The Piano Guys Easy Piano/Cello

I bought this book and then promptly decided to return it. I decided to write a review to prevent other people from making my mistake.Let me start by noting that I am an upper-intermediate level piano player (the full songs by Yann Tiersen from Amelie are right around my level) who was looking for some fun songs I could sight-read or possibly play with a minimal amount of work. Just a book to noodle around in, if you will. Unfortunately, there are major problems with this book if this is what you want to do. Namely...1) The level of the piano music is a little too simple. That's not to say that there aren't some licks here and there that are a little difficult and you'll need to go over them once or twice just to time them correctly, but the passages are going to sound a little hollow and not very supported by the left hand.2) There are LARGE parts of the music where the cello is needed because the cello has the melody. I played all the way through a few of the songs and they were almost unrecognizable without a cellist.Overall, I'd say if you're a piano player looking for a good book, skip this one unless you have another friend (like a cellist) who is willing to work on it with you. The 'optional' cello part is not really all that optional if you want something that's going to sound more like a song and less like repeating arpeggios. That said, if you do have a cellist friend (or someone who can at least read the cello clef in their chosen instrument), get this book! There is a separate insert with the cello part for each song and the whole book is well presented! I just wish they could arrange these songs so a second musician isn't needed.PS - I noodled a little on ALL OF ME, which does NOT have an optional cello part. From what I heard, it is a GREAT simplified version and I would recommend it to any piano players who want to play Schmidt's ALL OF ME, but are scared of trying the full version!!

This is a nice book with great, piano guy arrangements. You need to be aware that only a couple songs are for piano alone. There is a separate booklet included with the cello parts. For most of the songs, you can only hear the melody in the piano part of the time. You really need a cello playing the other part to hear the melody at all times. I played the cello part on a keyboard, so my student could perform his pieces with the full effect. Also, when they say "easy", they really mean late intermediate level. This would be a great book for a pianist and cellist!

I love the piano guys but when purchasing this book I was hoping for arrangements to play just on the piano. Most of these songs melodies are carried with the cello so without the cello they aren’t great. I am sure someone who knows more about music then I do would have realized this but I am a beginner hence the “easy piano” book.

Considering the complexity of The Piano Guys music, 'simplified' is relative. This is not music for beginners or anywhere close. I look forward to the time when my grandson can actually play these things and also wish for a really, really simplified version for less experienced musicians. I am a huge fan of The Piano Guys as is my grandson and he hopes to one day be able to draw such delightful fun from a piano. In the meantime, he will strive to be up to this. It will take a while, but we're both hopeful.

I do not see the cello part for the song, "All of me". I thought this is written for both cello and piano. I want it so bad to play this song, the cello part. And I don't know if it has missed the printing or something. It would be be helpful if someone can explain.

Not terribly easy! I think a cellist would need at least two years of school orchestra experience to be able to play this well. Piano player would need a couple years as well.

Fun songs to play through. The piano accompaniment is very well suited to pick up an play for fun with your cellist friend with some of the sections still sounding complicated enough, however the piano portion may not sound quite up to par with what you may be used to from Piano Guys if you are looking to play this for a performance.

Was hoping it would be a tiny bit more difficult, but to be honest, the majority if the songs have the perfect amount of difficulty. Had two different early intermediate students who really loved the songs they played from it because they were simple enough for them to learn, but sound somewhat difficult. Really a transition book to use to teach a lot of expression.

The Piano Guys are great. My Grade 5 Child has no trouble with the piano section but I might suggest that the cello section is beyond me at Grade 3 currently. Still worth purchasing as it's something to aspire to. Really, really good.

Lovely book of music and very helpful for piano but my daughter is a cellist and there is no "separate pull-out cello part" included so was very disappointed on her birthday. If you're looking for the piano part this will be fab.

Love being able to play the simplified version of my faves from the piano guys!

Grandkids love The Piano Guys and we were happy to add this to their collection. The Piano Guys inspired one of them, a 10-year-old, to take up the cello which he now loves with a passion.

These may be simplified, but they are not really easy. I have all of the Piano Guys music books and love their music, but this is by no means for beginners. It would be early-late intermediate.