If you are past the beginner's stage you will not meet any serious difficulties in playing those arrangements. Yet, their relative simplicity should not deceive you. For learning exactly "what" to play is only half of the job. The other, much more important part of it is to learn "how" to play.
If there is any originality in my arrangements, it lies in the fact that they do not try to be original. They are based on some eternal laws of music which apply equally whether you play classical or popular, Mozart or Jerome Kern, Brahms or Johann Strauss. There is nothing new in those details, yet when you apply them to those simple little tunes you will immediately feel that a new life, a new beauty is emerging from them. It is the magic of real music which can change even the most abused melody into an exciting experience.
Let me reveal to you the No. 1 secret of effective piano-playing. It is contained in one single word: contrast. Whether on the concert stage, in a small nightclub or in your own living room it is the frequent use of contrasts which alone can permanently captivate your audience. The contrasts between forte and piano, staccato and legato, slow and fast, sentimental and gay, peaceful and passionate, the frequent change between the upper and the lower registers of the instrument, between full chords and single notes--this and many other "tricks" will make your music successful, pleasant and always interesting.
This book will furnish you with a rich reservoir of those details to make your playing brilliantly effective. The sequence of the songs, transitions, introductions, climaxes and endings are all made to achieve that contrast-effect. But the most important clues are the numerous signs and phrasings--unusual in popular music--which tell you exactly how to play a particular phrase or piece. I can not enough emphasize how essential it is to follow them carefully. Only by this will you be able to enfold all the beauty of the music, recreate the real spirit of each melody.
Sometimes the best way of expressing my suggestions was to remind you of a certain |lstrument. Thus you will find signs like "violin-effect," "cello-effect," etc. They will help your imagination and your imagination will help your fingers.
The songs are divided into six independent medleys based upon my records. Yet within each medley each particular song also is a complete unit which usually has its own introduction and always has a definite ending. Thus--if you want--you can play the songs separately too.
Enjoy yourself and have fun. I've already had mine while preparing these selections for you. Thank you for helping me by making good music better music.
* NEW! All on one cd: Audio (playable on any cd player) plus all of the midi files $55.00
* NEW! All on one cd: Audio (playable on any cd player) plus all of the sheet music $55.00
* NEW! All on one cd:
Audio (playable on any cd player)
+ all of the midi files + all of the sheet music
$95.00
Each audio selection is recorded as piano solo and orchestrated.
Here's an email quote from Brendan Hogan in Ireland.
Hi Al,
Thank you so much for this charming CD. For over 20 years since I first came across George Feyer's music in my home town of Dublin, I have been fascinated with his polished and entertaining style.
