Customer Reviews for The Billy Joel Keyboard Book
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Liz
Location: from carlsbad, Ca.
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
February 10, 2012
don't buy it
I should have looked at the reviews before I waisted my money. They are not written even close to the original. What a waist of sheet music!
2 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Nick Par
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Early intermediate
December 14, 2011
Well worth it
Fantastic - slightly different to the other BJ sheet music books & very enjoyable & accurate
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Sharon
Location: from Newfield, NY
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 18, 2009
really great arrangements
This book is really great. Really well done and true to the original charts. If you have the piano chops you can sound just like Billy!
20 of 40 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Akron Ohio
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 1, 2008
Good but could be better...
The only problem with this book is that Billy puts most of the meledy into his lyrics and solo instruments... This book DOES give you an extreamly close version of what billy plays, but you have to remember that Billy has a band that usually plays with him... I like the book either way, its very nice, but I just wanted to put that thought out there for other people buying this book.
24 of 50 people found this review helpful.
Glen
Location: from NY
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
May 21, 2008
Great songs; simple to play
My biggest confusion is why so many people consider this to be "intermediate/advanced" material. I am a new piano player and found this material to be very straightforward. I think anyone can nail these songs with a little practice. Don't let the other reviewers intimidate you. If you love Billy joel and want to learn these songs, get this book regardless of your skill level.
25 of 47 people found this review helpful.
Max
Location: from Detroit
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
May 21, 2008
The best Billy Joel book out there
Has complete and real transcriptions to many of Billy Joel's hits. Not watered down like the other books.
18 of 38 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Seattle, WA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
May 19, 2008
need more melody
I had hoped to have more of the melody written into the keyboard book. Since it was called a keyboard book, I thought this would be a piano solo book. This is a good collection of songs and the renditions are accurate.
16 of 38 people found this review helpful.
Martin
Location: from Sydney Australia
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
April 30, 2008
Pretty good
I think the music is well set out and appears to be quite accurate to the original, though I haven't really checked for sure. Just one mistake I have found. On page 76 the second grand staff should be a treble and base clef instead to two treble clefs.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
vocalgoddess
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
April 3, 2008
Billy Joel
Pretty decent - best one I've seen. You'll have to omit the melody in certain sections if you want it to sound authentic. It's a great book if you have the ability to edit a bit as you go.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Phil
Location: from Manchester, UK
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
March 24, 2008
Ultimate Joel
Just like the EJ Keyboard Book, this is exactly what Billy plays. They need to make more books with accurate transcriptions; there aren't enough for piano but loads for guitar. Great choice of songs. They should do a second volume with Miami 2017, Angry Young Man, Only The Good Die Young etc.
7 of 12 people found this review helpful.
juanita
Location: from charlotte nc
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 24, 2008
excellent!
I would recommend this book for the intermediate level pianist. The melody line is separate from the chords so you will need to be able to incorporate the melody and chords if you want to play the pieces as solos.
6 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
December 26, 2007
Best Billy Joel Book There Is
This is the best Billy Joel Book you'll find anywhere. This has it exactly as it was played by Billy Joel. For the longest time I've been trying to find sheet music like this. It's perfect. This is a must buy for Billy Joel fans.
6 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Vince
Location: from Virginia
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 26, 2007
must buy
If you are a Billy Joel fan, this is the book you must buy. The song selection is excellent. And it is a thrill to play music that is much closer, if not exact, to what he recorded and plays in concert. Because the majority of what is transcribed is the accompanyment, you might wish to combine with the melody (or the more standard sheet music) unless someone is singing along. New York State of Mind and Piano Man are the standouts in this selection. I happen to prefer the more standard "Billy Joel's Greatest Hits" piano book for Just the Way you Are and My Life. This said, with this book you can still "spice up" those more standard pieces. Enjoy.
5 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Janet
Location: from Dallas, Tx
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
November 26, 2007
Not for piano solos
This book is great if you are playing with a band or plan to have someone sing along with you. It is not good for piano solos though as the melody is not written for the piano on most songs. I play piano solos, purchased the book and wish I could return it because it's not what I was looking for. Live and Learn! I still love Billy Joel and will keep looking for a piano solo book.
