Music Books

It's a great book-cd combination for a people who like to study how to chant, then to impress others people.

Much as I enjoyed this workbook and its accompanying CD, I find making the time or finding the self-discpline to be the hard part. If you are a person who needs "babysitting," I doubt if this self-help book will be good for you.

The chants are sung in a comfortable mid-range, as opposed to a soprano or a bass.

This book is well laid-out and easy to follow. For the first time in 40 years I can actually read and chant Torah using the trope marks. I am not especially good at reading Hebrew, and have tried unsuccessfully many times to learn trope, but after two weeks with this book and the CD, I was astounded to find myself chanting properly right out of the Tanach! Highly recommended.

This book & CD combination is perfect for the motivated self-teacher. Having both male and female voices in the examples makes it easier to find your own voice. However, motivation is important, as in any self-teaching. I started learning trop from this book several times in the past, and couldn't stick with it. This is not a fault of the book, rather the fault of being motivated. Once I finally set the goal of chanting Torah 2 months hence, I found it much easier to stick with the book.

Possibly one of the best parts of the book is the last few pages, that actually show the musical notation for the trope marks. This is what most other sources are lacking, but it's immensely valuable to those of us who can read music. Once we've heard the trope a few times, we don't have to turn on the CD in order to be reminded -- just turn to the back of the book, or even just carry around a photocopy of those 3-4 pages.

I studied for 6 months with this book/CD combo and mastered the trope (Reform version) well enough to have chanted Torah for my synagogue twice in the last couple of months and am preparing for a 3rd parsha. You won't find every possible combination of cantillation marks here, but you will find 95+ % of what you'll ever run into in the Torah (including special sections for High Holidays, Song of the Seas and the Ten Commandments.)

The only thing better would be to combine this with the availability of a trained cantor. Highly recommended for anyone in a Reform schul.

I found this book to be incredibly helpful in understanding ADHD and how art therapy can be especially effective in treating this disorder. I recommend it very highly, especially if you or someone you know has an ADHD child in their family.

I found this book to be incredibly helpful in understanding what my child was going through -- it really helped me better communicate with my child and we are now working through her issues together. It also helped me better understand and work with her therapist. All in all, I found this book to be extremely helpful and recommend it very highly, especially if you or someone you know has an ADHD child.

This book should fall into the hands of professionals and families whose lives have been affected by contact with this illness.

The methodology of art therapy is an insight not only to expose repressed feelings as well as helping to define the perspectives of those with antisocial behavior patterns.

The clarity of this easily read book and the dedication of the author's efforts should give impetus to new hope for those who have struggled with this neurological problem.

This reviewer's first hand encounters with the symptoms of ADand HD,hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsivity which evoked only a loving empathy found the contents of the book a hope-filled horizon.

By teaching and giving vent through physical expression in art forms many more senses are engaged leading to awakenings, the author encourages, thereby moving all concerned to more pragmatic and redeeming stages of self regard and social responsibility.

Ms. Safran's studies and conclusions may well repave many paths filled with frustrations and heartbreak for families while providing a seemingly simple method to self discovery for the
ADandHD affected.....at any age.

This is a very good resource for therapists working with children with AD/HD, families with AD/HD and adults with AD/HD. Written in a down to earth style the book briefly reviews the history of AD/HD,tells how to assess children,families and adults and suggests appropriate assessment tools to use. Though the book is not geared to individual work, it coaches the reader in how to set up groups for children, families and adults. In addition, the book includes an excellent resource appendix for the therapist and parent education.

In this book, Diane Safran clearly demonstrates her knowledge and skill as a highly qualified art therapist. More importantly, in this work she brilliantly demonstrates the efficacy of this discipline in diagnosing and treating this disorder.
What is most impressive is her sensitivity to and the awareness of the pervasive impact this disorder has on the whole family. Regardless of whether the patient is a child or an adult, once the diagnosis is made, Safran and her team are prepared to address individual, family and environmental issues impacting on future progress of the patient.
The text is well written, the format easy to follow and the case studies and illustrations excellent.
As a pioneer in the field of art therapy education, I recommend this book not only to those teachers and mental health professionals working with ADHD populations, but to students in all fields of mental health who need to be informed about the value of this discipline as an adjunct to their practice and as a significant modality that may be a treatment of choice.

This is a very light, straight-from-the-pages book. Meaning, it's not like his mother's biography. it doesn't give any insight or past memories or anything of the such. 98% of the stuff in this book is just recycled information from M, Popstar, Bop, etc.

