Best Ethnic Music
In Wayfaring Strangers , Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr guide readers on a musical voyage across oceans, linking people and songs through centuries of adaptation and change. These two are the perfect authors to trace the journey this music has made and to paint the picture of the living, breathing stream that it is.--Kathy Mattea, singer-songwriter and teacher. To tie several centuries of peoples' lives together, across oceans and mountains, to make sense of their experiences and aspirations by the tenacious strands of their own music and song--that is a real achievement.--Brian McNeill, Scottish singer-songwriter, producer, and novelist. Wayfaring Strangers will touch a powerful chord in the lives of readers who appreciate the music of Scotland and Appalachia, as well as those whose families have ties to this rich historical journey.--William Ferris, author of The Storied South: Voices of Writers and Artists. In telling the story of the Scottish diaspora in Appalachia through music, Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr have captured a process of adaptation and change that has created a traditional culture that continues to flourish.--Ron Pen, author of I Wonder as I Wander: The Life of John Jacob Niles.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In this book, the authors weave a tapestry of Appalachian music that is very colorful and very beautiful. The authors of this book describe how all of these strands have been woven into this beautiful tapestry."
"It has a wealth of information about the region(s), and the politics at the time, and how all of that helped to shape these people and their songs, as well as how the African music and traditions helped to shape this music and songs, and how they in turn became part of the American tradition."
"The reason the book didn't get five stars from me was that it seemed to ramble excessively (like the people the author was writing about), and I found it difficult to find places to stop reading so I could put the book down."
"There's even a CD of Appalachian music tucked into a pocket inside the back cover of the book."
"I have listened to Fiona Ritchie (Thistle and Shamrock) for a very long time, and she is very knowledgeable."
"I've had an dormant interest in traditional Scottish & Irish music for some years now but this book has awakened an urge to play the music more often & to explore the links into Old Timey, Bluegrass etc."
"Bought for a Christmas gift."
"This book is a fascinating exploration of folk music's journey from Scotland, Ireland, and the U.K. Tracing the roots and documenting the journey of songs and music over centuries, stopping Appalachia, becoming something new and how the two traditions have now intertwined."
PART II Includes 25 songs arranged for Native American FLute: traditional, Native AMerican and Original. ; Richard Maynard, Flutemaker LAUGHING CROW FLUTES --Richard Maynard, Flutemaker Laughing Crow FLutes --Richard Maynard Laughing Crow Flutes. This is the missing piece of work that the NAF community needed...this is the first system/book/cd --sound out, quite literally, potential mates, is now used Bob Bellus Sweet River Sounds.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm excited to be able to learn all the slurs and , chirping and a lot more than was explained in the beginner's book I got with my flute. I thought the volume II was a bit expensive but after seeing how good and in depth Mr. Vames goes in to teaching how to play, I'll happily be getting that one too!"
"I purchased this book to assist my wife, who is practicing on a newly purchased Native American Flute."
"Vames has done an exceptional job in creating this beautiful piece of work that really helps individuals who have never touched a flute to be able to find their way into the beauty and sound of the Native American Wood flute."
"I love the spiral binding and it lays flat and makes it easy to follow."
"Using this really clever tabular notation you can play any of the tunes in the book on a flute of any key."
"If you're fairly new to the native American flute, it can be hard to find good music."
"I've played piano for many years, so I'm not unfamiliar with music."
"With its help and a wonderful flute from Jonah Thompson I learned to play the Native American Flute quite to my satisfaction."
Singing in French (A Manual of French Diction and French Vocal Repertoire) 1/E by Thomas Grubb, Charles Bennett Grubb. How to Phoneticize and Prepare the Text of a Song or Aria. The Application of Diction Techniques to Other Aspects of Singing. A Catalogue of French Vocal Repertoire. Pronunciation of Proper Nouns Occurring in the Repertoire.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is pretty easy to follow and lists the most basic rules in a way that won't completely scramble your brain."
"Best regards, Dian Lawler-Johnson. Voice Faculty at Columbus State University (GA). Columbus State University."
"Book in excellent condition."
"Excellent resource, used it in my undergrad French Diction course."
"Book in excellent quality."
"This book is worth the price for the appendix alone."
