Piano for Seniors

Gail Smith

Oct 2010 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

This great new method for beginning piano students will teach someone to play the piano right away. With a vast variety of clever original songs and classics that are on the easy edge, a new student will gain confidence and enjoy the easy to follow lessons. Improvisation is encouraged with simple directions for maximum results. Everyone can learn to play the piano with this new exciting book that has been tested on new students of all ages or those starting back again as adults.

* Learn to play immediately with simple songs that sound big

* Variety of styles with original piano solos for both hands in this comprehensive unique book

* Simple improvisation encouraged along with scales and warm-ups

About the author

Gail Smith was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on January 26. Gail's father, Carl Erick Johnson, sang tenor in the church choir. Her mother, Ethel, played the piano and had Gail start piano lessons. Smith received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Florida Atlantic University. She has taught piano students from the age of 3 to 96! Her blind student, Ivan, was seen on national TV. Giving musical lecture recitals by portraying the composer's wife has been an effective way to reach audiences with the history of music. Gail has portrayed Marian MacDowell and Anna Magdalena Bach. She gives many workshops and concerts throughout the United States as well as in Germany, Sweden and Japan. Smith's life has revolved around her family, church and music. She has been active in many organizations including being national Music Chairman of the National League of American Pen Women and is a former president of the Broward County branch. Ms. Smith is also a member of The Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, National Music Teachers Association, and Federation of Music Clubs.

Ms. Smith's works include many piano solos, choral works, a piano trio, a composition for four pianos and numerous vocal solos. She has arranged hundreds of hymns, Indian melodies, and folk tunes from many countries. Her trademark is her piano palindromes, which can be played backwards as well as forwards and sound the same. She is the author of: Complete Church Pianist, Sunday Morning Pianist, Four Centuries of Women Composers, Celebrate the Piano Series, Hymns Made Easy, Piano Chords Made Easy, Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist, Complete Book of Exercises for the Pianist, and Complete Improvisation, Fills & Chord Progressions Book. Gail also composed the world's first reversible piano solo, which sounds the same upside down and is titled "WOW MOM". She loves researching the history of music and wishes to pass on her enthusiasm for piano study to all ages of beginning students, especially seniors.