Unfortunately, that's how most Aaron Carter books are. There may not be as much to write about on a sixteen-year-old as a thirty-something-year-old, but you can make it interesting.

All rants aside, again, this IS a fun book. It has the astrological stuff that teen mags repeat every month. However, this isn't the book for you if you've been a fan of Aaron's for a long time. It's very basic, and you probably already know who Nick is, what his birthday is, where he grew up, etc. Not to mention the fact that this book was released when he was just eleven. Most of the book is filler. His life story is finished before hte first half of the book; the last 2-3 chapters are donated to Nick and the BSB.

A recent fan? Check it out. A long-time fan? Skip it.

ohh, if u could read this book ,you will totally screamed.....I have read it and i couldnt stop my self to blushed coz i was amazed by aaron carter.He is so nice than I've known before...You so why wait buy this copy and this will impressed you so much...

I think his book was very well written book.Once i started reading i was devoured into the book. It felt a lot like i knew aaron from reading this short biogrophy. It let me kinda take an inside look at aaron...i learned a lot more about him. I also loved the color photo section in the book. And since i didn't know much about him at the time and i wanted to know more...I read this. I felt like i got to know him. I rate this a 10 star book! Ok I rate it a 5 outa 5..there that better??? So if u are an aaron fan...i suggest you read this! I luv u aaron! Luv, ~*~*KRystal~*~*

THIS BOOK IS BRILL IT TELLS YOU TONS ABOUT AARON AND HOW TO CONTACT HIM IT ALSO TELLS YOU HIS OLD ADDRESS IN TAMPA BAY.I KNOW EVERY ONE SAY THIS BUT I REALLY AM HIS NUMBER ONE FAN, OH BOY WHAT ID DO TO MEET HIM ID DO NEARLY ANY THING. I THINK HES GREAT AND THIS BOOK IS BETTER THEN WORDS CAN SAY...I LOVE AARON VOICE AND PORSONALITY AND THIS BOOK TELLS YOU EVERY THING,I JUST WISH AARON COULD WRITE HIS OWN BOOK THAT WOULD BE SO COOL WELL AS I SAY I LOVE THIS BOOK AND I JUST READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN ITS SO GOOD SO BUY IT!!!!!

well..I think if you read this book you would be soooo suprised about Aaron Carter..that he's so awsome..and cute too!!!

Ms. Sheridan really brought this book into my heart. She knew exactly how to make me feel for these brave men and after I was done reading I really wanted to know more because I truly felt connected with them. Excellent book and I do recommend anyone wanting to read a book about the FDNY to read this book first!!!!!

This is a truly heart-wrenching story of the pipers and drummers pf the FDNY pipe band. Written in a strong journalistic style, the suthor really conveys the strength of these men and their close relationships.

While she gets a few details of uniform (shawls for piper's plaids) and piping (puffing on their pipes) wrong, she's really captured the feelings of these men who face danger and death on a daily basis.

From the first page, I was hooked. I felt like I was living that day all over again. This time, I wasn't sitting in my home in Seattle in shock and horror, I was in New York with an emotional connection to the families mentioned in the book and those not mentioned. I have a new found respect for all fire fighters. I already have a great deal of respect for those who put there lives on the line for any job but now it's impossible to put into words the level of respect I have for them.

This book WILL take you on an amazing emotional journey.

This book is very powerful. I picked this book up and thought it would be an interesting read then I could not believe how moved I would become. It is well written and allows the reader to get close to the men and their families. The readers anxiety grows as the date of September 11 approaches. I had to put the book aside a few times and remind myself of the gratitude I feel toward the brave men who gave their lives to save others and inspiration from those who survived and went back to look for family members, friends and complete strangers in order for those who were murdered to be laid to rest properly. The unity and brotherhood of the elite group of bagpipe players is inspirational. Thank you to the author for allowing readers to gain a new perspective of the days following September 11 and what the FDNY suffered. I felt as though I knew these men personally.

Bagpipe Brothers: The FDNY Band's True Story Of Tragedy, Mourning, And Recovery is the true story New York City's Emerald Society Bagpipe Band, who used their instruments to mourn in the and show their respect at the funerals for the victims of the 9/11 attacks, including the 343 firefighters who died and those who were unearthed from the rubble at ground zero. The band itself lost one of its own from the attacks, as well as the brother of a member; Bagpipe Brothers recounts in vivid detail the emotions, experiences, terrible grief and striving to help any way one can in the wake of tragedy. A profound and powerful tribute to both the lost and the survivors struggling to cope.

