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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

Hi Scott! I just recieved your book: Play Piano in a flash. I had taken classical piano lessons for 6 months, but I was missing the simple logical thinking of how does this fit in with everything. YOUR book is so fantastic! I had no idea that there was a different set of rules for playing non -classical music. Although I am only half way through your book, I am enjoying it so much. You really do make it simple, and you bring it all home. It is much better than memorizing. Now I know how to figure the notes in a chord using the half steps. The best part is when I say, "Oh, now it's making sense!" In fact I bought the book for me, and I have to hide it from my husband! Anyway I am excited to finish the book and to continue on with your other books. I have adopted you as my music teacher and plan on buying your books. It would be most helpful if you could post on your website a good natural sequence on what books would build on each other. Do you think that is possible? If not, can you advise me in what order to buy them. I would like to build on each other. I look forward to hearing from you, and I am glad we accidently saw you on TV. I have always wanted to learn the piano since I was a little girl. My husband had purchased a piano for me 3 years ago, and I still can't play. Hopefully I can now learn. Thank you for your time in reading this letter. Sincerely,
K. Hahn

Admittedly, I am new to this but I can now see why I have had so much trouble trying to learn to do what I wanted to do with the piano. First, I was hard headed and did not know what I was doing. I say that because I had felt that there was only one way to really play well. I was completely in the dark. I can see the light now. I ordered one of the so called fake books, which I now realize is misnamed. I am learning to play a rather tough one, but it is starting to sound pretty good, and I can see some real hope. Thank you very sincerely for what you have brought to the public.
B. Ledbetter, Ocala FL

I'm a classically trained pianist who is tied to (sheet) music and have been trying desperately to learn to free myself. I happened to be channel surfing and saw your TV show today on improvising and playing the blues. It was fabulous! Within minutes I was able to take the "blues scales" and the three chords and play around freely on the piano. I took notes as you went through the steps with your guest on improvising. I'm so excited I'll probably be at my piano all night!! I will now look for your show and watch on a regular basis. It's great! Thank you!!
Anonymous

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

Hi Scott, I've been teaching myself piano for about a year now. I seemed to have hit a brick wall with my skill, until I heard there were piano lessons on Comcast On Demand. I've been watching those and one day last month, I had an "Ah ha"! moment. I had purchased several fake books, but couldn't seem to work my way through a song because I didn't understand the basic chords. After watching you, the chords seemed to make sense. Suddenly one day it all clicked (most of it anyway), and I at least could nail down a C to B major and minor chord. Now my fake books are more usable to me and I feel like I've progressed. Honestly, I was just about to give up the keyboard because I had been stuck at the same skill level for months. Thanks for breaking me through and giving me hope!
Mike

Dear Scott, I am having the time of my life playing the piano. No one ever told me that learning the piano is the same as learning the guitar - one song, one run of cords. And now finally the piano makes sense to me. The big mystery is gone and this wonderful instrument is something that even I (a person who lived in screaming terror of the piano) can enjoy. I'm having so much fun. Thank you. I'm hoping you will some day come back to Raleigh, NC because I will quickly enroll in your courses. A big fan,
M Medawar, Raleigh, NC

Hi Scott, Thank you so much for teaching us the "Barn Burner Ending". I added this to the end of Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" and wow, what a great addition that song is to my repetoire! I am also working on your "blues walkdown". Both of these vamps are so much fun. I spent a lot of time on my piano over the weekend working on these two endings - how cool is that! Thanks again for these great giveaways, keep them coming. I'll be watching! Thank you,
S. Leone, Fresno, CA

