Not much has to be said about the piece itself: It is so good and unique, and really fun to learn and practice! The sheet music is similarly impeccable: easy to read, well structured and annotated, suggesting a very efficient way to approach the original tempo. While clearly challenging due to the uncommon octave playing technique, it sounds amazing even on an upright piano.
This piece has a beautiful melody that inspires musical expression. I love playing it!
I really enjoyed his "bell carol" at last Christmas time, and always wanted to buy more music but I really didn't know which one to start, so I'm really glad that I was able to buy several books! Especially at this time, I was looking for some contemporary pieces for my piano students who are practicing for some public performance opportunity (I'm a piano teacher); his music is not only sounds so beautiful to our ears but also technically very well written, and definitely different than many of other contemporary composers. On top of everything, his music is very satisfactory; I strongly recommend to all of piano players & teachers who are looking for amazing piano pieces!
Along with other books, this book has many beautiful pieces, but I thought to buy this because this seems to be a little less technical than other books, so it might be perfect to my younger students. It's really hard to find satisfactory piano books for beginner-intermediate students. I really wish, Mr. Hicken will start writing even easier piano pieces or piano method book for beginner piano learner... then I would be more than happy to buy those!
You'll discover so many beautiful and romantic pieces (but not icky at all!!!) Try it - you'll love it, I'm sure!
If you want inspiration to help improve your piano playing technique and make playing the piano more enjoyable, BUY THIS BOOK! I have this in ebook form and read this every chance I can get. If you’ve seen any of David’s videos, his piano playing is a true testament to prove he knows what he’s saying when he wrote this book. All of the literature is fundamental, practical, and makes perfect sense. A little background about myself as to why I chose this book. I started playing piano was I was about 8-years-old and was taught “old school” by a lovely piano teacher who played professionally. She was also taught “old school” and taught me the same was she taught. The instructional books back then were basic (which was fine) and as you improved, you went on to the next series, but these books lacked something - inspiration. Over the years, I played piano for church and school, but then I took a hiatus for several years when I started playing the violin and started playing competitively and performed more actively in concerts. I’ve returned to piano playing and after 40 years, I still play today. However, I’ve discovered I have more joy playing the piano because I love to play all kinds of music (everything from classical, gospel, contemporary, rock, jazz, etc.). However, I knew my piano technique was not quite right. As I read David’s book, I am actually breaking some bad habits that I didn’t even realize I was doing. I’m also improving myself by following the advice in this book and focusing on improving my technique with more sight reading, watching my posture and practicing scales. I will mention when I was first contemplating purchasing this book, I wasn’t sure if this book would include warmup exercises or scales along with the literature (like a workbook). It’s nothing like that, which is probably a very good thing. It’s straight reading. However, I found that most of the advice from this book makes sense if you happen to play another instrument like I do! However, if you want improve your piano playing ability, I would also recommend purchasing David’s other book, “The Ultimate Piano Workout.” Both books complement each other well and will be quite useful if purchased together. Get both if you can. You won’t regret it.
I played 4 hand piano yrs ago and my father was layering sound, playing violin,viola and cello. I loved every second of this piece and have listened endlessly recently remembering those wonderful times. The excitement of this piece and so many others are bringing back those precious years for me. So personal and oh so profound. I cannot say enough and could go on and on. It is my honor and joy to play with you through YouTube. I have such fun again and can't get enough it seems.
I will own all your books as I can. Forever grateful. Carolyn
Hi David,
I've been studying music theory for oh, 50 years? Anyway, a long time, and I love your book and the thoughtfulness of how you present it and explain it. I was so done with those who just wanted to be noticed for their knowledge - more from ego. You know? But, I knew you would have the best ,and I was not disappointed. Thank you! And thank you for having the book sale, so i could afford it. : ) Much love and well wishes to you and yours. God Bless you David and receive the envouragement from heaven who chose you for this wonderful journey. Blessings. Connie Shirk .
Hi! I am an absolute beginner to piano playing. I purchased this e-book to help me on this interesting journey. I am very satisfied with the book structure. It is very systematic and concise. Thank you for such a great work!
Excellent Piano practice book. As a novice on the piano, this really helps me with a structured approach to scales and arpeggios. I also appreciate the narrative in the first part of the book.
As an amateur composer for the last 50 years, I can see the value in this approach. I have relied heavily on technology as, having a full time systems career in addition to my passion for music limited my practice time to hone keyboard technic. However, starting from the ground up, this is a very sound approach.
This is a playable and gentle piece you can drift away on, with a light and spacious melody in the right hand that shifts to a powerful left hand and back. It brings joyful memories thinking of someone special to you.
This piece is like sitting on a lonely beach in autumn, listening to the waves and also letting your thoughts flow... ( Not difficult to play btw.)
Definitely the best piece for relaxed night owls!😁
(Even the sheet music is rather comfortable!😉)
It's like a prayer...
"Aphrodite" might be technically not so difficult to play, but perhaps a little bit demanding to get the right musical expression...
Thank You for this new masterpiece in the quality of the "Incantation" series or the wonderful piece "Rendez-vous a Lille"!
I like your music very much but although I am a quite trained pianist since 50 years to play it in your original speed is very challenging.
