Musicals Books

I cannot review this book because I returned it. My Doctors recomended that I not play guitar for medical reasons.

When I first opened up this book and discovered an autographed picture of Halie Selassie I was frankly shocked, but (and these are the little tidbits of trivia that make this book a fascinating read) believe it or not, Willie Nelson gave the African despot guitar lessons in the late 60's when they were both in Harar for the Lewd Thomas Festival. A terrific read with literally thousands of chord break-downs and hands-on rhythms for the beginner. A unique crash-course! Also, what I liked the best, was the the easy-to-stuff pinsize cut-outs and the cathedral-like layouts of otherwise impossible accordion progressions. If you own one book on your shelf, besides Robert Anton Wilson, this will be the pie for the goose. Highly recommended.

Contray to the comments posted by Lee Potchka, this book does not contain a picture of Hailie Selassie (autographed or otherwise) and it has NO chord break-downs or rhythms. And I have no idea what Potchka meant by "easy-to-stuff pinsize cut-outs and the cathedral-like layouts of otherwise impossible accordion progressions," lol. This book is a guide to the purchase, care and use of acoustic guitars, focusing primarily on their physical characteristics. Examples of topics covered include tips on buying a guitar, a thorough description of the differences between steel-stringed acoustics and classical (nylon-stringed) guitars illustrated with clearly labeled diagrams, and information on care, maintenance, and storage. It has a very useful glossary that doubles as an index, and includes many helpful illustrations. I would recommend it to anyone getting ready to buy their first guitar, especially someone who is unsure of what kind of guitar they want or what to look for in selecting one. Tuning is discussed, and there are some basic practice and playing tips, but this is not a book on how to play the guitar or what to play on it. I presume Potchka's review was meant to go with a different book, because the comments in it bear no resemblance to this one.

My son is the pianist and he thought it was very helpful and thorough.

This book is for anyone who is hungry to aquire the knowledge and history of the rhythms from Cuba and how these rhythms came from Africa to the caribbean. The format is very easy to follow, the information given is great and very accurate, the people that knows some of the great salsa performers will appreciate the wealth of pictures printed on the book, like Israel Cachao, Luis Quintana "Changuito", Juan Formell, Tito puente, Isaac Oviedo, etc. The discography list is a must for anyone who wants to learn about salsa and rhythms alike. The musical examples, like the montunos on the piano are a must to learn. Excellent book! Rebeca Mauleon is an excellent musicologist.

For students of Latin rhythms, this book is essential. It has a good historical perspective and develops the concepts from the history in a clear methodical fashion. The examples of each instrument's parts in various rhythmic styles are perfect and it is an essential reference for anyone who wants to understand the rich culture of Latin music.

This item arrived incredibly quickly and has been very useful. I got it in 2 days with economy shipping.

Includes: Fallen* World on Fire* Stupid* Drifting* Train Wreck* Push *Answer* Time* Perfect Girl* Dirty Little Secret

Really nice transcription of Sarah's Afterglow. The songs, when played on the piano, sound just about right, except for the fact that the melody line is always there. They definitely need a little interpretation here and there, but all in all this is great. The music is wonderful to play in itself, and singing to it is also fun (as long as you don't compare yourself to Sarah!). I haven't tried many of the songs with the guitar chords, but they also seem to be in line.

A perfect gift for any musician who's a fan of Sarah-even the not-quite-so-fanatics will enjoy. The piano is not too advanced, and the guitar chords are diagrammed along with the music. This is really a wonderful book of music.

I loved it the instant I started playing it, what else can I say? The transcriptions are quite accurate and sound good on the piano. The vocal part requires that you listen to the CD to know what it is actually supposed to sound like on the verses, as Sarah changes them a bit. The piano part is a good mix of the original piano part plus some of the synth and guitar parts, a mix that is very pleasing to the ear. Enjoy!

although terminology might be a little out-dated(both mathematicaly and musicaly),the book contains an overwhelming number of ideas and aprroaches toowards melody,scales,harmony etc. Some of these ideas have been exploited PARTIALLY {for instance:Coltrane's symetric scales on Giant Steps) in modern music,but there's plenty left for any style of music.As an avid student of modern jazz and fusion improvisation I havn't been able to come across a larger body of knowledge even amongst such Berkley "legends" as goodrick,bergonzi etc.

