Customer Reviews:
possibly orchestration; thing of the scraps of history.......2006-06-01
I doubt if you can really teach orchestration,like composition; for whatever you are doing is simply revisiting in rote formations of what has already been done, and what has already been done, and what already has been done should be heard in its original form anyway. A book that merely speaks and addresses problems is the most virulent, viable route, I think, Give me what's the most resonant parts of the instrument,tell me where that is please! also tell me what is rather dull, what is noise-like, and what "lays" best in what register.Then how do we come to mix timbres? who can tell you that if you have an original vision for your music,if you write music, If you have many friends who play all the instruments of the orchestra that's the best route as well, real live expositions cannot be replaced by a text.Learning orchestration is about someone being there to ask questions on why you did what you did, and why you didn't do it another way! Texts are merely stepping stones anyway, unless you got "axes" to grind as Gunther Schuller.(incorreect tempi)
Seasoned conductor Del Mar at least has other interesting books on Brahms and Beethoven and potpourris of other lesser knowns on the problems of conducting and indirectly exposing the problems that exist within the orchestral repertoire.This is a facet of orchestration often overlooked. Everyone had some problem at some time that needs to be corrected by an experienced conductor. For if you simply play the music exactly as written it would be rather boring,unispired; how does one explain the phenomenon of; take five conductors, each rehearsing the same piece with the same orcehstra, and you will get/render five different conceptions of timbre, gestural differences, rhythm, balance and meaning. So music breathes I guess, and an orcehstration book will only tell you what to put into the right or wrong pegs in the systems of notations. Orchestrations, the orchestra itself is/are becoming reaching a dinosaur status, with commissioning funds drying up; or only reserved to academia-bound prize winners. Especially now since some orchestras are resorting to playing film music,with the film in the back or not; as interesting as that is, the orchestrations of the cinema have a kind of fixed entity, a horizon you can see, and who would rather listen to music for "Forrest Gump"? than brilliant orcehstrators as Stravinsky or Boulez, or Eotvos, Berio or Xenakis, or Sciarrino.Learning to write film music is not learning about the orchestra, for there still needs someone to develop its timbre, otherwise it dies. This is a good book nonethless, Del Mar has marvelous insights into problems with ample examples not overdone/overdetermined as the Berlioz-Strauss.I learned orcehstration simply by looking at the best (those mentioned above) and re-translating that into whatever I thought I could see as my music,my timbre, or conception of sound.
Best orchestration book.......2006-04-04
Great book for music lovers, proffessional musicians and composers. Gives you a real insight into the orchestra and individual instruments. Practical and well written. Highly recommended.
A Musicians Must.......2002-01-25
This is a well-written and thought-out text about the modern day symphony orchestra. It provides and analysis of every instrument in the orchestra, it's purposes, the sound it produces, and the possibilities. Norman Del Mar's book is a must for music students and professionals alike.
Everyone Buy it!.......2001-01-04
Anyone with a more than passing interest in Orchestral music should try this one. Especially good for young players in school or civic orchestras. It desecribes what everyone's job is, how they play different effects, hangups, foibles, etc...
Tells you why Horns don't like sitting in front of percussion. Why the tympanist won't play other percussion, but the the rest of the kitchen dept is running around playing 3 and four different instruments.
It talks a lot about keys, notes, and has many copies of the score for illustration, but if you don't read music don't despair... your enjoyment should not be diminished.
When to disagree with the conductor...
And describes the curious relations amongst all those infighting violins.
Very goood Book.......2000-07-13
This is an elemental resources for all advanced students of composition and conducting.
Product Description
This is the definitive work on consummate piano teaching. Edited by world-renowned piano pedagogue Denes Agay, this comprehensive volume covers a wide-range of musical styles and concepts, coaching processes, and teaching materials. As well as exploring every possible technical aspect of teaching piano, the book contains a great deal of commonsense advice on communicating with pupils, encouraging good behavior, and establishing a genuinely creative teacher/pupil relationship. Topics include: instilling performance and keyboard skills, teaching both young children and adult beginners, designing teaching programs for handicapped students, giving group piano classes, and organizing and presenting recitals. Denes Agay graduated with honors from the Liszt Academy of Music and received his doctorate from the Unversity of Budapest. He moved to the United States in 1939, where his numerous compositions, books, and articles have established him as a leading international figure in the field of piano pedagogy.
