Instructional Videos for Piano

I have always believed that the best way to learn how to play the piano is to watch someone else play it. There are plenty of self-teaching methods available, and you can forever read books about how to play the piano, but you will only get so far. Although the internet provides valuable information on many aspects of music, there is no site that I know of that does a truly effective job of teaching how to physically play the instrument. Until someone develops a widely accessible method of connecting with another person visually over the internet, I don't think the internet will be very successful at teaching how to play the piano.

Luckily, if you can't afford a teacher, there is a method that is much less expensive and is effective for some people. You can learn by watching instructional video tapes. A video tape can be stopped, rewound, and/or started wherever you like. However, you can't ask questions, so eventually, if you really want to get fluent in a certain style, you're still going to have to find a teacher, or at least a friend, to observe and learn from.

Below are three video tapes I think are excellent. One teaches boogie woogie, one teaches blues and the third teaches gospel. Sorry, I haven't heard of one that teaches classical music. If anybody knows of one, let me know. All three feature camera angles above the keyboard, so that you can watch the pianist's hands. I can't over-emphasize how helpful that is. The videos should be available through your local music store, which can order them if they don't have the tapes in stock. Also, you may be able to find the tapes at amazon.com.

Boogie Woogie Piano - Rock-a-Boogie piano lessons in all the hot styles, featuring Mitch Woods
Exclusively distributed by Hal Leonard
HL00320137
In this video, Mitch Woods demonstrates basic boogie patterns. This is not the watered-down boogie woogie you often find in teaching books. This is the real thing. Woods explains the music theory behind what he plays and plays some parts slowly for clarity. You'll see bass lines and right hand licks, and hear Woods' rocking rhythmic style that you'll want to emulate. The camera is often above the keyboard so that you can see what's going on. A booklet with written examples is included. Woods is a veteran pianist from the Bay Area.

The Blues/Rock Piano of Johnnie Johnson
Available through Hal Leonard HL00641438
or
Homespun Tapes
Box 340
Woodstock, NY 12498
914-246-2550 or 1-800-33-TAPES
The style demonstrated on this video is lusciously bluesy, performed by the legendary Johnnie Johnson. Johnson played on

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic