Average customer rating:
- Nothing better...period
- Don't believe that you are getting 20 books.
- dumbed down
- The definitive dictionary of music and musicians
- The standard reference - deservedly
|
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (20 Volume Set
George Grove , and
Stanle Sadie
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Reference
| Subjects
| Books
| Almanacs & Yearbooks
| Atlases & Maps
| Books on CD
| Books on Cassette
| Business Skills
| Careers
| Catalogs & Directories
| Consumer Guides
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Education
| Encyclopedias
| Etiquette
| Foreign Languages
| Fun Facts
| Genealogy
| General
| Job Hunting
| Large Print
| Law
| Publishing & Books
| Quotations
| Spanish-Language Reference
| Study Guides
| Test Prep Central
| Words & Language
| Writing
General
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Harvard Dictionary of Music: Fourth Edition (Harvard University Press Reference Library)
ASIN: 1561591742 |
Amazon.com
This is the big one -- 20 thick volumes packed full of information on musical history, composers, artists and more. It carries a big price tag, but it's an invaluable aid for the serious student or writer. Grove has several other dictionaries, opera and jazz among them, but if you can only handle one, this is the one to get. This text refers to the 20 Volume edition of this title.
Book Description
Now available in a deluxe paperback edition, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians is the world's greatest music encyclopedia. This unique 20-volume set is packed with over 18,000 pages of information on the history and development of music, instruments, musical forms and terms, musical cities and institutions, and, above all, thousands of eminent composers and performers. The text is fully illustrated with photographs, drawings and musical examples, and all major articles include extensive bibliographies. Entries on composers are accompanied by detailed lists of compositions, which, for example, list the precise instrumentation required for many compositions. These acclaimed worklists alone are a valuable resource for today's musician. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians includes: BL Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance music--insights on composers as well as new appraisals of theorists, philosophers, and chroniclers. It explores early musical rites, forms, styles and genres, and the social and historical forces that shaped the music of these eras BL Composers--the first aim of Music and Musicians is to tell you virtually everything you will want to know about the people who have been writing music, from ancient times onwards BL Ethnomusicology--discover Polynesian chants, Uzbek teahouse ensembles, Xhosa wedding songs, cowboy laments, modern protest songs, and other manifestations of non-western and folk music BL Forms and genres--harmony, counterpoint, rhythm and melody--the basic materials of music. Symphony, opera, cantata, concerto, motet, oratorio and sonata--these and other genres are surveyed historically and their repertoires outlined BL Performers--Music and Musicians covers influential figures from the world of popular music, jazz and opera; it explores the lives of patrons and poets, novelists and scientists, dancers and instrument makers, everyone whose work influences music BL Places and institutions--travel from London to Vienna, Dresden to Osaka, Paris to Pittsburgh. Explore top musical arenas such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Covent Garden
Customer Reviews:
Nothing better...period.......2006-04-04
Despite the fact many have tried to "pretend" there are other dictionarys/encyclopedias that are better than The Groves, there simply are not. Sure, The Groves is not cheap, however, if you are looking for a quality work, it will never be cheap. So, whether you are a person with degrees in Music History, or someone who just wants to have information readily available on music/musicians, this is the only way to go.
Don't believe that you are getting 20 books........2004-02-29
Although the announcement makes you think that maybe yo will be getting 20 books for a song, you will be singing a different tune when it arrives. You will get one (yes, 1) volume selected apparently at random. I got volume 13.
dumbed down.......2002-05-02
Four stars for what has been carried over from the 1980 version, zero stars for what has been appended to it. We can't entirely blame the dictionary for the poor quality of most of these additions. The dictionary depends on a large pool of contributors, most of whom hold academic positions, and our academies are beset with insufficiently acknowledged problems.
One problem is the graduate-school analogue of what in secondary schools has been called "grade inflation". We might call it "degree inflation". Unqualified candidates are routinely pushed through graduate school; mediocre minds are awarded doctorates and assume faculty positions. This is partly the result of a misguided egalitarianism and partly the result of a quid-pro-quo cronyism. In any case, it is self-perpetuating and self-proliferating. It manifests itself here most obviously in rambling pseudo-intellectual essays on such empty buzzwords as "postmodernism".
