Product Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

My little one likes the music
Our piano teacher recommended this book. The songs are simple and beautiful. My little one likes to play these songs.

Excellent!
This book is my daughter's second since beginning piano lessons a few months ago.The first was also a John Thompson book - 'For Little Fingers' - both chosen by her piano teacher.Since the teacher spoke so highly of the series I expected the books to be very good, and they are.This book also comes with a CD which is a great help between lessons to refresh my daughter's mind on how the song should sound when played correctly - ie loud, soft, slower at the end, etc., as she learns the different terms.I expect we will continue in this series for quite some time.

Brings back memories
This is a fun little book.I used it during lessons as a kid over 30 years ago.Bought a new copy recently along with some beginning piano/voice books and it's fun to go back in time.Haven't touched a piano in over 30 years so this was a great refresher for me.Pieces aren't so hard that a beginner would get discouraged.I only give 4 stars because I bought the newer edition that comes with a companion CD, and the CD really wasn't relevent to the pieces in the book in any way that'd be helpful in learning the songs themselves -- more like a music history lesson than a piano lesson.

Perfect starter for a self starter!
When I was six, I wanted to play the piano just like my mom.I tried to take lessons but hated the weekly "recital" and slow slow pace of my teacher so my mother, being the saint she is, bought me John Thompson's Modern Course.I learned not only to play with confidence, but 23 years later I accompany choirs and am teaching my own son to play out of the same books I used as a child.These courses are the perfect first books for any self-motivated student, are easy to read and comprehend, and most importantly actually teach the hows and whys of playing.The songs are interesting and are progressively more challenging, not to mention that the arrangements are some of the best I've ever seen for beginners.I highly recommend the whole series to anyone who is trying to learn to play the piano.It has given me years of enjoyment and I now have a skill that no one can take away.

Good book, songs
I used this as a kid and learned many valuable lessons. Good music and somewhat good explanations. I think this is a good start for older kids. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Love John Thompsons books!They are the best!
Love John Thompsons books!They are the best! I cant believe how fast my daughter is learning to play piano.Highly recommend this series!

piano books
The books came from Amazon faster than than my local music store was able to provide them for my students.

great book
I love this series and it really has taught my little kids how to play.

JT series
I have used JT books for a long time and I really like this method of instruction. It proceeds slowly and steadily and gives an opportunity to understand concepts. The books have a very nice way of instructing you on how to play - words are simple, diagrams are used when necessary, small examples are given for you to practice and learn. I am looking forward to completing the series. One other important thing is I think this is a great book for self-teaching piano students. I have used this book to teach myself some piano and I think I have succeeded so far... I highly recommend all the JT easiest course books.

not too bad of a book
I would have liked to have been able to view a bit of the inside of the book before I purchased it.I didn't realize how basic it was.I was looking for something that a little more indepth that had more practicing of each concept before moving on.I bought this book for my 6yr old and it goes a little too quickly over the topics for her to grasp each concept. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. Contains worksheets, reading-aloud exercises and accompaniments for teacher or parent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

I learned alot from this book
I've been taking Piano lessons since the beginning of this year. This was the the book my Piano Teacher started me on. I'm an adult who knew nothing and I mean ABSOLUTELY nothing about the Piano.

I knew nothing about where the Middle C is on the Piano or how many notes there are on the Piano. This book taught me how to read the all the notes and how to play them and very quickly too!!!

Did I feel silly learning from this book??? No way... I wanted to learn how to play the Piano and this book got me started.

It's been 7 months and I'm playing pretty good.

Granted I'm no Liberace... but hey I don't mind. I'm having a BLAST!!! :[]

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to play the piano for the very first time.

Love This Book
I love these books. I am teaching my 6 year old granddaughter to play, and I am amazed at her progress.We are also using the flash cards by Alfred Publishing.She also loves the book and wants to practice all the time. It is the best gift I can give her.

Great Beginner's Book
My 6 year old daughter, who is just starting to read, loves this book. It is simple enough that she can read the instructions, but still interesting. She loved being able to move forward through the book on her own.

GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am teaching myself and my sons!!! This is very thorough and easy to follow!!! Awesome, I'm saving a lot of money on introductary piano lessons.Will enroll the boys when we finish this program and they still show interest.

