Gekeler Method Oboe 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent beginning method book for students just taking up the oboe.It is especially good for students who have already had some experience with other instruments, since it progresses relatively quickly.Nevertheless, Gekeler does provide some introductory practice in musical notation, time signatures, and rhythms for students who have not studied music extensively before.There are exercises and short pieces in 4/4, 3/4 , cut time, 6/8 and 3/8, with whole notes through sixteenth notes, dotted eighth-sixteenth combinations, and syncopation. Key signatures are covered through 4 sharps and 4 flats. Basic fingerings are taught for notesfrom low B below the staff to high D above the staff.The alternate forked F fingering is also taught almost from the beginning, as well as an alternate fingering for D#.Dynamics and intonational cues appear throughout the text, but grace notes, trills, turns, and other fancy stuff are not introduced.Duets appear frequently amongst the study pieces; many are written such that the lower part requires slightly more advanced technique than the upper.In addition to technical exercises and etudes, there are short melodies by composers such as Hohman, Dancla, Czerny, and Schubert.Even on pages that are primarily devoted to introducing some new rhythmic pattern, there are always a few passages that the musically experienced beginner will find worthy of practice.Overall the book provides a varied and challenging introduction to the instrument.Methodical use of the book, together with daily practice, will enable rapid skill development.

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Product Description:
The primary purpose in presenting this method for publication wasto make available a book that did not progress too rapidly for beginners, one that taught proper oboe fingerings, and one thatpresented logical progression of rhythmical problems. Written by Kenneth Gekeler. Includes fingering chart for the conservatory system oboe.

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Disney Greats: for Horn Instrumental Play-Along Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)My daughter loves using this book to practice her clarinet. I would recommend this to anyone.

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Product Description:
Another great play-along collection of 15 Disney favorites, including: Arabian Nights * A Change in Me * Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride * I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) * It's a Small World * Look Through My Eyes * Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious * Where the Dream Takes You * Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me) * and more.

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Woodwind Instruments and Their History Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the best books that I have ever seen written on this subject.It was this book that got me really hooked on the possibilities that exist within the woodwind section.I particularly enjoy some of thetime spent on the more obscure members (e.g. sarrusophone).The only thingthat one may say it lacks is a more comprehensive section on the saxophonewhich is grouped as an exotic form of the clarinet.All in all this is agreat book and a must have for all musicians.

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Product Description:
This superior study by a leading authority on woodwind instruments is considered the definitive work on the subject, combining a history of woodwinds with detailed descriptions and photographs of the various instruments in use today. Foreword by Sir Adrian Boult. "This excellent book ought to be in every library"-Musical Times. Glossary. Appendixes. 34 halftones. 41 line illustrations. 25 musical examples. 16 fingering charts.

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Oboe Method Complete (Kalmus Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)If there is a required text for the oboist, the Barret Method is it.The etude studies are a standard part of the repertoire for students of all levels, and have been reproduced in other method books as well.I do not know of an oboist who has not worked from this book.Every student has their own favorite exercise and etude, and all learn to live with the yellow volume.While it can seem oppressive at times, the preparation it provides is second to none.It is a must-have for an obosits at any level.

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Product Description:
The first in a series of three new Kalmus publications by A.M.R. Barret, the Complete Oboe Method, long a standard text for oboists, will assure ease of play for advancing oboists.

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My First Patriotic Recorder Book Review

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(More customer reviews)First, let me say that I played the recorder from age 6-18 and have recently picked it up again after 30 years of not playing.

I like the great collection of patriotic tunes in this book, which for me, as a "re-beginner", are easy enough to play. I also like the big print and the fact that you don't have to turn pages while playing.

However, I would not recommend this book as a self-teaching tool for total beginners. It seems more suitable for a player who has mastered the basics and is looking for easy practice material.

