2 comments about 32 Etudes and 40 Studies for Clarinet (Dover Chamber Music Scores).

1. The product description for this item is inaccurate. It says that this is the first time that the 40 studies and 32 etudes have been together in one book. Southern Music Company publishes a compilation of all the Rose studies, plus the 9 caprices, edited by David Hite, and has done so since 1986. It's called "Artistic Studies: Book 1--From the French School", and the catalogue number is B362. The price is between $12 and $15, so this Dover edition may be an advantage that way. I have not seen this new Dover edition, but I have owned the other since 1988, and it's a great way to get all the Rose clarinet exercises. My first clarinet teacher had me get the separate volumes pub. by Carl Fischer back in the 70s, and I wish they had had these volumes then. I require all of my high school clarinet students to get this book, because these exercises, particularly the 32 Etudes, are valuable teaching/learning tools. The 32 Etudes go through almost all the keys, including minors, and include both technical and lyrical material.



2. This book combines 32 Etudes and both volumes of 40 Studies into a single book. These three volumes are excellent for developing the five principles of clarinet playing and are three of the most well-known clarinet method books. Unfortunately, the publisher has used a standard "perfect binding" so the book will not lie flat upon a music stand. A saddle-stitch, comb, or spiral binding would have been much more appropriate and useful. I would highly recommend finding the original Fischer editions even though collectively they cost more. (Five stars for content, one star for presentation, three stars overall.)

5 comments about Beginning Mobile Phone Game Programming.

1. This is absolutly the worst programming book i've ever read! Although Michael Morisson shows a lot of techniques and details of MIDP 2.0, he doesn't explain how to use them efficiently and how to integrate them into projects. This is also the way he programs himself. All samples are confuse and against all object-oriented principles. Sure, people learn how to write simple gags, but writing an average game is impossible with this book.



2. At the time of this 'review' there was no Table of Contents available. This is from the publishers Web site.
   
   Table of Contents
   
   Introduction.
   
   I. GETTING STARTED WITH MOBILE GAME PROGRAMMING.
   
   1. Games on the Go.
   
   Essentials of Mobile Gaming
   
   The First Mobile Phone Game
   
   The Market for Mobile Games
   
   The Culture of Mobile Games
   
   The Bleeding Edge of Mobile Gaming
   
   Getting to Know Mobile Platforms
   
   Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME)
   
   Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW)
   
   Symbian
   
   Windows Mobile Smartphone
   
   Java As a Mobile Game Platform
   
   What Is Java?
   
   Why Java?
   
   Java and Mobile Game Programming
   
   A Quick J2ME Primer
   
   Configurations and the Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC)
   
   Profiles and the MIDP
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   2. Mobile Java Game Development Basics.
   
   Game Design Basics
   
   Coming Up with the Basic Idea
   
   Developing the Storyline
   
   Establishing the Play Modes
   
   A J2ME Game Development Primer
   
   Getting to Know the J2ME Wireless Toolkit
   
   Using KToolbar
   
   Managing MIDlet Game Projects
   
   Building a Game MIDlet
   
   Testing a Game MIDlet
   
   The J2ME Emulator and Physical Devices
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   3. Constructing a Mobile Game Skeleton.
   
   Exploring the J2ME APIs
   
   The CLDC API
   
   The MIDP API
   
   Understanding MIDlets
   
   Inside a MIDlet
   
   The Basics of MIDlet Development
   
   Building the Skeleton Example Program
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Preparing the MIDlet for Distribution
   
   Building and Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   II. MOBILE GAME PROGRAMMING ESSENTIALS.
   
   4. Mobile Game Graphics 101.
   
   Mobile Graphics Basics
   
   Understanding the Graphics Coordinate System
   
   Learning the Basics of Color
   
   Working with Graphics in J2ME
   
   Drawing Graphics Primitives
   
   Drawing Text
   
   Drawing Images
   
   Building the Olympics Example Program
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Building the Slideshow Example Program
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   5. Using Sprite Animation.
   
   Understanding Animation
   
   Animation and Frame Rate
   
   Making the Move to Computer Animation
   
   2D Versus 3D Animation
   
   Analyzing 2D Sprite Animation
   
   Frame-Based Animation
   
   Cast-Based Animation
   
   Applying Sprite Animation to Mobile Games
   
   Working with the Layer and Sprite Classes
   
   Achieving Smooth Animation with the GameCanvas Class
   
   Building the UFO Example Program
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   6. Handling Mobile User Input.
   
