150 American Folk Songs: To Sing, Read and Play (BH Kodaly) Review

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(More customer reviews)I use songs from this book daily in my music classes for Kindergarten through 5th grade.I think it is the most concise, accurate, and fairly priced collection of American folk songs you will find.If you are a parent, music lover, or music teacher, this book is for you!

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Product Description:
This valuable song resource contains a wealth of material for classroom singing and reading.The collection is organized into a Kodaly sequence, beginning with the simplest pentatonic tunes and progressing into full diatonic melodies.Other helpful features include lists of rhythmic characteristics, ranges and intervals.Games are included with many songs.A must for every classroom!

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Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) : (To Everything There Is a Season) Review

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(More customer reviews)I first heard about the picture book, "Turn! Turn! Turn!" back in 2003 when I joined a mighty small and unofficial gathering of St. Paul/Minneapolis children's book enthusiasts for a mock Caldecott discussion.We were going to decide which books were most worthy of the Caldecott that year (though the obvious winner, "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" swept it).One of those potential winners was a fairly interesting adaptation of what I had only ever known to be a Byrds song.Though credited in large part to Pete Seeger, no stranger to picture books himself, the words are originally from Ecclesiastes.Mr. Seeger gave them to a tune in 1961 and from there the Byrds turned it into a hit.Now it's a book for kids.In my experience, making a kid's book out of a 1960's song is usually a dangerous practice.Take a gander at, "At the Zoo" by Paul Simon if you don't believe me.In this particular case, illustrator Wendy Anderson Halperin has given the design of the book an original feel.The result is a book that works far more often than it falls flat.

You know the words, right?So sing along!"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven".The original verses speak of "a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away", so this adaptation does the same.The book begins with an open door leading to a grassy place.Turn the page and you see a large circle, one half on each page with the circle's center falling into the center gutter.On the left page is a verse like, "a time to be born".Here we see all sorts of images that illustrate this concept.On the right hand side are the words, "a time to die".Ditto, death is shown in a variety of different ways.This continues throughout the book with a multitude of different races, religions, people, animals, places, and things bringing home every verse.The pictures continue until you get to a final two-page spread with the words, "A time to love, a time to hate; a time for peace, I swear it's not too late".Here we see kids playing in what we can only assume is the grassy place glimpsed through the door on the first page.Children play and frolic and play chess (???) while a border of kids from all over the world (with different abilities and disabilities) make a half-circle over the page.There's also a nice little shot of Mr. Seeger himself, recognizable banjo in hand.The book comes with a note at the end of, "Suggestions for How to Use This Book", which talks about the song's history, but not (surprisingly) how to actually use the book in a class setting or one-on-one with a child.There's a lovely accompanying cd of the original song with two versions on it.One is Seeger's original and the other is the Byrds song we all know so well.

The cd is a lovely touch and one that I wish more picture books would begin to include.Unfortunately, it doesn't work very well with this kind of song.Usually cds are included with picture books when the book can be read along WITH the cd.In this case, the song is just too darn fast.These illustrations demand that the reader do a bit of lingering over them.People need to stop and examine Ms. Halperin's tiny tiny details.No cd is going to slow down to the point where you are able to do so (and if you continually pause it, it's just gonna mess up your enjoyment of the song).So there's that.

The most interesting thing about this book is really Ms. Halperin's interpretation of such weighty subjects as death, killing, war, and the like.She isn't afraid to go all over the world and pull from as many different human experiences (that are appropriate for children) as possible.At the same time, sometimes she gets a bit goofy.I guess I can't blame her.I mean, it's probably extremely difficult to fill a page with images of death without bumming the kids out right from the start.But why is one of the tiny death pictures of a blue winged fairy yawning?Halperin, for the most part, seems up to the task of making a variety of interesting references.Other times, she goes all goofy on you."A time to cast away stones" shows two men (one looking oddly like Mr. Seeger, banjo tucked under his arm) running away from white hooded ghost-like people throwing stones.I looked at this picture and could not figure out why Muslim women were stoning the folksingers.Then I wondered if this was supposed to be the Klan.If so, where were the pointy hoods?Was this an actual incident that happened to Mr. Seeger once long ago?This isn't the only example of a completely random picture popping up on an otherwise interesting page.Halperin obviously got a little slap-happy after a while and would throw in a bizarre picture in the midst of her otherwise legit ones.It makes for occasionally odd reading.

The only real problem with this book (aside from the already discussed jolts of Dadaism) is that the pictures fall into the center of the book far too often.You can miss out on a lot if you don't spread your book dangerously apart (dangerous to the binding, I mean).I understand that the format of the work demands that these picture fall there, but I wish Halperin could have found a way to avoid it.Ah well.These objections, such as they are, stand small against what is otherwise a lovely and interesting little book.For offspring (or, dare I say, grandchildren) of the children of the 60's, this can make for fun family reading.Little children will adore findings something new on every page and parents will find some of the more difficult images (like a child fingering its parents' gun) a good way to discuss unpleasant subjects.Though it doesn't always work, I still recommend this to anyone who would like to instill in their child a sense of connection with the world around them.Lovely if flawed.