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Product Description:
Learn the basics of recorder while playing the best patriotic melodies of America. New notes and important concepts such as rhythm, ties and dynamics are gradually introduced, and attractive illustrations make learning fun. With a unique and easy-to-use approach that unites the experience of patriotic music with that of learning a musical instrument, this book is perfect for anyone new to the recorder as well as those just looking for easy-to-play patriotic melodies.

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Early Music For Recorder De-Smet Review

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(More customer reviews)The back cover description of this booklet, an "outstanding collection of recorder solos" really gets it right. It is an outstanding collection of early music for the soprano recorder, by far the best I've seen in fact.

It is excellent value for your money. It consists of 47 clearly printed tunes, one of which is arranged as a duet (Edi Beo) and one as a 4-part round (Sumer is icumen in). It also includes guitar chords for about 40 of these. The selections range from the 10th to the 17th century, by such composers as Machaut, Dowland, Byrd, Susato, Schop, Campion, Cornish, Gervaise, Neithart von Reuenthal and Holborne, to name a few, plus lots of anon.

The complete list of pieces included is: All in the Garden Green, Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie, Bergamasca, Blame Not my Lute, Blow Thy Horn Hunter, Branle de l'official, Branle No.1, Branle No. 2, Branle de Bourgogne, The Carman's Whistle, Courante, Douce Dame Jolie, Danse Royale, The Earl of Salisbury's Pavan, Edi Beo, Fortune my Foe, Greensleeves, Green Groweth the Holly, How Should I your true love know?, The Honie-Suckle, If My Complaints, The King of Denmark Galliard, Matona mia cara, Minuet (x3), Move Now with Measured Sound, Never Weather-Beaten Sail, Now is the Month of Maying, Now, oh now my needs must part, Narrenaufzug, O Admirabile Veneris Ydolum, The Oil of Barley, Pastime with Good Company, Parson's Farewell, Quant je suis mis, Ronde, Saltarello, The Sick Tune, The Silver Swan, Sumer is icumen in, Tourdion, Tristan's Lament, When Phoebus first did Daphne Love, When That I was and a Little Tiny Boy, The Willow Song, Winder Wie Ist.

The back cover describes them as "easy to play" and certainly they all seem to be in the range of diligent advanced beginners, once they've mastered most of the notes on a descant/soprano recorder. For me, several of the pieces only came alive once I heard them played by some professional musicians. I think it is possible a beginner might overlook the potential of some of the pieces in this book if he were working through this book on his own. And "easy to play" should be qualified by "provided you are patient, ready to deal with some unusual time signatures (3/2) and prepared to practice lots, particularly some pretty hairy-looking 16th note runs in such songs as "Tristan's Lament"".

The book lacks an introduction and contains virtually nothing about the songs, and no words to them either.
The book is somewhat progressive in form, starting with 3 and 4 liners of mostly quarter and eighth notes, but progressing to full pagers and more of 16th notes by the end. It doesn't waste space, but doesn't crowd either.

There is not much overlap between this book and other recorder collections. Perhaps about a half dozen or so of its songs (for example Greensleeves, Pastime with Good company, Sumer is icumen in) can be found in other widely available recorder collections.

I've had this book for about 10 years and it continues to surprise and impress. There are several great Dowland pieces, several early music classics (Greensleeves, Sumer is icumen in, Pastime with Good Company, Now is the Month of Maying, The Parson's Farewell and a rocking duet version of Edi Beo), and many less well-known but beautiful pieces such as Blow Thy Horn Hunter, Fortune my Foe, How Should I Your True Love Know, Never Weather-Beaten Sail, The Sick Tune, When That I was and a Little Tiny Boy, The Willow Song, Winder Wie ist, The Oil of Barley, Tristan's Lament, and Narrenaufzug). It is clearly the product of a lot of careful selection by someone with a vast knowledge of the early music repertoire, a great ear for great tunes, and a real gift for arranging them in a beginner-friendly form.

