5 comments about 4-Way Coordination: A Method Book for the Development of Complete Independence on the Drum Set.

1. This book holds many challenging exercises. You first look at some of them and think "It can't be that hard." Then you try them and it is not so easy. Definately a great way to challenge your coordination and make it stronger!



2. This is a really good book to train your brain to control your hands and limbs to move separately. But it will be helpful if there's an audio CD that comes with it.



3. I expected something different from this. I'll say up front that I'm a novice/hobbyist drummer. Having said that, the exercises here are just painful. I didn't find any particular rhythm to them, it just seemed to treat the drummer like a machine required to play right-hand, left-hand, right-foot, left-foot (assigned to no particular drum or cymbal/HH) at prescribed times. I'm impressed if you can do this, but it really helps me if the exercises sound like something in addition to building up skill.



4. I like this book because you can engage it at so many different levels. It can be as noncommittal as picking a few challenging exercises and working through them slowly before each session, or it can be as involved as tackling the whole book and mastering each exercise at different tempos. The exercises are also quite fun to try master, and I found that they helped develop a framework for my own rhythms.



5. A lot of the exercises in this book have almost no groove value at all. But that doesn't mean it's not a good buy. It will do what it says. It WILL help develope interdependence with all four limbs. However, I would not throw this one to a beginner unless they had an endless supply of patience to spare. Intermediate to advanced players will grasp the concept a little better.

5 comments about John W. Schaum Piano Course: Pre-A : The Green Book.

1. I have used this book for about 5 yrs now and I love it. It is set up the way I like to teach. The child starts playing the piano the first lesson. The discount on buying 3 and getting 1 free was great and the delivery was good. Thank you!



2. Back in 1959, when I was eight years old, I took piano lessons using this series (for only a year or so). It was fun, but my small fingers didn't enjoy full size piano keys. (Back then small keyboards were not made.) I always intended to try again. So, after 47 years, I recently bought the Schaum Piano Series and went back over the old lessons. There are almost no changes in the books. This is good. The music is still presented in the same logical, easy-to-understand manner. While I believe that hiring a piano teacher is ideal, I (as an adult who now practices regularly) am mastering this series without addition help. I find them very enjoyable. I recommend them with no reservations.



3. I learned from these books, along with the Thompson series. I have been teaching piano now for nearly 30 yrs. and have tried many other series, always coming back to the Schaum books. I find them to teach everything needed, having complete sets of workbooks as well as the lesson books and technic books. They move at the correct rate with songs my pupils enjoy overall. Other series I have tried or pupils have come with have been more frustrating- trying to move too fast for the students to learn well. The old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" works here. These worked years ago and they still do. Sometimes "new" isn't necessarily better.



4. I recently got a piano, and since I haven't played in 30 years, decided to start over with these books I used as a kid. They are just as good as I remember!



5. I recently got a piano, and since I haven't played in 30 years, decided to start over with these books I used as a kid. They are just as good as I remember!

5 comments about Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not!.

1. This is not an instructional book at all. It can be summarized very briefly. Play chords with the left hand, and melodies on the right. DUH! The author doesn't care how you do it, just do it! Just don't contort your hands! This is more of a motivational book but with nothing to support it, unless you count the author's numerous marketing links to his own products.



2. This book is helpful and concise. I don't have a lot of spare time to learn a new instrument and this book does save time. I was a bit disappointed that almost half the book is chord charts rather than (sheet)music. Since the book is not spiral bound, I am afraid to cut out he chord charts, as I fear the binding would fail. This makes the chord charts virtually useless. Additionally, it would have been nice if the author had included some practice music longer than eight bars. It made me feel like he is overly concerned that I also buy his fake book, rather than learn the piano. His teaching approach makes this book fun, easy, and effective. 3.5 stars ... could have easily been 5 with more "meat."



3. Forget playing classical music on the world stage. How about any kind of gig? Pop, rock, jazz, polkas. Or do you want to doodle in your own home.
   
   Should you take classical music if you don't want to play classical music? It really isn't necessary. But the book's premise that everything classical music teaches you is inappropriate for non-classical music is BS. The understanding of the music system and technique that classical gives you works across all other genres of music. Most gigging keyboard players (not just classical) have at least some classical background and it serves to make them better. I am one of them.
   
   Does this book teach you anything? Very little. It's mostly hype designed for folks who want the easy way out. Whatever method you decide you want to study, it takes time and work and perseverance if you are going to be any good.
   
