The appeal of the banjo has been shown to be timeless and universal---adaptable to almost any form of popular music. It was one of just a few instruments that could be faithfully reproduced in the early days of sound recording, and its recording history dates back to 1889. Heier documents that history on cylinders and 78-rpm disks in the pre-LP era ending in the mid-1950s. The book offers a comprehensive compilation of all such recordings on which the banjo plays a solo role or dominant part. Organized by performer or performing group, the recordings are listed chronologically with location, date, matrix number, and take-digit as available, as well as manufacturer and catalog number. Biographical information on the banjoist is provided wherever possible, and all performers anywhere in the world known to have recorded any type of music on banjo are included even if no data on the actual disks is available. Introduced in a foreword by British discographer Brian Rust, the discography also includes a narrative account of the banjo in phonograph recording history by Lowell Schreyer and an essay on the history of the banjo itself by Robert Lloyd Webb. In addition to the discography proper, the editors have provided a preface, A Quick Look at the Banjo Family, identifying the instruments; an extensive bibliography of sources; an index of all tune titles; and reproductions of 92 recording labels. These elements all combine to make this volume a true discopedia of the banjo.

Originally published in 1911. This book will prove indispensable to the student of the violin.Contents Include: The Left Hand, Strings and Tuning The Right Hand, The Bow and Bowing Faults and their Correction Scales and their Importance A Course of Study Harmonics, Octaves etc Violin Makers The Italian, French, German and English Schools Recollections of The Three Choirs Festivals Smaller Festivals etc.Keywords: Violin Makers Three Choirs Festivals Octaves Harmonics Bowing Recollections French German Faults Scales Strings

Originally published in 1896.Contents Include: Great Violinists of the Italian School Leader of the Royal Violins Cherubini as a Violinist Paganini Violin days of Balfe Charles Auguste de Beriot Souvenier of Sivori Two Josephs of Cremona Violin Recital in Mongolia Valuable Violins The Stradivarius Olaus Bull The Child Violinist The Orchestra and the Singer Secrets of the Cremona Violin Trade Neuilly Violin School The Soul of the Violin The Bridges, Strings and Bow Henri Vieuxtemps.Etc.Keywords: Cremona Violin Paganini Violin Violin Recital Violin School Valuable Violins Violinist Henri Vieuxtemps Italian School Souvenier Violinists Stradivarius Neuilly Cherubini Bridges

This volume contains valuable practice material for candidates preparing for ABRSM Violin exams, Grades 1-5. Includes many specimen tests for the revised sight-reading requirements from 2012, written in attractive and approachable styles and representative of the technical level expected in the exam.

The Belwin String Builder is a string class method in which the violin, viola, cello, and bass play together throughout. Each book, however, is a complete unit and may be used separately for class or individual instruction. The material in this book is realistically graded so that only a minimum of explanatory material is required. Each melody is interesting and will provide the basis for a fine left hand technic and bow arm. Available in three levels for violin, viola, cello, bass, piano accompaniment, and teacher's manual.

These easy-to-read, progressive exercises by Joanne Martin develop a student's reading skills one stage at a time, with many repetitions at each stage. I Can Read Music is designed as a first note-reading book for students of string instruments who have learned to play using an aural approach such as the Suzuki MethodA(R), or for traditionally taught students who need extra note reading practice. Its presentation of new ideas is clear enough that it can be used daily at home by quite young children and their parents, with the teacher checking progress every week or two.

Learn how fretting and picking can entertain friends! The mandolin is making a big comeback among music enthusiasts. A longtime staple of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and country music, this fast-pickin' favorite featured heavily in traditional music from around the world is now seeing a resurgence in global pop. In Mandolin For Dummies, accomplished composer, performer, and mandolin guru Don Julin breaks down the history and fundamentals of this versatile instrument, showing how you too can fret, pick, and strum with the best in the business. Packed with photos and diagrams to help you perfect your hand positioning, you'll make your way through a plethora of mandolin-friendly musical styles and learn how to take good care of your instrument--paying it back for all the pleasure it brings to you and your friends. Buy the right mandolin for you Pick up key musical styles Play along with downloadable exercises Restring your instrument Whether this is your first instrument or you're adding to your repertoire, this little number has everything you need to get the most out of your mandolin!

(Amadeus). This first, authorized biography of one of the 20th century's greatest violinists chronicles the life of Michael Rabin from his young boyhood to his premature death at the age of 35. By his teen years in the 1950s, he had already joined the ranks of violin greats and he was being compared to Heifetz, Milstein, Stern, and Francescatti. Lovingly detailed, rich in music history and drama, this biography documents the many forces that shaped Rabin's extraordinary life and career, from his meteoric rise to his surprising decline. Feinstein charts Rabin's many artistic successes, as well as his struggles to make the transition from wunderkind to adult virtuoso, and sheds light on the true reasons for his fall from grace, debunking the many rumors that surrounded him during that time. Feinstein also clarifies the facts relating to Rabin's sudden death. What emerges is a unique profile of a prodiginous talent and a tragic life.

This book gives you vital instruction in metal basics from top guitar teachers, and reveals the secrets of the monsters of metal - often in their own words. Packed with musical examples, charts and photos, this is your complete course for learning metal guitar. In-depth lessons with pros like Andy Ellis, Jesse Gress, Joe Gore, Jude Gold and Dave Whitehill teach you to build your own style while exploring the classic and modern sounds of the metal masters. Covers: tips on altered tunings and 7-string guitar, pros' secrets of tone and recording, discography of the monsters of metal, and free access to audio lessons at an exclusive web page!