The only hazard to this book is that some of the pieces sound so nice an advanced beginner might start thinking he's better than he really is.And if you ever get a chance to play these pieces with some professional or semi-professional musicians, go for it, as in the right hands a couple of guitars, a cello, and a couple of violins can do incredible things with this book.

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Product Description:
This outstanding collection of recorder solos spans the years from the 10th to the 16th century. Contains 47 famous airs and dances including The King Of Denmark Galliard and The Willow Song. They are easy to play and are suitable for class use as well as home enjoyment.

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Selected Flute Solos EFS 101 (Everybody's Favorite Series;) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent flute book for the intermediate and advanced flutist.When you order, just make certain you get both the flute part and the piano part.

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Product Description:
This volume contains a group of the finest standard flute solos selected for their diversity in style and suitability for concert and contest use.

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Worship Solos: for Flute (Instrumental Folio) Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall, I'm enjoying this book and CD. Most of the music is easy enough for an amateur (I played for a few years in jr. high and high school, then took an 18-year hiatus before joining the church orchestra recently). I don't think there's a single note in the sheet music above E on the treble clef. At the same time, these arrangements give an amateur a good workout, as there aren't a lot of breaks in the solo music, and there are several sustained notes.

That said, other than the endurance factor, the music isn't very challenging. And the tempo on the songs is kinda slow, especially for a trumpet solo. I'd like to see a faster tempo, at least for some of the songs. I'd also like to see a mixture of skill levels represented--not professional level or anything, but something a little more challenging than whole, half, and quarter notes all the way through.

I like the book and do not regret buying it. I'd also like to try the Praise Solos for Trumpet by this same publisher. But I'll probably just borrow that one from a friend instead of paying for it.

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Product Description:
These great book/CD packs let you play solo with full-band accompaniment tracks to 11 top worship songs. Includes: Ancient of Days * Come, Now Is the Time to Worship * Draw Me Close * Firm Foundation * I Could Sing of Your Love Forever * My Life Is in You, Lord * Open the Eyes of My Heart * The Potter's Hand * Shout to the Lord * Shout to the North * We Fall Down.

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Absolute Beginners: Alto Saxophone Review

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(More customer reviews)THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC. IT HAS PICTURES ABOUT HOW TO BEGIN AND HOW TO STAND ETC.I AM LIVING IN JAPAN AND IT IS HARD TO GET A BEGINNER BOOK IN ENGLISH. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL ANYONE WHO WANTS TO START PLAYING THE SAX TO GET THIS BOOK. IT ALSO SHOWS HOW TO READ NOTES.....GREAT.

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Product Description:
Designed for the alto saxophone learner. Pictures and text teach how to maintain the instrument, changing and using reeds, finger and mouth positioning and producing notes, scales and songs. CD provided for listening and accompaniment.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: for Flute (Hal Leonard Instrumental Play-Along) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this book. It contains songs from the first two Pirates movies.About half of the songs are easy enough to play well after little practice, the rest are more difficult and take lots of practice.The CD music is great, and playing along with it sure makes me sound better!

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Product Description:
16 pieces from this swashbuckling blockbuster arranged so solo instrumentalists can play along with great accompaniment tracks. Includes: The Black Pearl * Davy Jones * He's a Pirate * I've Got My Eye on You * Jack Sparrow * To the Pirate's Cave! * Wheel of Fortune * and more.

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The Music of Eddie Daniels (Book & CD) Review

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(More customer reviews)Eddie Daniels is one of THE great musicians- a rare combination of a beautiful classical player with a wonderful range of sounds and styles, and amazing jazz improvisor with an equally wide range of sounds and emotions.

This book features some fantastic soloing, and all musicians (not only clarentists) can gain from this book by listening to and learning how these solos are constructed. The ideas, development, rhythmic and harmonic choices are all incredible. Miles Osland did some fine transcription work, and the companion CD has not only the solos, but some great commentary from Eddie.

