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Piano Buyer's Guide
by D. J. Novak
 The video, Piano Buyer's Guide, is a good introduction to the
art of piano purchasing, especially for those who have never purchased a piano before and
don't know the difference between a spinet or a studio piano, or the difference between a
baby or concert grand. The narrator takes you into a "showroom" where the
various types of pianos are available and shows the specific type of piano that he will be
discussing. While discussing the various types of pianos the narrator shows you the
insides of each piano type and goes into a factually correct analysis of the different
types of actions found in each piano. By having the different types of pianos in the same
room, one can actually get a stronger sense of the amount of floor and or wall space that
each type of piano would take.
This video's strongest point is that it goes into a factually correct analysis of the
different types of pianos available. It explains the physical, structural differences
between the different types of piano, and does so in an easy to follow manner. It also
does a good job of explaining the mechanics of the actions on the different types of
pianos as well as the terms and definitions for most standard parts on most acoustical
pianos. The video packet also includes a Piano Buyer's Checklist, and a booklet
entitled, the Piano Buyers Guide. These are helpful guides to take with when going
in to purchase a piano.
We would recommend this video to the first-time piano buyer or to anyone who is
interested in knowing more about the different types of pianos, their construction and
things to look for and/or avoid when purchasing a piano. This reviewer has shown the video
to some first-time piano purchasing parents of students and they did respond favorably to
the information given in the video.
We appreciated the fact that this video did not recommend one brand or manufacturer of
pianos over another one. This reviewer wishes, however, that the video would have stayed
away from pontificating on teachers, their roles, and expectations. While this video does
have its limitations, we would recommend it for viewing by those who are considering
buying a piano for the first time. It will prepare you to have an intelligent discussion
with a registered piano technician or knowledgeable pianist who can give you more detailed
information about investing in a new or used piano.
Please contact the distributor for the most recent price of the video
Piano Buyer's Guide, by D.J. Novak, Distributed by Wehman Video, 2366 Eastlake
E Suite 312, Seattle, Washington 98102. Phone: 206-726-0220
Bastien Piano Professor
 The Bastien Piano Professor is a video instruction course
geared towards adults who have little time or cannot travel to conventional private piano
lessons. Each level contains it's own video, plus audio reference, theory books, answer
books and even pencils. The quality of the videos themselves is first-rate. The graphics
are attractive and the teaching tools used to illustrate sight reading are excellent. The
instructor for the videos is superb. Our sincere "Hats-Off" and
"Bravo" to the instructor for filling in the blanks and explaining many basic
musical and theoretical facts which the Bastien method either does not explain fully or at
all.
This reviewer has a pedagogical argument against any notion of teaching POSITION
playing. So many students get so stuck on that one aspect of learning that, when faced
with the challenge of reading notes and/or doing stretches or jumping around the keyboard,
they simply cannot do so. Unfortunately, the Bastien Adult Method does teach position
playing, and it is for this reason that although the craftsmanship of the video, the
teaching, and the visual aids presented on the video are superb, the problems with the
method still remain in spite of all the supplemental information and advice that the
teacher wisely provided.
Another potential drawback is the need to have a monitor/TV screen in the same room as
the piano, although the package does provide a cardboard keyboard. While most situations
in homes are set up like that, many adults do have a private music room, free from all
monitors/TV screens.
We would love to see this kind of care, attention and fine craftsmanship evident in the
video applied to a much more pedagogically sound method. Perhaps, some other publishers of
adult methods will give their permission to this fine video company to do their adult
methods using an equally talented instructor and the same quality visual aids.
This video instruction course would be a good starting place for the adult amateur
student who has never had lessons before and would like to get their feet wet, before
investing their time and money in more traditional lessons. Many adult students feel that
a video instruction course is a good way to do the initial learning of the basics before
moving on to private lessons. Bastien Piano Professor is a heroic effort to correct
the fundamental problems of the Bastien method, while providing a worthwhile learn-at-home
alternative to private lessons. However, in the end, it cannot replace private lessons and
cannot fully overcome the deficiencies of the basic method, particularly the emphasis on
position playing.
Bastien Piano Professor, Distributed by Rathwell International Inc., Rural
Route #1, Brucefield, Ontario, Canada N0M 1J0. Phone 519-233-3200. Fax 519-233-3131
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The Piano Education Page, Op. 10, No. 2,
https://pianoeducation.org
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