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You're a lifesaver! I downloaded My Funny Valentine and ran into some of these chords.You've explained what I searched for hours and couldn't find on the Internet.Again, the book is fantastic, and I'm having more fun on the piano than I have had in years.
B. Hickstein, St. Pete, FL

Hi! Scott, saw you on PBS and ordered your start up kit. I took piano lessons for many years and played in music festivals etc. You know the drill. I am now 60 and never really enjoyed playing. I am not putting down any one who works hard at learning in the traditional manner. For me the method you presented has given me a great deal of pleasure and fun. Thanks
Reg, New Brunswick Canada

I love you even more now! You’re such a great guy! I want you to know that I have been mulling in my mind for several years how to do lessons on the computer. I wish I knew how to play the piano. Laughing… I play but not in this fashion. I have even taught piano for several years. You’re a totally “kewl” guy, Scott. I am so excited to learn how to play like this. I know all the chords, but I have never learned how to do the base line rhythms. I am so excited. This is the best Christmas present to myself ever!
Robbie

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,

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

I just saw your show for the first time today. I think it's great! I have always tried to play the piano on my own. I do OK but never seem to be able to get my left hand to do what it is suppose to do when I start playing a lead with my right hand. Any ideas? On your show I saw a young man play, "Let It Be." I really liked the way he played it. I will be watching you all the time now. Thank you for your great show.
A. Newland

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

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 played a few instruments from 5th grade to college but forgot everything I learned. Forty-plus years later, it is you who inspired me to exercise my brain and fingers in order to experience the piano. I never would have ventured into this if it weren't for your style of teaching. Thanks for all you do for us beginners. ---- Kind regards,
Lynne

I have always enjoyed PBS programming but recently I started watching the show "The Piano Guy" religiously. Scott Houston's show has inspired me. I am so glad that you support his show and that you bring that show to me. Not only is this show well produced and very entertaining but it is able to teach me something every time. I know this show is making an impact because every place I go that there is a piano "The Piano Guy" is brought up. I hope you have heard these great things from everyone, and I'm just another to add to the list. Thanks again for this show and all your programming. Have a Great Day!!
B. Leonard

I've caught your show on PBS a couple of times, and it rings true to me. I'm teaching myself piano and organ and have begun picking out some songs on my own. It's amazing how many songs you can play with simple triads. And, when I got inversions working, it became even more simple. Thanks for you and your show.
Shannon

I attended your class Thursday night at Zionsville and really enjoyed it! You are a great speaker! You share your enthusiasm for what you love. I have always wanted to enjoy the piano but with normal lessons I hated it!! My mother plays by ear and she wanted her daughters to learn to play what she thought was the "correct" way so hence lessons we started and then dropped after the first Thompson book!!! I can't wait to tell her you offer material on how to learn to play by ear!! Thanks again for a fun evening of learning! Best of luck on your PBS endeavor!
Kathy, Zionsville, IN

Your program is the best for learning quickly. Scott you make it simple, practical and easy to learn piano. Not only that, but you're very patient in your explanations which is perfect.
Rafael, Orlando, Fl

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

Scott, I caught your show last year on PBS in Las Vegas. I was so impressed that I immediately ordered your CD and purchased a Yamaha 88 key keyboard (nice too, because I can play piano, harpsichord, or a host of other instruments, and it has a built in chord dictionary). Like many others, I had always wanted to play piano but, as you correctly point out, was mystified (and turned-off) by all those black marks (mostly in the bass clef (all cows eat grass -- didn't help much!) Now, less than a year later, I play well enough to please myself (which is what really counts) and, from time-to-time, a goodly number of K-5 children at various Clark County Schools at which I substitute teach. I can't begin to thank you enough for bringing this aspect of music to my life.
B. Burkhart