   Assessing Mobile Game Input
   
   Handling Key Input with the GameCanvas Class
   
   Revisiting the Sprite Class
   
   Detecting Sprite Collisions
   
   Working with Frame-Animated Sprites
   
   Building the UFO 2 Example
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   7. Henway: Paying Tribute to Frogger.
   
   The Scoop on Henway
   
   Designing the Game
   
   Developing the Game
   
   Writing the Game Code
   
   Testing the Game
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   8. Making Noise with Tones.
   
   Sound and Mobile Games
   
   A Tonal Sound and Music Primer
   
   Querying a Phone for Its Audio Capabilities
   
   Playing Tones in Mobile Games
   
   Playing Individual Tones
   
   Playing a Tone Sequence
   
   Building the UFO 3 Example Program
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   9. Playing Digitized Sound and Music.
   
   A Digitized Sound Primer
   
   Getting to Know Wave Sounds
   
   Creating and Editing Wave Sounds
   
   Revisiting the Player Interface
   
   Playing Wave Sounds in Mobile Games
   
   Playing a Wave from a JAR File
   
   Playing a Wave from a URL
   
   Feeling the Music with MIDI
   
   Playing MIDI Music in Mobile Games
   
   Playing a MIDI Song from a JAR File
   
   Playing a MIDI Song from a URL
   
   Building the Henway 2 Example Game
   
   Writing the Game Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   III. VIRTUAL WORLDS AND MOBILE GAME INTELLIGENCE.
   
   10. Creating Tiled Game Layers.
   
   What Is a Tiled Layer?
   
   Creating Maps for Tiled Layers
   
   Using the Mappy Map Editor
   
   Using the Tile Studio Map Editor
   
   Formatting Map Information for Games
   
   Working with the TiledLayer Class
   
   Creating a Tiled Layer
   
   Moving and Drawing a Tiled Layer
   
   Building the Wanderer Example Program
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   11. Managing Multiple Game Layers.
   
   Dealing with Multiple Game Layers
   
   Working with the LayerManager Class
   
   Animating Tiled Layers
   
   Building the Wanderer 2 Example Program
   
   Designing the Tiled Layer Maps
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   12. High Seas: A Game for the Pirate in You.
   
   The Scoop on High Seas
   
   Designing the Game
   
   Putting Together the Water Map
   
   Putting Together the Land Map
   
   Developing the Game
   
   Creating a Drift Sprite
   
   Declaring the Member Variables
   
   Assembling the start() Method
   
   Piecing Together the update() Method
   
   Drawing the Game Screen
   
   Starting a New Game
   
   Safely Placing Sprites
   
   Testing the Game
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   13. Teaching Games to Think.
   
   The Least You Need to Know About AI
   
   Exploring Types of Game AI
   
   Roaming AI
   
   Behavioral AI
   
   Strategic AI
   
   Developing an AI Strategy
   
   Teaching Sprites to Think...Sort Of
   
   Designing the Chase Sprite
   
   Coding the Chase Sprite
   
   Building the High Seas 2 Example Game
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   IV. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE WIRELESS NETWORK.
   
   14. Mobile Game Networking Essentials.
   
   Multiplayer Game Basics
   
   Turn-Based Games
   
   Event-Based Games
   
   Network Game Problems and Solutions
   
   State Synchronization
   
   Input Synchronization
   
   A Hybrid Solution
   
   Communicating over a Network with Sockets
   
   Stream Sockets
   
   Datagram Sockets
   
   Network Programming and J2ME
   
   Creating Datagram Packets
   
   Sending Datagram Packets
   
   Receiving Datagram Packets
   
   Building the Lighthouse Example
   
   Designing the Client and Server
   
   Writing the Program Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   15. Connect 4: A Classic Game Goes Wireless.
   
   The Scoop on Connect 4
   
   Designing the Game
   
   Graphics and User Interface
   
   Game Logic
   
   Networking
   
   Developing the Game
   
   The Connect 4 Client and Server
   
   The Connect 4 Game Canvas
   
   The Connect 4 Game State
   
   Testing the Game
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   16. Debugging and Deploying Mobile Games.
   
