A group of resourceful kids start "solution-seekers.com," a website where "cybervisitors" can get answers to questions that trouble them. But when one questioner asks the true meaning of Christmas, the kids seek to unravel the mystery by journeying back through the prophecies of the Old Testament. What they find is a series of "S" words that reveal a "spectacular story!" With creative characters, humorous dialogue and great music, The "S" Files is a children's Christmas musical your kids will love performing.

Pedro de Alcantara's The Integrated String Player: Embodied Vibration is a practical guide for all string players: violinists and violists, cellists and bassists, but also gamba players and anyone who makes music drawing a bow across a string. Dozens of exercises, supported by a dedicated website with 80 video clips, cover all the basics of string playing, including left-hand articulation, vibrato, changes of position, double-stopping, sound production, string crossings, and many other techniques. Each exercise, however simple or complex, can become a meditation with the goal of integrating the musical, technical, and metaphysical aspects of a player's practice. Part I is devoted to the fundamentals of coordination, rhythm, and listening in depth. Part II focuses on the left hand, with an emphasis on healthy gestures that are charged with musicality and meaning. Part III covers the bowing arm, exploring innovative concepts such as expressive gesticulation, mechanical intelligence, and the use of the bow as the player's voice, both literally and symbolically. Part IV covers the integration of analytical thought and sensorial practice, providing an extensive study of the harmonic series, the circle of fifths, Tartini tones, and many other sonic aspects that are essential to a string player's musical freedom. In addition, the conversational, linguistic, compositional, and improvisatory dimensions of string playing are discussed and supported by multiple practical exercises. The Integrated String Player is addressed to players of all abilities and from all aesthetic backgrounds: students and professionals, teachers and performers, classically trained musicians and jazz players, chamber-music players and orchestral players.

This book and the accompanying chromatic vowel chart present many exercises that will make the voice stronger and more musical according to the precepts of Bel Canto. Vowel-pitch relationships have been notated in 117 exercises for teachers and singers, using acoustical phonetics, register, and musical notation. The exercises will develop the musical-muscular skills of both male and female singers.

(Willis). A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more.

Improve your sight-reading! Piano Grade 4 (Early Intermediate) is part of the best-selling series by Paul Harris, guaranteed to improve your sight-reading! This workbook helps the player overcome problems by building up a complete picture of each piece, through rhythmic and melodic exercises related to specific technical issues, then by studying prepared pieces with associated questions, and finally by 'going solo' with a series of meticulously graded sight-reading pieces. This edition now includes supporting audio available online for students to check their performances against. The Improve your sight-reading! series will help you improve your reading ability, and with numerous practice tests included, will ensure sight-reading success in graded exams.

Co-published by MENC: The National Association for Music Education. A History of American Music Education covers the history of American music education, from its roots in Biblical times through recent historical events and trends. It describes the educational, philosophical, and sociological aspects of the subject, always putting it in the context of the history of the United States. It offers complete information on professional organizations, materials, techniques, and personalities in music education.

* For undergraduate music majors at colleges, universities, and conservatories who take the Class Piano course. * The pedagogical text is on separate pages from the musical content/notation, creating fewer distractions in the narrative, while helping students to focus on the music more readily * Includes music by women, persons of color, and from outside the United States have a prominent place throughout the textbook. * contains sections on fundamentals such as scales and arpeggios, as well as sightreading, keyboard theory, harmonizing melodies, improvising in both classical and blues styles, score reading, accompanying, and solo, duet, and ensemble repertoire

* For undergraduate music majors at colleges, universities, and conservatories who take the Class Piano course. * The pedagogical text is on separate pages from the musical content/notation, creating fewer distractions in the narrative, while helping students to focus on the music more readily * Includes music by women, persons of color, and from outside the United States have a prominent place throughout the textbook. * contains sections on fundamentals such as scales and arpeggios, as well as sightreading, keyboard theory, harmonizing melodies, improvising in both classical and blues styles, score reading, accompanying, and solo, duet, and ensemble repertoire