"As a textbook, this book is nicely structured, covering all of the essential elements of French diction in a reasonably understandable and accurate way."
Best Jewish Music
Winner of the 2014 National Jewish Book Award (Holocaust) A stirring testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of music, Violins of Hope tells the remarkable stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, and the Israeli violin maker dedicated to bringing these inspirational instruments back to life. The violin has formed an important aspect of Jewish culture for centuries, both as a popular instrument with classical Jewish musicians and as a central factor of social life, as in the Klezmer tradition. A stirring testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of music, Violins of Hope tells the remarkable stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust and of the Israeli violinmaker dedicated to bringing these inspirational instruments back to life. In this spirit, renowned Israeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein has devoted the past twenty years to restoring the violins of the Holocaust as a tribute to those who were lost, including four hundred of his own relatives.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The musicians felt bad that they had to play music for such awful circumstance, but they had to play for their own lives."
"I have read many books that deal with the Holocaust but I was unaware that there were "instruments of hope and liberation in mankind's darkest hour.""
"What I had been expecting from the book was more of a story about the violins being restored, more of the technical aspect I would say."
"Not a book for the luthier or would be luthier."
"Humans survive in inhumane situations often imbuing some thing reminiscent of, or hopeful of better times as a symbol of faith in the future and. resistance to the present."
"Another story of the survival of the humans spirit against all odds."
"This was a very interesting side of the holocaust that I had never heard of before."
"What a story."
Best Ethnomusicology
Music: An Appreciation remains the time-tested solution for welcoming non-majors to the art of listening to great music. Kamien taught for 2 years at Hunter College and for 20 years at Queens College, where he coordinated the music appreciation courses.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I rented this and the book is great quality."
"I don't really know how to write a book review."
"Great condition."
"Excellent book for studying music appreciation."
"My book came in great condition!"
"Good textbook to have for Music Majors."
Best Salsa Music
Juan Martin explains and demonstrates the essential techniques and rhythmic forms of Flamenco guitar playing in six progressive lessons, designed for all players from beginning to advanced.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"IMHO, Juan MartÃn's method is simply THE flamenco method to use (and I have all of the various flamenco method books). Get this and his El Arte Flamenco de La Guitarra (v.1&2, which is like the bible of flamenco)."
"I can tell you the songs in the book aims toward the intermediate level to advance level. If you don't have a basic understanding of those techniques, you will not master the songs in this book. Contents-. Lesson 1- Solea. Bulerias: Opening theme. Solea: Introductory Solo. Solea: The Basic Compas. Index Finger Down-Strokes on a Chord of E Major. Adding Fs on Accented Beats. Second Compas with Fmaj7 and C Chords. Ending Phrase with Apoyando Thumb Strokes. Variation with Added Gs. Llamada. First Falseta. Second Falseta. Final Llamada. Solea: More Advanced Solo. Lesson 2 Alegrias. Introduction. Bulerias: Opening Theme (2nd version). Alegrias: First Example. Solea: High Position (Cejilla at 7). Alegrias: High Position. Solea: Llamada (High Position). Alegrias: Llamada (High Position). 5-Stroke Rasgueo. Beginning Alegrias: First Compas. First Compas: Slower Version. Second Compas. Third Compas.Llamada. First Falseta. Introducing Flamenco Tremolo. An Example of Tremolo. Falseta 2 (First Version). Tremolo Excercise on One String. Chromatic Excercise on Second String. Continuing the Alegrias. Triplet Rasgueo. An Ending for Alegrias. Scale Excercise for Picado. Scale Excercise in Compas. An Excercise in Ligado. Lesson 3 Seguiriyas and Fandangos. Introduction. Bulerias: Opening Theme (3rd version). Seguiriyas: Notation of Compas. Seguiriyas: Introductory Solo. Seguiriyas: Counting the Compas. Seguiriyas with Counted Rythm. Left and Right Apagado Techniques. Rasgueo Thumb Stroke. Seguiriyas: Longer Solo. Alzapua. Seguiriyas para bailar. Seguiriyas: Final Sequence. Triplet Rasgueo (example from Alegria en Mi). Fandangos:Introduction. Fandangos:A