   And this "method" won't help you much.



4. This book will give you everything you need to get started playing the piano. The book is a very easy read with concise, right to the point instructions and doesn't offer you anything but the basics, hammering home the key points.
   
   You should find that (assuming you have at least some basic knowledge of music) that you will be able to play a few recognizable songs within a matter of days! I am not saying you will play them like a seasoned pro, but you will play them in a way that would impress your friends or family and will prompt them to ask, 'when did you start taking lessons?'
   
   I love how Scott just dives right in and gives you what you need to know to play right away. The book is short and sweet and offers just enough content.
   
   I also purchased his fake book and the first song I started working on was "Hey Jude". The music notation is in the key of C (from what I understand the easiest key to play) and I would say after a few hours I could play it somewhat decently. After a week, I had it nailed. Not just a riff or two, but the whole song atart to finish! I was blown away by my progress and look forward to learning more and more songs.
   
   For roughly $10 you can't go wrong with this book. Just be sure and keep an open mind when you read it and please don't listen to piano snobs who will tell you 'oh this is just shortcuts and nonsense'. They are just jealous that they spend thousands of dollars on lessons and probably wish they learned piano in this manner to begin with.
   
   Highly recommended.



5. Seriously, thank God this book didn't cost me much; it is just a waste of space.

5 comments about The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 1: Guitar Technique.

1. I was looking for some quick motivation, and this book has provided. It has an attractive layout and is well-written and organized. It contains much good information and advice for beginners--or those of us who may have played off and on for years but still don't feel like true "intermediates".
   
   The most valuable thing is the nice selection of compositions. Several of them are new to me, and really fine, like the "Catalonian Song" and "Simple Gifts." Chances are you'll find things in here that you really like and want to work on. The arrangements are interesting but not too difficult. Left hand fingering is provided, which certainly helps.
   
   I'm more motivated than I've been in years. This book is a great value.



2. This is my first recommendation for students of the classical guitar who are approximately age 9 and up. It has many photos and illustrations and moves at a swift pace.



3. I have been playing the guitar on and off for over 10 years. I have never really gotten to a point that I can say that my skills were really great. Primarily I have taught myself to play. I have learned a few songs and played mostly cords, and tab.
   
   I first got interested in arpeggio, or classical guitar, a couple of years ago. I have read a few lessons, from books mostly, and learned a little.
   I bought this book a few weeks ago and have not stopped playing since. The key to learning the guitar, in my 10 years experience, is persistence. You have to keep practicing to build up your finger strength and the tips of your fingers. Prolonged absence of practice will weaken your finger strength slightly, but weaken your finger tips greatly.
   
   This book brings you through some classic lessons and techniques that will help to build the use of your fingers. It also shows you the proper positioning and posture that should be used while playing. This is important because it helps you to play longer if you are comfortable.
   This book also has some really great practice pieces. The songs are a mix of duets and solo pieces. The duets can be played solo just for the practice. I find myself going back to them often for two reasons. Practice is one and the other for note recognition. Some of these pieces are really very nice and sound really great.
   
   I would recommend that anyone who wants a really challenging form of guitar playing to purchase this book. I would also like to state that I had read that this book should take a person 1 year to complete. I tend to disagree. I have made excellent progress in the book so far. I have had a few road blocks, but persistence had been its own reward. The point is, your progress will be determined by your dedication to practice. The only thing that has slowed me down, or prevented me from practice is the soreness of my fingers.
   
   I am glad I bought both Volume 1 and Volume 2 at the same time. Before I know it I will be in the second volume.



4. I have personally used a lot of different beginner guitar books to get a grasp on playing the guitar. 99% of them all lack a basic understanding of certain techniques, and information on properly playing the guitar. This book hands down is the best beginner book I've used. In conjunction with a teacher, you will very quickly understand many aspects of the guitar that most other books don't ever cover. And Parkening doesn't miss a step. Highly Recommended for any teenager or adult whom wants to learn the guitar. This book will teach proper technique for all guitar players (ie, electric, acoustic, classical (of course), etc.) The techniques in this book will save you hours of frustration later when you hit a road block, or need to re-learn proper guitar technique.



5. This is a great book containing many familiar songs arranged in a very comprehensive way. I think everyone should get this book.

5 comments about The Songwriting Sourcebook: How to Turn Chords Into Great Songs.