Customer Reviews:
Great for teachers and students.......2007-09-09
I purchased this book to expand my teaching arsenal. It proved to be so well organized and comprehensive, I recommended it to several of my more advanced students.
I encourage any teacher who is looking for a good all around reference book to check this one out.
Well-organized & comprehensive.......2007-04-05
In spite of its wide range & depth, this book is a pleasure to read. It can easily serve not only teachers but more mature and advanced students interested in expanding their knowledge, i.e. useful to both the professional teacher and serious amateur.
Very very useful.......2005-11-14
Not only does this book cover technical aspects of piano playing and is straight forward and easy to read, but it also prepares prospective teachers for real-life challenges such as how to teach handicapped students and students who are determined but have very little confidence, among those other psychologically extra-demanding teaching situations. It equips piano educators with knowledge that they don't teach you in music school and I'd recommend it to anyone who is seriously considering teaching.
Book Description
Become a better music teacher with TEACHING PERCUSSION with accompanying 2-DVD set! Providing a comprehensive introduction to every aspect of percussion education, technique, and performance, this music text guides you towards a greater musical awareness and improved technique. Illustrations, examples, and exercises acquaint you with the special needs of all percussion instruments. You will gain a greater insight into music learning and performance through the inclusion of up-to-date techniques and numerous exercises.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Resource.......2007-09-08
this is an excellent book for learning percussion. The DVD's that are included really help with form and any questions you would have with the reading.
Woodwinds Book.......2007-08-27
A little slow on sending it but it's in good condition and the seller is very courteous.
Great text, disappointing DVD.......2007-03-12
The text is great, but the DVD is not very helpful. The DVD is a great idea, but it's all shot at one angle, and the clips are very short with little explanation. It demonstrates all the techniques, but not slowly so that you could see what's going on. The text on the otherhand is a must have for instrumental music educators, and a great reference.
An Excellent Resource.......2007-03-10
The book is extremely well-organized, there is info on just about any percussion-related topic you could think of. The DVDs are also very helpful in providing more visual examples, etc. Will definitely become a valuable resource as I go into teaching. Worth every penny!
Wasted space.......2007-01-10
The author repeats information, and not necessarily useful information. He repeats reference information in different areas. This book has too much information. It is not designed to teach a musician how to grasp percussion techniques. It is too detailed. An educator that is not a percussionist needs a quick reference.
Customer Reviews:
Book is for band directors but ensemble members will gain insight........2007-01-13
Another book with a great concept: include a DVD which shows what's inside the book. Here Dr. Willie Hill is shown in a clinic type format demonstrating to high school jazz band participants how to play jazz standards. The DVD is a documentary format of a live classroom setting of real students being taught how to solo. Dr. Hill also instructs the 4-piece rhythm section, telling the musicians to listen to the drummer's accents. Both a high school ensemble and a college ensemble are represented. This book also ties in with a great video set that shows the role of the drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards in the rhythm section called "Drums In the Rhythm Section" (also Piano, Bass, Guitar) with top caliber players like Steve Houghton.
The book does a good job of presenting jazz in a methodical way. It starts with jazz history and influential players. It then moves on to the development of jazz instrumentation and jazz styles. As to not overwhelm the novice, a blues tunes, "Billie's Bounce", is used as a starting point. Helpful pointers like scales, modes, and arpeggios are explained and written out. Since classical musicians will only be familiar with standard grand staff notation and unfamiliar with simplified jazz charts, time is taken to explain the anatomy of a chart. The book's expensive but one you'll keep in the library for reference, especially if you plan on being a jazz band director. Also, as a supplemental addition, get "Approaching The Standards" by the same author to practice what you've learned here.
Outstanding Resource.......2006-03-19
Jazz Pedagogy: The Jazz Educator's Handbook and Resource Guide
by J. Richard Dunscomb is an outstanding resource for new music teachers and experienced professionals as well. It contains detailed well thought out articles by leading jazz educators in their fields of expertise...clearly outlined and easily understood examples descriptions. A must have guide for learning or for remebering things you already knew but needed a fresh perspective.
Book Description
A SOUND APPROACH TO TEACHING INSTRUMENTALISTS applies contemporary methodologies and theories to the instrumental classroom. It examines the application of musical content and learning sequences in teaching instrumental music to students from elementary school through adulthood.
