Musicals Books

This video is an indispensable aid to any beginning drummer. It covers everything from setup, to how to hold the sticks, how to hit the drums, and some basic patterns to start you playing. There is a wealth of good drum instructional material out there, but for an absolute beginner, this is the very best there is. Follow it up with the even-better "Groove Essentials" and you can't go wrong. Every parent buying a drum set for their kid should but this too, and make watching it mandatory. It just might prevent a few weeks of random pounding followed by abandonment of the drums.

Tommy does a great job relating to kids. My son (11) really enjoyed this training video. We purchased "Essentials" and it has alot of complicated grooves in it to learn. I believe "Basics" needs a little more in it to help with the transition between the two. Still a great product.

I am a bass player. I have been fascinated by drums forever. I recently got a good deal on a like new Pearl Export. I got this and Groove esentials. Very impressed! Tommy explains everything in detail, yet it is not at all boring. He is very good at teaching. He doesn't have an attitude. I would recommend this DVD to all aspiring drummers.

Great starter DVD. Mr.Igoe does a great job for those just starting out. Starts with how to set up, time, beats, grooves and fills. I still use the DVD on top of lessons! Plan to purchase more of his work.

I don't normally write reviews, but this DVD inspired me to write one. After getting my drum set, I purchased quite a few drum DVDs looking for the best substitue for lessons. The two Tommy Igoe DVDs (Beginning Drums and Groove Essentials) are by far the best DVDs I've ever seen for that purpose. In fact, Tommy actually shows students learning the drums and talks to the audience as if he's in a lesson.

I didn't really need the first section on setting up the drums as I'd already had quite a bit time to play around with them, but for someone that's new to the drums, that part is excellent too.

Tommy has one of the best personalities for teaching that I've ever seen on a DVD. As an expert level, accomplished drummer, he knows the material and is able to professionally convey it on a DVD to his students. His attitude of having fun and feeling the music also comes out in his excellent approach to teaching. Having never taken a proper lesson, I can say that I've learned more from Tommy's DVDs than I have from any other source. The section on drum fills was especially usefull to me as no other DVD describes the technique as he does. I would HIGHlY recommend both of his DVDs to anyone learning to play the drums or even to intermediate drummers who want to pick up

Very good book if you don't have the DVD. Fills in many details not in the film. A must have for Bass Players.

I'm one of those Bass Players who discovered James Jamerson late in my bass playing life. Any young (or old) aspiring bassist should have this book. The 2 cd's that come with it are worth the price alone. Some of the greatest bass players on earth (McCartney, Entwhistele, Pallidino,Bob Babbit,Chuck Rainey..) paying homage to Jamerson and playing some of his famous bass lines. The great thing about it is that when played through headphones you get the bass in one ear and the rest of the mix in the other. I have actually listened to just the bass mix multiple times and marvelled at the Bass Lines. A must for any young Bass Player.

The book has some great stories and pictures and compliments the CD greatly.

I've always been a fan of Motown but of the singers, now I'm starting to realize I shouldn't give the singers all the credit, it was the producers, songwriters, and musicians who made the artists become hits. If it wasn't for the unique, special Funk Brothers who knows if the Motown artists would have become as successful as they did. It doesn't matter how good of a singer a singer is, if the music ain't right, the singer ain't gonna sound good. Its that something special about the Motown Sound that sparks something in our minds, hearts, and souls, the music complimented the singers excellently. James Jamerson was just a handsome, wonderful, real, interesting, talented person. Its sad he had to get recognition after he passed on. It seems the only way to become a legend is to die first then people appreciate you more, well this book taught me to love and praise people while their alive that's what keeps them going. All James wanted in his last days was recognition and to know he did make a difference in the world of music. This book taught me to appreciate the musicians, songwriters, and producers, the people behind the scenes, who made it possible for the music to become timeless, sometimes we give the singers too much credit.