   Game Debugging Basics
   
   Single-Stepping Code
   
   Watching Variables
   
   Using Breakpoints
   
   Game Debugging Strategies
   
   Bug Prevention
   
   Bug Detection
   
   Choosing a Debugger
   
   Deploying Mobile Games
   
   Understanding Over-the-Air Provisioning
   
   Preparing Your Game for Deployment
   
   Tweaking Your Web Server
   
   Testing OTA Provisioning with KToolbar
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   V. SPRUCING UP YOUR GAMES.
   
   17. Optimizing Mobile Java Games.
   
   Understanding Mobile Game Optimization
   
   Optimizing for Maintainability
   
   Optimizing for Portability
   
   Optimizing for Size
   
   Optimizing for Speed
   
   General Mobile Game Optimization Tips
   
   Reducing Memory Usage
   
   Minimizing Network Data
   
   Eliminating Unnecessary Graphics
   
   Java Code Optimization Tricks
   
   Compiling Without Debug Information
   
   Eliminating Unnecessary Evaluations
   
   Eliminating Common Subexpressions
   
   Taking Advantage of Local Variables
   
   Expanding Loops
   
   Code Shrinking and Obfuscation
   
   Profiling Your Mobile Game Code
   
   Monitoring Mobile Game Memory Usage
   
   Putting Mobile Game Optimization into Perspective
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   18. Space Out: Paying Tribute to Space Invaders.
   
   The Scoop on Space Out
   
   Designing the Game
   
   Developing the Game
   
   Creating a Moving Sprite
   
   Declaring the Member Variables
   
   Assembling the start() Method
   
   Piecing Together the update() Method
   
   Drawing the Game Screen
   
   Starting a New Game
   
   Adding Aliens, Missiles, and Explosions
   
   Testing the Game
   
   Summary
   
   Extreme Game Makeover
   
   19. Keeping Track of High Scores.
   
   The Importance of Logging Your Achievements
   
   Getting to Know the Java RMS
   
   Understanding Records and Record Stores
   
   Exploring the RecordStore Class
   
   Preparing High Score Data for Storage
   
   Building the Space Out 2 Example Game
   
   Designing the Game Enhancements
   
   Writing the Game Code
   
   Testing the Finished Product
   
   Summary
   
   Field Trip
   
   VI. APPENDIXES.
   
   Appendix A. Java Game API Reference.
   
   The GameCanvas Class
   
   Member Constants
   
   Constructor
   
   Methods
   
   The Layer Class
   
   Methods
   
   The Sprite Class
   
   Member Constants
   
   Constructors
   
   Methods
   
   The TiledLayer Class
   
   Constructor
   
   Methods
   
   The LayerManager Class
   
   Constructor
   
   Methods
   
   Appendix B. Mobile Game Programming Resources.
   
   Micro Dev Net
   
   J2ME Gamer
   
   J2ME.org
   
   Forum Nokia's Mobile Games Community
   
   Wireless Developer Network
   
   GameDev.net
   
   Gamasutra
   
   Game Developer Magazine
   
   Gamelan
   
   JavaWorld
   
   The Official Java Website
   
   Appendix C. Creating Graphics for Mobile Games.
   
   Assessing Game Graphics
   
   Determining the Game Screen Size
   
   Reaching the Target Audience
   
   Establishing a Game Setting and Mood
   
   Adhering to a Graphics Style
   
   Exploring Graphics Tools
   
   Image Alchemy
   
   Paint Shop Pro
   
   Graphic Workshop
   
   Creating and Editing Graphics
   
   Line-Art Graphics
   
   3D Rendered Graphics
   
   Scanned Photography and Video-Captured Graphics
   
   Background Graphics and Textures
   
   Animated Graphics
   
   Finding Graphics
   
   Bonus: Java Programming Primer - CD-ROM.
   
   Index



3. It's the only Java 2 ME game programming book I love ! This book explains all about Java Game in Mobile device and in an easy way. I bought this book on September 2005 and becoz of this book, I grabbed the 3rd national J2ME programming competition in my country on November 2005. Very useful for beginner and intermediete. But this is only a game book, so it doesn't tell u about how to make form, list, choicegroup, textfield, etc. U must have another book that teach u those. Congrats to the author for making this quality book !



4. I have been using this book as a textbook for a one-semester introductory course to game programming. Thanks to the book the students can learn the main principles of game development in an environment that guarantees that they implement their own variations withing a tight time constraint.
   
   The course has a heavy hands-on component based almost completely on the game samples from the book. Amazingly, the students are in the lab when I come, and they stay when I leave.
   