6 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Doug
Location: from Michigan
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
November 6, 2007
Not Really for Solo Piano
Piano transcription does not contain the melody/voice line for most songs. So if you can't sing and play at the same time or read 3 clefs into 2, you will be disappointed in this book. Get Billy Joel Complete. It is an awesome book for piano solo
6 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
September 24, 2007
Not Bad
This book is a pretty decent book for Billy Joel fans if you don't want to get too complicated. However, if you want more complete and less watered down versions of his songs, you might want to look further.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Woody
Location: from Diamondhead, MS
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 17, 2007
The Perfect Billy Joel Starting Point!!!
Don't let all the Intermediate/advanced ratings in the reviews fool you.... This is a book that anyone can play and, with enough practice, sound just like Billy Joel arranged it himself!!! Yes, there could have been more songs included but why? Learn these these songs as Billy does them and order one of the other books that does include your favorite songs and transcribe the sound to them yourself? Learn. Then apply what you have learned. If you want to sound like Billy himself this IS the starting point.
3 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Sebastian
Location: from NJ
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 13, 2007
Absolutely fantastic
I am also a fifteen year old self-taught piano, (sensing a theme here), and I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning the secretes of "the Billy Joel". Disapointed with the song selection, however. Angry Young Man, Leave a Tender Moment, and Vienna should all have been included in this collection.
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 16, 2007
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great book. If you want to play like the piano man this is the book for you. The hardest part about this book is the rythyms. Chords aren't to hard if you're an early advanced player. Great song selection including the great piano solo at the beginning of New York State of Mind and the piano solo in Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Companies like Hal Leonard should make more note for note transcription books like these. They have plenty for guitar but not many for piano. Also recommended is the Elton John Keyboard Book.
4 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Chris Engel
Location: from Ocean City, MD
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
June 29, 2007
This is what I'm talkin about!
Great book and great tunes by one of my favorite artists! I just wish there would be many more books like this that have the REAL keyboard parts...
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
May 14, 2007
Great Transcriptions, but poor selection
The songs that are here are very good and mostly accurate. I agree that Tell Her About It and Streetlife Serenader should not be here, epecially since ONly the Good Die young is missing as well as Vienna, Angry Young Man, and The Entertainer. I am also 15 and don't take lessons anymore, but I learned all of these pieces fairly easily. Scenes is easily the hardest piece to learn on the great selection.
4 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Sam Arnold
Location: from Gladstone, Oregon
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 31, 2007
It's About Time!
This is possibly the best music book I've played from. I can't believe that Hal Leonard hasn't made this style of transcriptions the norm for all of their books. I think that they would like the larger profit they would be recieving and the customers would like the transcriptions and the book itself better. The only complaints I have are there could have been more songs and it's a little spendy for the amount in it, otherwise a great, great book! I am a 15 year old completely self-taught pianist as well, and I think that anyone, Joel fan or not should buy this book if they can play piano.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Jordan. J
Location: from New Jersey
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 13, 2007
Awesome
Im 15 and I am a mainly self taught pianist, and I found that about 12/16 total songs in this are not that hard to learn, if you put the time into it. The only reservation that i have, is that the Piano solo in Scenes, (just before the ballad of brenda and eddy starts) sounds a little different from what u hear on the Stranger Album.And Instead of putting Streetlife Serenader, The Stranger, and Tell Her about it, should have included his better known hits like Miami 2017 and All About Soul, Vienna and Zanzibar instead, however it truly is a great book. Probably the hardest song in the book (for me at least ) is She's Always A Woman because of its constant time changes and such. Overall a great book, but if you are a begginner then i suggest looking to another book becuase Billy knows his stuff ^.^
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Ben A.
Location: from New Jersey
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 21, 2007
WOW!!!
This is the type of sheet music I've been looking for. Not the simplified, mass-market stuff you find in music stores, but the Real McCoy. Your piano playing will sound just like Billy Joel. Definitely not for the beginner--experienced pianists only, especially those who want to both play and sing. The Elton John book by the same publisher is equally terrific.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Skipper Stradtman
Location: from Birmingham, AL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
December 25, 2006
THE BEST THERE IS!
