Interesting and easy to read, this book gives a wider perspective on many aspects of playing the piano. It looks at the development of the piano and how the instrument makes its sound. It explains the essentials of how to read music without going into unnecessary complexities of theory, and shows where your hands and feet should go. A chapter on interpreting classical, jazz and popular music includes pieces from various periods so that by playing them, you can understand some of the i nfluences and techniques that shaped musical history. It also gives useful information on how to buy sheet music, what to look for in recorded music and gives a glossary of musical terms. Attractive full color illustrations throughout.

This is a book for enthusiasts, written by an enthusiastic musician. Informative and interesting to read, it gives a brief history of the instrument and explains how it makes its sound, describes how to hold the bow and produce different notes, and the basics of reading music. Includes tips on buying an instrument and finding a teacher, illustrates some sheet music and suggests a few good recordings. Attractive colorful illustrations.