   I used the book successfully in a Linux lab with Eclipse, EclipseME, WTK 2.2, GIMP, Rosegarden, Audacity, and Tiled, with some small help from timidity and awk.



5. This was the book that got me interested in mobile games. I love it. Well written, good examples that are easy to follow, and it covers everything including graphics, audio, and AI. It also uses MIDP 2.0 which is the de facto standard. Another book by Wells is not bad but Wells assumes MIDP 1.0 and teaches from a single game project, Star Assault, which is too big and besides, not always easy to follow. However, Morrison is really straightfoward in comparison. If there is a downside, it might be that Morrison, like all the others I've looked at, assume the Wireless Toolkit. Firstly, the WTK has no debugging facilities which makes learning and fixing games harder. Secondly, games in Morrison are WTK 2.1 which means you'll have problems if using WTK 2.2, the latest version at the time of this writing. If you are serious about learning and writing J2ME games, you need to get Eclipse and the Eclipse plug-in, EclipseME. You'll still have to get the latest WTK since EclipseME depends on it. However, you can import all of Morrison's projects and single-step debug them. (Remember to read the EclipseME pages on setting up the J2ME debugger; otherwise, the debugger won't work.) I've also used Morrison with Sun's NetBeans Mobility Pack. I prefer Eclipse since it seems to have a larger community.

5 comments about Basic Recorder Lessons Omnibus Edition (Recorder).

1. As an adult picking up the recorder again after 15 years, I found this one of the best soprano recorder guides I've found. A great compilation, and perfect for either teacher/student lessons, or self-teaching for adults. It's both very easy to follow and very thorough, but paced sufficiently to be easily absorbed. It's a 4-volume compilation, so you can progress quite far if you'd like.
   
   Like the other reviewer, I also think there really needs to be a f Alto recorder version of this omnibus as well. This guide is excellent for soprano, and it would be great if one of similar format and structure were available for the Alto recorder.



2. For learning to play the recorder, no matter what your age, this is a wonderful resource. Reading music is taught along with playing the instrument in bite-size lessons that my daughter has had no trouble comprehending. Although it is written to be used along with a teacher's lessons, it is detailed and complete enough to teach yourself. Songs are taught along with the notes, helping the student gain confidence as they go along.
   The style is more mature than most beginning recorder books, which are geared toward very young children, however, I don't feel that the book is lacking because it doesn't include cartoon characters.
   I highly recommend it. I have also used this series for learning guitar, and would seek it out for any instrument.



3. I'm teaching myself to play the recorder and this book has been extremely helpful! The lessons are easy to follow and hold my interest. It has fingering charts for each new note learned and teaches fundamentals of music, such as note-reading, measures, time signatures, note values, rhythm, etc. Each lesson uses short tunes to teach various concepts, so you're not just playing boring single notes and rhythms. The last chapter (Book 4) is packed with lots of great music! I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn to play the recorder. It makes learning fun!



4. Well, Amazon's feature of showing reviews on "related" products really tricked me with this one. Let me state clearly, I am reviewing Basic Recorder Lessons 1, NOT the omnibus version (even though this review shows up on that page as well). When you view the Lessons 1 page, you see all these 5-star reviews...but look closer and you see these are actually for the Omnibus edition which is a totally different product. I've seen Amazon do this with other products, showing reviews for items that aren't really the same, and it really does a disservice to the customer. In this case, instead of getting a very complete set of lessons for the recorder, I got just the basics. Now, the information in here is really well-presented and I felt the songs and progression in difficulty for the most part was quite good. But it stops far, far too soon, and at this level, there are very few duets included as well. For the price, there's little reason to get this version over the complete 4-lesson omnibus. So be sure you buy the right version!



5. I initially started learning the soprano recorder using this book, then drifted away for awhile due to lack of time. I have recently started practicing again, and this book is a GREAT book! The lessons move quickly enough to make fast progress (although you can, and should, only move on to the next lesson when you're ready), and they are in bite-sized chunks that are easily digested. Since the time I started playing again, I have added the tenor recorder (plays an octave lower for a much mellower tone, but uses the same fingering as the soprano). I have also started learning the alto recorder. This recorder is in the key of 'f' rather than the key of 'c' that the soprano/tenor uses, so it uses different fingering. While buying books to learn the alto, I picked up another excellent book... "The Recorder Guide" by Johanna E. Kulbach and Arthur Nitka. It is structured much the same as Zeitlin's book, but includes dexterity excercises and arpeggios to practice. For those that are disappointed in the lack of a Zeitlin book for the alto, this is it! It teaches BOTH soprano and alto together... when a note for the soprano is introduced, the same fingering (albeit different note) is introduced for the alto. The practice songs and exercises are presented for both the soprano and alto, and there are even duets for the soprano and alto playing together. These two books together should get you a long way in your soprano lessons, and when you're ready, teach you the alto recorder too! A double value for the money!

