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JennGM
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| Posted: June 12 2005 at 4:07pm | IP Logged
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I was at the IHM Conference this Friday, and one vendor was Alan Jemison. He makes musical arrangements and his target audience is Catholic homeschoolers. He even has a method series of begining piano.
But I didn't like it much. He had an accompaniment to the Adoremus Hymnal for keyboard. It was very simple, only main voices. That got me talking with him -- he doesn't believe or like four-part harmony, or much "busyness" in musical accompaniments, so his arrangements are very stark, not even full chords, mostly single lines in both hands.
I didn't have much time to look thoroughly at the rest...that stopped my browsing because we didn't see "ear-to-ear".
Maybe I'm just not musical enough...I have studied piano and organ for years, into college with a music minor and I always like fuller accompaniments. I can see how this would be helpful for younger or beginners, but it seemed he was touting his materials for all levels.
Has anyone else seen his materials? Chari, did Anne take a look at his table while she was there? I would love to hear other input... I don't want my personal preference to override promotion of a good program, if it is one.
Thanks!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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MacBeth
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| Posted: June 13 2005 at 9:57pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, we have used his Sing Praise to God by Note for sight-reading/singing practice. I think it's probably his best product.
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Kelly
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| Posted: June 13 2005 at 10:53pm | IP Logged
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I actually talked with him at one point---years ago--- about putting together books of great Catholic music for Advent (we were doing a singing class for our coop and had a heck of a time finding music, pre-internet you know...) I believe he told me that he comes from a Mennonite background, somehow that is what I remember. Perhaps that influenced his simple renditions? Or maybe he's just addressing a beginning audience? I'm glad to see him getting out his books, but they are a little stark from what little I've seen.
Kelly in FL
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fsuadamson
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| Posted: July 24 2006 at 4:54pm | IP Logged
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Could anyone who has experience with Alan Jamison's beginning piano series help me out?
I am terribly musically challenged  and I was wondering what is the difference between 'Beginning at the Piano' and 'Reading at the Piano' series?
We just finished learning how to read music and play some simple tunes using the recorder. This year my dds really want to learn the piano. Are A. Jamison's series the best to start learning the piano?
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Martha
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| Posted: Nov 17 2006 at 9:53pm | IP Logged
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I'm bumping this because I'm interested in his beginning piano stuff...
I have zero musical ability, but my childen are interest in this from a hobby perspective....
simple is fine IF it works...
has this program worked for others?
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Martha
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amiefriedl
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| Posted: Nov 20 2006 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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I have a pretty extensive musical background (not in piano) but I think it is fair to recommend the Faber & Faber beginning piano series called Piano Adventures. There is a
primer,
lesson book,
theory book,
technique and artistry book and a
performance book.
All of these books go through all levels. I'd recommend getting all of those books if you are planning anything more than the most casual piano experience. The books work together and make for a very well rounded and excellent series.
Working together with this series you and your child could learn much. I *think* the theory book is the only book that you'd have to buy over for each child. Otherwise each other book will work for multiple children. I'm just getting started myself on this series, but after paging through all the books I'm pretty impressed.
My local sheet music store gave me a 10% discount for being a homeschooler, which was nice.
Btw, I have some of the Jemison books for songs/Cds and in general like them. In some ways music is like the other subjects - I use a little from Math-U-See and Miquon and other sources - we don't just stick to one program. It is handy to have different programs for different perspectives.
And sometimes like any other subject it all comes down to the DOING of it. Not which program you have.
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Amie
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Martha
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| Posted: Nov 20 2006 at 7:04pm | IP Logged
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[Working together with this series you and your child could learn much.]
ahh that's the kicker. I have zero desire to ever do anything musical. I'm perfectly happy just listening to what I like. I don't even like to sing in the shower. lol
I might buy 1 series and see how they do on their own. See if they show enough interest to actually put effort in it. They've had 2 years of music lessons that ended about 18 months ago due to my getting tired of paying for lessons they never practiced for without me browbeating them.
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Martha
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Alan Jemison Music
