A First Book of Beethoven: For The Beginning Pianist with Downloadable MP3s (Dover Classical Piano Music For Beginners)

I am in the process of learning piano, and so I ordered this book (and another in the series) to try to expand my sheet music library. I played the melody easily for "Ode to Joy" (included in this book). Two things I really like about it: the print is fairly large and easy to read, and if you can't read notes really well for a beginner, or you are just learning to sight read, it includes fingering numbers. BUT, while the book is written for beginners, it is written based on the assumption that you have already learned what terms such as "Allegretto", "Moderato", and "Andante" are. I have not gotten that far in my learning process yet, and the "teach yourself to play piano" book does not include these in the course. I will have to do further study and advance more before I find out. Now while this book promises that it comes with MP3 downloads, I did not find any reference to these in the book about where to go to download said bonus MP3 files. It would be nice if I could find them, so that I can hear what these are supposed to sound like and at least play by ear. It is likely they are on the book publisher's website somewhere, and I will definitely edit this review when I find out for sure where they are. One more thing and this is just me: I usually take a pencil and mark my sheet music with notes, rather than the fingering numbers because I get confused when it comes to playing a left hand by fingering number, as I tend to play the pinky on left hand as a 1 rather than the thumb, and every piece of music I will encounter in the future will not always include fingering numbers: it will expect me to know how to read notes but this is just something I personally do to help myself play. For example on Ode to Joy the first note in the melody shows an F. BUT the fingering number shows a 3 which I have been taught is the E, and the middle finger when you start with middle C. This may look like a typo at first but it is not. It says at the front of the book that fingerings are provided as a suggestion and are not to be taken too literally, since each person plays differently, and tht teachers and students alike can be the best judges about how to best go about playing. So this is just something to keep in mind; I tried it both ways though, so it works both ways. If you go by notes it is just a bit more advanced. It's designed so you can improvise and make it your own as you progress in skill. Some people like fingering numbers, some like notes, but it's good for those who still can't read sheet music all that well. You're playing it either way and only the player or an extremely skilled listener is going to know the difference. This sort of goes against how I was taught since I was taught to always put the right finger on the right note to lessen confusion, then comes sheet music that tells you not to sweat it, but I guess if you are able to play it and make it sound right, this is ultimately all that matters since the book is designed to help a beginner appreciate the music of various classical composers and is for all ages. This one just happens to be Beethoven. There are dozens of different books in this series for all different composers and skill levels and the books are inexpensive. All in all, these are pretty neat and simple to follow books, intended to help the beginning pianist to develop skills.

I am so happy with this book! As a new, adult piano student it is just what I wanted. Since "easy piano" is not always suited for a beginner, this book is a welcome resource. The downloadable MP3 versions of the music make a great reference for how you are supposed to sound. I read treble clef quite easily from previous woodwind experience, but the bass clef is a real challenge. These pieces have a nice variety of both. Great beginner book.

There is plenty here to work with for a beginning piano student (hence the four stars) but the excerpts of songs I know (like Moonlight Sonata) are much too short. Very disappointing. I did find another somewhat simplified arrangement by G. Horsely on Sheet Music Direct. Still far too complicated for me to play but at least I can add a few of the missing notes. Regarding the MP3 downloads: you can find them on doverpublications dot com at the bottom of the book description.

Ok...for a beginner...I wish they had taken it a little bit farther. Guess, I just have to wait for the intermediate book.

These books are exactly what we have been looking for. Our studio, Fox Music Instruction (find us on Facebook), has a focus on inspiring our students to explore the depth of expression found in classical music. Because of this, we have found it somewhat difficult to source arrangements of classical masterpieces that are appropriate for the level of our students. These books address that need wonderfully. There are around a dozen "First books" focusing on a single composer's works and two other books that are more general and help students explore many different composers' works in the same book. The only downside to the series is that there are no offerings specifically suited to primer or early level 1 students. These books are more levels 2-4 approximately. However, that does not detract from the value of what is offered in my view. We have decided to implement these books as a regular part of the repertoire curriculum for our students (who are of the right level) henceforth. In summation, while these books may not suit the needs of every student or studio, they do a wonderful job suiting the vision of our studio and the needs of many of our students!

My little grandson loves classical music, so I've purchased a number of these Beginning Pianist books for him. They offer a little information about the composer and about each piece of music, along with the first page or two of sheet music for each piece. The sheet music is very simplified, so it's not overwhelming for a child. Highly recommend.

Very happy with this music book. My 9 year old can play "Fur Elise"! Granted, not the whole thing... This series (I got Mozart and Chopen as well) give beginners a chance to play famous works and introduce kids to a wonderful world of classical music, making it acceptable at the beginners level. Highly recommend it.

The book is fine and easy enough; however the pieces are short. A few measures of such great work is frustrating; but it's easy to play.

Libro de reducciones para principiantes, excelente como complemento. No intenta ser un método a pesar de que los temas van aumentando en grado de dificultad y en extensión. Si fuera literatura diría que es lectura ligera para los niños. Me gusta que los alumnos principiantes no tienen que esperar dos o tres años para tocar Beethoven por primera vez

Perfect for beginners or those who are learning again. Practice makes perfect right!

Nice

Linda selecao de músicas, mas achei as partituras fáceis demais por se tratar de um livro para adultos.

L'ho comprato sperando di trovare altro...i brani sono molto corti. Non mi ha entusiasmato. Pensavo di farne un uso maggiore invece rimarrà relegato in libreria.