It was interesting for me to read most of the Funk Brothers didn't even like Rock N Roll or Soul music, they were really jazz fans and wanted to play jazz, so it shows how gifted they were to still play soul music effectively even though it wasn't their cup of tea. Another reason why Motown sound is so appealing and fresh is because the Funk Brothers laced different genres of music into the soul music and tried new things with the music creating the Motown Sound, a sound in its own class.

My husband is love with this bass gautairist, and love this book and DVD combo.

James Jamerson is one of the top bassist of all time and this book will give bassist some insight to his genius. I never learned to read music, but I was born with an exception ear! I remember a long time ago, going for a job in a pit orchestra. The musical director was not all that impressed with my playing on the first day, because I didn't read music and I kind of fumbled through the rehearsal. I went home that night and learned the entire show from a tape. On the next rehearsal, when we started to play the opening number, the conductor stopped in the middle of the song, looked at me and said...."Turn up the bass!" ..this made me very happy, as I always felt a little inferior not being able to read :-)

The book covers Jamerson's story and shows many of his classic bass lines for those of you who do read. It's no walk in the park, but it's time well spent and will take your playing to another level.

The book comes with 2 CDs full of Jamerson's bass lines and many top bassist playing their favorite Jamerson tunes. It's all very interesting for musicians and non musicians alike and well worth the price! I never knew how much this guy influenced my playing until I really sat down and listened to him! What a great talent!

We purchased this book for our 4-year-old son, and it became an instant family favorite! The way the book moves, the rhyming, the adorable and colorful pictures, the message of friendship...everything about it comes together to form the perfect Halloween book! It has become a tradition in our home to read this book at the first sign of Fall, and it will be a tradition that carries on through our other children as well. I highly recommend buying this for any child that loves Halloween! A must have!

I LOVE reading this book to my kids.

Julia Donaldson works her magic again. In this book we meet a growing cast of instantly likable characters who become friends and end up sticking together to fight off a baddie.

The story is so beautifully written it feels like I'm singing when I read it, and my kids are not the only ones who, despite the fact we have read it countless times, still travel the full emotional road along which this story leads us.

This book is so much fun to read! Both my kids love it, but my 3 year old especially.
It's a cute story, with a little adventure and a fun ending, and the pictures are adorable. My kids where never scared, even though the main character is a witch. (she smiles all the time)
I definitely recommnend it.

My 3 1/2 yr old grandson LOVES this book. Great pictures Just enough drama! Discovery possibilities on the pages for a second look. Wonderful pictures and some anticipation on the right hand pages of what will come when the page is turned.

My son loves this book so much, we wore out the first copy to the point that it was beyond me being able to tape the binding back together anymore. We bought him a second copy that has been "loved" as much as the first, and so we had to buy a third copy for my toddler so she had her own book that didn't have pages falling out while we were reading it. At one point, I had all the words in the book memorized, which came in handy while we awaited the arrival of our replacement book. At first glance, it may seem that this is a Halloween book. Let me assure you, you will enjoy reading this book all year long (I believe that my son asked to have this read to him every night for about 6 months) and the verse never gets tiresome. The story teaches children about compassion and the need to help others, despite the fact that you may not really be in the best position to help at the time it is needed most. Random acts of kindness by the witch thoughout the book are rewarded at the end of it when her friends save her from a fire-breathing dragon, and in return, she builds an even better broom to house her friends as a way of saying thank you. It teaches kids how important it is to be nice to everybody, and to be ready to lend a helping hand, because you never know when you might need a little help yourself.

When it comes to the saxophone, this book covers it all. Embouchure, posture, the parts of the horn, the history of the horn, reeds, fingering, you name it and it's in this book. It's surprisingly in depth on every front, even having a section on the altissimo register. This really is among the must haves of any saxophone player's library.

Having said that, this is in no way the ONLY book you should have. While it contains warm up exercises, actually buying a decent scale/chord study book should be a high priority. Also, if you're serious about learning the 3rd and 4th octaves, you need to buy a good high register book.

Ultimately, for me at least, this book comes down to more of an encyclopedia as opposed to a bible. It can take you really far, but you're eventually going to need to buckle down with specialty resources.