I read the first volume of Schillingers work in about 1960 and it has remained in my mind since then. It is a mathematical template that can be overlayed to any music form. It doesn't replace the creative process, but gives one a way to develop his germinal ideas into a full musical form. I think this will be especially true if these ideas are applied using the computer technology now available

I got this book about a month ago, and its become an obsession. Literally I cant put it down. It is mind blowing to say the least. - - Schillinger presents an entire new way of looking at music. It is very relevent for the modern Jazz improviser (Personally, I play Jazz organ and have a penchant for Hard Bop and Soul Jazz.) The jargon does get a bit intimidating at times, but once you sit down with your instrument and fiddle around, whole new worlds open up even if you dont understand it fully. You begin to see the beauty and logic behind some of your favorite compositions. - - I had a ball the first night I read it experimenting with different melodies by doing permutations... Its even helped me figure out all that wierd lingo in the Yusef Lateef book on Scales and Patterns. - - The one thing Ill say though... this book aint for dabblers. You gotta have a lot of time and motivation on your hands. I spend about 12 hours a day at my instrument... and even that aint enough, so for me, the book is great. But if youre not lucky or disciplined enough to have this kind of time however, still are curious about more mathematical ways of envisioning creative Jazz lines, I suggest JIMMY AMADIEs book JAZZ IMPROV: HOW TO PLAY IT; HOW TO TEACH IT.

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For those who have the time and intellectual inclination, suggest you pair this book with Schubert: Lieder and go through the whole Schubert lieder experience, combining poetry, music, and criticism: a worthy pursuit of the best of humanity--amid the wrack and ruin of civilization in the 21st Century New Dark Age.
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John Reed's Schubert Song Companion provides clear and literal translations to the more than 600 known Schubert lieder. Reed also includes musical analysizations and historical information about each song. This book is perfect for anyone from the Schubert scholar to the curious listener. Definately a must for any Schubert singer!

To get a start in the world of the lieder, this is the best by far. Thourogh, well organized, easy to use...

Well written and richly informative. A great standard biography about one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Contains letters written by the composer himself, as well as the words of those who knew Sergei personally. Well worth purchasing if you are a pianist/musician who wants to have a deeper understanding of Rachmaninoff's life and and times.

This book is very thouroughly written, drawing on resources of Rachmaninoff's relatives, letters that Rachmaninoff himself wrote, and of personal interactions. It gives a glimpse into Rachmaninoff's private life, which very little is known about, and shows Rachmaninoff for the true musical genius that he is.

I found this book extremely helpful and a joy to read. I have used it as a resource for a Rachmaninoff class that i am creating and also for my own pleasure. It spans through Rachmaninoff's life, going in-depth to look at glimpses of Rachmaninoff's life with family, and then meticulously explores his music career.It looks into what inspired him, his meetings with other famous composers, his performances, and includes many letters about his personal life that he wrote to his family and friends. Overall, an excellent look into the life of a composer about whom we do not know much.

"Shake it to the One That You Love the Best" is the full title of this short book of play songs and lullabies from the African American musical tradition.

It's a toe-tapping, hand-slapping, hip-shaking tribute to most any black little girl's growing-up days.

Complete with song origins, lyrics (with sheet music) and original art, this book can provide some fun cross cultural bridge-building moments with several generations of black American families, especially those that remember Miss Mary Mack and Little Sally Walker.

Listen. Learn. Love.

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Linda Leigh Hargrove is the author of two works of fiction: The Making of Isaac Hunt (2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (2008). Her writings blend suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America.

I bought this book set when my son was only 18 months old. He's 14 now and he's completely unembarrassed to sing the songs from this book set. I was hoping this was available in cd format since the tape is all but worn out. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a simple way to connect with their young child. The songs are simple and fun to learn. You will definitely recognize some of the songs no matter what your age or ethnicity. More importantly, you and your child will enjoy the special time spent singing the songs and reading the book. My mother is a parenting teacher (for parents of infants and toddlers)and she regularly recommends this to her moms.

