5 comments about Fifty Easy Classical Guitar Solos (Classical Guitar).

1. Ehhh, I'm truly disappointed in this book. It is truly for the very beginner and the songs are sub par. Many of the songs are very similar and just wasn't what I was looking for. I was hoping for something with more skill/technical. I would pass on this book if you have prior guitar experience.



2. I recently decided to take up classical guitar on my own after playing piano most of my life and diddling around with electric and acoustic guitars. While this book doesn't give any instruction, it is progressive, starting out with extremely simple pieces and working up to easy yet more complex works. Half way through, the pieces require special fingering, and the tablature and notation help show how it's done. I'd give the book five stars since it delivers what its title describes, but I think the book could have been prefaced with some intro to fingerings and other beginner techniques. Nevertheless, there are many books that cover that issue. The songs in this book have mostly a nice Spanish sound to them, and I have really enjoyed working on them. I'd recommend this book to any beginner, hobbiest, etc.



3. I am a beginner and can play the first 5 songs perfectly. I like how the songs get progressivly more difficult. Great book. The CD is handy to preview how the songs should sound.



4. This was my first ever classical guitar book, and I don't regret it for a second! The tablature with standard notation is definitely the way to go for beginners; also, the pieces, as other reviewers have stated, are simple enough for one not extensively versed in classical music to play. However, be warned that this is no method book, and the pieces are not exactly graded (I still have trouble with some of the songs toward the middle). I also agree with most of the other reviewers about the biographies and lack of spiral binding; it would have been better to have technical terms explained, and not force me to clip the book to my stand all the time (shifting those clips after each song becomes a major drag after a while). Problems aside, I love the fact that after the nonsensical biographies, there is nothing but pure repertoire for the budding enthusiast to dig in to. The CD also helps to give the player a better idea of how to play the songs, and can double as a nice addition to your casual listening music collection. When my friends ask me how they can get started making music like me, I always recommend Fifty Easy Classical Guitar Solos!



5. I own several other "easy to intermediate" level repertoire books, and this one has some good pieces not found in any of my other books. I tend to disagree with the reviewers who suggest that there isn't enough variety among these songs--I was actually pretty impressed with the selections here. The CD is very good, because Willard plays slowly enough to make it more helpful than if he was racing along at concert speed. I sure wish I'd had a book/CD like this 20 or 30 years ago! I've played guitar off and on for over 30 years, but just purchased this 2 months ago. I took lessons for a few months way back in 1980 to learn the basics of classical guitar, and have mostly played classical since. However, I haven't played consistently because of re-occurring pain in fingers/joints, and also what I perceive as a lack of talent. So I'm still not much beyond the "advanced-beginner" stage. Which leads to my final reason for recommending this package, and why, for me, one little thing was probably worth the 12 bucks I paid: Willard has slightly modified Tarrega's lovely Study in E minor (one of the best pieces in this book), making it easier by eliminating a bar chord that has always been hard for me to play smoothly--and hurt my wrist... And the change doesn't detract from the beauty of the song. I'm now playing it better than ever, and it doesn't hurt!!!

5 comments about Instant Blues Harmonica 9 Ed: Minutes Away From Blues and Rock Improvisation!.

1. I have been playing with learning harmonica for a while now, but received this book as a present from my in-laws (who were probably tired of hearing "Camptown Races" and "Red River Valley" endlessly). What a treat. David Harp's instruction is super easy, and starts off with foregoing single notes. He gets you started on music, and then when you're having fun (and more interested in practicing), he hits you with more advanced techniques.
   
   I don't mind the Bending Notes book being plugged - there's only so much you pack into a beginners book.
   
   If you're thinking about trying the harmonica, I can't recommend this one highly enough.. :)



2. This is truly the most comprehensible, hassle-free self-teaching guide for raw beginners. Go with this book and you cant go wrong. Just play along with CD and you will have so much fun! After you finish with this one you may want to purchase Jon Dick's Rock and Blues Harmonica for slightly more advanced techniques you may also want to check out Tom Ball's Source Book series which is a very convenient reference of famous Blues harp licks/riffs.



3. This was a Christmas present for two of my grandchildren. The boys were absolutely thrilled with the information, in fact, one of them wrote a piece of music within 24 hrs!!!