This book is amazing. If you ever wanted to play Billy Joel music the way it is on the CD, this is the book for you. But you probably need to be good at piano. The only small problem is that there are only 16 songs, but I hope there will be a sequel. You will have no regrets if you get this book
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Mike T
Location: from NY
November 5, 2006
The Best Joel Book Available
Well..the title says it all...this is the best Billy Joel song book out there. If you want to play the solos and get crowds singing along, this is the book to buy. A few of the solos are intermediate/advances, but the rest of the book is intermediate. Best songs (in my opinion) are Piano Man [and Scenes from an Italian restaurant!]... I'm waiting for a volume two! Write to the publisher and request one ;-). The transcriptions are accurate, but the fun is still there--you can listen to the CD and try to pick out the live versions of the solos! Good luck, and happy playing.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Frustrated Mediorce Musician
Location: from Cleveland
October 4, 2006
I've been Waiting for this type of book!
I've always been frustrated by sheet music! It never reflects what is being played by the artist, it's often wrong (see how other versions of piano man cite the 3rd bar as Am (not F/A (and other variations)like in this book) and in the wrong key! All that said, folks that mention some of the melodies are wrong (e.g., Middle part of Scence (some of it may be he's not really singing perfect notes and he's bending and gracing into them and that's hard to transcribe) are right, and folks that mention it can sound "empty" if you you don't fill in a bit are some areas (Piano man is a good example, You need to add the d/f#,e/g,f#a coming out of the interlude because in the song it's handled by an accordian I think and not written out for the piano. I love the fact the intro to Piano man was written out! Hello! we all don't have ears good enough to figure that out! (But don't be a slave to the notes, use them as a guide and them put your on touch on it!
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from NJ
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 26, 2006
Fantastic
This is an excellent book and is definitely worth the money but i wish hal would come out with another one that includes some songs like The Ballad of Billy the Kid and Root Beer Rag.. PLEASE HAL COME OUT WITH ANOTHER BJ BOOK!!!!!!!!
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Mike
Location: from NY
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
July 3, 2006
Best Joel Book Yet
This is by far the most accurate and enjoyable Billy Joel sheet out there. Everyone need to call the publisher and request a part II!
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Boston
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 24, 2006
Not Really for Paino Solo
It is a very complete book but not that great for a paino solo. The parts are written to be played by a band and if played only on a paino it will sound somewhat empty. Be prepared to improvise if you intend to use it only for a paino solo. Otherwise, it is a great book.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Spunky
Location: from PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 16, 2006
I agree man
im gonna write again because i agree , wheres part 2? This book is amazing but so many great pieces are missing, to add one more Baby Grand. So make us Bill Joel fans happy and put out another book please
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
David Bremmer
Location: from Leiden, Netherlands
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 6, 2006
Hal Leonard, give us another great book!
There are many Billy Joel pianobooks out there, but this is the REAL thing: if you are looking for the actual transcriptions Billy Joel plays on his records,this is the only book to buy. From the cool interludes of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant to the intro and solo of pianoman. Only shame: why didn't Hal Leonard already put out the BJ Keyboard Book part 2?? I'm waiting for Leningrad, Root beer rag, Stiletto, The mexican connection, Lullaby, Good night Saigon and more of Billy's great piano tunes... So please Hal Leonard, for the sake of all pianoplayers: dont'let us wait,we want more!
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Spunky
Location: from PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 3, 2006
truly the best
I am a huge billy joel fan so i got this book, and it is unbelievable. A true note for note collection of some great pieces. But i think they could have put in a few more like Leningrad, Baby Grand, and Lullably. Anyway it still is one of the best books i have ever seen, a must get for rock n roll piano fans
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 31, 2005
This is the best there is
I am very pleased with the songs in this book. The intro on the song Piano Man is exactly like it is on the CD. It is my favorite song, and I played it at my cousin's wedding reception along with Just the Way You Are, it brought tears to everyones eyes!
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Middletown, DE
Difficulty Level:
Not sure
December 22, 2005
Wow
This book is great! It sounds just like the song. Im glad i have this book and I have a great time playing it
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Jake
Location: from West Bend, Wisconsin
June 25, 2005
Makes you sound like Billy Joel himself!