Proven techniques for songwriting success This friendly, hands-on guide tackles the new face of the recording industry, guiding you through the shift from traditional sales to downloads and mobile music, as well as how you can harness social media networks to get your music "out there." You get basic songwriting concepts, insider tips and advice, and inspiration for writing -- and selling -- meaningful, timeless songs. Songwriting 101 -- get a grip on everything you need to know to write a song, from learning to listen to your "inner voice" to creating a "mood" and everything in between Jaunt around the genres -- discover the variety of musical genres and find your fit, whether it's rock, pop, R&B, gospel, country, or more Let the lyrics out -- master the art of writing lyrics, from finding your own voice to penning the actual words to using hooks, verses, choruses, and bridges Make beautiful music -- find your rhythm, make melodies, and use chords to put the finishing touches on your song Work the Web -- harness online marketing and social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and others to get your music heard by a whole new audience Open the book and find: What you need to know before you write a single note Tips on finding inspiration Ways to use poetic devices in lyrics Computer and Web-based shortcuts and technologies to streamline songwriting A look at famous songwriting collaborators Writing for stage, screen, and television How to make a demo to get your song heard Advice on how to make money from your music P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you're probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Songwriting For Dummies (9780470615140). The book you see here shouldn't be considered a new or updated product. But if you're in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We're always writing about new topics!

(Keyboard Instruction). Learn to play the piano styles of today's top rock, pop, and jazz artists Here are the melodic and harmonic techniques of 23 iconic performers, including Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. The accompanying CD is designed to allow maximum flexibility when practicing: you can highlight the piano part, the rhythm section, or both according to your needs. A must for players who really want to get inside the styles of their favorite artists.

(Educational Piano Library). Piano Fun Pop Hits for Adult Beginners is a collection of lead sheets and arrangements for the beginning pianist who has learned to read music and wants to play easy arrangements of familiar melodies. The CD features beautifully orchestrated accompaniments for every song and is playable on any CD player. It is also MIDI-enhanced so Mac and PC users can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing the pitch. Songs: All My Loving * Are You Lonesome Tonight? * Forrest Gump Main Title (Feather Theme) * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * Imagine * Memory * Moon River * My Girl * Que Sera, Sera * The Sound of Silence * Stand By Me * Welcome to My World * What a Wonderful World. Pefect for RMM (recreational music making) programs

With nearly 400 scores to his credit, Ennio Morricone is one of the most prolific and influential film composers working today. He has collaborated with many significant directors, and his scores for such films as The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; Once Upon a Time in America; Days of Heaven; The Mission; The Untouchables; Malena; and Cinema Paradiso leave moviegoers with the conviction that something special was achieved a conviction shared by composers, scholars, and fans alike. In Composing for the Cinema: The Theory and Praxis of Music in Film, Morricone and musicologist Sergio Miceli present a series of lectures on the composition and analysis of film music. Adapted from several lectures and seminars, these lessons show how sound design can be analyzed and offer a variety of musical solutions to many different kinds of film. Though aimed at composers, Morricone s expositions are easy to understand and fascinating even to those without any musical training. Drawing upon scores by himself and others, the composer also provides insight into his relationships with many of the directors with whom he has collaborated, including Sergio Leone, Giuseppe Tornatore, Franco Zeffirelli, Warren Beatty, Ridley Scott, Roland Joffe, the Taviani Brothers, and others. Translated and edited by Gillian B. Anderson, an orchestral conductor and musicologist, these lessons reveal Morricone s passion about musical expression. Delivered in a conversational mode that is both comprehensible and interesting, this groundbreaking work intertwines analysis with practical details of film music composition. Aimed at a wide audience of composers, musicians, film historians, and fans, Composing for the Cinema contains a treasure trove of practical information and observations from a distinguished musicologist and one of the most accomplished composers on the international film scene."