4. Good sound and good value. Easy to follow, great beginner and intermediate tool. I was pleasently suprised to find a harmonica in a case included taped to the book. I keep that extra one in the car to practice with the CD. David Harp makes it easy to learn.



5. For anyone who thinks you can't learn to make music in an hour or less, you gotta try this book and CD! Appying a series of very simple breathing patterns--with names like Chicago and Boogie Woogie--you can make MUSIC on the harmonica in only a few minutes. In the first few lessons, David Harp takes baby steps through a series short lessons (none is more than three minutes long) which cover beginning blues, folk and "classical" ideas. In the second half, he covers application of the earlier blues lessons, gives a little explanation of the blues scale, presents you with a simplified blues scale and few tricks. The last few tracks are "jam" tracks so you can test out your new chops. Of course he doesn't get into bending in this introductory course, but for less than $15 it's a GREAT way to start! I use the CD in my car and play along on my commute. It's perfect!

5 comments about Recorder Fun! Teach Yourself the Easy Way!.

1. I bought 4 recorder seft-study books and I regard this as the best recorder book. There are a lot of good songs to practice.



2. A really easy introduction to playing songs that sound good right from the start. Painless way to learn to read music. The accompanying CD works well with separable recorder and accompaniment.



3. This book quickly gets the reader to play simple but imprssive enough music to get this person confident in one's abilities and interested enough to continue.
   It also does a good job in easing a beginner into reading basic musical notation by starting with a more simply and intuitive version of it.
   My only complaint is that the difficulty of the exersize passages picks up very sharply about half way through with no excersizes suggested that will get one's skill up to par. Playing earlier passages over and over simply does not do it. As a result, I had to look for the excersize information elsewhere.



4. "Recorder Fun" contains an excellent choice of songs. The CD is of very good quality and fun to play along with. I used this book and CD to teach 2 of my grandchildren to play the recorder. They finished the book and we gave a final concert for our extended family! These resources teach you a lot about the language of music as well as how to play the recorder. I just wish they would publish one like it for alto/bass recorders.



5. This is a great book of songs and tunes. Right from the start it has a CD you can play along with, so even when you are only playing one note, you have some good background music to accompany you. This is a great motivator for 5-6 year old children.

5 comments about Absolute Beginners: Alto Saxophone (Absolute Beginners).

1. I have this book only 2 weeks and wonder how perfectly and mature it's structure! It seems small book, you hardly find something in deep.. But... it has amazingly well sequence of learning, relevant tips. CD software is not working in Windows XP, but I extracted audio tracks and play them separately. Audio tracks helps a lot to follow the progress of learning. Respect for authors of this book!



2. This is just what I needed. It answers all my questions and I recommend this to anyone who wants to play an alto sax, but don't know where to begin. A must have.



3. good book for beginners easy to learn from before taking classes



4. I bought this with several other highly recommended books including "Art of Saxophone Playing" by Larry Teal (also great!). I found this beginners book essential once I actually start to play the sax. It is very clear and practical. It has the best photos of finger positions for specific notes... much better than other books.
   
   You will be glad (like me) to have it right there when you first start to blow notes from your sax...
   
   That's the highest recommendation I can give!



5. This book is really a step by step guide... the CD is very helpful for listening how the notes must sound.The photos inside are very helpful... Estos libros son una super ayuda para los que nos gusta avanzar sin maestro...las imagenes para la posición de los dedos es de mucha ayuda...el cd te dice como debe sonar cada nota... muy recomendado...

5 comments about Marcel Tabuteau: How Do You Expect to Play the Oboe If You Can't Peel a Mushroom?.

1. My copy of Laila Storch's book just arrived in the US Post, and what a surprise! First off all, the Amazon.com box was a heck of a lot heavier than I thought it would be. I was expecting this book to be a fairly slim volume of reminiscences and maybe some explication of Tabuteau's teaching and theories.
   
   But it is SO much more! It is an absolutely vital, comprehensive memoir by Ms. Storch, who herself has clearly had a really interesting life so far, as well as just about every possible thing one could hope to know about Marcel Tabuteau.
   