Another problem is commercialization. It manifests itself here most obviously in vacuous and clumsily written (and randomly strewn with rock journalism cliches) extended accounts of various pop music figures, such as, for example, Bob Dylan and David Bowie. (Both Bob Dylan and David Bowie have composed interesting song lyrics and are worthy subjects for popular culture historians, but neither have any particular MUSICAL significance.)
The definitive dictionary of music and musicians.......1999-09-13
One could never hope for a 'compleat' dictionary of music and musicians any more than one could hope for hope for a 'compleat'library of knowledge in one publication. But, just as the Encycopeadia Britannica has come to be seen the most comprehensive summary available of knowledge generally, so has Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians come to be seen as the ultimate summary of information available about music and musicians.
The question now is: when will 'Grove' follow the Encyclopaedia Britannica and reach out to a wider audience via CD-ROM and Internet on-line services? For this reviewer: the sooner the better
Ian Bowie
The standard reference - deservedly.......1998-09-27
Discursive and authoritative, the one failing is the lack of convenient text search. When available on CD-ROM with that capability, it will be an ideal reference.
Product Description
This fake book is a cornerstone for many musicians' libraries. With over 1200 songs in all styles of music, this third edition has been updated to include even more great songs and recent hits. From jazz standards to Broadway blockbusters and country classics to pop chart-toppers, this book has the songs you're looking for all in one convenient collection. It is comb-bound with locked tabs to ensure long-lasting durability. Songs include: Alfie All the Things You Are Always And So It Goes Autumn in New York Beauty and the Beast Brazil Blue Skies Body and Soul Call Me Irresponsible Can't Help Falling in Love Candy Caravan Change the World Cry Me a River Duke of Earl Easter Parade Edelweiss Endless Love Everyday A Foggy Day Friends in Low Places Georgia on My Mind Heart and Soul Here's That Rainy Day How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky) I Love Paris I Shot the Sheriff I'm Always Chasing Rainbows I've Got the World on a String The Impossible Dream Isn't It Romantic? It's Only a Paper Moon The Lady Is a Tramp Lazy River Let's Fall in Love Love Is Here to Stay Makin' Whoopee! Memory Mona Lisa Moon River Moonlight in Vermont My Funny Valentine My Heart Will Go On Oh, Pretty Woman Operator Piano Man Precious and Few Release Me Roxanne Satin Doll Small World Somewhere Out There Sophisticated Lady Speak Softly, Love (Love Theme from 'The Godfather') Splish Splash ...
Customer Reviews:
Insufficient information.......2007-09-02
Was interested but not being able to see what it actually consists of (view inside) I passed it by and spent $$$ at a brick and mortar store where I could look at what I was purchasing.
Don't need a lot but not being a pro musician I have no idea what is actually in a fake book.
This is the net folks, not a brick an mortar, wake up if you want to sell to me.
Too much of a good thing?.......2007-02-24
I have been playing tunes from this book almost every day since I received it several weeks ago and have only scratched the surface. It has a great selection of songs from the various genres and eras. Lot's of fun stuff. About the only bad things I can say about it are that the book is so big that I am a little worried that the plastic music stand on my keyboard will break off if I really start rocking out and that the comb binding is a little difficult to deal with. The pages tend to jam when you turn them. As far as the tunes go, this is a great collection, one that I look forward to exploring further.
Great book.......2007-02-17
A must have. Plenty of songs to refer to if ever needed. Buy it.
Ultimate ?.......2007-01-10
Well maybe not THE ULTIMATE, but very good selection of oldies, movie theme songs, even turn of the century fun stuff... Having a ball with this one...
Piano Man is two thirds of a page long.......2006-07-10
In Billy Joel Complete Vol. I, Piano Man is five full pages long. In the Ultimate Fake Book, it's about two thirds of a page. Similarly, the sheet music for Webber's All I Ask of You is five full pages, but exactly one page in the Ultimate Fake Book. The Titanic Love Theme is one page in this fake book. I find the comb binding to be strong, and the print large enough and clear and everything is neat and accurate as far as I can tell. I am having SO MUCH FUN playing songs out of this fake book, I can't believe it!!! I'm almost giddy with delight -- I can't believe I'm playing some of these songs that I always wanted to be able to play!!!