This book is considered by many to be the "Saxophonist's Bible." A great book with many illustrations and practical advice for playing the saxophone.

Great book!
I just started learning to play the sax, and this book has given me
an invaluable insight into the instrument and how to play it.
I recommend it to anyone starting to play the saxophone, but the information is valuable even for established and professional players.

I have recently started learning the basics of saxophone playing. My knowledge of playing the Saxophone, and indeed any musical instrument, and also music theory is limited. However I found that the information in "The Art of Saxophone Playing" was very informative and the way it is set out has certainly been of great help.
I think that the more advanced player will profit more from the information given in the later chapters. I'm hoping that as I improve I will better understand these chapters.

This book is a staple among saxophonists of all veins (jazz, classical, and anything else). It is a must-have, and for good reason. It gives insight in to every aspect of being a saxophonist, including some brief but helpful information on doubling. Some chapters are very in depth, though others are less so. A great find and worth every penny.

Brilliantly put together coffee table book - i recommend this to U2 fans - fantastic collection of photography- great variety covering each band member and even some family photos- loads of unseen photos - great idea with the hand written notes .... worth every cent

This book have new photographs that not has been seen about U2, and they have very good quality. This is not another book about U2, in my point this is a essential book for fans of U2.

Gorgeous pictures! Must have for true fanatic fans. A little pricey for the casual or average fan unless you have a crush on one of the band members. Anton's handwritten comments are a wonderful touch. They make you feel like you're part of the family. Definitely worth the money to me.

The iconic photos in this book are an essential addition to any U2 fans collection. It's great to see other shots taken in the same session as the well known images that have graced the magazines and album covers over the years. Best of all are the explanations behind the shots and the honesty that comes across from the photographer and the band.

No words can describe the beauty, quality and detailed work of this book; you can really tell the dedication Anton Corbijn put into it, as well as his loyalty to the band through all these years. It's not only a masterpiece describing through pictures and notes the history of the greatest rock band in the world, but also a must have for any major U2 fan. It's personalized album type format makes it a wonderful experience both to read and look, and the quality and art work of all the pictures is out of this world; it's almost like you grow closer to the band! I loved it and can't get enough of it!! It's worth every cent. Really!!

My grandson loves this. He is 3 1/2 and would play it constantly if he could. I buy this often for baby gifts. The whole family can listen, and not be bored with it.

I absolutely love love love this album. O yes and I almost forgot - My child is almost 2 and loves it just as much as I do. To get him interested at first we played the songs along with the pictures in the book which he thought was very funny (especially the song about the dog's nose). It has a great range of famous artists (Including BB king) and the songs are NOT painful to listen to, even over and over and over. I highly recommend this product to anyone who cannot stand another second of boring repetitive kids songs.

I was at a concert in CT when Bobby Vee, my teen idol, introduced Sandra Boynton, the author of the songs with Michael Ford and book titled "Blue Moo" and Bobby Vee proceeded to sing the song he had sung for the CD/book. People around me instantly fell in love with his song,"With You". So, as soon as I got back home to Massachusetts, the next day, I went online to Amazon.com and ordered the CD/book. Love all the songs and drawings. Like the title says, great for kids of all ages.
Ann

Blue Moo is one of about 6 Sandra Boynton CD/books I've recently purchased. She is clearly one of my favorite authors/composers of children's music and books! What's cool about Sandra is that she writes for kids - BUT her products are just as entertaining for adults! She is one of a kind in her approach to children's learning and entertainment. I can't wait to add more to my collection and wish I'd started much sooner! Blue Moo, and all of Sandra's works, is hip and cool and so much fun for all!

I heard this CD while visiting my 2 1/2 year old grandson, who listened to it at home and in the car. I loved it and bought it for myself. The lyrics are so cute-Speed Turtle and Rabbit Tango among many others. The music is catchy and irresistable, so familiar as the tunes are from the sixties. Every night, I'm serenaded by these silly songs and find they're just the ticket to relaxation. I've purchased more copies and Wild Dogs for gifts.

