The Complete Keyboard Player: Bk. 1

After reading some of the above reviews (currently 1).. and the info from Amazon about the book - I was shocked when I got this, to see that it said something along the lines of "best-selling". Pathetic..

This book is one of the WORST purchases I have EVER made. The "lessons" speed on at a rather alarming rate which is NOT GOOD FOR BEGINNERS - by the way, I've been practising Piano/Keyboard for a while now.

It has some really good songs by ABBA, The Beatles and so on, but the teaching method is horrendous. As I said before it moves way too fast, isn't detailed, and assumes a lot, even though it's meant for beginners?

I've wasted money on this, and another book my the same author... I'm really annoyed, and since I've opened and used one of the CD's, I probably won't be able to return this.

Don't buy this book - spend the money on lessons.

Great for beginners (6/6 people found this helpful)

I brought this book and without any prior knowledge before I can now play a couple of songs. I have purchased a few keyboard books but this is by far the best one. I recommend this book for anyone looking to play for the first time. It teaches you many of the huge hits, by artists like Elton John, Beatles, Bryan Adams, Cold Play, Bee Gees, Robbie etc

well-known songs made easy (6/6 people found this helpful)

These may not be the cool songs, but they're the ones that have been around forever and everyone knows.
I have a bit of a learning disability and find some instruction books a nightmare. I had very little trouble with this one though, even though I couldn't read a single note when I started. You may need other books later to fill in a few blanks, but in my opinion if you start with these books and some determination there's no way you're gonna quit.
The only knowledge I had of Kenneth Baker before buying this book was that he played jazz trumpet. Going from trumpet to keyboards isn't an obvious choice, but at this stage there's no problems. Later on, there's a couple of confusing points though but that's when you'd be at a stage to want a few actual lessons.
The playing part of the book starts you really gently with Merrily We Roll Along. It uses a total of 4 notes (middle C, the D above, E & G)and two chords (C & G), one of which at least you'll find in virtually all songs. Anything more complicated then is likely to make you chuck your keyboards out the window.
Once you've got that right, go on to Barcarolle. The only part of that music I heard was played really fast, whereas this little chunk is more of a waltz.
Then you go on to "Lightly Row", a nice little piece once you've mastered the chord patterns.
Other songs in this book vary as there are several editions. Whichever version you have though, you have some fun songs where virtually all are fun to play for years to come

So good ... I have just ordered Books 2,3,4 and Chord Book (8/9 people found this helpful)

In fairness I used this book in conjunction with How To Play Keyboards by Roger Evans. I found The Complete Keyboard Book advantageous in the tunes provided and the diagrams supplied. I cannot wait for the other books to be delivered.

Excellent for beginers to the keyboard (12/13 people found this helpful)

I had a few music lessons when I was younger so I knew the basics, but then I wanted to start learning again. We already had book one and two so I began to go through them. Because I had already started to learn book one was not very benefical to me, but book two was great. It contains many familiar songs from Elvis to Rodgers and Hammerstein. This book is a great aid for keyboard and piano basics.

The Complete Keyboard Player: Bk. 1

Kenneth Baker

Reader Reviews:

Below Expectation (4/4 people found this helpful)

Great for beginners (6/6 people found this helpful)

well-known songs made easy (6/6 people found this helpful)

So good ... I have just ordered Books 2,3,4 and Chord Book (8/9 people found this helpful)

Excellent for beginers to the keyboard (12/13 people found this helpful)

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