Presents basic lessons in reading music notation, advice on how to select an instrument, and details how to find your way around the keyboard.

Tune in and tone down piano-shopping stress. Unfamiliar with manufacturers, manufacturing methods, materials, or price ranges, the piano buyer can still educate himself before making the big investment, saving time, money, and frustration. This is the first book written by salespeople that dispels myths and airs dirty tricks, making it an easy–to–use buyer’s guide for all the well known, and many of the not–so–well known, piano models. • How to choose from new or used, digital or acoustic, upright, grand, hybrid, or player pianos • Nearly half a million pianos are purchased annually in the United States, with Americans spending nearly $1.7 billion a year on them • Piano technicians and teachers require this accurate information to dispense advice on buying

Make sure you hit all the right notes Playing the piano is much more than just learning notes and reading music; having good dexterity, building independent finger strength, and learning proper technique is absolutely essential to mastering the instrument. Packed with everything a player needs to become a great pianist, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Piano Exercises is the perfect companion to the best-selling The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Playing Piano, Third Edition. • More than 100 challenging exercises designed to improve playing skills, including pedaling, hand crossovers, virtuoso arpeggios, playing dynamics, and more • The author owns and operates a very successful home studio, and is a virtuoso pianist

A beautifully composed journey through music history! Music history is a required course for all music students. Unfortunately, the typical music history book is dry and academic, focusing on rote memorization of important composers and works. This leads many to think that the topic is boring, but bestselling author Michael Miller proves that isn’t so. This guide makes music history interesting and fun, for both music students and older music lovers. • Covers more than Western “classical” music—also includes non-Western music and uniquely American forms such as jazz • More than just names and dates—puts musical developments in context with key historical events

Whether you are an aspiring concert pianist or just want to play keyboards in your own band, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Playing Piano and Electronic Keyboards, Second Edition will give you just what you need to know. From reading music and learning chords, to understanding music notation or buying an instrument, expert author Brad Hill tells gets you started. With more music and expanded practice sessions, the new edition of this already popular book will be a necessity for the beginner. Learn posture, positionings, fingerings, notations, drills, and advice from the masters. Also, learn how to fake your way through accompaniment, stay motivated to practice and advance to the intermediate level.

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar will show you exactly how to master the fundamentals of bass and develop your own playing style. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get: detailed advice on everything you need to learn to play bass, from choosing the right equipment to playing and improvising on your own; the low-down on scales, chords, arpeggios, and more; clear explanations that will have you reading tablature and music notation in no time; tips on getting the most out of your practice sessions." - back cover.