Customer Reviews:
FORCED TO BUY FOR JAZZ HISTORY.......2007-07-26
This was required for my jazz history class at Sacramento City College (MUFHL 315 - online). It was 125.00 at the college book (packaged along with some worthless CD's). It is not laid out like a normal textbook. At the beginning, it doesn't have a chapter outline or learning objectives. At the end of each chapter, all you have is a sorry summery that doesn't cover any of what the author is trying to say within the chapter. THIS IS THE WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER BEEN FORCED TO BUY FOR A CLASS. I am tired people publishing the results of their graduate work as TEXTBOOKS and ripping off poor undeserving student. Reading this book is like watching paint dry.
This book connects the dots..........2006-02-13
I had begun to get serious about immersing myself in Jazz. A little dive around the corner was showing excellent Jazz groups and I had to take the opportunity to discover this great art form. My daughter lent me a textbook she had from college.
I immediately picked it up and for several hours was scanning it backwards and forwards. I kept referencing all the artists and songs I had heard of all my life and this book very handily made the connections. It's loaded with clear and concise and insightful teaching aids.
I can now understand much better the overall experience and history of jazz. The technical parts are still quite overwhelming, but the author's writing is very articulate and non-judgmental. I've rarely seen a more learning friendly book. As I started to mention, you can start anywhere you want in this book and just take what you can handle.
not for jazz scholars alone.......2005-12-20
It has been nearly 30 years since Mark Gridley's first edition of Jazz Styles appeared, and no other treatment of jazz styles comes close to his careful analysis of how jazz has been made since its inception. It is a work of great and serious scholarship, an invaluable resource for students of the genre. Yet, Jazz Styles is also an enjoyable and entertaining companion for anyone who wants to become a more perceptive listener to jazz. The Listening Guides are useful even for those 'veteran'
jazz fans familiar with the works described. Gridley will take you to ever-deeper levels of appreciation for jazz in all its varieties.
Book Description
Wicked is not just a musical, it is a phenomenon. Every week 15,000 people pack New Yorks Gershwin Theatre to see the show. The most successful musical on Broadway in 2004, Wicked is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire. It tells the story of Elphaba, the headstrong Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the good witch, growing up in the Land of Oz. The show has cast a spell on fans, many of whom return for second and third viewings. In 2005, the show begins an extensive tour across the United States and Canada, hitting major cities such as Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and many more. This beautifully packaged, whimsical keepsake is designed to resemble the Grimmerie, an ancient book of spells that Elphaba uses in the show. Wicked: The Grimmerie offers fans a behind-the-curtains peek at the musical, profiles of the cast and creative team, and inside stories, with full-color photographs throughout. Some of the irresistible special features include an Ozian glossary, spells, the shows libretto, an illustrated family tree, and a step-by-step look at how Elphaba gets green before each showeverything fans need to relive the Broadway experience day after day.
Customer Reviews:
Wickedly Wonderful.......2007-09-28
This is a totally wonderful book. The look, the feel, the photos....every Wicked fan will want this. Simply gorgeous.
Great keepsake of popular musical production.......2007-09-10
This is a wonderful souvenir for WICKED fans of any production. It would also be a great pre-viewing gift for anyone who has yet to see the innovative musical "prequel" to THE WIZARD OF OZ.
The Grimmerie.......2007-08-15
After just having seen "Wicked" performed live on stage, this is the perfect companion to relive the experience.
WICKED SMASH .......2007-08-13
The book was awesome and very detailed with the making of the stage play and its bio of the characters. I would highly recommend this book.
Very good!.......2007-08-01
Full libretto, huge pictures, a history of "the Wizard of Oz" from concept to book series to musical to movie... more info than I was even hoping for on "Wicked." It's a LOT like the "Rent" book, if you've seen that.
Book Description
The Special Edition is the first two volumes of the Fretboard Logic guitar series combined with a special discount. Part One deals with the pattern organization of the fretboard which results from the guitar's unique tuning system. Part Two teaches the tone groups of music - Chords, Scales and Arpeggios - by building them in the context of this pattern organization, and thereby eliminating the usual guesswork and rote memorization associated with these areas of a guitarist's education. This alone can take years off the learning curve. Combined, the two parts form a solid foundation by which a guitarist can intelligently pursue the music styles of their own choosing, and play them on the guitar types which they prefer.