Customer Reviews:
ALL instrumental music teachers should read this book........1998-11-05
This book is a thorough, easily read, and useful research-based instrumental music teaching text. Based on solid experience and theory, the approach to teaching advocated in this book will change your whole outlook towards teaching beginning instrumentalists. A wonderful book.
Book Description
Lucie Manen presents the findings of her extensive investigation into the original Italian art of Bel Canto singing. After summarizing the history of Bel Canto and some mistaken teaching methods, she describes in detail her own research into the physiological aspects of Bel Canto - from posture and breathing to details of messa di voce and coloratura. This is a completely revised and expanded version of Lucie Manen's The Art of Singing: A Manual of Bel Canto (Faber Music Ltd, 1974; 2nd edition 1981). It is illuminated throughout by the author's practical and musical insights, and illustrated with exercises from original Bel Canto manuals. `The publication of this book must surely herald a change of attitude. Lucie Manen's clear exposition of her solidly grounded theories and well-tried practice will prompt wise, healthy, and positive questioning of established methods, and should serve to bring about a long-overdue revolution in that least-regulated of all professions, the teaching of singing.' (From the Preface by Brian Trowell) `Lucie Manen has more qualifications than any singer I have ever met for writing a Manual for singers. There have been learned books on the voice but the authors have not been singers; there have been biographies and autobiographies whose subjects have revealed a personal secret or two. But there have been few who have combined experience as a singer with a deep and wide learning so convincingly as Madame Manen.' Peter Pears
Book Description
The first half of this book focuses on the critical issues in teaching instrumental music; objectives, evaluation, rehearsal techniques, motivation, administration tasks, recruiting and scheduling, and principles of brass and woodwinds. The second section covers each instrument in detail.
Customer Reviews:
Book for those looking to be instrumental teachers.......2006-03-25
This book is full of information, from teaching methods to information on each instrument and instrument family commonly used in school music programs. It has just about all you need to know about each instrument to teach beginning students, and is a great resource for aspiring and current instrumental music teachers, especially at the secondary level (Jr. High/High School). If you're looking for books containing actual music, look elsewhere, but if you want information on the instruments and on teaching music, this is one of the best comprehensive resources.
The Teaching of Instrumental Music (3rd Edition).......2005-09-19
This 450-page book is a music education textbook which covers the basics of teaching instrumental music for would-be or present teachers. It has become known as an essential "core text" for teachers of instrumental music.
The first three chapters of the book discuss general background: Chapter 1 gives a short history of instrumental music, while Chapters 2 & 3 deal with the objectives and evaluation of music. This material is O.K., but wasn't especially useful for me.
The largest section of the text devotes a whole chapter to each of the instruments commonly played in a student band and orchestra. I found this detailed information to be very helpful. The middle section also includes separate chapters on the "Principles of . . . Winds, Brass, Strings, Percussion, etc.," which introduce the chapters about specific instruments in each of these categories.
The most "down-to-earth," practical chapters are Chapters 4 & 5, which discuss how to motivate students and how to work effectively with administrators, and Chapters 24 & 25 at the end of the book about rehearsal routines and how to rehearse concert literature. I read these chapters first because they seem the most essential for a new instrumental music teacher.
comprehensive for methods AND techniques courses.......1998-07-11
Designed for use in both an instrumental methods course as well as woodwind, percussion & brass techniques courses. Newer edition will include strings and expansion of first 7 chapters.
Book Description
This book presents practical ideas for general music, choir, or instrumental music teachers from elementary to high school. Provides tips for preventing behavior problems in the classroom and suggestions for dealing with inappropriate student behavior.
Customer Reviews:
Decent, Uninventive Collection.......2005-12-15
If you owned this book, you will find it useful if you need songs/fingerplays/rhymes for specific occassions. Oftentimes you do not need them for this times; you need them for fellowship. Period.
Please only get this book if you can't get AMERICAN FOLK SONGS FOR CHILDREN (by Ruth Crawford Seeger) or a copy of TOGETHER WE SING (by Irving Wolf and Margaret Fullerton).
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Books Index
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General
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Score Reading: A Key to the Music Experience
Orchestral Music: A Handbook
Preparatory Exercises in Score Reading (Vorbereitende Ubungen im Partiturlesen)
The Grammar of Conducting: A Comprehensive Guide to Baton Technique and Interpretation
The Cambridge Companion to Conducting (Cambridge Companions to Music)