I watched your show for the first time today, and it was awsome/awsome/awsome (3 of them for lack of better words)... I love jazzy/ bluesy stuff, but I never was taught to play. I know the basics from elementary music class, but everything I play is by ear. People say I'm really good.....no.. YOU'RE really good, I just have potential. I don't even know if I'm trying to ask you something or what. ......I guess I'm trying to...... A little bit of advise probably wouldn't hurt (if/when you have time.) It's too bad I'm so broke, or I'd buy a "learn to play DVD from you or something.. i read the pamphlet thing you have (basic stuff.) I love music more than anything I can think of (right now,) and I would love more than anything to be able to create better, more technical music. I'm leaving for the Navy in like three months (May/June.) (It's a last option kinda thing), so if you have, like i said, a little advise or something, I'd be more than happy..... thanx man.
G Benford

This is great! Six years ago, I was mesmerized by Scott's TV commercial, and I started playing with all his instructions after I bought an older piano. I'm 79 years old now and volunteer at a long term nursing center. I get to play many songs for all the residents that live there. I've been waiting for Scott to produce this volume # 2 (Scott's fake book) because I have just about worn out the pages on volume 1-with Misty and many old favorites. Thank you, and I look forward to the monthly newsletters that you email.
C. Landeck,

Dear Scott, Thank you very much for the Great Piano Tip. You don't know how much I have followed your programs and music teachings over the past 18 months. But to make a long story short, I can play almost any song . . . although with great practice. (Lead Sheets ONLY.) I'm very grateful to you. Also, I hope to meet you, someday . . . in person just to say a special "Thank You!" I really like and appreciate your new newsletter format.You're really a special person, Scott.
G. Wells,

In 1943, I took what was then called Frank Phelps Modern Method for Piano. It was a case of either that or lessons from an old nun on life support. The method was the chord method..breaking chords up depending on the time signature, using octaves, picking up any sheet music and playing. People were amazed. In Grade School, I was the only one in the school who could play most things from sight. Soon I knew so many chords, it scared people. I was in demand in grade 8 to play for other classes. My mother, a classically trained musician, almost got a complex. My brother, who studied with a dear old nun, hated it and never finished anything. I had all the chord books the teacher used. I was a 97 lbs. weakling in a football school, but they did not laugh when I sat down to play. In High School I entertained all the time at house parties. People would play one Sonatina. I would play everything that was popular. I leaned to read the bass line which is boring in most sheet music. I took organ lessons and soon as I learned to turn the thing on, I quit. I made lots of money at weddings playing melodies with chords. People would weep. In the church I went to they did not believe in paying organists, so they were usually classically trained pianists. I never got used to the touch of an electronic organ or a pipe organ. Man, I wonder what would have happened had I tried to study with any nun. Those chords made me able to play everything. I learned to write my own arrangements. One day I overheard the music teacher in the University refer to me as...the guy who plays 3 or 4 chords. Her students could play 3 pieces! At 71 I still play. There's never been a time when playing that someone doesn't say that they wished they could play piano. A surgeon I knew started studying after he graduated medical school. He died young. Don't know if it was the piano or acute...Refreshing to know people will continue to learn from your method. Oh in my youth girls loved me, a man playing piano. As a "young" senior, matrons with pursed lips are still amazed...!
Terry M., Walerville, Ontario, Canada

Scott, as a kid, I listened to my dad play his interpretations of many standards (e.g, Misty, Girl from Ipanema, etc.) every night. Thanks to you and your book, I learned how to play "Misty" after one day! I can't wait to get home and surprise him! No longer "helpless as a kitten in a tree..."
P Silverio

I am one of those types who have struggled through many classical style piano classes and keep getting frustrated. Since reading your book, I have never been more excited about the new possibilities. I have already ordered a couple of the fake books that you recommended. Thanks so much for your dedication to this and for showing me a much easier way to sound professional. I do have one quick question. Some other reading I've been doing about chords recommend that you invert certain chords for smooth progression. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks,
T. Reynolds