Highly recommend the whole series.
Simple and easy to understand.Great for beginners.Love John Thompsons books.Highly recommend the whole series. ... Read more

Product Description
John Thompson's classic Modern Course for the Piano from Willis Music is now available for the first time in a book/CD format! Each volume will be re-released with an eye-catching new cover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great stuff
I wouldn't use anything else.I went to the music store, looked through about 14 different kinds of beginner music teaching programs.Then I bought about 4 of them, and this was the clear winner by a mile.We're into the 3rd book and I'm very pleased.Teaches enough without being overwhelming.Songs are accessible to all ages, and my 8 year old is as engaged with the books as I am.We're both learning to play piano, and I suppose that's good enough for me!Oh - be sure and get the CDs if you are learning from scratch.Knowing how it's supposed to sound makes a big difference.

PS - Very occasionally I have to call my mom and ask her what the book means by something, as it assumes some more knowlege than I have.Having a person who knows how to play, that you can consult every once in a while, will make the process a breeze.

never too late to learn all the little things
It is never to late to pick up these books we used as a child and study and learn ALL the things that keeps us from enjoying the piano.
I was too busy being a tom boy when I could have been studying and learning all the things that are on the "ground level".SO I never have learned to "enjoy" my piano.
Going back and reviewing the first grade book I had and then I was ready for the second grade.
At 63 I am getting more enjoyment from my piano. The "John Thompsom" series are recognized and promoted by most music teachers. The basics are tought so they can be learned. ( with just a little willingness from the student) ... Read more

Product Description
John Thompson's Adult Piano Course was written with the older student in mind. They have the same musical road to travel as the younger student, but the study material for the grown-up will differ in content. These books are compiled especially for adults and contain pieces that adults like to play and hear. Many hints are given to help the student play as artistically and with as much musical understanding as possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Straightforward and concise
Unlike other modern methods of teaching the piano, this book is straightforward with the basics of playing and music itself. Important steps such as proper figering and technique are taught early and the pieces are pleasant to play. It encourages musicality itself unlike other bland books. It doesnt rely on gimmicks in order to encourage the learner. This book does work best if you have a teacher to accompany you.

Excellent method for teaching adult piano students
40 years ago I began learning to play the piano with the John Thompson series. Today I teach piano students, some children and some adults. I have reviewed many of the other methods available. I found some very trite and gimmick oriented. After attempting a couple others, I have gone back to John Thompson's method. I supplement with a theory book and a finger exercise book that enhance the learning experience. The Adult piano book 1 goes at a faster pace than the children's books. That is because the comprehension of an adult is greater than that of a child. I have also discovered that Adults apply themselves in practice more than children. They have more invested (they are paying for the lessons) so they want it to be worth their money. The Thompson book is geared toward classical content without being overly classical sounding. Classical was written to challenge the student. John Thompson has produced a method that is easy to understand, challenges the student, methodically teaches the rudiments of piano performance in an attainable way. I would recommend this book and his course to anyone.

John Thompson's Adult Piano Course
I really feel funny writing a review on John Thompson's piano courses. Come on, everybody is familiar with these courses. They are excellent. Trust me, though, you still need a teacher or you will quickly become discouraged. Playing the piano is somewhat different than just learning the chords to play a guitar. If you really are committed to learning piano, go with John Thompson and you won't be sorry.

Great Beginner's Textbook
This a great book for beginners.It is non-assuming, starts from the very basic, and takes a step by step approach on fingering and theory. It's easy to make real progress with this book.

After I got thru the first half of this book, the pieces in this book starts to become boring.I still used this book for theory, but got other books on classical music made for beginners as practices. ... Read more

Product Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. Follows uninterruptedly and in progressive sequence the musical foundation developed in Book 1. ... Read more

Product Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. Based on the fundamentals of interpretation: form, mood and style. Carries on without interruption the musicianship developed in Book 2. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive and made easy to understand
My very first piano book was John Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" and that was 50 years ago, all through the years, I have learned how to play piano with John Thompson's music (piano) books. These piano books have been passed on from one sibling to the other and lend to relatives and friends, for this reason they are already falling apart, but I'm glad that I could purchased new ones with the hope that my grandkids will learn to play the same way I did. These books are very comprehensive, made easy to understand, beautiful music written for the purpose of teaching people to play the "real" music. Every now and then, I play those music pieces it's like walking down memory lane!