I am 77 years old, I took piano lessons 60+ years ago then stopped. Ten years ago I bought a "play by chords" program but the teacher talked so fast, I could not understand what he was saying. Then I bought another program where the instructor wanted me to "learn all the chords before I played the songs I wanted to play". Then, I saw you on T.V. one night. Bought your "Play piano in Flash" book and I was hooked. Your comment about "play the songs you want to play with a few chords" made all the difference. I concentrated on a few simple songs and now I can play most of the songs in your fake book (not great but pleases me). Your battery operated chord finder was also helpful. I have since purchased the childs version of your "Play, piano in a flash" plus chord finder and fake book for my 7 year old grandson. Hopefully I can get him and the other of our 14 grandchildren to learn your methods. At least 6 of the older children took "traditional" lessons but soon stopped as it was "too boring". Thanks for bringing a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Bob, Georgia

I started playing the piano exactly one year ago. I can now play up to 30 songs I like. Your program has great technique, and I am getting better by adding notes to my right hand while playing. I am interested in learning some runs. By the way, my nine year old son asks me to play him to sleep every night.
G. Hall

I saw most of the PBS Special while I was in Los Angeles last weekend. I was just amazed!
N. Patras, Austin, Texas

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 recently caught your program on PBS and have been recommending it to people ever since. I am a piano player. I grew up taking classical lessons then switched over to studying Jazz almost a decade ago. I am also a professional speaker and wish that I had met you before investing so many years in private lessons! I think you're a 'kool cat', Scott the Piano Guy, and just thought it would be fun to chat and maybe collaborate. Meanwhile, I hope your holidays are filled with happiness, 'you dig'? ('you dig' is a saying that my recently deceased jazz buddy, Willie Metcalf used to always use so I use it here in fond tribute to him.) Anyway, bravo for developing this much needed, wonderful program. I volunteer as a piano player at Ochsner Hospital here in New Orleans and without fail every week at least one person stops and tells me how much they enjoy my playing and how much they wish they had stuck with the lessons they took when they were young. Without fail, every one of those people gets a commercial from me about you and your Play Piano in a Flash system! I've also turned my father and my neice, Megan onto your stuff. They are enjoying it immensely. So, thanks for developing and sharing this great program!
L. Barrett, New Orleans

I am trying to get my hands on anything that will give me another stepping stone toward my desire to play. I play a little bit. I know the chords pretty well and the melody line. So now I'll be using your audio examples. Thank you so much for the help from the book. It has given me the encouragement I've needed to continue on. Most of all it gave me "CONFIDENCE" in myself - by convincing me that what I am playing is ok. You’ve convinced me that it doesn’t matter that I have had no lessons of any kind, not even when I was in school. Most of all, you have taught me that if it sounds good to me then it’s acceptable. I don’t need to worry about whether a teacher would think it is the right or wrong way. I am 55 and just had a nagging ache to play piano, so my hubby bought me a 73 or 78 key keyboard, which has been the joy of my life. I really love to play gospel and hymns. They are my favorites, but I love all kinds of music. Before reading the book I was ashamed for people to hear me. I’m still not where I want it to be, but I will be before long ! Again, thank you for the vote of "Confidence,” which is something I have never had in myself on anything. I do now! At first, your book was not what I expected it to be, and I was disappointed. But I kept reading it, and after I finished, I had a complete new outlook. I am proud of my accomplishments. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Regards,
Marlene

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

I saw you on TV. You are the best teacher that I have ever seen. I'd like to purchase your DVD. It not only about learning how to play piano, but also about how to live.
D. Broz

Dear Scott, Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful program. My children will practice a song and then within a short period of time, they will close the book and play the song from memory. Its amazing. Plus they pick the songs they want, which really helps motivate them. I have always wanted to play the piano, but found it so difficult. Within the first week of taking your course I could play a song, better than I could have even imagined. I can hear the beautiful melody line and it motivates me to play more. I have already picked out more songs that I want to play. My children are no longer going to go to boring piano lessons, instead we are going to learn the Houston (FUN!!!) way. Thank you so much for braving the antagonisim and making an excellant course for us normal people. GRATEFULLY,
Karen