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

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

I can't keep the tears out of my eyes. After a lifetime of wanting to "play" the piano, struggling to read sheet music, I sat down this morning (after reading only up to page 54 in your book, "Play Piano in a Flash!")and I played music! It sounded wonderful! Yes, still halting, after all it is the first day! - but it was music! Tunes that I know and love. You have opened the door for me and all I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! May you be blessed with every good thing,
Judy

I am 68 years old and having been trying to play piano since about 9. I took lessons and was soon discouraged ...lots of study and no playing. So I quit trying to learn or play. I never lost sight that I would love to play the piano, but was resigned to the fact I never would. When I retired in 1991, I decided I would try again. I found a book that said I could learn to play by ear....huh? I had always thought this was a God given talent - certainly not something I could learn. I have spent hundreds of dollars on such books and have learned a great deal. As a result, I can play fairly well, as judged by me. Yet I again became discouraged and stopped once again for a couple of years. Just recently my interest again peaked again, and bless my soul I found PLAY PIANO IN A FLASH....WHO WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT A 1 CHORD, 4 CHORD, 5 CHORD AND ANOTHER 1 CHORD WOULD LET ME A BUNCH OF TUNES....THANKS A BUNCH....GIVE ME MORE....IF YOU DIDN'T WRITE IT I DON'T WANT IT!
JOHN

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

After embracing many instruments beginning in the 4th grade, (guitar, trombone, electric bass, snare drum) each of which I played in stuctured music programs all the way through college (Symphonic band, Marching band, Jazz band, Swing Choir, Country band, Pep band) I had always dreamed of playing the piano. As a young kid, I was always envious of friends who took piano lessons. I had no piano, no room for a piano, and couldn't afford one anyway (there weren't keyboards for a couple hundred bucks at that time.) I saw your program on PBS a few years ago and began playing at age 37. I am absolutely in love with the piano. I went on to study Jazz piano with a fabulous instructor -- DC Dowdell, (apassioforjazz.com) in San Diego, and am building a great, very professional repetoire. I now own a 6' 10 1/2" Bechstein B Grand, which has become a part of the family. My 6 year old named the piano "Grace." And Scott, I can PLAY that thing!! I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR OPENING THOSE "BARN DOORS." DON'T EVER STOP TEACHING AND SHARING. MAY WE ALL LEARN TO KEEP IT RIGHT OUT THERE IN FRONT OF US, EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO: ENJOY THE MOST REWARDING INSTRUMENT IN ALL OF MUSIC. God Bless You. A fellow (born and raised) Hoosier,
D. Fuller

I just caught your show on RSU TV which is a Public access college station in Oklahoma. I was thrilled. I am 36 years old and have always wanted to play the piano, but did not have the money for formal lessons as a child. I traded my dreams of piano for clairnet as my Uncle gave me one for music in school and then for the sax when the school provided it. I did manage to take a semester of piano in college, but my major did not allow time to follow my musical dreams. However my love for the piano continued, and I have tried with some success to teach myself. But my eyes were opened, and my fingers are sore from practicing already from the information giveen on your awesome show. This is easier than I ever imagined. I see the future, and I have a feeling I am going to get a lot more enjoyment out of my piano! Thanks so much.
R. Day

Hi Scott. I attended your workshop here in Arlington, Va last weekend. It was great. I would like to have had you the entire 3.5 hours just to sit and "pick your brain." I have been using your system for almost a year now. I started with a half-size keyboard I bought at a pawn shop, and now just months later purchased an new upright. My goal is a baby grand. By using your techniques and playing tunes I like, I have made the hair stand up on the back on my neck several times. Ususally, I get this from listening to others play. Not me! What a surprise when I obtained the same result from my own playing. What a gift you have opened up for me. I have one question. You said that you need to read the music, and then play it yourself, so that no two playings are the same. I am finding that even after months of practicing I still require the sheet music to play. Do you find that at some point, I will be able to play without the music? Or do some people simply need it forever. Question two: I sometimes find the top notes need more. What book do you have which would allow me to add more notes to the melody line which would "increase," the fullness? Again, many thanks for coming to Virgina. I requested that our station show your weekly series.
M. Burnett, Centerville, VA