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Elementary Method for the Balalaika Review

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(More customer reviews)Until Bibs Ekkel wrote his Mel Bay's Complete Bailalaika Book this was *the* method to have. It was for many years the only method available in English, originally translated in 1964 from the original Russian-language edition. This is the same edition as published then, still worth the small investment. I still have my original 1964 copy!

The introductory material is succinct and gives you everything you would need to know to get started. Although the pictures are quite "old", they are helpful in reviewing your hand positions. This book is full of music throughout and would be an excellent companion to the Ekkel book. If you're serious about learning the balalaika you owe it to yourself to buy both books for the price of what would normally be a single music lesson.

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Translated from Russian by Simeon N. Jurist. An elementary method in one volume consisting of four parts. Part One introduces all the fundamentals including note reading and chordal accompaniment. Each succeeding part advances the player through the positions. Part Four contains supplementary repertoire.

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Elementaria: First Acquaintance with Orff-Schulwerk (Schott) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am tempted to give this book a 6, since it is considered the bible of the Orff-Schulwerk approach.Sure enough, it gives complete instructions on how to set up an instrumental ensemble, how to play the instruments, and how to teach the gross motor activity.In fact, it presents some ideas which I put to immediate use in my work as a preschool English teacher in Korea.

But theory is important as well as method.Why should certain activities be taught?Why should the instruments be played a certain way?Why is the Orff approach better than the others?Why are certain musical activities and gross motor activities beneficial?If these questions were answered, I would give this book a 6.

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Elemantaria is a fundamental and practical handbook to Orff-Schulwerk . The author gives suggestions and examples without insisting dogmatically on one exclusive method. She offers well-tried solutions without excluding other possibilities and individual variations. It is not only a valuable personal document, but also a practical and essential guide for educationalists concerned with Orff-Schulwerk. The book is divided into two sections: Part One includes rhythmic, melodic and speech exercises. Part Two contains a detailed study of elementary movement training. There is an important appendix, with illustrations, on how to play the instruments used in the earley stages of teaching. Music examples, movement diagrams. Illustrated. Author's Preface * Part One: Rhythmic-Melodic Exercises * Fundamentals * Rhythmic Exercises * Disposition and posture * Reaction trainig * Finding 'rhythmic building bricks' * Games with 'rhythmic building bricks'* Leading a group, making up accompainments, completing phrase * Melodic Exercises * Disposition and posture when playing barred percussion instruments * Accompaniements, songs, pieces * Making up accompaniements and completing phrases * Hints on the early stages of recorder playing * Speech Exercises * Word series and sayings with rhythmic accompainment * Part Two: Elementary Movement Training * Introduction * Reaction training * Gymnastic exercises * Movement training * Movement variations and combinations * Movement pieces * Elementary movement improvisation * Movement accompaniment * Suggestions for movement lessons for beginners * Appendix

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How To Play Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)I first used this book as a student in 1976.Since that time, I have taught more than 100 students Bluegrass banjo using this book with 100% success.The book allows me to teach a basic style of strumming and lefthand technique, preparatory to learning standard roles and licks associatedwith three finger style.By the time my students reach the introduction toScruggs Style, they have already mastered or are on their way to masteringhammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides; not to mention several cords.Thisevolution allows me to concentrate on right hand technique (rolls).Whenall is said and done, the student emerges from the book with at least twostyles of banjo playing.I have found the techniques related to clawhammer banjo, as presented in the first section of this book, an invaluableaddition to my repertoire.In fact, I primarily use claw hammer as a meansof playing accompaniment.In conclusion, anyone serious about effectivebanjo instruction should seriously consider this book for his or herstudents.

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Containing a broad range of styles, the book uses open-G tuning and teaches up-picking, picking out a melody, chords, rhythms, accompaniment styles, frailing, and has a special section on bluegrass.

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The American Song Treasury: 100 Favorites Review

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(More customer reviews)When my little girl was born, I found myself trying to remember the words to all of the songs I used to sing with my family when I was growing up.My memory just couldn't come up with some (most!) of them, though. Fortunately, this book has them all: Sweet Betsey From Pike, Oh Susanna,I've Been Working on the Railroad, Bicycle Built for Two, She'll be Comin'Round the Mountain, and so many more.What's even better is that the bookalso contains standard sheet music with each song, plus guitar chords, plusa brief history of each song.A great find and one I'm so glad I bought!