1. Sparks my creative thoughts and brings me back to the love of writing music with passion.



2. man, this book has really really come in handy for me, expeically early chapter, good thing i have this. some of the think in here i have never seen or heard on the internet before, this book seems rare with its information.



3. This book taught me so much about songwriting, it's scary. I'm not a novice, either! It teaches you about chord theory better than any other book I've read.



4. I have over last two years developed into a real fan of Rikky's books. This one really surprised me for progressive depth in the structure of each chapter. Each chapter builds on the next. And sandwiched between the 'tips' are these gems of compositions that helps broaden and deepen the constructive elements of songwriting. The book is focused more on chord progression in songs and then the composition of the song's components, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. The great surprise, and I think, and real beauty of the book is the way he uses the CD with the last chapter. He records 12 or so songs, and then in that chapter, he breaks them down in to their component structure, and tells you why he made the choices he did. A really GREAT book. Worth the price!



5. I've been playing guitar forever, and writing songs for years, but like most other writers I get stuck in ruts from time to time. Now, whenever I need some new ideas, whether an entire song, a verse, a chorus, a bridge, or a lift, I just look through this book. Even a basic I-IV-V can be made more interesting by advancing or delaying a change. I also like that he relates the CD examples to particular musical styles, which provides a good template for writing to that style.
   
   As with Rooksby's other books, the material is presented with great clarity and is well edited. A songwriter could do a lot worse than build a library of his books.

4 comments about Suzuki Violin School, Violin Part, Volume 2 (Suzuki Violin School, Violin Part).

1. thirty five days passed, and i have not get the cd yet, how can i review it?!



2. Violin teacher recommended book after finishing Vol. 1. It is clear and concise.



3. This book is an excellent teaching book for anyone!
   Here are the songs: Chorus from "Judas Maccabaeus" by G.F. Handel, Musette by J.S. Bach, Hunters' Chorus by C.M. von Weber, Long, Long Ago, by T.H. Bayly, Waltz by J. Brahms, Bourree by G.F. Handel, The Two Grenadiers by R. Schumann, Theme from "Witches' Dance" by N. Paganini, Gavotte from "Mignon" by A. Thomas, Gavotte by J.B. Lully, Minuet in G by L. van Beethoven, and Minuet by L. Boccherini.
   
   I've only played a couple songs so far, and they are beautiful. I like the Suzuki method because each book gives you a solid foundation and a little taste for the next book to come. I have this CD that comes with it, and the songs are WAY too fast for me to play along with. Also, the book gives you fingerings above most notes, which is a little drawback.
   
   The bottomline is that the Suzuki series is excellent and I would recommend it anyone beginning the violin! :D



4. I grew up learning the Suzuki method and believe in it 100%. This should really be learned with an instructor versus being self-taught. Suzuki method is also a philosophy - look for the book by Suzuki himself explaining this. My violin teacher made all her students' parents read this when we started lessons.
   
   This collection of songs not only is a good collection to learn various techniques on the violin, but I still have fun years later playing them over and over.

2 comments about Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Theory Book Level 1A (Alfred's Basic Piano Library).

1. I'm glad I made this purchase. It's a great book with pretty pictures and clear instructions. My 4-yr-old loves it! His teacher loves it too :)



2. I use this theory book with my piano students. It is very well laid out. The students actually request more theory because they enjoy the worksheets so much. Excellent with young students!

5 comments about The Guitar Amp Handbook: Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds.

1. The writer never explains how a tube works or capacitors or resistors work. For example, he doesn't explain specifically how a resistor can be used to affect treble. I don't know how many times I read about a .2 microfarad capacitor with absolutely no meaningful explanation of what it does. .2 microfarad capacitor, .2 microfarad capacitor, .2 microfarad capacitor. There! You've read the book.



2. This book is in an interesting spot between real electrical engineering description of tube amplifiers and the opinion of a guitar player. The author clearly knows his stuff as a user but has very little knowledge of electrical theory. As an engineer, I did not gain any insight on how tube amplifiers work or are designed. As a guitar player, I gained a lot of knowledge on how users judge and modify their amplifiers. The many schematics on well known tube amplifers and interviews with their designers are good but the engineer in me needs one more level of actual tube design theory.



3. I haven't read this cover to cover. And I guess most people might not want to do that.
   
   If you are a tech head and know a fair bit about electronics and valves then you may be disappointed by this book. However even though I would put myself in that class I am glad I have it in my kit of information. There is a lot of redundant stuff for people like me but some memory joggers in there too and some stuff that makes me question my own mindsets.
   
