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Reviews of the Best Piano Guides, Books and Software
The following list represents the most popular and, in our opinion, the most useful set of resources you can find to teach yourself to play the piano. The list below comprises Piano books, guides, software, DVDs, CDs and online tutorials and videos. Some are digital products, meaning that you can immediately download the software, videos and tutorials or watch them online. Others are hardcopies, where the books, CDs and DVDs will be delivered to your door. The best products give you a combination of all these formats.
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Learn And Master Piano |
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Cost: currently discounted from $249 to $199
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When you compare our Number One product with
all the other packages in this category, one thing is noticeable above
all else: quality. Many similar products offer thorough tuition at a basic level, or even some tuition to a fairly high level. However, what they are lacking is the complete support, high quality of production and superior training found in Learn and Master Piano. This truly is the best of its kind by a significant margin.
>> Read the Full Review of
Learn And Master Piano

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Rocket Piano |
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Cost: $197 currently discounted to $29.95 |
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Rocket Piano is the premier online piano instruction course available. Featuring everything you would expect of a software or multimedia package, Rocket Piano gives you the option to have all this online at a fraction of the cost. Rocket Piano is the ideal package for the beginner pianist, especially one on a budget. It will probably not take you as far or last you as long as our Number 1 choice, but its breadth and depth as well as the many learning styles it supports make it one of the top products of its kind available at the moment.
>> Read the Full Review of Instrument Master

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Piano Head |
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Cost: $19.95 |
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Piano Head is more of a musical education facility than a specific piano course. Suitable for users of any age or previous level of musical training, it teaches crucial musical theory in a way that does not feel like teaching! Each of the topics it covers is essential for students of the piano and any other instrument, as well as those studying music and music theory itself. We would particularly advise it for those practicing for aural or theory exams, or even basic music subject tests or examinations. This is probably not adequate for those who have
already studied theory at a high level and want to explore more...
>> Read the Full Review of Piano Head
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Teach Me Piano |
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Cost: $19.95
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A distinctive feature of Teach Me Piano is that it can actually 'hear' what you play, and tells you if you are doing the right thing or if you are making mistakes that might otherwise go unnoticed. This is very different to the usual programs, that just tell you how it should be done and leave you to decide if you are doing the right thing. One
problem is that if you want to make the most of all features of the
program, you will need a MIDI keyboard. If you think that you want the ability to have your playing monitored and assessed as you progress, this is a must-buy.
>> Read the Full Review of Teach Me Piano

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Piano Suite Premier |
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Cost: Software only: $89.95
Software & Keyboard Bundle: $199.95
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An outstanding feature of Piano Suite Premier is the vast volume of music it contains, and the broad and diverse styles that it encompasses. If you do not know what area of music you would like to pursue, this program will give you an introduction to absolutely anything, so that you can then go and find more for yourself. However, the lessons tend to
focus on the pieces themselves rather than on improving the technique
of the player, and this will be a disadvantage if you want to progress
to a high level...
>> Read the Full Review of Piano Suite Premier

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eMedia Piano And Keyboard Method: Intermediate Volume 2 |
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Cost: $59.95 |
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We would recommend this product particularly for those who already have a reasonable amount of pianistic experience, but who have so far only played exercises and simple pieces. Opening yourself up to the possibilities of improvisation and greater musicality and dexterity will give you impressive results if you have the perseverance to continue with them. If you are a complete beginner, however, try Volume 1 first or opt for a more comprehensive software product with a greater number of pieces and a focus on developing basic skills.
>> Read the Full Review of eMedia Piano And Keyboard Method: Intermediate Volume 2

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Teach Yourself To Play Piano Delxe Edition |
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Cost: $29.99 from Amazon.com
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We would advise Teach Yourself To Play Piano: Deluxe Edition for anyone who wants an introduction to piano, but does not want to spend a large amount of money. It would also be suitable for someone who has experience playing another musical instrument or who has some musical knowledge already. The program can be used by people of all ages, though there may not be features here to excite and keep the interest of younger children. Most of all, it is a cheaper alternative to many of the more complex programs, and if this is a consideration it is a good buy...
>> Read the Full Review of Teach Yourself To Play Piano Delxe Edition

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Instrument Master |
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Cost: $197 currently discounted to $29.95 |
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If you want to become a virtuoso, Instrument Master is not the most appropriate product on the market. However, if you want to explore the possibilities of playing a new instrument and to acquire the means to build musical confidence, knowledge and experience, it is certainly a reasonable place to start. And if you are able to get it at the discount price, it is not bad value for your money. What is sad is that if Instrument Master had been produced to a high quality and you felt that the makers cared about the consumer, it would be a superb product.
>> Read the Full Review of Instrument Master

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Instant Play Piano Deluxe |
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Cost: $39.99 currently reduced to $7.50!
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Instant Piano Player Deluxe is highly successful as a basic grounding in piano. Simply split into stages, so the task is not too overwhelming, it provides many of the key skills that you will need if you are to develop into a competent pianist. Although lacking many peripheral features, the program does offer a thorough course in the conventional aspects of beginners' piano playing. A suitable purchase for a beginner, this is not the most appropriate course if you have prior experience in playing or plan to pursue your playing to a high level. However, as an introduction, it does everything that is required of it.
>> Read the Full Review of Instant Play Piano Deluxe

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Piano For Dummies |
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Cost: $24.99 - currently discounted to $16.49!
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If you buy this as a beginner, you may still find that it is a useful reference tool in several years time. Of particular note was the list of famous pianists from across the ages and the guide to the different keyboard instruments. Even after you have progressed far beyond the level that Piano for Dummies can offer, you may still find a use for it, so keep it on your shelf just in case!
>> Read the Full Review of Magix Piano For Dummies

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