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Wonderful sing-along favorites with easy-to-play piano arrangements, guitar chords, and complete lyrics: "Greensleeves," "Auld Lang Syne," "Down in the Valley," "My Wild Irish Rose," "Yellow Rose of Texas," and many more.

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Sing It Yourself: 220 Pentatonic American Folk Songs Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a vast collection of pentatonic songs, arranged in order of difficulty.It includes a wide variety of songs, including Black spirituals and Native American songs.

Before you pay a hefty price for this book, though, try 0135167574, 0135166667, and 0139491651.

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A collection of 220 folk songs representing different parts of the United States, some with foreign roots. The songs are based on pentatonic scales making it easy for children to learn the melodies. All of the songs are playable on Orff instruments. These songs can be used as a springboard for discussing other states and cultures.

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333 Reading Exercises (Chord Method) Review

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(More customer reviews)Recommended for any vocal or instrumental student.In fact, when I was taking voice lessons, I used these exercises on my own.

The exercises are written on a single line, in solfege notation for some exercises and in conventional notation for others.

The exercises are categorized according to tone row.Recorder teachers may be especially interested in pages 1-3 and 8, which, if played in G major, are playable with the fingers of the left hand.However, a teacher following the Choksy sequence would not be able to use any of the exercises in the beginning stages.

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The Kodaly Choral Method is a comprehensive series of progressive songs and sigh-singing exercises designed to promote a thorough understanding of interval and tonality. By incorporative a wide range of Hungarian folk music and poetry, Kodaly has produced a stimulating addition to the repertoire of school and amateur choirs. This collection of 333 reading exercises is the revised English Edition, taken from the 1966 Hungarian Edition.

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Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook (Music Pro Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am teaching myself acoustic bass and found this book, in combination with the CD's -- available separately -- to be a great learning tool. The book and the CDs aren't strictly designed as a package, but there is probably about 80% overlap between the songs on the CDs and those in this volume. The performances on the CDs are very good, by the way. Anyhow, the combination provides many hours of useful and enjoyable practice, especially if you are almost ready to play along with others.

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This collection features over 100 all-time folk favorites in the spirit of the school it is named for. The Old Town School of Folk Music opened its doors in December 1957 to teach "good folk music," and its students learn such tunes as: Bill Bailey * Buffalo Gals * City of New Orleans * Cripple Creek * Erie Canal * House of the Rising Sun * Just a Closer Walk with Thee * Oh Susanah * Old Time Religion * Shine on Harvest Moon * Wildwood Flower * and more. Also includes a nice introduction, photos of past students, and provides how-tos on reading tablature, tuning a guitar, fingerpicking, and more.

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American Folk Tales and Songs Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a part of our heritage as Americans.We all have some folklore that helps shape our lives and upbringings.It is the underlying history that does not get placed in the history books.We unfortunately do notteach this stuff in schools.America, being an extraordinary melting pothas a great diversity of tales to be told.This collection includesballads, tall tales, fiddle tunes, childrens song and hymns.It is aquality overview of American folklore.It will set a yearning in your souland make you wax nostalgic for lemon-ade and Tom Sawyer.This is a smallchunk of what it means to be American.

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Full of lively stories, jokes, and games for performance, the bookalso includes 40 songs with melody and guitar chords. Written by the outstanding practicing folk performer. Includes 44 illustrations.

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Golden Encyclopedia Of Folk Music (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) Review

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(More customer reviews)Great folk song collection.Large print, music and lyrics are very easy to read.Also, the melody lines are relatively simple, good for beginner to intermediate musicians.

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A giant collection of more than 180 classic folk songs including songs of true love, unrequited and false love, the domestic scene, spirituals, ramblers and gamblers, workers, songs of the west, jolly reunions, international songs and singing the blues.

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American Ballads and Folk Songs Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not an exhaustive catalogue of ballads nor does it always containthe same version of a ballad that are published elsewhere under the Lomaxname.The ballads are arranged by subject matter: Working on the Railroad;The Levee Camp; Southerrn Chain Gangs; Negro Bad Men; White Desperadoes;Mountain Songs; Cocaine and Whiskey; Blues; Creole Negroes; Reels; MinstrelTypes; Breakdowns and Play Parties; Songs of Childhood; Vaqueros of theSouthwest; Cowboy Songs; Songs of the Overlanders; Miner; Shanty-Boy; ErieCanal; Great Lake; Sailors and Sea Fights; Wars and Soldiers; WhiteSpirituals and Negro Spirituals.Often there is a short story of the songin addition to the collection notes.
A decent introduction to the balladform and its music precedes the collection.This is an essential referenceto anyone interested in ballads in America.

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Music and lyrics for over 200 songs. "John Henry," "Goin' Home," "Little Brown Jug," "Alabama-Bound," many more.

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