Easy Healing Piano Music by Louis Landon is a collection of twelve piano solos, four each from the albums Healing Hearts 1, 2 and 3. I’ve reviewed most, if not all, of Landon’s sheet music and have proof-read quite a bit of it as well, so I’m very aware of how complicated a lot of his music is. The transcriptions/ arrangements in this collection are definitely easier, but are they easy? Most of the pieces could be considered at an upper-intermediate level, but a few are somewhat more advanced than that. Some of the elements that are easier than Landon’s note-for-note transcriptions are the key signatures (most have only one or two sharps or flats), the timing (although a few of the rhythms are somewhat tricky), and fewer complex chords. Some of the things that I think make the pieces more advanced than “easy” are the chords with reaches of a tenth, too many ledger lines (when 8va or 8vb could have been used) on some of the really high and low notes, and some of the rhythms. That said, these arrangements are full and very satisfying to play, and most of the factors that I mentioned as making the music somewhat more difficult can be at least partially remedied with a pencil near the piano and attention to counting out the rhythms that are more complicated. All of the pieces are on the slow side and most are “rubato,” which means that the timing is more free and fluid, so precise timing isn’t really required. The notation is clear and well-spaced. Pedaling suggestions are included, and there are metronome settings for the pieces that are not “rubato.”

Louis Landon is one of the best pianists out there (and one of my own favorites!), and I think it’s great that he is making at least some of his sheet music accessible to pianists who can’t come close to his playing chops. Just be aware that this collection is “easier,” not what is generally considered to be “easy piano” by most sheet music publishers. This downloadable book is available exclusively from www.LouisLandon.com. The music is beautiful and fun to play, and I whole-heartedly recommend the book!

The song titles, the keys they are in, and the number of pages are:

Amy’s Song - Key of G (1 sharp) - 5 pages
Now or Never - Key of C (0 sharps or flats) - 4 pages
The Painter - Key of G minor (2 flats) / G major (1 sharp) - 5 pages
Sacred - Key of G - 4 pages
Free at Last - Key of D minor/ F major (1 flat) - 7 pages
Butterfly - Key of G - 6 pages
Shining Brightly - Key of D (2 sharps) - 6 pages
Heart Song - Key of B minor (2 sharps) - 4 pages
Standing in the Light - Key of G minor - 6 pages
Life is Beautiful - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 4 pages
Triumph of the Soul - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - 5 pages
Tears - Key of G minor - 4 pages