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

Dear Scott, Here's a funny story: I'm probably going about all this learn-to-play-the-piano-with-scott-by-just-playing-left-hand-chords all backwards. In grammer school and high school, I played the trumpet. So at age 14, when I decided to play the piano, you guessed it, I couldn't read the left-hand music. If it wasn't middle C or the C one octave below, I hadn't a clue. I actually spent about a year rewriting the bass cleff in treble cleff notation so I could get by just a little. Not backwards yet? Read on. Then one day I discovered Scottthepianoguy on Comcast Channel One. Five or six episodes there for the learning. But one day when I tuned in, the whole Comcast "Music" category was gone. I was heart-broken. A few weeks later, I discovered Scottthepianoguy on KCSM, the PBS channel from San Mateo, California. I was back in business. Without a TV Guide, it took me about a month to figure out that you were only on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. But now that I've learned that, don't call on that day at that hour, because I won't answer. Still not backwards? Read on. I learned from that program that I could also buy your book, "Play Piano in a Flash!" So I ran right down to Barnes and Noble and got my own copy. Read the whole book in less than two days. All of R&B with only C, F, and G? Fantastic! I can do this. What's backwards, you ask? Read on. Now after a year of Comcast Channel One, Scottthepianoguy on PBS, your book, and a couple of other chord sites on the Internet, I'm finally (watch it, here comes the punch line) going to have my piano delivered next Saturday, December 30th. Musical Regards,
Leonard

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

Dear Scott, It has always been my DREAM to play piano but until now it took too long to just to learn to play "Hot Cross Buns" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Neither tune were impressive enough to play for friends. My husband bought me your DVD for my birthday, and I LOVE IT!!! I just wanted to say thank you for making my dream come true. I have been watching you for 2 days, and I already learned more than I did in 3 weeks worth of lessons. Now I can play music I enjoy and not be embarrassed when someone asks me to play, and all I can come up with is a choppy nursery rhyme tune (that I'd been pratcing forever!) -Greatfully in tune
I. Jones

I saw you on KQED when I just happened to walk into my mother's retirement home. I bought the book. I read the book. I have had three piano lessons in my adult life. As you point out in the book, I couldn’t play because I simply couldn’t read the sheet music. Playing the bass and treble clefs at the same time was too hard. Well, I bought a couple of fake books, and my only problem is that I have fallen in love with my left hand! My left hand that that never did “doo - doo” is now playing these 4 note chords! I keep looking over at my left hand while playing, and I can't believe it is my own left hand. All I want to do is play the piano. I go to the piano 4 to 5 times a day. I now have Piano obsession! I can't stay away from my piano. It's wonderful.
S. Sturm, CA

I filled out your survey but there was no where to put down the fact that while using your method, after purchasing a fake book I was playing "Amazing Grace” in a little less than two hours! A couple more hours and I think my family will think I actually know how to play! I have never played a chord before so this is a big break-through! Thanks again. Your program is absolutely great!
B. Gardner, Springfield, Missouri

Scotty, I purchased a nice piano about 10 years ago. It has made a wonderful book rack up to this point. After watching you on PBS a couple of days ago, I've decided to do this. I want to learn to play piano. I hear music in my head, but couldn't find anyone to help me get it out. THANKS!
Rodney Pekarek, Oregon, USA

I'm 62, In January I puchased a Yamaha Clavinova, bought a lot of "how to" books, BUT in December 2004 I purchased your book from Amazon. Needless to say, after reading your book, I purchased your Favorites and Holiday Songs Fake Book along with the Ultimate Christmas Fake Book from your site. NOW, I realize I could have saved a lot of money AND frustration, if I would have purchased your books in the beginning. Thanks so much for creating "Favorites and Holiday Songs Fake Book"!!!
N. Woodcox

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