   As a book publisher myself since 1985 -- and a proud alumnus of Indiana University, whose Press published this book -- I've got to beam about production values: This is a 600+ page book, gorgeously bound in "British racing green" linen covers, a smart-looking jacket with a great photo of the master himself, golden binder's bands top and bottom at the glued AND sewn (!) binding, printed on a super premium matte / semi-gloss finish, heavy pure white paper. It's just a beautiful production job, really what books should look like, and I am so proud to be a publisher right now, holding and beholding this thing.
   
   There are some absolutely terrific archival photos, too. My favorite, having leafed through the book in 10 minutes or so, is on page 166, "The Philadelphia Orchestra Ensemble, 1923," which includes Tabuteau, famous bassoonist Ferdinand Del Negro and super-famous flautist William Kincaid, all in their handsome youth.
   
   But wait, there's more: A bonus audio CD is blister-packed at the back of the book, containing what could be Tabuteau's last recordings, made in his home in Nice, with excerpts PLAYED FROM MEMORY (no sheet music in the apartment). Not bad for a near-77-year old, even if he did do this all of his life.
   
   It's an honor to own this book, Ms. Storch. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!



2. The world of the oboist is very small. Yet, almost anything happening in the world can affect an oboist. The historical perspectives offered in this book connect politics, war, drought, and serendipitous opportunity to the small world of oboe playing. Laila Storch gives a perspective of how one musician's determination to excel transforms not just a generation of oboists, but a generation of musicians on the American musical stage. Her insights to Tabuteau's personality, approach to life, and desire to strive for an ideal in everything from making reeds to cooking a meal make for an enjoyable read.



3. This is a magisterial biography of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. It is meticulously researched, beautifully written and brings to life a remarkable man for those who never had the opportunity to work with him. For those of us who were fortunate enough to have done so, it is a wonderful and lively memory bank, bringing together the reminiscences of a large number of people who studied with him or were colleagues. I recommend it most highly to anyone interested in Tabuteau, and anyone interested in how one person can affect the style of playing of an entire nation.



4. The book offers a much needed portrait of one of the most influential woodwind players in 20th century America. All students or teachers of music should have this in their library. The historical references and personal insights are fascinating and inspiring. Ms. Storch was lucky to have had such a great teacher, and M. Tabuteau was even more lucky to have had such a dedicated, respectful student who writes well.



5. Marcel Tabuteau is a name any wind player of my age (60+) has been familiar with for many years. As a teenager, I purchased the "First Chair" album with Tabuteau and other pricipal players of the Philadelphia Symphony soloing. This is a very well written and thorough book on his life that any musician, and certainly any wind player, should read.

5 comments about Art of Saxophone Playing.

1. This book is a staple among saxophonists of all veins (jazz, classical, and anything else). It is a must-have, and for good reason. It gives insight in to every aspect of being a saxophonist, including some brief but helpful information on doubling. Some chapters are very in depth, though others are less so. A great find and worth every penny.



2. I have recently started learning the basics of saxophone playing. My knowledge of playing the Saxophone, and indeed any musical instrument, and also music theory is limited. However I found that the information in "The Art of Saxophone Playing" was very informative and the way it is set out has certainly been of great help.
   I think that the more advanced player will profit more from the information given in the later chapters. I'm hoping that as I improve I will better understand these chapters.



3. Great book!
   I just started learning to play the sax, and this book has given me
   an invaluable insight into the instrument and how to play it.
   I recommend it to anyone starting to play the saxophone, but the information is valuable even for established and professional players.



4. This book is considered by many to be the "Saxophonist's Bible." A great book with many illustrations and practical advice for playing the saxophone.



5. When it comes to the saxophone, this book covers it all. Embouchure, posture, the parts of the horn, the history of the horn, reeds, fingering, you name it and it's in this book. It's surprisingly in depth on every front, even having a section on the altissimo register. This really is among the must haves of any saxophone player's library.
   
   Having said that, this is in no way the ONLY book you should have. While it contains warm up exercises, actually buying a decent scale/chord study book should be a high priority. Also, if you're serious about learning the 3rd and 4th octaves, you need to buy a good high register book.
   
   Ultimately, for me at least, this book comes down to more of an encyclopedia as opposed to a bible. It can take you really far, but you're eventually going to need to buckle down with specialty resources.