Acceptable
This book was one of the the requirements when I started taking piano lessons. It came in in good time, looking fresh and clean. The material is indeed on a third grade level. I would recommend this. ... Read more

Product Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. Proceeds in all directions from the point of advancement reached at the end of the Third Grade book with particular emphasis given to style. ... Read more

Product Description
A series for the early beginner combining rote and note approach. The melodies are written with careful thought and are kept as simple as possible, yet they are refreshingly delightful. All the music lies within the grasp of the child's small hands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Teaching Little Fingers to Play: A Book for the Earliest Beginner (John Thompsons)
Pros:
A very good lesson book for beginner's piano.

Cons:
None.

teaching little fingers to play
very happy with music shared in book.Keeps my two young girls interested.greatprice and delivery.

Piano Made Easy
As a child I was taught piano with this same lesson series.The new edition has the same easy to learn lesson approach with the added attraction of colorful cartoon figures to make it more interesting to youngsters.
The key to the success of this series is making the lessons progressive in challenge so that even from the first lesson the student is rewarded by a sense of satisfaction of accomplishment.This sense of accomplishment and learning keeps the student interest level high.

Excellent book!Complete and easy to understand!
Great buy!Love the contents.Its a wonderful book, everything and more than we expected.My daughter loves it!
She is learning so fast!I have never learned music, and we are able to learn together.So simple, and easy to understand.Also, covers all a new beginner needs... complete.Highly recommend the whole series.

Wishing for more...
I bought this book a few months ago based on the Amazon reviews, so I felt compelled to review it myself.This book, while full of wonderful pictures, isn't the best book for a child younger than six or seven.It doesn't teach how to read music, and instead creates its own alternative method for reading music, which has not held my younger students' attention.Unfurtunately, it doesn't provide enough instruction geared towards that age group.I will keep this book on the shelf and try again with older beginning students. ... Read more

Product Description
The Modern Course series provides a clear and complete foundation in the study of the piano that enables the student to think and feel musically. It may be preceded by the Teaching Little Fingers to Play series. Pianism and musicianship march on in this book and the student becomes increasingly familiar with works from the masters. ... Read more

Product Description
Thompson's popular Note Speller includes drills in notation and musical rudiments for the piano student. Notes are presented so that learning to read notes goes hand-in-hand with the student's piano lessons. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Piano for beginners.
My students hate this! I know the value and try to encourage them, but it makes music too much like school to them. Sorry to say, I don't use it very often because of this.

How it all started
I'll never forget this book 26 years ago when I started to learn how to play the piano. Now it is the DH who wants lessons, followed by my 5 year old DD. Again, I turned to John Thompson's Note Speller to get them started. You don't even need to really know how to play the piano or read music to use this book. It is a great basis for further piano instruction..

You need this book.
IF you're serious about learning Piano, or just playing around with it, this book is a must.The lessons and notes you learn are helpful at any level of play. ... Read more

Product Description
10 new graded arrangements of popular Christmas songs that students will love to play, including: Blue Christmas * Caroling, Caroling * Do You Hear What I Hear * (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays * Jingle Bells * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * Parade of the Wooden Soldiers * Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer * Silver and Gold * Silver Bells. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This Book Can Have The Opposite Effect The Author Intends
The author wants you to become familiar with the great scholars and fathers of the church's past so that the weight of the entire church's reflection can be felt upon your preaching. I think in principle that this is a good idea. Thompson takes some of the more puzzling passages of scripture (Hosea marrying a prostitute, Abraham and Sarah sending away Hagar and Ishmael after they created the problem to begin with, women not being able to speak in church, divorce and remarriage in the Bible, Jephthah's daughter being offered up as a burnt sacrifice, violence toward women in Scripture, etc). The author then gives us the reflections of Origen, Tertullian, Luther, Calvin, Erasmus, Bucer, Augustine and others.

The book is fascinating, but the interpretations of these passages are often allegorical or far-fetched or off the beaten path, and part of the reason is because the early church fathers didn't have access to the historical and cultural background that sheds light on the meaning of the passages. For example, the early fathers didn't know that both animals and people would have lived in Jephthah's house, they didn't know that Hosea marrying a prostitute was an example of a prophet acting out what God was doing with His people (something we see in Ezekiel 3-4).

Moreover, most of the patristic fathers didn't interpret these passages in theological context. For example, the weird and the wacky stories in Judges fits in with the overall theme of the book (without God, people do stupid things, or better put, The failures and foibles of God's people show how much we need God's Word and God's Guidance).