   If you are starting out and want to understand why things work the way they do then this is good. A very easy read for those who wear those shoes.
   
   There is a lot of information on why the old amps were built the way they were and a lot of fact versus myth covered. A lot of schematics with explanations, talk about what different valves sound like etc.
   
   If you are tinkering, trying to make something unique, or just want to learn more I don't think the book would disappoint.



4. Although I have been building vintage clones for several years, this book clearly defined terms that I have seen in amp building forums that before made little sense to me. I shared this book with my 23 year old son, who is just getting into amp building. It was a great motivating factor in our first build together. I wish I would have had it years ago.



5. Excellent book for the background of guitar effects, can't beat it, lots of pics, for a pedal geek, a must
   Jim

5 comments about Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer (Ted Reed).

1. I recommend this book for anyone interested in developing there reading and coordination skills for drumset. It also challenges you to use your imagination to adapt each page to your particular drumset needs.



2. I am currently using this book to teach my son basic drumming with a roland practice pad. It has been a fantastic help.
   
   This book would be helpful to any beginning student learning to read music, not just drummers, since it so clearly breaks down rhythmic notation. The exercise progressions make a lot of sense, and there are quarter note guides that align the drum notes relative to the downbeat, which is very helpful for learning syncopation.



3. Any drum teacher worth having will insist you buy this book. I bought this for my daughter who will be adding jazz drumming to her arsenal of rock drumming. This is one book all drummers should have



4. If you want to significantly improve your independence skills, buy this book and then find an instructor who can show you the more than 40 different ways to apply it to the drum set.
   
   Alan Dawson used this book extensively with his students. Thankfully, one of his students has documented those 40+ ways. See "The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught by Alan Dawson" (Paperback), by author John Ramsay. Ramsay did a great job of identifying (and providing audio examples) of the numerous ways you can apply Syncopation.
   
   An excellent precursor to this book is Jim Chapin's "Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer". That book will help you develop the basic independence you'll need to dive into Syncopation. Or if you already possess the ability to play the swing ostinato while playing swung eighth notes and triplets and sixteenth notes between your snare drum and bass drum, then you can likely dive right in.



5. This is a fantastic book to learn all the drum syncopation you need to set yourself apart from any other drummer

5 comments about The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano.

1. When beginning to look for a piano, we read Larry Fine's The Piano Book at the recommendation of our local piano technician. It is superbly written and highly informative. It covers everything from the mechanics of pianos in general to the relative features and qualities of various makes of pianos. In the end, it was well worth the effort and helped us make a well informed decision on the type and make of piano we purchased.



2. I bought this prior to buying my piano and it was a lifesaver. I'd read about it and had to try it myself. I highlighted many passages and re-read many sections while making my selection. I have not only told many others to buy it, but have also "loaned" out my copy many times. A great investment, whether looking to purchase a used or new piano. Good tips for maintaining piano as well.



3. Essential resource if you're buying a piano or just want to know more about this wonderful instrument



4. ...which is pretty far. Fine's book is legendary and important, and if you are thinking of buying even a relatively expensive piano, you should read it. It should come as no surprise that the standard "grand old names" are rated at the top, and things stair-step down from there until you arrive at the bottom of the Asian barrel. No surprises there. And many feel that Fine is too hard on some very fine pianos, giving a skewed impression of the many very good Chinese pianos that are coming on the market. What is instructive is that you will learn what is made where, which can be a very hard thing to find out on your own. If you're walking into a store and don't know Young Chang from Hailun, and perhaps think that a Boston might have been made in Boston, and that a Steinlager is made in Germany, you really need to do your homework first. If you're seriously shopping for a Bosendorfer or Bechstein or Steinway new off the floor, then you don't need this book. But if you want to get a good piano for a fair price and need to learn your way around this odd landscape, start here. IMPORTANT - get the updated supplements! A lot has changed in even the last 5 years, and advice on certain models no longer holds true. Some names have dropped in quality, others have risen considerably. You won't learn this in the piano showroom!



5. Larry Fine's book is invaluable for those who plan to purchase a piano. This book has loads of information regarding the manufacturers, the quality of the brands and the history of the pianos. Save yourself some money by purchasing this book before you shop for a piano and you could save yourself a few thousand or more. Buying a piano is like buying a car, you have to "test drive" them first, and then negotiate. Read this book and walk into the showroom knowing you are getting the best deal and finest piano you can afford.