Great little reference book for ballet. Shows "step-by-step" pictures of each position and/or movement. Tells you what the body position should be when executing each movement.

I had this book when I was a kid and I loved it. I had it when I moved and then one day is was just gone. So I got it again. I love the pictures and it is a great supplement to a class.

"Basic Ballet" by Joyce MaaKie is a great (no-nonsense) reference book for the ballet enthusiast, regardless of age. It explains the positions throughly and with lots of photos. The only thing that would make it better would be to increase the size of the pictures and make it a wire-bound book so it stays open when performing the techniques.

I have many technique books that are on the market,and this book tops them all! Most ballet teaching books relate to little kids only, well, this book grows with the student. What I mean is its not sugar coated with pictures of little kids dressed in pink tutus. It shows a real ballerina deminstraiting technique.
I like this book,and recomend it to you as well as my students.
Kim's school of dance.

This very complete volume is a lovely gift book as well as a useful reference book. The only weakness is the lack of emphasis on arm positions when doing the steps although they are illustrated in the photographs. I believe dancers who have experienced the following will find it useful too: When I was a student of ballet, I was frustrated by the subtle differences in the standards of different teachers. Sometimes I wondered, "So how EXACTLY am I supposed to do this?" I did not enjoy being corrected for what a prior instructor had taught me and pronounced well-executed. This book would have clarified things for me at the time. Now that I practice alone, I find this book invaluable. Also, I support Christine's review dated May 4, 2001.

If you're interested in bass, and not a pro yet, this is one of the few worth buying. If you read my other reviews you'll know I don't give out unearned compliments. If the book is a farce I will say so. There is no worthless drivel in this book, but 250 pages of bass lines showing different techniques.

This book is a must have for the bassists music library. I thought I knew a lot about music and playing the bass. I thought I knew a lot of licks. This book took my playing to the next level. It really gives you a LOT of ideas for virtually EVERY type of music. Like Metal, R&B, African Music, Latin, Slap???? It has it ALL. Great rythmic exercises as well as countless hours upon hours of practiceable licks. Yep.

Westwood's book is really quite the handy resource to have. If you have a question as to a musical style and how to play it on the bass, this is what to use. Having the standard notation, tabs, and audio to learn from will be helpful for beginners through more advanced players.

One caveat I would bring to the potential buyer is that this is by no means a book on theory, it is a huge collection of examples. There is a small introduction describing techniques at the beginning of the book as well as a paragraph to a page or so introducing each various style, but even that is in more of a historical context. At the point that i bought this book, I really just wanted to find really cool stuff to play and I couldn't have cared less for any theory, and that indeed I received. Even after 4 years of having this book, I still find the riffs at the end of this book (progressive jazz) to be some of the most challenging and fun to play.

In conclusion, this is a fine reference to have as it attempts to cover the myriad of styles out there...and it does a decent job.

i have just started reading this book and i'm already learning something. the quality of the recordings on the CD's is top notch and the font size is great(i only wish the book was spiral-bound). thank you Mr. Westwood for an invaluable source of inspiration. :)

The bass bible is intimidating when you first open it up. there is alot of info. But i have thoroughly enjoyed learning the bass lines and progressions

This book is great! You can: Play guitar, play piano, sing the lyrics....all from this book!

When I say that you can "play like Barry", I mean it. The Brothers have presented us with their well-remembered hits of their collection, and for each hit includes piano and guitar chords. Now, for any guitarist like me you're lucky to have illustrated guitar chords--not just the abbreviations and symbols. I love it when I play my accoustic guitar while going along with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"--sounds just like Barry's guitar playing!! The layout of the music is just flawless and unsurpassable.

And, finally, in the "About the Songs" section of the book, I love relooking at the descriptions of the Bee Gees' hits, where Barry, Robin and the never-forgotten Maurice Gibb made comments. The descriptions give you plenty of detail and I always learn something new reading them--for instance, Robin describes how the UK hit "My World" surprisingly became a hit--that motivates me on their music. What I'm trying to tell you is that the descriptions aren't like: "Yes, a great song indeed" and that's it. Not really.. For example, Barry's description of Stayin' Alive blew me away saying "Light fuse and stand well back"--like it was some explosive piece of music. That section just captivates my attention, and makes me replay their music.

This is one ultimate book that makes you play their hits without trouble! You're definitely missing out on this inspiring book if you don't think about buying it!! Believe me, it's worth your every penny.