Great transaction for a great book. This was a gift for my wife who is the musician in the house. She loves the book and having so many songs in one book.

I haven't gotten my guitar skills to the point where I can play along with my singing, but this book has tons of really good songs. It's easy to use and I can't wait to start using it regularly in my Bible Study!

This is a wonderful (huge) book. Awesome variety of songs. The binded book makes it so easy to use while at the piano. Enjoy!

When I started looking for a book to order for all my musicians in a growing praise team, I picked this one b/c of it's contents and, in all honestly, availability. I needed to have bunch of copies and couldn't afford all of them at once, so I picked something I could find almost anywhere. Most of my vocalists are messo-soprano or below so it's hard to sing a lot of the songs because most of the keys are so high, but there are several great resources in the book. My favorite is the index of keys. Great song selection too. Chords, a few already transposed for use with a capo, and large print. Overall a safe and varied choice.

This book was purchased as a gift for a dear friend and really made her day when she recieved it

I must admit I was surprised and a little skeptical when the RZA, whom I have always seen as a stoic hardened man, decided to assemble a collection of his favorite recipes from his childhood as well as a few exotic dishes from around the world. My skepticism quickly evaporated upon receiving this charming tome, however. The Wu-Tang Manual provides the reader with a wealth of quick and easy (and cheap!) dishes that will leave your mouth watering. Whether you're planning a quiet, intimate time for a couple to relax, or a lively group gathering for a shower, graduation, or holiday, there are recipes here for all occasions. You'll learn how to turn out perfect renditions of classics with a twist such as Brown Butter Pecan Muffins, Baked Banana French Toast, and Smoked Salmon Benedict on Potato Pancakes, as well as new dishes to add to your repertory such as Tea-Smoked Trout Salad, and Baked Eggs with Fresh Corn "Polenta" and Slow-Roasted Tomatoes.

Though only 26 pages from start to finish, The Wu-Tang Manual is a decadent feast of a read, with usually dry recipes spiced up with some personal cooking anecdotes from the RZA and friends from the Wu-Tang clan. One such tale about the RZA and Method Man's disastrous first attempt at a crab bisque literally had me laughing until I was in tearz.

With mouthwatering photos and sections on menus and sources, The Wu-Tang Manual is all you need to throw a stylish and sophisticated dinner that any chef would be proud of.

I loved this book, my brother loved this book and I thought the Rza did a great job.....its the Wu FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you like the wu this is for you. if you like hiphop its a good read. so many little fill ins for missing wu knowledge. the best bits will depend on where you come at hiphop from, as an mc i liked the annotated lyrics section. it is fairly comprehensive overview of the wu and well worth the price. buy it or stay a sucker mc forever.

I bought this book because I have been an avid fan of the Wu since high school. I had a feeling it would be good but little did I know that it would be in the tops of the bests books I've ever read in my life. If you've ever listened to a Wu song and wondered what this line meant, or what this word means, look no further. Who knew that there was actual rhyme and reason to ever since word picked for their lyrics.

If this is truely only a volume 1 out of many, I can't wait for the others. No matter what level of Wu fan you are, this will double it at least. Get this book.

The Wu-Tang Clan has been of the primary influences in my life, starting my interest in Hip-Hop music and culture as a youth through adulthood. This book is amazing; however, a novice listener of the Wu will not truly understand this book. A bandwagon listener of the Wu will not truly understand this book. This book is for the true heads, the people that have been intrigued with the sound, slang, style and charisma of the Wu-Tang ever since they first dropped on the music scene. If you're one of these fans, buy this book; you won't be dissapointed. For all you corny,wannabe, Johnny-come-latelys that claim to be a Wu fan and only own The W and Iron Flag, do us all a favor and don't buy this book; it will be a piece of genius that will go to waste collecting dust.

Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game!