Serious high level music that is a joy to hear.
John McGann
Associate Professor
Berklee College of Music

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Product Description:
Learn from the master himself! The Music of Eddie Daniels includes condensed score lead sheets and transcribed solos, a master class CD featuring demonstrations performed by Eddie, excerpts of transcribed solo recordings, and in-depth discussions by the artist, along with a discography and biography.

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Basic Recorder Lessons: Omnibus Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I am about to start teaching adult recorder classes and have looked through many instructions books.This is the best that I have found so far for the adult student. Actually, this omnibus edition is a compilation of the three books in the series (for C instruments), along with supplementary tunes--so it is especially useful for a teacher. (At least 2 levels of the student books can be purchased individually for less of an initial cost.)
Features that I especially appreciate are:
--the larger than typical music which makes for very easy reading (along with very clear and attractive layout)
--the duets for student and teacher at the beginning which allow the students to start right off making real music
--the very well-thought-out pedagogy that would be more attractive to adults than are many others
--the wide variety and high quality of the pieces selected.
I recommend this book highly and am only disappointed that there does not seem to be an equivalent book for the F instruments.

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Product Description:
An exceptionally clear and easy modular approach to playing the recorder and understanding music. Designed to be used either in a student/teacher situation or by students on their own. There are round, solos, duets; country dances, playing tips and more!

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101 Saxophone Tips: Stuff All the Pros Know and Use (Sax Instruction) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was both very useful and very enjoyable.I was a serious sax player for 20 years, quit playing almost completely for 30 years, and started to play seriously again after I retired (or quit my day job, whichever sounds better).

There are tips about what to carry in your case, how to buy and maintain your horn, what your should practice, and more.This book contains stuff I knew, more stuff I had forgotten, and more that is new since I began playing again.There is a CD that shows examples and playalongs.

This book is ideal for beginners and serious saxophonists.I recommend it heartily.

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Product Description:
This book presents valuable how-to insight that saxophone players of all styles and levels can benefit from. The text, photos, music, diagrams, and accompanying CD provide a terrific, easy-to-use resource for a variety of topics, including: techniques; maintenance; equipment; practicing; recording; performance; and much more!

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Movie Instrumental Solos, Flute: Book and CD (Level 2-3) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a beginner flute player and I like this book too much. The scores included contains beautiful melodies and with the cd you feel that you are playing with an orchestra. The CD contains demos played with flute and orchestra and traks with orchestra only. The sound is real, isn't electronic.

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Product Description:
Each arrangement is designed to appropriately fit the indicated levels; keysignatures, note ranges, phrasing and articulations were carefully considered and clearly marked. The arrangements in this series are completely compatible with each other, and can be played together or as solos. The included CD contains both performance tracks and accompaniment tracks. Titles are:Hedwig's Theme (from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) * Across the S tars (from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones) * Duel of the Fates(from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace) * Fawkes the Phoenix (from H arry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) * Gollum's Song (from The Lord of t he Rings: The Two Towers) * October Sky (from October Sky) * Soul Bossa Nov a (from Austin Powers) * There You'll Be (from Pearl Harbor) * James Bond T heme (from Die Another Day) * In Dreams (from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Rings

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Dave Matthews Band - Just the Riffs for Violin Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are looking to play Dave Matthews Band, this is what to buy!I had been looking to find a book on the Dave Matthews songs and this is it!Although, they were of course not the entire songs, it is a good start to practice.I really liked how they also included some of the solos for the songs also.

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Product Description:
Learn 70 fantastic riffs from innovative DMB violinist Boyd Tinsley. Author Mark Wood assembles Boyd's best from the songs on four albums, including: Ants Marching * The Best of What's Around * Crash into Me * Crush * Everyday * Halloween * If I Had It All * Jimi Thing * Lie in Our Graves * Pig * Proudest Monkey * Rhyme and Reason * Satellite * Say Goodbye * So Much to Say * The Space Between * Stay (Wasting Time) * Too Much * What Would You Say * When the World Ends * and more. Includes an interview with Tinsley and notes on his equipment.

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