In a music business amply buffered against surprise, Danny Gatton swam stubbornly, from country, to gospel, rockabilly, soul, and standards. "Redneck Jazz" became Gatton's calling card for playing whatever and whenever he wanted. Hailed as the best unknown guitar player by both Rolling Stone and Guitar player magazines, he was a players' player who never received the popular acclaim he deserved. The struggle to reach a wider audience while staying true to his own muse proved to much for him to bear, and in 1994 he took his own life. Gatton's legend has only grown since his untimely death, along with appreciation for his blinding speed, effortless genre-hopping, flawless technique, and never-ending appetitie for tinkering and problem-solving. Unfinished Business places Gatton's musical contributions into context, as well as his influence on those peers who admired him most, including Albert Lee, Vince Gill, Arlen Roth, and Lou Reed.

Explore the sounds of more than 30 guitar legends, from '50s rock'n'rollers to today's nu-metal practitioners. You'll discover the secrets of their classic tones, learn how they played their most famous rhythms & leads, and find out what gear they used to forge their unique styles. The CD walks you tone-by-tone through licks that characterize the signature sounds of: Clapton, Santana, Dave Matthews, Metallica, Van Halen, Korn, Bill Gibbons, Hendrix, Dimebag Darrell and others. Also includes essential discographies for each artist.

Pink Floyd's extraordinary career has now spanned four decades, from their early days pushing the cutting edge of British psychedelic pop to their massive successes with moody, conceptual masterpieces like Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall, to their acrimonious split with Roger Waters and finally, the immense stadium tours that followed. Throughout, Pink Floyd has influenced everyone from David Bowie to Nine Inch Nails to Radiohead, and their albums continue to have timeless appeal. Now, premier interview journalist Alan di Perna and the editors of Guitar World have collected penetrating interviews and insights into Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright to create a vivid portrait of a notoriously reclusive band.

Because a fine orchestra depends on fine players, Solo Time for Strings emphasizes individual accomplishment, progress, and achievement while preparing young students for participation in a school orchestra. The series teaches reading in conjunction with note learning, enabling students to start playing melodies as soon as possible, and is appropriate for class or individual instruction. The solos assist in a progressive technical development from "twinkle, twinkle" in Book 1 to music by Vivaldi in Book 5.

This practical guide treats the mechanics and evolution of the instrument and offers a survey of its literature. The author discusses touch and technique, including articulation and fingering, and the issues involved in historical performance practices. She also provides suggestions on selecting and maintaining a harpsichord.

(Book). This is the most comprehensive and insightful study ever published on the pioneers of electric blues guitar including the great Chicago, Mississippi Delta, Louisiana, Texas and West Coast bluesmen. Rollin' and Tumblin' offers extensive interviews with some of the world's most famous blues guitarists, and poignant profiles of historical blues figures. Following a sweeping portrait of blues guitar history, the book features such players as T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins and many more.

Take a (violin) bow and let your inner musician shine! You don't have to be a genius to start fiddling around! Violin For Dummies helps budding violinists of all ages begin to play. If you've never read a note of music, this book will show you how to turn those little black dots into beautiful notes. Start slow as you learn how to hold the instrument, use the bow, finger notes, and play in tune. Watch yourself blossom into a musician with tips on technique and style. When you're ready to go further, this book will help you find the people and resources that can help you get just a little closer to virtuoso! Your own private lessons are right inside this book, with the included online video and audio instruction, plus recordings that will help you develop your "ear." This book takes the guesswork out of learning an instrument, so you'll be ready to join the band when the time comes! Choose a violin and learn the basics of holding the instrument and playing notes Start reading music with this fast-and-easy introduction to musical notation Improve your musicianship and start to play in groups Explore different music styles and legendary violin composers The violin is a beautiful thing--adding melody everywhere from orchestras to folk and pop tunes. With Violin For Dummies, you can make the music your own, even if you're a total music beginner.

Barcelonian Gaspar Cassado (1897-1966) was one of the greatest cello virtuosi of the twentieth century and a notable composer and arranger, leaving a vast and heterogeneous legacy. In this book, Gabrielle Kaufman provides the first full-length scholarly work dedicated to Cassado, containing the results of seven years of research into his life and legacy, after following the cellist's steps through Spain, France, Italy and Japan. The study presents in-depth descriptions of the three main parts of Cassado's creative output: composition, transcription and performance, especially focusing on Cassado's plural and multi-facetted creativity, which is examined from both cultural and historical perspectives. Cassado's role within the evolution of twentieth-century cello performance is thoroughly examined, including a discussion regarding the musical and technical aspects of performing Cassado's works, aimed directly at performers. The study presents the first attempt at a comprehensive catalogue of Cassado's works, both original and transcribed, as well as his recordings, using a number of new archival sources and testimonies. In addition, the composer's significance within Spanish twentieth-century music is treated in detail through a number of case studies, sustained by examples from recovered score manuscripts. Illuminated by extraordinary source material Gaspar Cassado: Cellist, Composer and Transcriber expands and deepens our knowledge of this complex figure, and will be of crucial importance to students and scholars in the fields of Performance Practice and Spanish Music, as well as to professional cellists and advanced cello students.