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REVIEWS

“With a nod to Carl Czerny’s First Instruction in Piano-Playing: One Hundred Recreations, A First Course at the Piano: 100 Studies by Michael Matas, is designed to take the beginning pianist from the first lesson to a grade 1 level through a series of 100 short studies.  Far from the “splashy” beginner method books that dominate the piano education section of your local music store, this method has a “grown up” look that works well with young children and adults alike.

The book can be used in conjunction with other method books or on its own and has particular appeal for later beginners who do not easily warm up to pieces with titles like “Thumbs on C” or “Good Morning to You”.  Instead, Mr. Matas systematically takes the student through a series of numbered studies by introducing something new with each exercise.  The result is amazing.  This new book is a wonderful addition to a piano teachers “toolbox” and a welcome entry into the piano education section of any serious print music store.”

- Lynden Gill, Rideau Music Ltd. (http://rideaumusic.com/)

“I like the book very much.  Especially attractive is the simplistic, disciplined, no-nonsense, and straightforward way that it is laid out.  (As opposed to a lot of modern American methods that prioritize fun and dumbing-down of the material.  As a child I was always turned off by the pictures and graphics in those books).  Also very appealing is the freedom of adding your own lyrics and pictures to the song, rather than having them be imposed.”

- Carlos Gardels