I read a book by Gene Simmons called KISS AND TELL. I also read a book about KISS called BEHIND THE MASK. After reading KISS FOREVER I noticed something strange happening to my way of thinking in regards to KISS. Before reading these three books I used to think of KISS the way I always had. What songs I liked, which album covers were the best, which costumes were best, ect. After reading this book (and the other two) I know so much about the day to day lives of KISS during the 70s and 80s that now I feel more like I was a member of KISS remembering my days with the band than a fan. As I read this I found it easy to imagine what it would have been like to have been a member of KISS. The book states when someone was sick, when their pants split on stage, when they did store appearances, ect. If you're a KISS fan you should have this book. I was worried I was wasting my money on a book that I wouldn't find interesting but I was wrong. Its a great book.

this is a great read. i like to just pick it up and browse. Interesting to see the actual attendence figures because they prove how much money KISS LOST in order to put on a good show. There are many dates that werent even close to selling out (mostly in the 80s), but it also shows that even in their hey day they usually only sold out places with apprx. 8 - 10,000 seats. Being compared to todays standards, that is pretty weak considering the sizeable show they toured with.
The set lists are interesting as well. Though many are the same, now and then you see a song and wish you were there to hear them play it! This book also has a few interesting notes in between tours.
This is one of the best books out there for kiss fans. Gives you a new appreciation for the band as you see how they played to a lot of half empty halls but still stuck with it. the book is also honest in its figures, no sugar coating. a really cool read that must have taken months, if not years, of research. Essential for any Kiss fan as well as rock n roll fans in general.

Kiss Alive Forever is a must read for any KISS fan. The book is filled with details from all their tours including dates, set lists, and many, many details from each show.

I've had this book for a couple years now and I can't put it down. I read it over and over and find interesting new facts every time. A day to day history of all their tours from day 1.

I Love This Book!!

This book has all the facts and figures about Kiss concerts that I've never read anywhere else.

It tells you the dates of each show, how much capacity the arena holds, what the attendance figures were, what songs were sung at most shows, in the order in which they were performed. It also has interviews with some touring personnel and their memories of the tour and/or show.

I really appreciated the end of the book that has all the songs Kiss has ever performed, the first and last time they performed the song (Hard Luck Woman was ever only performed during an 11 day period in 1976 and NOT during the three Forum shows that were recorded for Alive II. Some songs were only ever performed once, others only in other countries).

It breaks each tour down by album, tells you the biggest shows by attendance, all of their opening acts, who Kiss opened up for. It is packed with tons of information you never hear Gene and Paul talk about.

A must for any Kiss fan or anyone who enjoys the behind the scenes happenings of a major rock act.

This is a sweet story but I found the narration by Jimmy B. and his daughter a little lacking. I'm a Jimmy Buffet fan no doubt. I just don't think voice overs are his thing. It is cool to hear him doing something with his daughter though. Like I said, it's sweet but I don't think we will pull this one off the shelf very often.

When I read the initial literary review, I had to laugh. The story is not weakened by the Jolly Mon's lack of efforts! Hah! The story is about the Jolly Mon's total surrender to his own destiny. He sings, the fish jump out of the sea, a musical instrument comes his way, he tries to play and makes a discovery. He trusts nature. He takes the opportunites that come his way with faith and grace. He uses the gifts he was given to the best and highest purpose. He does as he is asked to do. The book is a metaphor of faith and surrender. Besides that, it is beautifully illustrated, the music is lovely and my 2 1/2 year old son asks for it again and again. And, yes we are all parrotheads...

Anyone who is familiar with Jimmy Buffett understands ~ fantasy and fun are important parts of life.

This book & CD get the dream underway...

When I ordered this book I didn't realize it was a children's book. But when it arrived I read it then mailed it to my grand daughters. So it didn't go to waste and it was at least read/heard by three people in my family. I have loved the other Jimmy Buffett books and songs.

The quality of the printing, the beautiful 'semi-true story', the bright and well done colorful pictures and the bonus CD of Jimmy Buffett's song, aka The Jolly Mon, make this an excellent purchase for anyone with young children in their lives. It can lead to laughter, clapping, dancing and giggles!