This is one of the most incredible piano books money can buy! All the songs are note-for-note transcripsions so you sound just like Billy Joel. You can't go wrong with this book. This is a MUST BUY! Now all i nead is a authentic Queen piano book!
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Mike
Location: from Groton, MA
April 28, 2005
The Best
This is the one. Best Billy Joel music out there. If you want to play Billy's songs like they are on the albums than this is the book to buy. Very authentic. A pleasure to play.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Anthony
Location: from Mesa, AZ
Difficulty Level:
Early intermediate
January 17, 2005
Keyboard Classic
This is truly a "keyboard book" of rare proportions. If you enjoy playing BJ's music, then the songs in this collection will be quite enjoyable. As a long time fan, I was glad to see the precision of "New York State of Mind" intro written to perfection. With respect to the other review and the "Scenes..." solo; the only thing I can say is, that solo is written as best as can be expected and if you have half and ear for music, it sets you in the right direction. You have to admit, Billy may not even know what the heck he was playing in that solo...99% of the people who will ever hear you play it, would never know a note or two wasn't played or the "melody" was off...TONS of fun for the BJ Fan. I love it and I'm not a trained pianist by any means.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
patrick d
Location: from mississauga, ON, CANADA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 31, 2004
Notes are correct.... melody is wrong
k... i bought this book after reading many reviews and i was pleased to some extent but, it could have been a little better. many of the notes are indeed written correctly in the book but the melody is written wrong. Example - in the solo in "Scenes in an italian restaurant" the middle solo that i think everyone wishes they could play is totall written wrong melody wise and i have tryed playing it to the actual song but it is impossible. There a many songs such as captain jack that have melodys writen wrong and possibly the notes to. Overall this was worth the money as i have learned many solos billy joel has and only wish they had more.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Reno nv
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
December 9, 2004
easy and fun
i bought this book for my 14 year old daughter and she loved it it was easy to read and understand for her .she is into playing the older songs and this a great edetion to her collection
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Eric
Location: from San Antonio, TX
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 8, 2004
Great book
I dont need to add this review because there are about 1000 other ones, all but one giving it 5 stars. I dont know what the other guy's issue is. If you want a Billy Joel book that sounds exactly like his music, you have to buy this book. Case closed.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from New Jersey
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 27, 2004
BILLY JOEL BIBLE
This is the only Billy Joel piano book I know of that contani the music for songs exactly as they're recorded. Although it only has a few of Billy's hits, it has a nice balance of songs that are perfect for someone who can sing(well) and would like to entertain. THIS BOOK IS MY BILLY JOEL BIBLE
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Leland
Location: from Olympia. Washington
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
July 2, 2004
Rad; and by rad i mean totally sweet
This book is really really great. I've only been playing piano for about 3 years and i can play pretty much everything in this book if you sit and take the time you practice it all. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to play and sing billy joel music.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
C. Lincoln
Location: from Hong Kong
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
June 13, 2004
IT'S ALL TRUE !!!
This book has changed the way I look at my own playing. With the melody removed from the right hand (it's about time) and left for me to sing....I get much more involved. The emotion that was missing for so long in my playing is now there as my hands and voice work together. NY State of Mind is awesome -- not easy to sing, but very rewarding and very much open to interpretation. I would love to see Stilleto done in this way. Sadly, 'Scenes' is just a bit beyond me..but a great buy.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Ginny
Location: from SC
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
April 23, 2004
SO WHERE ARE THE REST, HAL LEONARD?
Have been playing the piano for 53 years. This is the ONLY "original transcript" I have EVER purchased that lived up to the name "original". If you want to play it the way it was written, this is your book! Hal, don't stop now. We need more !!! PLEEEASE !!!!!!!!!!!
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Jesse
Location: from Mt Pleasant
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
January 24, 2004
Great, but not perfect.
This book has excellent transcriptions for those who want to play the authentic songs. Be careful, though, as there are some mistakes, such as in "And So It Goes", the baseline is written 2 whole steps higher than Billy Joel plays it. I had to listen to the song again after playing it cause it sounded a little off. It pays to listen to all the songs in this book to make sure everything is right. Could have used more songs, such as Miami 2017, Vienna, and Leningrad. If you play piano, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It is challenging, but well worth the effort.