My children found this book and cassette at the library. We have renewed it twice and they have not tired of the little diddies.
My husband even remembers some of the little songs to which we girls jumped rope. I recommend this to everyone who wants & needs to remember what it was like to be a kid again.

An amazing book. A stupendous record of the creation of SHOWBOAT. There is no other book of a broadway musical so detailed with cast-info, original set-design photographs and the ever-changing versions. This is a masterpiece.

Getting to Know Him: A Biography of Oscar Hammerstein II
Show Boat (1962 Studio Cast Recording)

This coffee-table sized book was published in 1977 to commemorate the 50th anniversay of the opening of the Florenz Ziegfeld production of SHOW BOAT, with music and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern. It is not just an entertaining diversion for fans of the show or musical theatre in general, but a serious study and commentary of Edna Ferber's book (upon which the show is based), the original 1927 Broadway production, the first 1929 Hollywood movie version, the 1936 Universal movie version, and the 1951 MGM version. Kreuger is not afraid to be critical (he believes the 1936 movie is the best Hollywood rendition because it follows the original play the closest, while the 1951 movie is the worst because of "its largely inappropriate cast, its musical mutilation, its humorless script, and its empty Technicolored fripperies"). Complete cast listings, a list of regional productions, and a selected discography are included, along with scores of photographs. A very handsome book about a supreme example of the American Musical, a delight for the eye as well as the mind.

I have had this remarkable book ever since it was first published back in 1977, to mark the 50th anniversary of "Show Boat"'s opening on Broadway. It is criminal that it has been allowed to slip out of print not once, but twice--in its original edition and in its expanded, updated edition as well.

Perhaps the reason for this is the current trendy emphasis on political correctness. The original stage production, and every American stage production until 1946, used the "n" word several times both in the lyrics and dialogue when referring to black people. (The word was not used in the film versions of the show.) But ever since 1946, both Hammerstein and public taste demanded that this word be expunged from the show. Author Miles Kreuger makes a strong case that the use of the "n" word was not an example of insensitivity; to Kreuger it was Hammerstein's way of being brutally honest about the way blacks were treated in the 19th century South. But perhaps some readers refused to recognize the validity of Kreuger's point.

This book was, as far as I know, the very first book to ever devote itself to analyzing and documenting the history of one Broadway musical. It is clear that author Miles Kreuger deeply reveres "Show Boat", and that he considers it perhaps the most important American musical stage work ever written. The research he has done for this book is staggering. Not only does he include a chapter-by-chapter description of Edna Ferber's original novel, he also includes a scene-by-scene description of the musical, as well as an extremely detailed description of the long unseen 1929 part-talkie film version of Ferber's original novel (illustrated profusely with stills from the film), and a detailed description of the classic 1936 film version of the stage musical (also illustrated profusely with stills). There is detailed information on the writing and staging of the first production, an entire chapter devoted to the now forgotten, and much sanitized post-World War II Broadway revival (staged in 1946),as well as appendices containing cast lists for Broadway, London, regional, and film versions of the show, including which songs were omitted and/or retained.In short, this book gives you the works, and is close to the last word on "Show Boat".

And Kreuger is a strongly opinionated author, who is not afraid to show his preferences. Although he was not born long ago enough to have seen them, to him the 1927 and 1932 stage productions are the most memorable versions of the show, because they most closely reflect Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's original concept for it. Up through the date in which this book was published, no subsequent Broadway revival, according to Kreuger, had ever lived up to or surpassed those first two Broadway stagings, and Kreuger considers the 1936 film version of "Show Boat" one of the finest Hollywood treatments of a Broadway musical classic.