No comments about Harmonica For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)).

5 comments about Mel Bay Qwikguide : Basic Chromatic Harmonica Book (Qwikguide).

1. This is an excellent and affordable introduction to the chromatic harmonica for all players, whether on a tight budget or not. The book offers a nice overview of music theory in general while presenting the fundamentals of harmonica technique in a clear and practical manner. Inclusion of a CD makes the package a truly remarkable deal and speeds up the learning curve tremendously. Of course, there are books that go into greater depth, but this is a winner for beginning players.



2. I wasn't expecting much for only $5.95. However, I was blown away at the quality of just the CD alone. It contains 27 songs with soft acoustic guitar accompaniment to Phil's clear harmonica playing. He does not blow you away by showing off his harmonica skills. It is a pleasant CD to just listen to if you like the sound of the harmonica. It is easy to pick up your own chromatic harmonica in the key of C and play along with him. Each song is repeated three times so it gives you a good chance to practice the song. By the end of the third time through you are getting the hang of it.

   I would have paid $15 just to get the CD. The book includes all 27 songs with the harmonica tabs. This is a great package for anyone wanting to move up to the chromatic harmonica.




3. There are not many books for chromatic harmonica so I was pleased to find this intro. It covers music notation and has well paced exercises even for those who already know how to read music. I did not give it 5 stars because I think it could have benefitted from having more well known tunes to practice besides the music drills. I am sorry I did not know there was the possibility of purchasing the version with a CD.



4. Cracks the code on the transition to Chromatic harmonica playing.
   Guides you through the basics scales with some fun to play songs



5. If you are looking for a set of notations, accompanied by CD -
   it is your choice.
   If you need some step-by-step introduction, it is not what you are looking for.

5 comments about Harmonic Experience: Tonal Harmony from Its Natural Origins to Its Modern Expression.

1. This book has changed the way I hear music. I hear things I never heard before, but were always there. I am much more sensitive to tuning now. And I'm only at the beginning of the book! Wonderful



2. Mathieu's Harmonic Experience is a delight to read and look at and ponder over. Incredibly, one day I ordered some CDs of his piano compositions, mentioning that they would provide nice listening while I make my way through the book. The next thing I knew, I got an email, "Hello. Allaudin Mathieu here. I'm glad you are reading "Harmonic Experience" and evidently getting something from it. I'm glad you bought some of my records. I have a wee request. Please don't even THINK about using my music as a background for reading my book. It will do both of us more good if you really listen to music when you listen to it, and really read my book (and do the practices best you can)when that's what you're doing."
   
   And this is still my problem, I am reading but not practicing, and I am still missing the real point of this book, which is EXPERIENCE, not just technical mastery of his elegant method of fathoming harmony. Perhaps this admission will prompt me to finally take the bold step of actually playing the drones and singing the intervals and really gathering the experience. Meanwhile, I love and treasure the book; it's beautifully written, profound, complicated but within our grasp, and fun. It's time to take a swim beneath the surface - I think I'll start right now.



3. Mathiew really helps you get into your bones what all the tuning systems are about and, in process, I really got some deep insights into a variety of scales.



4. I purchased this book from Amazon, upon the suggestion of the author, after lamenting that I had not seen it available in local bookstores.
   
   This book offers food for the soul - as it blends the technical with the experiential in its lucid exposition of the universal art of music.
   
   Here, analogy and humor balance with science to evoke a deeper cognizance of the varied facets of this multi-cultural form of human experience.
   
   Here too, the universal power of the 'Divine Art' of Music is well-expressed, so that it may be passed on - in the tradition of the 'bards' of every age.
   
   Any musical novice, journeyman, or master would benefit from the experience that this book offers. Many thanks to Maestro Mathieu.