This is a 4 CD set of wonderful songs from Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. There are songs from the early days like "I Started a Joke" and "Spicks and Specks", through the disco craze of "Saturday Night Fever" and on to 1990. I is a great collection, one I listen to over and over.

this is a cool Book that gives a overview within the structuring of many the Bee Gee's songs.you can see the Paino Parts&Hooks&bridges too various tracks they did over the years.I've always dug there Rhythm&Timing on there tracks.they understood Hooks really well.and one of the things they don't get enough credit for is being able too Groove during the Disco Era when many acts were just pushing Buttons these Cats could strip down the Groove.

This 43 song composite covers songs from 1067-1990. The chords are set for piano, vocals and guitar. Some of the song selections are perrenial favorites, while others are odd offerings ("Jumbo", "Throw A Penny" "Boogie Child (actually complex)). There is a brief Discography and a song by song recollection by each one of the Gibbs. Some comments are funny some poignant and some silly. Not a bad set.

A great collection -- for Vocal, Piano and Guitar. 43 songs with lyrics and guitar chords/diagrams. Includes brief comments by the B-G's on each song. Contains: Alive, Bodyguard, Boogie Child, Come on Over, Edge of the Universe, Fanny (Be Tender with My Love), First of May, He's a Liar, Holiday, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, How Deep is Your Love, I Started a Joke, I Can't See Nobody, I've Gotta Get a Message to You, If I Can't Have You, Jive Talkin', Jumbo, Living Eyes, Lonely Days, Love You Inside Out, Love So Right, Massachusetts, Melody Fair, More than a Woman, Mr. Natural, My World, New York Mining Disaster, Night Fever, Nights on Broadway, One, (Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away, Run to Me, Someone Belonging to Someone, Stayin' Alive, Throw a Penny, To Love Somebody, Too Much Heaven, Tragedy, Woman in You, World, Words, You Should be Dancing, You Stepped Into my Life.

Sure wish it had more . . . .

I bought this book for the illustrations, but I found the story was just as beautiful. My grandson who has just started playing the trumpet loved it, too. In fact, he even made the effort to give me a call after he had read it to share his enthusiasm. I will definately purchase more of this remarkable woman's work,

Ben's Trumpet (authored and illustrated by Rachel Isadora) was named a Caldecott Honor book for best illustrations in 1980. Honor! These black and white pics are striking! I'll have to read the book that actually won that year. I can't imagine anything better than "Ben". But that's beside the point.


Summary

Ben has an imaginary trumpet and frequents the outside of the Zig Zag Jazz Club. He plays his "trumpet" for his mother, father, grandmother, and baby sister. But when neighborhood children see him playing, they laugh and call him crazy. Ben decides to quit playing his imaginary trumpet, until he meets with the trumpeter from the club.

Ben's Trumpet is a masterful with a simple text and "art-deco" that is remeniscent of The Jazz Era. Isadora is successful in conveying a cool, jazzy feel. A must-read with a satisfying conclusion. Play on!

R

As an international music teacher we need to give all theencouragement we can give to keep the music programs alive in ourschools. Not just in the states but in the world. This short story relates to the young hopeful musican who hopes to be a contributor to the music world - Keep the dream.

In the age of computer games and 3-D animation, the simple imagination of a child to envision himself learning to be a jazz musician is refreshing. Unlike previous reviews, I feel the dramatic black and white drawings set off some of the cultural issues the illustrations portray. Obviously, young Ben does not live an idealized childhood at home. Yet, he finds that his passion for music can only be fulfilled outside of jazz clubs (which usually perform late in the evening and he is too young to enter). The point of the book is how he acts out THIS reality. He is looking "outside of the box" (hence the illustrations of his home life) and finds the attention from the father-figure (the trumpeter) who Ben wants to imitate. The book vividly illustrates the importance of role models in a child's life.

There are large and small crimes in the world. Small crimes includes little white lies and petty theft. Large crimes represent something much larger in the grand scheme of things. For example, it is a very large crime that it took the New York Public Library's 2003 100 Children's Books Everyone Should Know for me to discover "Ben's Trumpet". Have you seen this book? This is a gorgeous piece of work, particularly striking in its publication date (1979) but not dated. Not even a little. Following Ben, a young man living in a Harlem-esque neighborhood, the story depicts the boy's obsession with playing the trumpet. The plot is touching and has a happy ending that doesn't feel forced or tacked on. It flows just as smoothly as the book itself. Nice storylines aren't what push this book into greatness, however. Look at the illustrations a minute. Notice Isadora's use of line. Her clever placement of black and white. Look at the different drawing styles that emanate from the jazz musicians and their music. Now compare this to Ben's home, a simplistic realistic series of pictures. My favorite section comes after the trumpeter at the Zig Zag Jazz Club compliments Ben on his trumpet playing. The next two pages show the trumpeter walking away, his body curved, swaying to some internal music. On the opposite page there is a kaleidoscope of forms and images, possibly representing Ben's elation at the compliment. Possibly just serving as gorgeous filler. Please read this to your children. Teach this to your children. And give this book to everyone you know. Do I gush? I know I do. But trust me, this book is worth it.

