Tag Archives: books

rickenbacker electric bass

The Rickenbacker Electric Bass: 50 Years as Rock’s Bottom

From the introduction of the 1961 two-pickup 4001, the Rickenbacker bass has been a phenomenon. Because The Beatles’ used Rickenbackers, teens everywhere wanted the instruments so they could achieve the “right” sound. This is the first book to trace the history of the iconic guitar, from its prototypes to use by such bands as Yes, Deep Purple, and Motörhead. With beautiful instrument photos, this second edition has 16 bonus pages with up-to-date information on Rickenbacker’s latest models and more coverage of Rickenbacker artists.

The Rickenbacker Electric Bass: 50 Years as Rock’s Bottom, Second Edition, by Paul D. Boyer, Hal Leonard Corporation, www.halleonard.com.

teach yourself to play accordion

Teach Yourself to Play Accordion

teach yourself to play accordion

This book is for both beginners with no prior accordion playing and players who haven’t touched their accordion in years. Lessons include a variety of musical styles—polka, bluegrass, Latin, Cajun, zydeco, celtic, and more. It covers basic technique plus practice tips, basic maintenance, the parts of the accordion, and ornaments and embellishments. There’s a complete button reference chart and audio tracks for play-along and practice.

Teach Yourself to Play Accordion,
by Miriam Davidson, Alfred Music, www.alfred.com.

greatest rock and pop hits

2015 Greatest Rock & Pop Hits for Piano

This book includes piano accompaniment, vocal melodies, lyrics, and chord diagrams for some of 2015’s greatest hits, including: “All About that Bass” (Meghan Trainor); “Best Day of My Life” (American Authors); “Can You Hear Your Heart?” (from Winter’s Tale); “Clouds” (Zach Sobiech); “Coming Up Roses” (from Begin Again); “Compass” (Rascal Flatts); “Cool Kids” (Echosmith); “Everything Is Awesome” (from The LEGO Movie); “Dangerous” (Big Data); “Doin’ What She Likes” (Blake Shelton); “Everything I Didn’t Say” (5 Seconds of Summer); “Fireball” (Pitbull); “I See Fire” (from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug); “Godzilla!” (from Godzilla); “Let It Go” (from Frozen); “Up All Night” (John Pardi); “People Loving People” (Garth Brooks); “Rainbow” (Robert Plant); “Something in the Water” (Carrie Underwood); and “Words as Weapons” (Seether).

2015 Greatest Rock & Pop Hits for Piano, Alfred Music, www.alfred.com.

pas de trois

Ellen Taaffe ZWilich: Pas de Trois for Violin, Cello, and Piano

Commissioned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio (KLR), Pas de Trois is named after the ballet tradition for which the music was modeled. Composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich has a long history of collaborations with KLR. Other chamber music for strings by Zwilich includes Quintet for Violin, Cello, Bass, and Piano; Voyage for String Quartet, and Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano.

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Pas de Trois for Violin, Cello, and Piano, by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Theodore Presser Company, www.presser.com.

14 charcteristic studies for trombone

Jean Baptiste Arban: 14 Characteristic Studies for Trombone

Jean Baptiste Arban wrote these studies specifically to test a student’s power of endurance. Also available are Jean Baptiste Arban: 14 Characteristic Studies for Trumpet in Bb, edited by Thomas Hooten and Jennifer Marotta, as well as the original Jean Baptiste Arban 14 Characteristic Studies Trombone and Baritone.

Jean Baptiste Arban: 14 Characteristic Studies for Trombone,
edited by Alan Raph, Carl Fischer, www.carlfischer.com.

movie music favourites

Movie Music Favourites: Eight Arrangements for Piano Duet

This collection of piano duet arrangements from the movies embraces a wide range of styles. Primo and secondo play-along tracks are provided on the accompanying CD. Among this volume’s tunes are: Gymnopédie No. 1 (E. Satie from The Pallbearer), “The Blue Danube” (J. Strauss II, from 2001: Space Odyssey), “Dance of the Hours” (A. Ponchielli, from Fantasia), “A Time for Us” (N. Rota/L. Kusik/ E. Snyder, from Romeo and Juliet), and Gnossienne No. 1 (E. Satie from Chocolat).

Movie Music Favourites: Eight Arrangements for Piano Duet,
by Mike Cornick, Universal Edition, www.universaledition.com.

Rhythm First

Rhythm First! A Beginner’s Guide to Jazz Improvisation

Rhythm FirstIn a step-by-step fun method, Rhythm First! builds up the student’s library of rhythmic figures and has them playing along with the accompanying CD to get the sound and feel of jazz soloing under their fingers. The book starts with playing simple rhythmic figures on any note and progresses to show how and when to use three kinds of blues scales. The book is available in C, Bb, Eb, and bass clef versions.

Rhythm First! A Beginner’s Guide to Jazz Improvisation, by Tom Kamp, Sher Music Co., www.shermusic.com.

pearl jam faq

Pearl Jam FAQ: All that’s Left to Know About Seattle’s Most Enduring Band

pearl jam faqSpanning the band’s entire career, each chapter of Pearl Jam FAQ explores a different aspect of the band’s history. It covers members’ successes, failures, and tragedies, from their pre-Pearl Jam days to today. Each of their albums are analyzed as the book explores how the band has adapted to changing media as well as its socio-political activism.

Pearl Jam FAQ: All that’s Left to Know About Seattle’s Most Enduring Band,  by Thomas Edward Harkins and Bernard M. Corbett, Backbeat Books, www.backbeatbooks.com.

Kalmen Opperman

Kalmen Opperman: A Legacy of Excellence

Kalmen OppermanKalmen Opperman is remembered for his dedication to teaching. This biography explores his story, from self-taught musician to a 50-year career playing in orchestra pits for Broadway musicals and ballets. The book includes interviews with former students and reflections from those closest to Opperman. Author Denise Gainey, his longtime student and research colleague, explores his pedagogy and countless contributions to the clarinet’s canon.

Kalmen Opperman: A Legacy of Excellence, Passing on the Flame,
by Denise A. Gainey, Carl Fischer, www.carlfischer.com.

Life in Db

Life in Db: A Jazz Journal

Life in DbTaken from the blogs of the renowned jazz composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator, Local 802 (New York City) member David Berger tells readers what it’s like to be a jazz musician and arranger. He describes his work from how he transcribes jazz recordings to triumphs with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to success with his own big band.

Life in Db: A Jazz Journal, by David Berger, Such Sweet Thunder,
www.suchsweetthundermusic.com.