Learn to Play Piano by Ear - Book & CD Included | Perfect for Beginners, Self-Study & Music Enthusiasts | Home Practice, Gift Idea & Music Education

Mr. Schott was a cocktail pianist for most of his 90+ years. I believe he passed away in 2010.Absolutely brilliant gem of a book. Much better than most of the so-called music instruction books around. Mr. Schott does something in a very simple and effective way: without explaining theory, he shows you how to play in a cocktail style - which was his speciality - in the key of C, starting with simple chords and simple chord progressions, and building upon these one at a time until you are in possession of the ability to play complete and sophisticated arrangements of songs and do it without needing the "sheet music" and also with the ability to improvise while you do it. He shows you the voicings, embellishments, and chord changes that he himself uses. Without explaining theory, he cleverly shows you all you need to know about chord progressions, dominants, secondary dominants, diminished chords, etc.Contrary to what previous reviewer said, this book *does* show how to play each of the songs on the accompanying CD, in the same manner in which they are heard.Also, previous reviewer(s) seem to have been confused about another point. The purpose of this book is *not* to teach you how to play piano if you don't know how to read sheet music (a rather difficult feat indeed for a book). Rather, the goal is to liberate you from relying on the sheet music in order to make music. In other words, you learn how harmony works and how to use it to play standards and show tunes, rather than just being able to play the notes that are written on the page.Without reservation I recommend this book to anyone who:* knows something about how to read music and wants to learn how music works* wants to learn how to play in a cocktail style of piano* wants to improve their ear* wants to free themselves from the chains of classical music where you only play what's written on the pageIn fact, I have a hard time thinking of a better book than this, for what it does. Other than, perhaps a book called Understanding and Implementing Harmony on the Piano", which is also available here on Amazon.Buy Mr. Schott's book without hesitation.