Cello Secrets explains over 100 of the most helpful insider tricks cellists use to master the instrument. With each technique carefully explained and illustrated, the book serves as an accessible textbook for all advanced cello players, from talented teenagers to college students, to conservatory pre-professionals. This book guides advanced students through technical maintenance and performance preparation, helping them beyond what can be covered in lessons. Co-written by Brian Hodges and ...

String players face a bewildering array of terms related to their instruments. Because string playing is a living art form, passed directly from master to student, the words used to convey complex concepts such as bow techniques and fingering systems have developed into an extensive vocabulary that can be complicated, vague, and even contradictory. Many of these terms are derived from French, Italian, or German, yet few appear in any standard music dictionary. Moreover, the gulf separating...

In Violin Secrets: 101 Performance Strategies for the Advanced Violinist, author and violinist Jo Nardolillo surveys the cutting edge of current violin technique, combining tradition and innovation in one volume. Blending traditional strategies that have produced generations of legendary performers with modern ideas, Nardolillo reveals the secrets of today’s most sought-after master teachers, garnered through her decade of study at top conservatories across the nation. With more than a qua...

This is the definitive guide to blues piano for beginners, by the world-renowned author and educator Mark Harrison. You'll get started right away, learning some essential left-hand and right-hand patterns to use on your first (or next) blues piano gig! The material is organized and explained in the clearest possible way, and all of the twenty-three music examples are very authentic and fun to play. All fingerings for the music examples are also provided. Once you have purchased this book, ...

So what is sight-reading? Sight-reading is the ability to take a piece of music for the very first time and play it through as if you knew it your whole life. So when do you master Sight-Reading? Being a good reader is only half way there, you master Sight-reading when you are able to read anything in any given key, with any metric modulation, in any Clef, when you are able to transpose the notated music on the spot, following conductor cues performing dynamics, articulations and styles fl...

Music theory need not be dreary! This eBook is the first in a two-part e-series of this well-loved book. Its clear and friendly writing and wry humor, coupled with fun illustrations throughout, makes the topic that music students think of as dry and boring, into something approachable, attainable, and yes, even enjoyable. For players of all instruments and singers, and—something that sets it apart from most theory books—even those who don't read music; it is applicable to all genres of mu...

The classic instructional—and inspirational—guide for amateur pianists, filled with humor, encouragement, and advice from modern masters: “Excellent.” —The New York TimesLongtime New Yorker writer and passionate piano player Charles Cooke offers concrete routines for improving your piano performance, whether you’re experienced, starting out, or starting over.A pleasant and constant cheerleader, Cooke asks readers to practice every day, sug...

Starting where he left off with his "Serious Jazz Practice Book," guitar legend Barry Finnerty has created another woodshed classic for all jazz soloists. Recording artist with Miles Davis, the Brecker Bros., etc., Barry shows how to become a better improviser by melodically mastering the individual chords used in jazz, how they connect with each other, and how they are used in various song forms. Endorsed by Joe Lovano, Hubert Laws, Mark Levine, etc.

The Charlie Christian Method For Jazz Guitar Improvisation teaches guitarists how to improvise in the jazz style by going 'back to the well' of ideas presented by the first electric guitar genius, Charlie Christian. Christian was the first electric guitar soloist and remains one of the most influential guitarists of all time, having heavily influenced Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, and later generations of guitar heroes. Readers will learn the how to solo over chord cha...

This book gives you all the basic principles underlying solid walking bass lines. Comprehensive, easy to understand, with page after page of great transcriptions of the author's walking lines on the accompanying CD. The CD of NY professional jazz players can also be used as a swinging play-along CD. Endorsed by Eddie Gomez, Jimmy Haslip, John Goldsby, etc. The audio portion of this book is available for free download at http://www.sher...

Music theory need not be dreary! Edly's Music Theory for Practical People Level 2 is the second in a two-part e-series of the well-loved paperback, picking up where Level 1 leaves off, with a bit of review for good measure. Its clear and friendly writing and wry humor, coupled with fun illustrations throughout, makes the topic that music students often think of as dry and boring, into something approachable, attainable, and yes, even enjoyable. For players of all instruments and singers, i...

This book is the first in a series of three that will teach you everything you need to know in order to be able to successfully read music on the bass guitar. Starting with the absolute basics, this book introduces all of the fundamental elements of music notation one at a time, reinforcing all concepts with written and audio examples. Rhythms and pitches are introduced gradually, with all chapters containing ten exercises focusing on each new element. More complex aspects of notation such...