I realize how this going to sound to some people "Only the new is true. We are much more enlightened and knowledgeable today." Let me be clear: The church fathers have wonderful things to say about growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I love reading the fathers for devotional thoughts. I just feel that interpreters today have a better handle on the meaning of the text.

So I came away from this book thinking "Thank God for these brave fathers, we stand on their shoulders. But at the same time, Thank God for the historical, theological, and exegetical insights of theologians today."

Engaging and Accessible Snapshot of the History of Exegesis
This book is a highly readable and engaging look at the history of biblical interpretation, presented in the form of nine case studies of some of scripture's most difficult texts. Thompson gives a brief overview of how commentators from the early church through the Reformation made sense of such troubling stories and teachings as the sacrifice of Jephthah's daughter, the imprecatory psalms, and Paul's words about women's role in the church. The format and purpose of the book do not allow for detailed summaries, but the cumulative effect is sufficient to impress upon the reader the humility to realize that our generation is not the first to recognize the problems and challenges in these passages.

Conversing with the likes of Augustine, Erasmus, and Vermigli about these passages can embolden the modern preacher and teacher to reclaim these texts, often considered too difficult, obscure or embarrassing to explore. And Thompson aids this process by including at the end of each chapter a handful of lessons on how to appropriate these texts in our own day, and on how to read scripture more generally.

By looking at how a wide variety of premodern commentators regarded these particular texts, the reader is also given a helpful overview of these commentators' various theological frameworks, and of the guiding interpretive principles of their ages. Many readers are familiar with the general theological outlooks of heavyweights like Calvin and Luther, but most are unfamiliar with other important figures like Denis the Carthusian, Wolfgang Musculus, and Nicholas Lyra, and this book provides a helpful introduction to these men. There is also a scattering of interesting tidbits about various theologians and their times (did you know that Martin Luther for a time advocated bigamy, as a lesser offense than divorce?; were you aware that cattle-rustling in the middle ages was an acceptable reason for divorce?).

The final chapter makes a convincing case for the importance of modern-day people who love Jesus and respect the church to be acquainted with the history of exegesis and to be in conversation with Christians of the past. A lengthy appendix provides detailed endnotes, an identification list of premodern commentators mentioned in the book, and a "finding guide" for further reading of source material.

Throughout the book, Thompson gives a defense of the often-embattled church. To be a Christian ultimately means to follow Christ--but following Christ includes engaging with the historical church that Christ calls his body, and which he enjoins to carry his message and do his work in the world.

Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
10 more Christmas favorites, including: Because It's Christmas (For All the Children) * The Chipmunk Song * Christmas Is * Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy * Frosty the Snow Man * I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day * I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus * Jingle, Jingle, Jingle * Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! * My Favorite Things. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more. Contains worksheets, reading-aloud exercises and accompaniments for teacher or parent. ... Read more

Product Description
This collection features 10 titles carefully arranged to correspond with Grade 3 of the John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano series. Includes: Carol of the Bells * I'll Be Home for Christmas * It's Beginning to Look like Christmas * Jingle-Bell Rock * A Marshmallow World * Merry Christmas, Darling * The Most Wonderful Day of the Year * Pat-A-Pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum) * Wonderful Christmastime * You're All I Want for Christmas. ... Read more

Product Description
14 classic Christmas carols arranged in a simple and unadorned style by renowned pianist and pedagogue John Thompson. Perfect for a student, an amateur pianist, and cozy family sing-alongs. This recently updated edition features lyrics, as well as the original illustrations by George Williams. Songs include: Away in a Manger * Deck the Hall * The First Noel * Good King Wenceslas * Hark! The Herald Angels Sing * It Came Upon the Midnight Clear * Jingle Bells * Silent Night * and many more! ... Read more

Product Description
10 songs that can be used on their own, or as a supplement to John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano or any other method. Includes: Beauty and the Beast * Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo * Castle on a Cloud * Climb Ev'ry Mountain * Getting to Know You * The Glory of Love * Goodnight, My Someone * Medley from The Phantom of the Opera * Tomorrow * Yesterday. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

More to love!
The third book in the Willis Popular Solos series doesn't disappoint!10 songs that correspond with John Thompson's Modern Course book 3.These are fun to play, no matter what level you're at (particularly 'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.')Also 'Castle on a Cloud,' 'Yesterday,' and a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera.''Beauty and the Beast' is written over 3 staves, and teaches hand crossing.This book is also available with a CD for enhanced accompaniment.
... Read more