' ever since!
Vance,

Hey Scott: Just a note you may find interesting. In 1953, at a party, my parents met Connie Settlin (I'm not sure the spelling is correct). Connie and her husband owned a music publishing business, and Connie took on a few students herself from time to time. I had been pestering my parents for piano lessons for a long time, so they ask Connie if she would take me on. I was 15 at the time, and everyone told my parents I was too old to start taking lessons. Connie agreed. My parents bought a baby grand and off we went. Connie told me that she had a new way to teach piano and that for the first couple of months all I would learn would be about chords. After a couple of months of study we progressed to reading the right hand notes and using the guitar symbols to play the base. I never practiced scales, but she taught me songs right from the start. After about 10 months I could play songs like: String of Pearls, 12th Street Rag, Tuxedo Junction, St. Louie Women and a few others that I don't recall. A month later Connie died of lung cancer. My parents, trying to protect me from being hurt, didn't tell me about her death until years later. I just assumed that since she failed to show up for my lessons that I wasn't progressing and so she dropped me. I just stopped playing even though up until that time I had been practicing about 6 hrs a day. Just the other day I caught your Play Piano in a Flash program on PBS and all the memories came flooding back because you were teaching the same basic method as Connie taught me years earlier. I just finished downloading you book, and I'm about to begin after all these years. I picked up the guitar a few years ago and my knowledge of cords (even though fuzzy after all the years) still helped me learn quickly. I play the guitar well enough to amuse myself and annoy everyone else, but I still want to play the piano. Thank for the inspiration. All Blessings
R. Harris

Hi Scott, I just returned from your Seattle workshop. Very informative and entertaining (in addition to your skill in getting across the subject matter, you are a very funny guy!) As a guy whose previous experience consists solely of playing the recorder in a college music appreciation class, and an occasional toot on a duck call, I find myself inspired, fired up, and ready to go. Armed with this morning's class and the materials, I am getting started tonight. And, thanks to you, I know I can do it. Thank you!
Scott, A. Raymond, Seattle, WA

PLEASE don't stop what you are doing. I have never felt so free, nor enjoyed playing the piano so much since I took your workshop. Most of us regular folks don't want to play piano at Carnegie Hall. We want to unwind by playing something familiar; something that we didn't have to sit through 4 years Book 1, Book 2, Book 3 to be able to play. We want to play something we can learn in a few weeks, and be reasonably good enough that both we and maybe someone we love can recognize the tune when we play it. Your workshop allows me and others like me to do that. What a gift you have given us! I love to play the piano and because I'm playing songs I like, practice is FUN! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. Sincerely,
S. Brooks, North Carolina

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