I absolutely cannot believe it! Your book is worth soooo much more than it cost me! I purchased the book over a year ago after receiving a digital piano as a gift. Both your book and my piano sat in a closet until two days ago. Your teaching style is BRILLIANT. Start with your all time favorite songs? You'd think that would be obvious, but that's the very reason my piano (and your book...sorry) ended up in the closet. I had all of about 5 lessons and quit. Hated it, wasn't fun. Within two days I can play (not great, but pretty good for this beginner) my all time favorite song "The Rose" and was entertaining my husband with the blues patterns. I think he was impressed because he started dancing, and I think.... jitter bugging!?! It was hilarious. Thank you so, so much!!!! Oh, and I love the fact that your examples include you "flubbing". It reminded me that the only thing serious here was me having fun...I got that, and am so very grateful. You're great!
Anonymous

Scott, I love everything you do! You present every bit of information in a fun, easy to understand format that helps the novice as well as the master. Keep up the great work. I love seeing all your latest projects. Thanks for everything!
J. Simon, Utah

I am the guy that you wrote your book for. I took piano and violin lesson in the first and second grade. I played some sax in high school and college. I played some piano during those years but was just self - taught. The theory here was notes are notes. As my kids grew up I became a fair banjo player but always wanted to play piano. Last summer while I was in St. Johns Newfoundland on business, I was watching WJR Detroit on TV (Doesn’t make much sense to me either) when your half hour show came on. You didn’t teach me anything I didn’t already know. You just gave me the nerve to try it. Most importantly I took to your concept of just learning the chords that you needed to play my favorite music. When I got home I purchased you book on line and again it doesn’t teach me anything new except the attitude that it is OK to sit down and try it out. The results were immediate and favorable. I can play piano. Candidly I can play pretty well. The neat thing is that now I hear what I want to play and with my son’s fake book in front of me, I can make it happen. This is just a thank you note. You have given me the gift of playing piano. I think my family thanks you also, now I play less banjo. I do look forward to you new TV series and will contact my local public television stations. Thanks!
B. Hayes

We recently purchased a Roland KR107 Digital Piano and have virtually not used it even though my wife and I have some musical ability. She is a self taught piano player and I play guitar. I've always had a dream of playing the piano and have taken lessons but never progressed for all the reasons you've given. Next to the exercise equipment we've purchased, the piano gathers only slightly less dust. Even though we did not order your DVD and have never heard of your PBS program as it appears to not be carried in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we received a copy of your DVD from Roland Corporation. The KR107 is a beautiful instrument and the salesman from Steinway Hall could play it very well, but it has so many features and tricks I've never been able to grasp the full potential. Getting your DVD was a most welcome surprise, and I watched the first half today after school today (my wife and I are both teachers). I just wanted to let you know Roland Corporation was sending out your DVD "Play the Piano in a Flash" and your program is not aired in Dallas. I'm hoping to use your materials to become more acquainted with our piano. Thanks for taking a read and I hope you can get your program aired in the Dallas area soon. KERA is our PBS station. Best wishes,
R. Parker, Texas

Hi Scott...Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my questions today. Your book, tape, and CD are all the best of the best in instructional products. I have learned more from your products and T.V. series than from a year of piano lessons. I am recommending the series to family and friends. The best to you.
C. Jackson, Prince Georges County, Maryland

Hi Scott...what an awesome program...Wow, I am a piano teacher watching this on a PBS station, and I am amazed that there is another teacher out there utilizing this similar method. Although I teach both classical and pop, I began to learn using a similar method...the chord method. When playing publically, I never seem to play anything the same way more than once ever....I am a born improvisor. Trying to explain the chord method to classical teachers is outrageous. I've been slammed more than you can imagine. I have taught kawai and technic methods, as well as classical methods. I want to congratulate you on an awesome job. You really do a good job at promoting music education. I just had to email you and encourage you to keep up the good work. You sure are an inspriation.
S. Andrews, Tisdale, Saskatchewan Canada

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