Conversely, Kreuger is absolutely merciless in his withering criticism of the much-loved and much revived M-G-M 1951 Technicolor film of "Show Boat" (with Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner and Howard Keel), detailing its almost total disregard for Kern and Hammerstein's intentions, its alteration of some of the song arrangements as well as some of the story, its near-total abandonment of Hammerstein's dialogue, and its flagrant watering down of the show's most dramatic moments to fit what he calls "the M-G-M mold" (i.e., a musical that avoids controversy). He scoffs at some of the casting choices, except for the choice of Howard Keel as Ravenal, Joe E. Brown as Cap'n Andy, and William Warfield as Joe. And he leaves us with the feeling that anyone who loves the 1951 film has no idea of what a production of "Show Boat" should be like or has never been exposed to the original musical.

This book may annoy some, but it is essential reading for theatre students and lovers of musicals. It has been highly influential, prompting both EMI's complete , "authentic", excellent 1988 recording of the score and Harold Prince's 1994 stage revival. It should be brought back into print and kept in print.

item arrived as promised, before last shipping date and exactly in condition promised

This is a the great second sight reading book of a 2 book series. I highly recomend as you learn musicality whilst learning to sight read. You learn the different playing positions.

I teach classical guitar and have found this book to be one of those "rare jewels" I sometimes am fortunate to come upon. This has to be one of the best books for understanding how to read classical guitar music notation, learning how to play up the neck in higher positions, phrasing, familiar and less frequently used tempo terms such as "Placidamente" (peacefully), and "Giocoso" (playfully). It also contains some excellent rhythm exercises and much, much more. It does not begin at the beginner's level but starts off on the very first page with intervals of a tenth, chord reading, and rhythmic reading in two voices. Every page is absolutely loaded with useful information and exercises that will make you slow down and really think about what you are doing and why. I cannot say enough good things about this book and it holds a very cherished place among my many other music books. I use it frequently to the point that many of the pages are now a bit worn-looking, but if you want to really become not just a good guitarist, but a great one, this book will definitely help you advance to those higher levels of musicality most guitarists never go.

We bought this a month ago to add to our collection and it is definitely a favorite. Some of the songs are familiar and some of them are new to us. I have an eight month old, an eight yo and a thirteen yo - all boys - who are enjoying adding songs to our daily activities. Music and songs just make everything smoother.

THE SINGING DAY has been a fabulous find for us. We picked up a copy at a local store run by a Waldorf expert. We have absolutely loved THE SINGING DAY! My son just turned two. We bought THE SINGING DAY 5 months ago, and have gotten a lot of use out of it.

The illustrations are excellent. We have even spent time with our son talking about the cover illustration, which depicts events in a child's day. The black and white drawings inside are simple and appealing, and our child pages through the book to look at those as well.

THE SINGING DAY book contains simple music and verses for over 100 songs. When I say simple, I mean that the music shows the melody only. I can follow along using our little xylophone. The book also contains extra verses for many songs, so that once you learn a song, you can go to the book to learn more verses.

THE SINGING DAY CD is very nicely done. The singing is a capella (voice only), with almost always just one singer (though there several singers overall). The songs are grouped by time of day and activity, so you can work your way through, for example, a set of songs to sing while cleaning, doing errands, or the like. I think there is only one song that I do not much enjoy -- the singer seems to be trying to sing in a southern accent that sounds artificial to my southern ear. But that is a minor quibble. Overall, this is excellent work.

As a mother, I love having songs to share with my child for all these activities. My son loves to sing them with me, and has asked us to play the CD "again, again, again!" He has been a big fan of nursery rhymes and other rhymes, and these simple songs fit nicely with that.

Thank you to the authors and to the publisher, should any of you ever read this. Your book and CD have enriched our lives.

We are really enjoying the accapela CD. They have several different vioces, male and female. They can all be clearly understood, helpful when one doesn't read music. Great companion to the book! Over 100 songs and verses, it does included some short prayers and graces, although not professing any particular religion, instead simply spiritual. Personally I like them, but I know it is an issue for some. There was a huge varity of useful songs from those for greeting the day to cooking to washing hands to soothing hurts, and more. Before each section there is a quick introduction of how the following songs could be used, such as "to help with household activities". Wonderful for the under 10 set, best for those with kids in the preschool and lower grades.