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Denver, CO
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 25, 2003
Great , but know where it came from
Everything the reviewers have said about this collection is 100% correct... That being said, it should also be pointed out that this music was created, recorded & performed with other musicians -- so I'd just recommend you think about what that means before you buy this. It's kinda cool to pick up some 'piano-only' licks & intros he does, but when you play the full songs alone at the piano (and especially if you have no interest in trying to sing along while playing), there is a different effect than when a tune is accompanied by bass, drums, horns, vocals, etc. If just playing from this book alone, you won't have that kind backup, so the songs won't have quite the same affect on your audience. In many cases, you need more than just the piano playing-part to make it sound right (which is why the majority of material here was played in a band). If that won't be an issue for you, pick this one up.
4 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Josh
Location: from Chillicothe, Ohio
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
October 7, 2003
Exactly like the Recording
This is a great book. Everything is exactly like the recording. My only complaint is that is doesn't have Miami 2017. Otherwise this is the best $23.00 I've ever spent.
3 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Nate Ellsworth
Location: from Sunderland, MA
October 2, 2003
everything's the same that Joel plays
I used this book to play piano man for a school cabaret and everything was exactly as Billy Joel played it in the original recording
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Nicole
Location: from San Antonio, Tx
August 15, 2003
Excellent
Like this book needs anymore reviews! Anyway, this book is great! It is exactly what Billy Joel plays so you dont have to worry about buying some crap piece which has the melody written into the right hand. The transcriptions are right on and it has some of his best! I only wish it had more songs, like Miami 2017 or Vienna, but it is worth every penny!
5 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Jeff
Location: from Knoxville, TN
June 18, 2003
POWERFUL
This book takes you from being that little kid playing dumbed down versions of songs to being Billy Joel. This book is hopefully one of many more to come of authentic transcriptions with solos, unique runs, and fills. Simply a great great book.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
adrian caliboso
Location: from far east
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
October 16, 2002
too short
its about time -- thats all i have to say. now my only complaint about the book is that its too short and you put lame and weak songs in there, ballad of billy the kid, say good bye to holly wood, big shot, i see many people asking for summer highland falls, vienna, miami twenty seventeen, lullabye and baby grand. if you would fix that i can die happily. i mean really. you guys would be the best if you would just get rid of that stupid incorporating the melody with the piano part. weak! all in all worth the five stars and the money get it maybe hal will catch a hint.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
stuart miller
Location: from ten
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
October 13, 2002
i need more
this is like a habit forming drug. i learned to play most of the songs in the book and now i need more like an "H" addict i need another fix. but i dont understand why not a complete scores book like they did for the beatles, or jimi hendrix, they need to add miami 2017, vienna, big shot, summer highland falls. etc more more more more. im gonna go play some more, buy the book. if you already have it buy it for a friend. maybe it will encourage hal leonard to make more books like this.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Kevin
Location: from Wicklow Ireland
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 4, 2002
At last the the genuine article!
This book is as good as the other reviewers say.I got tired of searching in music shops to find that they either didnt have what I wanted or else had a modified version of it so I gave this site a try. I must admit I'm impressed with the book,I mainly bought it for piano man and admit I'm not familiar with some of the other songs, maybe being Irish I only recognise the really popular ones but if theres ones in there you like get it now! If you have been playing piano for over a year I would imagine that with patience you would play whats in here, the music is readable so dont let that hold you back but as we all know hitting notes is one thing making music is quite another!!!! happy playing.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Matthew S
Location: from Richmond, MI
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 17, 2002
This is the way it should be!
I can't put into words how happy I am with the arrangements in this book. There should be more music out there like this so "average Joe" can play what they hear!
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
joe joe
Location: from tuscon airazon
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 3, 2002
OH rapture!!!!!