5 comments about Instant Harmonica: Quick and Easy Instruction for the Beginner (Instant).

1. My father, who is 70, was delighted to get this book. He's had a harmonica for years, and has actually started playing again. He says he should be able to use this book easily.
   
   Tonja Taylor, author of LEGACY: Crafting Your Child's Future With Words



2. Book was very good for the beginner who is interested in learning how to play a harmonica.



3. This book was a gift, along with a harmonica, for my 13-year-old son. He's using the book and I'm hearing songs, so it must be working.



4. I purchased this book for my boyfriend as a birthday gift and he really likes it and finds it very useful and fun. It's a great book for a beginner.



5. My husband got a harmonica for his birthday but had no idea how to play. He can't read music and quickly got discouraged. This book taught him to play songs and now he plays his harmonica all the time. Yay!

5 comments about Rock n' Blues Harmonica: A World of Harp Knowledge, Songs, Stories, Lessons, Riffs, Techniques and Audio Index for a New Generation of Harp Players (Includes ... book and 74 minute stereo CD Jamming Buddy).

1. This isn't the best book to learn from. If you are mentally challeneged then it is fine. Choose a better Harmonica book like Paul butterfield's or adam Gassow's.



2. I use a harmonica on a couple songs while playing guitar - basic, easy riffs following original recordings. I wanted to expand my knowledge of the instrument, but I'm not planning on becoming a harp soloist. This book gave me the information I was looking for along with useful music theory. The background stories help present the information in an enjoyable way. The included CD does a fantastic job of reinforcing the book while giving the opportunity of improving your chops while jamming along.



3. Turn on this CD and lay back and jam along.
   A great way to reduce stress
   and learn to play the blues harmonica.



4. Even if you don't play (or want to) this book helps understand where those wonderful notes come from.



5. I was so glad when this came in. I sit down and read the whole book which I didnt like the caveman crap. There are very few licks or blues instruction. I listened to the cd and didnt find it much better. I bought a little book called 3 minutes to blues, rock and folk harmonica by David Harp. I would recomend you to buy this one. I wish I had my money back on Rock n' Blues harmonica. It is terrible.
   Bobby Standlee

5 comments about How to Play the Flute: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Flute (How to Play).

1. I was very pleased with my purchase. Item arrived on time and in great condition and great sound!



2. only adequate. The book only offered the VERY basics - had expected it to at least go beyond basics into intermediate skills - - could have done it without the book! Lessons were extremely over-repetitive



3. This book is clear, informative, interesting to read and helpful in pointing out pitfalls of poor playing before I even get into bad habits. I'm sure that it's value will continue to unfold for me as I continue to use it.



4. This is a great little book. It had been 30 years since I had played flute in college and I had forgotten many of the fingerings. With this book, I was back playing in a few hours. Money well spent.



5. This is one amazing little book-as a beginning flute player in middle age with previous experience on classical guitar,this guide has outdone another method book I'd gotten even tho it came with a DVD. Lavishly illustrated,the author shows you how to get the best tone,how to hold the flute,how to get higher notes vs lower notes,and most important he explains the "why?' behind all of the proper way to do this or that. Easy to read diagrams make learning to read music a fun and delightful experience. Highly recommended!

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to).

1. Good book covers everything and anything you could want to know about playing the harp.



2. I ordered this book along with another on teaching yourself. this book is by far the best informative teaching book for harmonicas I have bought.



3. I just begun to learn how play the harmonica. So far, this book is very comprehensive and fun to read. It's not only about how to play, but it also offers wonderful tidbits about the instrument. I know that, as I keep learning as I intended, I'll have to go beyond this book, but that will be a couple of years down the line. One thing though, and this is very minor. Even as a beginner I found some mistakes on a couple of easy songs, as they were written for the harmonica. That actually made me proud for catching these flaws, when I'm only a beginner.
   Maybe they were there on purpose!
   Other than that, I love the book.



4. I have a keen interest in music but have no training. I bought the "Idiot's Guide..." hoping to gain some insight into harmonica playing. I was entirely pleased. The authors assume that the reader is intelligent but ignorant of the subject. This book was meant for people like me.



5. OK book. Its a bit DETAILED for beginners. But great if you are patient in committing your time to learn.