Help please - I'm trying to get hold of piano music published by Alfred (in particular the Top Hits series), and my local music shop doesnt stock them, and all i can find on the net is in USA and p&p is extortionate. Thanks (i'm in UK by the way)

Hi Madge, There are loads of mail order firms out there but I often use Chappells in Bond Street, Boosey and Hawkes andThe Barbican Music Shop - they all post music out to you. Even though I live in London this usually works out cheaper than a one day travel card! Just give them a call - I'm sorry I don't have the number.
Your local music shop should be able to order anything you want though. GOOD LUCK

The main stockists for Alfred are Music Exchange. Link here. If they don't have it in their online catalogue it's worth emailing them.

Though they don't have the Top Hits books, Music Makers do stock other Alfred books, and they are quicker than Music Exchange. Link here

I am surprised that you think the price in the USA is expensive. Sheet Music Plus have it for $6.95 which works out at £3.87. I usually buy 2 at a time and get another 15% off, bringing it down to $5.91 (£3.29).

Okay, I know you need to add postage, but even so, it usually brings it up to the cost of the books in the UK

I got the top Hits books from Sheet Music plus as they are not available in UK (or so my usual music shop told me).
I bought more than ! and even with the p&p on top the price was no mre, and possibly even less, than I would pay for them here.
The rate of exchange has been well in our favour on this for a while now.

What annoys me is that you can get the tutors but not all of the supporting material

Another uestion on some of the american books....
I am always looking at different learnig material when I get into a big enough shop. Some of the better books are american and so have american terms in them (whole note etc. measure). If you use any of these books what do you do about this?
My first reaction was to avoid them... but there are one or two out now which I like a lot (except for this 'hitch').
I have been writing in pencil the english versions and explaining the difference in language.
(Given the choice most say that 'crotchet, minim etc. are more user friendly).
I know that some teachers favour the american time names at least but how much are they used in the uk? Would a child learning only american terms from the start have problems (particularly pre grade 5 ) in understanding and being understood by other learners?

I see that for more advanced players it would be an advantage to be 'bilingual'.

I'm in the UK but use US method books (mainly Piano Adventures). I'm a 'crotchet' person and just explain that there's two names for each time value but I teach the traditional UK way. I stress that it's really handy for them to know both eventually. but we'll concentrate on the UK terminology first.

As I find that the majority of young students don't bother too much with reading the notes that come with each piece and I explain any new concepts anyway it doesn't seem to cause a problem at all. In fact I would say that it's beneficial. They are learning the crotchet/minim terminology, but are also getting exposed to the whole note/half note terms which makes the explaining of time signatures a little easier.

I do tend to avoid the US theory books though as I want them to really know those UK terms. I know some teachers are 'switching' over especially now the AB theory exams mention both ways, but you know, I'm getting older now and though I know both terms equally, I hate to see our British words disappear.

I don't know these Top Hits books you mention. Are they pop music or classical hits? Who are they suitable for?

QUOTE

I know that some teachers favour the american time names at least but how much are they used in the uk? Would a child learning only american terms from the start have problems (particularly pre grade 5 ) in understanding and being understood by other learners?

Like Louise, I tend to teach the English names first, as I think it's a bit tough for most young children to learn in the the UK environment without knowing crotchet, quaver etc.

I sometimes gently encourage older children to learn both (the American terms make a lot of sense when you teach time-signatures, as then they work just like fractions). But I have found that it's very easy for them to get confused between half-notes and half-beat notes! Haven't found any answer to this except time and re-inforcement.

My music shop seems to stock one or two of the Alfred books without having the complete course, so it's been difficult to get the whole picture. I might try getting some on line since quite a few of you seem to like them. Thanks!

Maggie

Just looking... its actually the level 1 of the 'Greatest Hits' that I have.
Mix of Disney, Braodway show tunes.
This series is meant to run as supplementary to the Adult Basic course but can be used with other methods for some light relief. Teenagers like them because they are tunes they know mostly.
Starts at pre Grade 1 level with 2 hands, and 5 finger positions.

Some of the tunes are
Titanic theme
Edelweiss
Memory
Rock around the Clock
Beauty and the Beast.

Hi Everyone,
I own a music shop in South Wales called CRESCENDO MUSIC. I offer a mail order service and 10% off to ALL TEACHERS & SCHOOLS. If I can be of any assistance to you please let me know.
The web-site is currently under-construction but please visit frequently (www.crescendomusic.com).
If any of you would like to take advantage of the 10% DISCOUNT CARD then please ring CRESCENDO MUSIC on 01443 686881.
A lot of local teachers use Alfreds and I find them a lot like the Bastien books. Are we talking about the same books?????

No Alison, the Alfred and the Bastien are quite different.

BTW is there a postage charge if we order via Crescendo Music ?

Hello Again!

What on earth am I thinking of then???? The Alfred books I've seen are full of colourful pictures and a based on 'positions' such as the Bastien Basic Methods or something. Saying that there are so many I've probably got a dozen mixed up in my brain somewhere!

With regards to orders through CRESCENDO MUSIC ~ there would be no postage for any amount of books ordered/sent.

Let me know what you want and if you want a teacher discount card. It would help me if you know the order numbers or ISBN numbers for the books. The more info the better.

Speak to you all soon
Alison

Alfred Publishing is distributed in the UK by Faber Music Distribution and their materials are available at all good music shops. The Top Hits and Greatest Hits books are not available in the UK because the copyright is held by Music Sales and they have not given permission for a UK licence to be granted.

You can also order directly from www.fabermusic.com if you do not have a music shop nearby.