OH... my... GOD!!! i can't believe this... this is amazing... this books got it all, yet it needs more ...the elton john key board book had like 18 songs... this only has like 12... whats the dill?????? and billy is way cooler then elton.... ps. this book is exact in playing. just like my man willy does on the albums... pps. uh hal leonard thats one (two if you count the elton john one and maybe three for queen and four for the beatles) but thats it you people have got too push out more where is miami 2017, say good bye to holly wood, vienna, summer higland falls. urgh
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Mike
Location: from Texas
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 27, 2002
Dream come true
I am a college piano major and Billy Joel is my main musical idol. I've been pretty good at figuring out his stuff by ear, but it is hard sometimes to hear what both the right and left hand are doing over the guitar and drums and stuff. These transcriptions are the real thing! True, I wish Summer Highland Falls was in there, but what IS in there is wonderful. I highly recommend this book.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
J. Livingston
Location: from Johnstown, PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
May 1, 2002
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is extremely great!!! If you listen to any of these songs, and say that you want to play it, this is your book! The way I practice is I will play the CD and play the music from this book. It is the exact same thing! Out of 1-10, I give this book an 11. It is kind of hard, so don't expect to get everything the first day.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
M. Young
Location: from New York, NY
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 22, 2002
Not enough
Some of these arrangements are invaluable ("Scenes", "NY State of Mind"). Still, one wonders why other arrangements were included. As a piano player, I'm not all that interested in (or inspired by) the piano part to "The Stranger". Meanwhile, other arrangements, such as "Honesty", don't offer much more than what is included in 'Billy Joel Complete'. This book is lacking only in what it omits--namely, Piano gems such as "Summer Highland Falls" and "Legend of Billy the Kid".
6 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Rob
Location: from PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 11, 2002
Bravo!
This is a wonderful book of authentic piano transcription- note for note how Billy plays. More piano transcriptions of this caliber should be made available for rock, blues, jazz, and gospel piano. I spent too many years purchasing arrangements that sounded nothing like the artists played- one of the mysteries of learning to play piano. I would gladly purchase further materials transcribed in this manner for piano. I highly recommend this book.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
matthew
Location: from philly
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 9, 2002
FINALLY
Finally, a book where you can play what the artist played. I truly enjoyed this book. I still play it. Billy Joel is a Fantastic Piano player and this book has the exact notes that he played on his cds. i hope to see more books like this by billy joel and other artists.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Craig
Location: from Lafayette, IN
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
January 12, 2002
I Like It!
This keyboard book contains very authentic transcriptions that are really fun to play! They are note for note what Billy Joel plays, and have a variety of difficulties. I learned Piano Man in one day, but that's not the way all of the songs are. You'll enjoy this book!
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Craig Lynn
Location: from Hillsboro NJ
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
December 10, 2001
The real deal
I have been playing out of the Billy Joel Complete song book, when I picked up this book and took a look at Piano Man? I knew this was the book to play from...Exact notes...
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Daniel
Location: from Norway
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
December 9, 2001
Excellent!
This is an outstanding book. If you are a big fan of Billy Joel, or you just like his music; Get this book. And it is Authentic note by note. It has all the cool stuff.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Holly
Location: from Brookhaven, PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 30, 2001
Best & Most Authentic
This is the best Billy Joel book I have ever used. Not only music that is true to the recorded version, but also a great handbook for improvisation.
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Beef
Location: from Cincinnati, OH
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 1, 2001
Hands Down Best Billy Joel
The Authentic Transcriptions logo on the upper left corner of the cover says it all... The music to these songs is identical to the music put on the albums... I have been a Billy Joel fan for many years, and have never been so satisfied with a music book. Hopefully there will be another volume of this coming out soon. Try playing "Scenes" with the actual bridge and solo in the middle...You'll realize how good Billy Joel really is.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Andrew Coccaro
Location: from Broklyn, NY
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
October 29, 2001
It Doesn't get much better than this!
This book is excellent, plainly because it is the exact way Joel plays. Playing "Scenes From an Italian Resturant" and "Piano Man" from this book will sound just like the CD. I urge you to purchase this book.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
BD
Location: from Virginia
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
October 26, 2001
Outstanding!!!!!