Customer Reviews:
Let me save you some time and money, again . . ........2007-08-15
I originally wrote this review for Volume I, but it applies here too.
The reviews below all sound wonderful, even the ones that weren't five stars. Too good to be true I thought, so I only bought Volume I, rather than the box set. After a week of study, and occasionly rereading the same paragraph over and over until I got it, I too will say that this book did more for me in a week than all the decades of playing guitar and buying countless other books.
Still I was skeptical about the other volumes, so I decided that rather than buy the box set with the DVD I'd just buy the combination of Volumes I and II, and give Volume I to a friend. After spending some time with Volume II, I realized I needed the DVD. Amazon just emailed today saying the box set of three volumes plus the DVD has just shipped.
Let me save you some time and money - buy the box set with the DVD. I say that without having seen the DVD, but from what I see with Volumes I and II, I think you're going to want to do that. Like everyone else, I only wish that I had discovered this book when I was a kid.
Fretboard Logic SE: The ultimate guitar book !!!.......2007-07-10
Simply said this is a must... I played the guitar for 6 years and I was blind as regard as the fretboard... Not anymore :-))
DON'T BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR!.......2007-07-07
First let me say this he takes some stabs a Mel Bay books but the thing is Mel Bay books teach you how to READ MUSIC. I wasted weeks reading this book and its cryptic if you ask me.You can learn the notes on the fretboard way faster if you know all your octaves IMHO. This book is a waste of good paper.
Very tough for a complete novice.......2007-05-13
As I v'e read in other reviews, this book goes from major open string chords straight to barre chords which at this stage in the game I am not capable of doing. I like the logic presented here and will come back to this book once I've developed more hand strength and basic skills.
A Real Eye Opener!.......2007-05-03
I have been teaching concepts from this book for 7 years now. I still consistently have lessons where the students go "Ahhh, I get it now." Everything you need to know about organizing and understanding the fretboard is in this book. The only drawback is, if you're not "ready" to understand it, then this book might be tough to get through.
If you:
1. are at a plateau and you have trouble telling someone what note you are on, or
2. you want to know how to connect all those scales together, or
3. you don't truely understand what I mean when I say "the CAGED system is one of the most powerful tools for any guitarist,"
Then, you need this book.
Book Description
Now in paperback, the New York Times bestseller by one of rocks most provocative figures Scar Tissue is Anthony Kiediss searingly honest memoir of a life spent in the fast lane. In 1983, four self-described knuckleheads burst out of the mosh-pitted mosaic of the neo-punk rock scene in L.A. with their own unique brand of cosmic hardcore mayhem funk. Over twenty years later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, against all odds, have become one of the most successful bands in the world. Though the band has gone through many incarnations, Anthony Kiedis, the groups lyricist and dynamic lead singer, has been there for the whole roller-coaster ride. Whether hes recollecting the influence of the beautiful, strong women who have been his muses, or retracing a journey that has included appearances as diverse as a performance before half a million people at Woodstock or an audience of one at the humble compound of the exiled Dalai Lama, Kiedis shares a compelling story about the price of success and excess. Scar Tissue is a story of dedication and debauchery, of intrigue and integrity, of recklessness and redemptiona story that could only have come out of the world of rock.
Customer Reviews:
Scar Tissue.......2007-09-06
Exactly what I was looking for, good book, good price, and took 5 days to ship as opposed to the 1 month it promised.
Brutally Honest.......2007-08-29
This is a fantastic read, and is very well written. Some very cool photos and lyrics are included. I spent the extra money to buy a hardcover version which is a good choice. The drug addiction and honesty that Anthony brings to that disease is worth the read alone. It is awesome he has found a way to deal with his addiction and keep writing and performing at an exceptional level.
truly inspirational book!.......2007-08-13
i was amased by this great reading. anthony isnt only an extraordinary performer but a very good writer. the moment i started reading it, i didn't let it out of my hands. fan or not of RHCP, you'll find this book entertaining.
Drugs, Women, Music and Drugs.......2007-07-25
For those who think they know the Chili Pepper story, or those that are new fans and are unaware of the beligerent lifestyle of the Chili's up unitl this decade, this book clears it all up. Discussed in a narrative voice, all the events and feelings are dictated by Anthony Kiedis and provide a real world connection to these superstars. His individual story as well as the group as a whole is shared in a way that makes them seem so human and makes anyone wonder, "how are these guys still alive, sane, and still making beautiful, boandary pushing music together?"