5. ...I don't know what the other reviewers read but seriously doubt it was this book...after wrestling with it off and on now for almost seven years, I finally realized it must be some sort of pathetic joke...before I could make any headway I first had to go through and white out all the meaningless transcendental, hypermystical shambala dakshana gumballpollyanna references...then I had to go through and practically rewrite every sentence into a more conventional subject-verb-object format...and I also had to translate a great deal of his explanations into conventional music notation since, of course, only oddball frequency ratios and Indian swaras meet his elevated criteria for understanding harmony...so don't you know I was SERIOUSLY disappointed when I realized, after doing all that, even if I did finally understand what on earth he was trying to achieve that I STILL wouldn't be able to find a single practical use for anything I MIGHT learn...so if you're looking for practical information about harmony then consult any of the many available theory and harmony texts; if you want a deeper understanding of harmony and its inner workings then look at books by Charles Taylor, Leon Harkleroad, and Ian Johnston...but unless you're a swami looking to boogie down on some heavy hamds and naats then I recommend leaving Mr. Mathieu's new age gibberish on the shelf.

2 comments about HARMONICA METHOD BK/CD: FOR BEGINNERS (Progressive).

1. It was a great book. I had never picked up a musical instument or looked at a sheet of music before. Now I'm pretty good and can play Ode To Joy by Beethoven.



2. This is the forth harmonica book I have purchased and it is the best so far. The music is complete; not like other books with only parts of songs. The size of the book is good because the music is not compressed and allows easy reading. I also like the songs in it. I must say that I have no musical abillity and I was able to play songs in a short a time. If I were to buy one book this would be the one.

No comments about Keyboard Strategies: A Piano Series For Group or Private Instruction Created For the Older Beginner, Master Text II.

3 comments about Daily Warm-Up Exercises for Saxophone.

1. If you've been frustrated by practice books that show you a pattern in one key and then say "Transpose and memorize this in all 12 keys," then this book should make life a lot easier for you.
   
   Jackie spells out all his exercises in all 12 keys. He even notates all the accidentals for you. So with a minimum of mental gymnastics you can get down to the physical gymnastics of drilling his favorite practice patterns into your fingers until your muscle memory takes over.
   
   By placing equal emphasis on all 12 keys from the very beginning, this book will get you all around your horn with maximum efficiency. Many of the exercises change key twice per measure, so you have no opportunity to get stuck in a "easy key" rut. Instead you'll find yourself adopting a "wholistic" mindset as Maclean runs you through the major, minor, dominant, diminished and augmented scales.
   
   My only nitpick is that a CD would have been nice. But the patterns aren't rhythmically complicated or hard to read so I guess a CD isn't really necessary. Also you should know that this is a fairly short book. The idea is that once you've got them thoroughly memorized you'll be able to run through the whole set of patterns in 45 minutes and they'll become your regular warm-up routine.
   
   Two of Mclean's most popular original compositions are included at the end of the book as a bonus.



2. The exercises contained in this book have started off all of my practice sessions for the past decade. The exercises are designed to work together in order to work the full range of your instrument, as well as get your fingers ready by running you through major and minor scales, along with major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords in every key.
   Not only does it give a great way to internalize the mechanics involved when playing scales and chords, it's also a great ear training workout. While I feel that it's important to actually know what notes make up the various scales and chords, actually "thinking" about it while you play just makes the music stagnant. Working through this book on a regular basis will engrain what each key sounds and "feels" like. Internalizing these tools, and allowing them to "just happen" while you improvise, is vitally important when it comes to making your music flow.
   
   Creating music is a combination of both sides of the brain. This, coupled with a good book of etudes (Klose's "25 Daily Exercises for Saxophone," is my personal recommendation,) is a perfect way to hone the left brain in order to let the right brain make with the expressiveness.



3. Excellent study guide for learning all of the major scales, plus arpeggios, and so forth. I would recommend this book to any beginner and intermediate musician who wants to be fluent in playing in all of the major and minor scales, while building finger speed.
   
   Start off slow and build up your speed at your own pace is the focus of this book.

1 comments about Mel Bay's Complete Chromatic Harmonica Method.

1. While the books is supremely authoritative and the author is great teacher and performer, I personally fount it lacking of juice a little bit. It is not boring but sort of uninspiring. May be I'm wrong on that. I appreciated the DVD shows the angles and the selection of tunes is quite good and progresses from relatively simple pieces. If you are serous about learning chromatic get the set!