(Instructional). The Hal Leonard Bagpipe Method is designed for anyone just learning to play the Great Highland bagpipes. This comprehensive and easy-to-use beginner's guide serves as an introduction to the bagpipe chanter. The accompanying DVD includes video lessons with demonstrations of all the examples in the book Lessons include: the practice chanter, the Great Highland Bagpipe scale, bagpipe notation, proper technique, grace-noting, embellishments, playing and practice tips, traditional tunes, buying a bagpipe, and much more

(Berklee Methods). This essential method features rigorous, hands-on, "ears-on" practice exercises that help you explore the inner working of music, presenting notes, scales, and rhythms as they are heard in pop, jazz, and blues. You will learn and build upon the basic concepts of music theory with written exercises, listening examples, and ear training exercises. The included CD will help reinforce lessons as you begin to build a solid musical foundation. Now available with an answer key

There is a paucity of material regarding how choral music specifically was performed in the 1800s. The Historically Informed Performance (HIP) movement has made remarkable advancements in choral music of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods, with modest forays into the music of Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and other early nineteenth-century composers; however, there are no sources with a comprehensive examination of how choral music was performed. Using more than one-hundred musical examples, illustrations, tables, and photographs and relying on influential, contemporaneous sources, David Friddle details the performance practices of the time, including expressive devices such as articulation, ornamentation, phrasing, tempo, and vibrato, along with an in-depth discussion of period pronunciation, instruments, and orchestral/choral placement. Sing Romantic Music Romantically: Nineteenth-Century Choral Performance Practices fills a gap in choral scholarship and moves forward our knowledge of how choral music sounded and was performed in the nineteenth century. The depth of research and abundance of source material makes this work a must-have for choral professionals everywhere.

The Must-Have Guide for Songwriters

"Writing Better Lyrics" has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.

Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics in addition to more advanced techniques.Songwriters will discover:

• How to use sense-bound imagery to enhance a song's emotional impact on listeners
• Techniques for avoiding cliches and creating imaginative metaphors and similes
• Ways to use repetition as an asset
• How to successfully manipulate meter
• Instruction for matching lyrics with music
• Ways to build on ideas and generate effective titles
• Advice for working with a co-writer
• And much more

Featuring updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from more than 20 chart-toppings songs, "Writing Better Lyrics" gives you all of the professional and creative insight you need to write powerful lyrics and put your songs in the spotlight where they belong.

Experts in child psychology and pedagogy concur that how children are schooled today seriously conflicts with how they learn and develop. Children are being left behind and the promises and possibilities of childhood are slipping away. This book aims to disclose a deeper understanding of music's importance in children's lives and their need to know, explore, wonder, and play. Directed toward music teachers, teacher educators, and scholars, this text invites inquiries and provides insights into contemporary challenges to learning and teaching in an era of standardization. A compendium of essays, classroom voices and vignettes is supported by relevant research in music education and companion disciplines in psychology, philosophy, and sociology. Storytelling with scholarship contributes authenticity and strengthens the premise of this book.

Yoga in the Music Studio brings the popular and beneficial practice of yoga to music teachers and students of all instruments and ages, from preschoolers to senior adults and all those in-between. Expert on mind-body techniques Lesley S. McAllister provides a unique opportunity for all to improve their musical craft, enabling teachers to help their students concentrate, listen more attentively, relax, and play their best - whether before a performance or just during lessons - all through the practice of yoga. Many music teachers know that yoga postures and breathing practices can help musicians achieve peak performance, prevent injury, and relieve pain, yet surprisingly few are themselves familiar with these techniques or know how to introduce them to their students. McAllister welcomes the music teacher into the philosophy and history of yoga, introducing them to the research behind yoga's physical and emotional benefits. Step-by-step illustrations of practical stretches and useful poses then guide the teacher to the yoga practices that suit their individual needs and those of their students. An accessible and comprehensive yoga curriculum, Yoga in the Music Studio will help to improve students' musicianship, while contributing to their lifelong health and wellness.

(Music Sales America). This second volume of the popular classical guitar method features instruction, graded exercises, practice studies, and a survey of the guitar repertoire. Volume Two develops technique, sightreading, and includes an advanced repertoire of thirty works.

An insteresting case of self-borrowing. Bach took music from this work for his own Mass in B-minor (BWV 191/1 corresponds to the Gloria in excelsis Deo, BWV 191/2 to the Domine Deus, BWV 191/3 to the Cum sancto spiritu). This unusual cantata, the only one with a Latin text, may have been written to celebrate the Peace of Dresden (which ended the 2nd Silesian war) and first performed on Christmas day, 1745. This newly engraved, carefully edited vocal score is based on the Bach Gessellschaft edition. The convenient A4 size is ideal for vocalists, choruses, and rehearsal pianists.