Never a dull moment!.......2007-07-15
All I can say is that I wanted to have a book to read over the course of about half of the summer and instead I read it in just a couple of days! It's heartfelt & candid. And its written through the voice of Anthony Kiedis rather than someone taking his thoughts and trying to put them in some dull, refined, intellectual way. Anyway, now I have to find something to read that won't bore me after reading this great book!
Book Description
The third edition of this high successful orchestration text follows the approach established in its innovative predecessor: Learning orchestration is best achieved through familiarity with the orchestral literature; this familiarity is most effectively accomplished from the music notation in combination with the recorded sound. The text has been revised to reflect the most informed reactions to the first and second editions, as well as Professor Adler's revisions. For comprehensiveness, conciseness, and contemporaneity, The Study of Orchestration remains without peer.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding.......2007-05-06
I am a complete novice but I recognize this is the required study program. You must also buy the CD/DVDs that go along with the book.
Not cheap, but an outstanding learning tool. I would recommend that you read a book on music theory and composition before buying this set to get the most out of the program.
Multi-Media companion discs to The Study of Orchestration Book (6 CDs).......2007-03-16
This 6-disc set provides audio, video and music, and some musical scores to support the examples in The Study of Orchestration Book. The videos show players playing the various orchestral instruments to illustrate performance techniques. The audio examples let the student hear the various orchestration techniques being discussed. The examples and the book in general are very detailed and absolutely worth the purchase price. I highly recommend the book and CDs to everyone studying orchestration.
The way the discs are used is there is a main menu where the user can select which instruments to view and listen to the examples. There was a strange problem with the discs I received. The digital material and menu do not match the book examples or the content printed on the CDs. Strangely, CD 4 is blank (I've tried to read it on several computers) and the main menu doesn't have any pointers that reference CD 4. Also, the other 5 discs do not contain the contents listed on the CD, many examples are missing. Both my book and the discs are listed as "3rd edition" and the cover graphics are identical. I believe this is a manufacturing problem from the publisher and therefore other sets may also exhibit this problem. Perhaps the digital content on the discs was from the 1st or 2nd edition. I'm still working with the vendor I bought the discs from to get a new set of discs and I'm hopeful the next set I receive contains the correct digital content.
If you really want to know how to orchestrate via textbook.......2007-03-08
Every composer is aware that there are countless orchestration books- and every one will tell you basically about how to do the job. Every book will have your standard instrumentation, how they function mechanically, and ranges, or something to that effect. Of course this is important.
However, when it comes down the actual art of Orchestration, elements usually left to experience are taught through Samuel Adler's CD accompanied book. No matter how close a description of an effect, or sound is, the luxury of having a dictionary of them at hand is amazing.
Overall, this is a great concept and book- and I don't believe that there is any book out there that does what it does that well.
A good book!.......2007-02-24
Great, it's got everything you need in one consise but thorough reference. An excellent reference for composer or orchestrator to have.
Very very good!.......2006-11-07
I studied classical piano and composition myself for most of my life and have professional degrees in both. When I write my music, I need to look up stuff now and then, or brush up my knowledge. This book is perfect for this! I wish I had bought it years ago.
Book Description
What an event! What a show! It's catchy and quirky. Tuneful and toe-tapping. Exuberant, unexpected, and utterly endearing. It's what happens when you take America's beloved illustrator and children's author and combine her buoyant genius with some of the most talented people on the stage—presenting Philadelphia Chickens!
Created by Sandra Boynton, Philadelphia Chickens is a family musical in a book, bringing together a full-color songbook of 17 1/2 illustrated story-poems with a full-length, fully orchestrated CD of original songs performed by the likes of Patti LuPone, Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, The Bacon Brothers, and Laura Linney, who pleads "Please, Can I Keep It?"—it followed me home. / What exactly it is/ I don't know. Also joining in are Eric Stoltz, Natasha Richardson, Scott Bakula, and two Boyntons, including daughter Caitlin McEwan, who performs a piece that every little listener will relate to—a love song to the chocolate chip cookies that are just out of reach. With the collaboration of composer Michael Ford (known to Boynton fans from Rhinoceros Tap), Philadelphia Chickens is that rarest of kids' musical discs—one whose inimitable lyrics and music make it as sing-along, dance-along, cluck-along for parents as it is for their children.
