Table of Contents -- CHAPTER 1 Piano Basics -- Why Play the Piano? -- Commonly Asked Questions -- Types of Pianos -- Inside an Acoustic Piano -- How to Sit at the Piano -- Naming Keys on the Keyboard -- Types of Printed Music -- Famous Composers -- Famous Pianists -- The History of the Piano -- CHAPTER 2 The Basics of Reading Music -- Understanding the Staff and Clefs -- Naming Notes on the Staff -- Naming Notes Below or Above the Staff -- Using the Correct Fingers -- Note Values -- Measures -- Rests -- Dotted Notes -- Tied Notes -- Time Signatures -- Sharps and Flats -- Key Signatures -- Double Notes -- Repetition Markers -- Incomplete Measures -- "Mary Had a Little Lamb" -- "Are You Sleeping" -- "When the Saints Go Marching In" -- "Ode to Joy" -- CHAPTER 3 Basic Hand Positions -- Place Your Right Hand in C Position -- Place Your Left Hand in C Position -- Place Your Right Hand in G Position -- Place Your Left Hand in G Position -- Basics of Playing with Both Hands -- Place Both Hands in C Position -- Place Both Hands in Middle C Position -- Place Both Hands in G Position -- Changing Positions on the Keyboard -- "Row Row Row Your Boat" -- "Auld Lang Syne" -- "Lavender's Blue" -- CHAPTER 4 Playing Scales -- Introduction to Scales -- Playing Major Scales -- Playing Minor Scales -- Playing Pentatonic Scales -- Playing Chromatic Scales -- Playing Blues Scales -- Playing Modes -- CHAPTER 5 Playing Chords -- Playing Major Chords -- Playing Minor Chords -- Playing Dominant 7th Chords -- Playing Major 7th Chords -- Playing Minor 7th Chords -- Playing 6th Chords -- Playing 9th Chords -- Playing Augmented Chords -- Playing Diminished Chords -- Playing Suspended Chords -- Playing Broken Chords -- Playing Arpeggios -- Playing Three-Note Chord Inversions -- Playing Four-Note Chord Inversions -- Changing Chords -- "We Three Kings" -- "Largo".

"Prelude in C Major" -- "Down to the Wire" -- "Toreador Song" -- "Mellowing Out" -- CHAPTER 6 Beyond the Basics of Reading Music -- Slurs -- Staccatos -- Accents -- Tenutos -- Speed Markings -- Volume Markings -- Expression Markings -- Play Notes an Octave Higher or Lower -- Triplets -- Syncopated Notes -- Fermatas -- Grace Notes -- Trills -- Mordents -- Turns -- Glissandos -- Tremolos -- How Music is Divided into Phrases -- All About Keys -- Determining the Key of a Musical Piece -- "Minuet in G Major" -- "The Skaters Waltz" -- "Amazing Grace" -- "Musette" -- "Maple Leaf Rag" -- CHAPTER 7 Tips to Improve Your Playing -- Playing a Piece for the First Time -- How to Practice -- Find a Piano Teacher -- CHAPTER 8 Special Playing Techniques -- Using the Piano Pedals -- Emphasize the Melody -- Play with a Swing Beat -- Play Music in the Contrapuntal Style -- Play the Alberti Bass -- Play the Ragtime Accompaniment -- Play the Walking Bass Line -- Play the 12-Bar Blues -- "Carefree" -- "Sarabande" -- "Sonatina in C Major" -- "The Entertainer" -- "A Walk in the Park" -- "Down Home Blues" -- CHAPTER 9 Improvising and Playing with Others -- Improvising Music -- Playing With a Singer -- Playing With Other Musicians -- Changing the Key of a Musical Piece -- "Scarborough Fair" -- "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" -- CHAPTER 10 Styles of Music -- Baroque Music -- Classical Music -- Romantic Music -- Impressionist Music -- Contemporary Music -- Rock Music -- Jazz and Blues Music -- Pop Music -- "Canon in D" -- "Für Elise" -- "Prelude #15" -- "Gymnopédie #1" -- "Rock On!" -- "Got Your Letter" -- CHAPTER 11 Buying and Caring for Your Piano -- Introduction to Buying a Piano -- Buying an Upright or Grand Piano -- Buying an Electronic Keyboard -- Buying an Electronic Piano -- Examining a Piano -- Buying a Piano Bench -- Buying a Metronome -- Accessories for Acoustic Pianos.

Accessories for Electronic Keyboards and Pianos -- Find the Best Location for Your Piano -- Clean Your Piano -- Getting Your Piano Tuned -- CHAPTER 12 Quick Reference -- Common Musical Symbols -- Glossary of Musical Terms -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W.