I got a better piano education just from learning "Scenes from an Italian Rest." out of this book than I got from 8 years of lessons. Why doesn't Hal Leaonard get it: this is the way EVERY piece of music should be!! You play this music-you sound like Billy Joel. Everything else is garbage.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Nicholas J. McCabe
Location: from Madison, WI
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 25, 2001
The real deal
Tired of cheap arrangements that basically just has you play everything you sing? Well, this Billy Joel piano book is the real deal. This book of music is good for the intermediate or advanced level piano player to challenge his/herself to play what Billy plays in the studio recordings. The best part is to play the piano along with the recording of "Scene From an Italian Restaurant" during the saxophone part. "My Life" is also a very fun song to play and sing.
4 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Bob
Location: from Alberta, CAN
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
July 26, 2001
THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING!
THIS IS THE BEST BILLY JOEL BOOK EVER! I HAVE THE BILLY JOEL GREATEST HITS BOOK, AND IT IS NOTHING LIKE THIS ONE! I PLAYED HIS SONGS WHILE LISTENING WHILE PLAYING AND IT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE ON THE RADIO. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD VOICE, THE SONGS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE LYRICS WILL BLOW YOU AWAY! GET THIS BOOK!
6 of 12 people found this review helpful.
InstantKarma
Location: from Flushing, MI
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
June 22, 2001
Good stuff
This is a very good book for anyone who wants to learn Billy's greatest hits. All of the major hits are here and sound great, with all intros, bridges and fade-outs. But even with all this, I kinda wish they would've included some of his more beautiful work like "Baby Grand," "Summer Highland Falls," "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," and even "River of Dreams," but that would probably push the price well over $20.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Washington,D.C.
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
May 18, 2001
FINALLY
Yes, finally a piano score that actually sounds like the recording! Thank you! It also offers up the bit parts for saxophone in some pieces. The weakest score (I felt) was "The Stranger," but this is frequently the strongest score in other books. Wish there were more of his songs available - How about it?? Also thanks for the great shipping service - I got my order in 2 days!
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
RAY
Location: from PROVIDENCE,RI
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
May 14, 2001
the best,HONESTLY!
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR NOTE FOR NOTE TRANSCRIPTION,THIS IS THE BOOK. I HAVE OTHER COPIES OF "PIANO MAN" (TWO TO BE EXACT) AND THIS BOOK IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THE REAL INTRO!! MUST HAVE!! "SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN REATAURANT" IS NOTE FOR NOTE!!! MUST HAVE FOR ANY JOEL FAN!!
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Paul
Location: from China Lake, CA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
April 2, 2001
Great
I Love the transcriptions for "My Life," "Allentown," "NY State of Mind," and "She's Got A Way" ("Anthony's Song"). I only wish more were available, such as "Summer Highland Falls."
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from WA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 28, 2001
SOUNDS PERFECT!
THIS BOOK IS GREAT. THE TRANSCRIPTIONS ARE PERFECT AND EVERYTHING I'VE PLAYED SO FAR IS GREAT. I GOT THE BOOK IN JAN., AND I'VE ONLY TAKEN PIANO LESSONS ON THE INTERNET. IT GETS A LITTLE COMPLICATED IN SOME SONGS LIKE "HONESTY" AND "SHES ALWAY A WOMAN TO ME" BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO REALLY KNOW HOW TO READ IT. ALL IN ALL, THE BOOK IS THE BEST $20.00 I HAVE EVER SPENT. IF YOU LIKE BILLY JOEL, AND YOU HAVE A PIANO OR KEYBOARD, IT'S A MUST HAVE.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Ellen
Location: from New Orleans
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
November 24, 2000
Taught myself to play 'Piano Man'
The first piece I ever taught myself was 'Piano Man.' I only took piano lessons off the internet and used this book. I have mastered it!!! It is really good. Takes time and patience, but it can be done. Go for it!!
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Nathan T. Vázquez
Location: from Jeffersonville, IN
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 25, 2000
Great Book!
This is great for people that like to sing and play. I wish they would put out more piano books where the treble cleff doesn't contain the melody, but rather the accompaniment played by the artist himself. Then, you can let your voice be the exclusive melody.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Roy
Location: from New Jersey
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
June 23, 2000
Awesome
pretty authentic transcription (from album stuff anyway). It'd be cooler if there were more songs, but for what its got, it's great!
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.