Customer Reviews:
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-10-04
My daughter loves music and this is a fun, lively, entertaining album that we listen to all the time. Tunes are catchy and I find myself still listening after she goes to bed and am often still singing/humming the songs after I've turned it off.
Utterly Meaningless Fabricated Music For Obnoxious Children.......2007-09-14
My children love music. Our home is basically an opera house with all four of us singing about everything as we go through the day. As a homeschooling mom, I am looking for beautiful, creative, and meaningful music that will inspire us and bring joy to our day. The many good reviews for this book-album had me all happy about it. When I found it at our library, I was so excited!
My elation fell when I heard the opening number, Cows. "It MUST get better," I told myself as the droning/moaning "we're remarkable cows..." continued for nearly 3 minutes. Sadly the remaining 16.5 songs continued with only slight variations of obnoxiousness.
My almost 4-year-old daughter declared the music to be "Creepy," a word which I can't recall her ascribing to anything else in the world. It was like a bunch of automatons singing soullessly about random animal-related topics. I like silly stuff, I like animals, and I even can get along with pop culture to an extent. However, the lack of feeling in the singers' voices, the similarity of the songs to one another, and the overuse of meaninglessness immediately gave me the impression that the music was fabricated for sales, contrived not for love of music and beauty and art and children, but for success.
...And with me, it failed.
I give it 2 stars simply because the idea is good and it COULD have been well executed if the writers and singers were more creatively and passionately inclined.
But don't take my word for it...
Just borrow it from the library before you make the commitment.
A carload full of fun.......2007-09-10
My daughter borrowed this book from the library and didn't want to give it back. We borrowed it twice and then bought our own copy. She loves to dance and sing the songs...especially the one that the lion sings about being very busy! She almost has it memorized! I hope they make a DVD to go along with the songs!!!
Fun!.......2007-08-27
My kids love this book and CD, mostly the CD. It is fun! You can sing and dance and enjoy it as a child or an adult. It can be fun for the adults to guess the celebrities singing the songs. It is great for either dancing with the kids around the room or the kids singing themselves to sleep listening to it. I bought copies for my 2 nieces to enjoy too.
A present for toddlers AND their parents.......2007-08-19
This CD/book set was an impulse purchase for my granddaughters when they were six months and two-and-a-half. What an incredible find! You just have to laugh out loud at the funky lyrics, set to music that will have the whole family dancing. Seriously! Oh, you don't think you'll really dance? Well try it and see!
The older sister claimed at least six of the songs as her favorites ("Nanna, I like THIS ONE the best!") and the baby would drop everything and listen as soon as "Belly Button" started playing.
"Philadelphia Chickens" won't wear out its welcome -- many thanks to the brilliant Sandra Boynton and her cast of amazing performers. I've bought two copies of the CD for myself and wound up giving them away -- well, I meant to lend them but couldn't seem to get them back. DO give a toddler this wonderful gift, but you'd better get your own as well. It's a real ray of sunshine!
Book Description
Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for the beginner looking for a truly complete piano course that includes lesson, theory, technic and popular repertoire in one convenient, all-in-one book. This course has a number of features that make it particularly successful in achieving this goal, among them are smooth progression between concepts, the thorough explanation of chords and outstanding song material. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of the most popular music ever written and will have gained a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of music.
Customer Reviews:
Well crafted course for the older beginner.......2007-09-09
After reviewing numerous 'method' books on piano, I found this one to be the most comprehensive and well rounded of the lot. Utilizing the best apsects from the myriad methods developed over the years, this book engages the student with popular tunes, theory and technical exercises from the likes of Hanon and Leschetizky, without overemphasising any one element at the expense of another.
Excellant!.......2007-08-26
This book is easy-to-understand and very thorough. I'm using it under the guidance of a professional instructor, but I think it could be used independantly with great effect, as well. It starts with the absolute basics, but it's amazing how quickly an adult can move along. I feel quite confident playing everything covered in this book, and I've enjoyed it very much.
