When I Sit Down to Play

by Joan St. James

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1575666197
• ISBN13: 9781575666198
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I liked it!

As a professional singer, I greatly enjoyed the chapter on arranging. What a unique concept for a book.

Review

What sets this book apart from the rest is its motivational style. When I Sit Down to Play not only gives you the tools to learn how to play the piano, but it convinces you that you can do it.

Great info!

This book packed so much information into 166 pages. It was great - concisely written.

A practical approach to piano playing

When I Sit Down To Play, by Joan St. James, is an easily accessible refreshing book that takes the mystery, but not the mystique, out of playing the piano. Organized in eight chapters, Ms. St. James takes the reader by the hand to better understand the basics of music. She gives practical advice as to how to find a teacher, how to practice, and how to purchase a piano. She also describes techniques for song writing and finally tells the reader where to find opportunities for playing the piano. The text is interspersed with musical examples to illustrate key points. The appendices are full of valuable information that lets the reader go into more depth. Overall as an amateur musician who only knows how to hunt and peck notes on the keyboard I found this book very useful and a pleasure to read.

NOT JUST ANOTHER "HOW TO PLAY" BOOK

A new fresh idea on the usual "how to play the piano" books. This is more of a guide --- for beginners and intermediate players ---- about how to play the piano for a living. The book details how to start out on this path --- what to do, who to contact (and how to find them). Definitely worth a look!