This book has very difficult songs as well as quite simple songs in it. I would suggest this book if you are an advanced player. For the beginner it may be waaaaay to difficult. The accuracy of the TABS are questionalbe. The music part is accurate, but I have found several mistakes in the tabs... they just don't match up with the music notes in certain sections. Despite these few inaccuracies, I would highley reccomend this book for your bass music library.

What more can you ask for - the best of Victor Wooten transcribed by the man himself. Top book.

I own this book and am very satisfied with it.it has all of the greats live amzing grace classical thump and stomping grounds.its great if you want to learn just the songs but it doesn't teach you more than that.no techniques or anything wich would be really nice to have from a bass god like Vic.

For a really long time I had been wondering how Vic played that one little arpeggio at the beginning of Sinister Minister, how he pulled off two bass melodies at once, and just how he was doing that thumb stuff. Everything in here is transcribed note for note by Vic himself. After I bought this book, not only did I learn how he did it, but I integrated some of his techinques into my own musical vocabulary. The combination of the rhythms shown in the staff and the precision of the tablature makes it much easier to learn the techniques of the world's greatest living bassist.

Let's be real here, folks; you won't learn a lotta these songs any other way than to buy this book. And they're not even transcribed by someone else, Victor himself wrote out the pieces so you know they're accurate. I transcribed "Norwegian Wood" by watching his hands on the Bass Day video and warped the tape because I rewound & paused it so much. If only this had been available then, I wouldn't have had to spend another $25 on the DVD....

Seriously though, if you're an avid Wooten fan you'll be pleased, several of his more difficult songs are in here. I think "The Sinister Minister" solo has been long awaited, as well as "U Can't Hold No Groove" and "Amazing Grace". I tried to knock out "The Vision" for a while but now I don't have to! You won't learn anything revolutionary about his technique, but if you follow Vic closely you know the tricks already. You're limited by the fact that he plays so fast you can't figure out the notes. No longer!

I definitely think that "Me And My Bass Guitar" should have been in here, but I've got enuff songs to learn for now without tackling that one.

I like Betty Garrett very much! From Laverne & Shirley, All In The Family-very funny! I like that the book is her autobiography! I can't wait to read all about the life & times of the lovely Betty Garrett! I also have David L. Lander's autobiography & the unofficial Penny Marshall book! Any one who's a fan of "Laverne & Shirley" e-mail me @: tiff_lisatony7@yahoo.com. We can chat about Betty, Penny, David, Cindy, Michael, Phil, & evrything else related to "Laverne & Shirley".

If you like reading celebrity autobiographies, and you even have a passing interest in this actress, don't miss this book. It really is a very engrossing read. She speaks of her life in a very honest and forthcoming fashion, and she has had quite an interesting life, the most dramatic part being the blacklisting of her actor husband, Larry Parks, in the 1950's, and her "guilt by association."

Also, if you happen to be a fan of either Lloyd, Beau, and/or Jeff Bridges, you should know that Betty and Larry are/were(Larry is deceased) very close to this family -- Betty is Jeff Bridges' godmother.

So, if you know Betty from her movie work (she tells such a funny story about Frank Sinatra, from when they were filming "On the Town"), her stage work, or her TV work on "All in the Family" and "Laverne and Shirley," I think you will more than appreciate this book.

I hope you read this and enjoy it as much as I did!

betty garrett was the best in those mgm movies and she could have been so much more famous

I have loved the movies of both Betty Garrett and Larry Parks for years, and now feel that I have read their love story. Betty's descriptions of her multi-faceted career and personal life were written with humor, warmth, and love. She and Larry endured the 'unofficial' blacklist and other obstacles together, and showed what "in good times and in bad" really meant. I admire and adore them both even more now. Her book is a wonderful read and her career isn't even over.

Betty's wit, wisdom and reflections prove that there's a lot more to her than a pretty face and wise-cracks. Talent, sensitivity and grace make her a beautiful author with something important to say. Show business enthusiasts and historians alike will greatly enjoy her story. And, since her career is enjoying a recent resurgence, we can only hope she'll write a sequel, soon!