I'm 31 years old, and I've spent, probably, 6-9 mos total in Level 1 (with a few months off this summer). I've just purchased Level 2, and I fully intend to finish this course through Level 3.
Get This Freakin Book!!!!!.......2007-08-07
I have had no prior knowledge of the piano whatsoever. I mean no lessons no nothing! I bought the book and after 1 week of practicing at 1 hour everyday I'm half way through this book. I'm playing music with ease folks! I signed up for a piano course and found out about this book. After looking through it I dropped the class and started teaching myself. Call me crazy but its paying off. You actually can learn on your own. Imagine what your friends and family will think of you when you said you learned from a book. Can we say "gasps". It's easy to understand and takes you along the way the RIGHT way. Get this Freakin Book!
Great method book.......2007-08-03
I love this series for teaching piano. It is very methodical and logical. And I love that it incorporates the Hanon exercises. I see students grow leaps and bounds using those!
If you use the correlated 'Greatest Hits' book, you've got a teaching/learning package that can't be beat.
By the way, the series is labeled 'Adult' but I would recommend it for any student who is past the age of brightly colored pictures and kiddie lyrics. I guess I'd recommend it for anyone over the age of 13.
useful beginner's guide .......2007-05-18
I found it useful but I use many other pieces of music to complement this book.
Book Description
To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the band Rush embarked on their R30 world tour in the summer of 2004, playing 57 shows for more than half a million fans. Drummer Neil Peart traveled between shows on motorcycle, logging 21,000 miles through 19 countries on both sides of the Atlantic. Part behind-the-scenes memoir, part existential travelogue, this book chronicles Peart's journey in search of the perfect show, the perfect meal, the perfect road, and an elusive inner satisfaction that comes only with the recognition that the journey itself is the ultimate destination.
Customer Reviews:
Great read for Rush fans.......2007-09-28
Mom, when I grow up I want to be a musician - Well you know son, you can't do both.
I found it fun, informative, entertaining and reflexive. An excellent read for Rush fans that appreciate Neil's way to observe the world, his experiences and reflexions of being in 'the Limelight' while keeping his feet (and wheels) in the ground. He describes his job as "hitting things with sticks - big deal!" but since only mediocre men feel satisfied every day, keeps challenged to give the best show he can give. Fun anecdotes of how the band develops a strange relationship with fans through the years and how they recognize them and see them change, some others on how some fans can get disturbing. In any case, Neil is able to have a life among 'the mortals' and be recognized only occassionally during his motorcycle trips from city to city that he describes in ways that make you want to be in those places or appreciate those in which you've already been.
Good stuff!!!.......2007-09-28
Neil is a great writer. The story is great, just a narrative of a trip? No, Neil takes you there. He paints such a vivid picture, you'll feel like you are riding shotgun! This goes for the whole series. I think for being such a private dude, it's a cool way for the guy to share feelings, thought and philosophies. I don't feel like he was looking for pity, just an outlet. These books just might make a Rush fan out of you too, I warned ya!
Ah yes, another review by me. You're welcome........2007-09-16
Welcome to my wonderful second review ever. I have been practicing 2 to 3 hours a day on my reviewing skills. Drinking some protein shakes and eating lots of free range, organic, dolphin trained, tuna to bulk up.
Sadly, I haven't done any book reviews in my strenuous review regime. So, to get an idea on how to review a book, I read every single review for this book... Right...
I noticed two things. One, I agree with almost every review. The good and the bad. Ignore the stars my fellow reviewers give this book and just read a couple of good reviews and bad reviews and that's basically the book.
The second thing I noticed is something I thought every book reviewer should talk about but that not a single one did.
The book itself.
The books jacket has three very nice pictures on a nice glossy paper. There is also a nice little bit of writing inside the jacket about the book.
The actual cover of the book is of a grayish color with little raised ridges running down it. It also is an exact copy of the jacket itself. Well, if you replace all the colors with the grayish color. Get rid of the pictures. Take away a few lines of text and symbols. And they are EXACTLY the same.
Even though Amazon says this book weighs 1.4 lbs. I am going to have to go all out weatherman on this, and say it feels more like solid 1.8 lbs. More if you like reading on your back, holding the book over your head. I don't recommend reading it this way unless you have conditioned yourself for this task.