Way to Start. Fandangos: Basic Compas. Fandangos para cantar. Fandangos: Final Sequence. Lesson 4 Bulerias. Introduction. Six Compases. B flat position. Bulerias: The "al golpe" rythm. First Accent on Beat 12. Counting 1 to 5. Bulerias: Opening Theme (Extended Solo). Bulerias "al golpe". Beating Time with the Foot in Bulerias. Bulerias: Basic Variations in the 'por medio' Key. Timing of Accents: Another Example. Bulerias To End Other Palos: Solea. Emphasising the 3,6,8,10,12 Accents. Bulerias To End Other Palos: Alegrias. Ending Sequence with Changes of Key. An Excercise for Alzapua. Alzapua Sequence. Bulerias: Final Sequence. Lesson 5 Granainas, Guajiras, Tientos, Tangos, Farruca, Rumba. Introduction. Granainas. Guajiras. Tientos. Tangos. Chord Sequences with Bridging Chords. Farruca. Symbol for Slapping Techniques in Rumba. Rumba. Lesson 6 Rumba, Tarantas, Taranto, Sevillanas, Zambra Mora, Rondena. Rumba Rythm Excercises. Improvisations por Rumba. Tarantas. Taranto. Four Sevillanas. First Sevillana. Second Sevillana. Third Sevillana. Fourth Sevillana. Zambra Mora. Rondena. Palomino Rumba. Appendix: Juan Martin's Other Publication. Personally , I enjoy playing the Granainas,Rondena, and Taratas."
"These are the best materials I've encountered for learning to play flamenco... Martin is an excellent teacher and there's sufficient variety to keep any guitar student of flamenco interested."
"There is a saying that when the student is ready the teacher will appear."
"This book is a great supplement to Juan Martin's El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra OR Mel Bay Play Solo Flamenco with Juan Martin because it has many concert pieces of many styles.Trouble is,there is little instruction,focusing mostly on the history and the execution of the song rather than going to the very basics.The DVDs provide great visual and verbal hints on how to get the right feeling into each piece.Very good material if used in conjunction with any of the 2 books mentioned above....for the intermediate player."
Best International Music
Chris Perez tells the story of his relationship with music star Selena in this heartfelt tribute. Chris Perez is a Grammy-winning American guitarist and currently plays for The Chris Perez Band.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Chris really opens up the door and gives us a glimpse into their life as it was from before they were a couple to the aftermath of that terrible day."
"Excellent, heart warming read."
"To find beauty, grace, humility, ambition, compassion, intelligence, sweetness and superb talent in one individual is extremely rare."
"So much more insight into how Chris loves Selena."
"The timeline of the book follows a similar timeline to Selena the movie (minus her childhood and the original Los Dinos years of course), it provides a personal account of Chris' perspective as a band member of Los Dinos, what it was like to be on tour with them, including the early days and the later success, how his relationship with Selena began, the details of their elopement, and the ups and downs they went through as a newly married couple trying to juggle fame, fortunate, family and 5 dogs. It is so easy to see Selena's smile and hear her laugh the way Chris describes her, he brings her back to life in the pages of the book, making her come alive more as a human being through personal anecdotes about Selena, opposed to focusing on the dazzling performer she was and the superstar she was going to become."
"Thank you, Chris for sharing your memories and allowing me just for a few days to enjoy your heartfelt memories of our beloved Selena."
"The way Selena is portrayed is human and it makes me respect and love her even more not only as an artist but a person."
"It was bittersweet in the sense that it's amazing that his love holds strong for her till this day but sad that he can't seem to let go."
Best World Beat Music
(Music Sales America).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you're a musician and you love Fado, this book is a MUST HAVE!!!"
"The only personal problem I had was that the music was not standard guitar notation...its transcribed basically for voice with some chord indications."
"One needed new voice pieces, and the other was writing a project on Portuguese music!"
"If you like Fado and want the melodies and words, this is a good music book for you."
"This is an individual choice of Fados whereby some of the older and less "visible" Fado singers can be heard."
"This book is wonderful!"
"Bringing fond memories of the fados we heard as children."
"The author's extraordinary knowledge of the this iconic Portuguese art form is presented in a concise and well written text, accompanied by some wonderful photos of performers and places."