The font is easy to read but just a size too small for my tastes. But not a deal breaker. I can't help it if I am going blind and bald. It is very fine and precise with no smearing or runs of any sort in my copy. Although, there are some spelling errors here and there.
The paper is sturdy but not too thick. It has an off white, almost aged paper look to it. My hands are so calloused from my review training, that I cannot get a proper feel of the paper. I imagine it has a very slight rough texture to it though.
The book has a very understated musky odor. Only noticeable when I took a good honking sniff at close range. I could see this causing some discomfort to the sinuses if you were reading on your back, with the book over your head, and you passed out from the exertion. You might wake up with that smell in your nose which might be disconcerting.
At the beginning of every chapter is a little quote or joke. They are good sometimes. If you like to read a quick chapter before going to bed every night then you are out of luck with this here book. Unless you are some kind of freak speed reader. The chapters are sometimes quite long but lucky for you, they are broken up into subchapter type things.
Yeah, anyway, football is on and I hear my recliner calling me.
Neil, you "USED" to be my favorite drummer..............2007-09-14
Now your my favorite writer.........
I just finished three of your four books, and have gained alot of inspiration and insight. I'm planning to do a similar journey of my own, on a bike just like yours, with a journal on hand, from Orange County to the tip of Argentina. I'm saving your last book as reading material for the journey. When I finish the book Neil, I'm going to send you a copy. In the meantime, if I ever see you in person, I will simply smile and walk away. Thanks for everything. Love Drew
Fun read, but not mandatory for Rush fans.......2007-08-31
After reading all of Neil Peart's other travel books, I had a pretty good idea what to expect going into this book, and it neither disappointed nor surpassed my expectations. The title did seem to indicate that there would be more hard "Rush content" than his other books, but all told, I would estimate that about 20% of the book talks about the shows themselves, and the rest is devoted to Peart's travels between shows.
First a quick note about the tone of the book itself, since so many other reviews seem to hit on this. As with pretty much everything else he's ever written, Peart makes no bones about the fact that he isn't thrilled interacting with rabid fans. But he's also honest about the fact that he has a hard time talking to people in general, even going so far in this book to say that he thinks Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are better friends to him than he has been to them. Pretty straightforward stuff. And to be fair, the negative interactions he describes here are with "fans" who can probably best described as nut-jobs. Even after reading this book, I still come away with the feeling that if I was ever to come across Neil, a simple "thanks for all the great music" would probably be met positively enough.
As for the content itself, the behind-the-scenes glimpses are great, as were Neil's views on Alex's legal battles, and his views on the State of Florida in general (no spoilers here, but it was pretty funny stuff). 400+ pages of motorcyle rides does get a bit tedious after a while though, and I found myself wishing that there was more technical info and anecdotes about the various concerts on the 2004 tour.
To an extent, this book does serve as a prelude to the "Snakes and Arrows" album, insofar as Neil describes in a bit more detail the various back-road church signs that inspired his work on that album. But are you missing anything from the album experience if you don't read the book? Probably not.
Overall, this was an enjoyable enough read, as it does provide some insight into the mind behind Rush's lyrics. But I wouldn't consider it as indispensible as "Travelling Music" is to describing the band's history.
Books:
- The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (NPR Curious Listener's Guide To...)
- The Pema Chodron Collection: Pure Meditation:Good Medicine:From Fear to Fearlessness
- The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music
- The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
- The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)
- The Ultimate Gift (The Ultimate Series #1)
- The Violin Maker: Finding a Centuries-Old Tradition in a Brooklyn Workshop
- The Wild Wood
- Thinking Musically: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture (Global Music Series, 1)
- Three Great Orchestral Works in Full Score: Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune, Nocturnes, La Mer (Dover Orchestral Scores)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Co-Active Coaching, 2nd Edition: New Skills for Coaching People Toward Success in Work and, Life
- Top Secret Recipes: Creating Kitchen Clones of America's Favorite Brand-Name Foods
- Resumes for Former Military Personnel, 3rd edition
- Silent Spring
- The Last Season
- Theogony, Works and Days
- The Ways of My Grandmothers
- 2005 Old Farmers Almanac Hardcover OFA
- Retracing Public Administration
- Code of Federal Regulations 10: Energy: Revised As of January 1, 2004
![Rush - Replay [3 DVD/CD Box Set]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000FDFOX0.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
