Team Strings is firmly established as a leading series of string tutors. It presents a flexible course which can be tailored to suit each student, ideal for individual, group and class tuition - including the ABRSM music medals. The books in the series contain plenty of carefully graded music in a wide range of styles, from Baroque and Classical eras to film, folk, jazz and Latin American. The series encourages ensemble playing with varied repertoire and develops instrument-related aural skills, improvisation and composition. Included are scales and arpeggios and downloadable online audio of over 70 backing tracks to make every student feel like a star performer. Team Strings is available for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass all of which are compatible. There is also a separate book of Piano Accompaniments/Score. All of the books in the series are fully integrated allowing students using Team Strings to play in ensembles with students using Team Brass and Team Woodwind.

Embodying Voice: Singing Verdi, Singing Wagner articulates the process of developing an operatic voice, explaining how and why the training of such a voice is as complex and sophisticated as it is mysterious. This book illustrates how putting together a voice, embodying a sound, and creating a character are vital to an audience's emotional involvement and enjoyment. Moreover, it addresses an imbalance of power between the opera director and the orchestra conductor - ultimately, it is the communicative power of the singer's voice that brings life to an opera, a fact well known by Verdi and Wagner. Embodying Voice highlights the singer's creative agency to be co-creator of the composer's music. It explores the ways in which vocal performance is constructed and controlled, connecting layers of mind and bodily engagement that allow operatic singers to achieve expression beyond the text itself. Further reading, listening, and performance lists are provided at the end of each chapter, complemented by musical examples throughout.

Embodying Voice: Singing Verdi, Singing Wagner articulates the process of developing an operatic voice, explaining how and why the training of such a voice is as complex and sophisticated as it is mysterious. This book illustrates how putting together a voice, embodying a sound, and creating a character are vital to an audience's emotional involvement and enjoyment. Moreover, it addresses an imbalance of power between the opera director and the orchestra conductor - ultimately, it is the communicative power of the singer's voice that brings life to an opera, a fact well known by Verdi and Wagner. Embodying Voice highlights the singer's creative agency to be co-creator of the composer's music. It explores the ways in which vocal performance is constructed and controlled, connecting layers of mind and bodily engagement that allow operatic singers to achieve expression beyond the text itself. Further reading, listening, and performance lists are provided at the end of each chapter, complemented by musical examples throughout.

(DVD). The second volume of the best-selling original Groove Essentials features a DVD and companion book/CD package with 53 brand new grooves and over 100 variations for intermediate to advanced players. Students will learn the difference between ghost and grace notes (while being encouraged to experiment with both in all six groove "families") as well as important "go-to" grooves, like the Train and Bo-Diddley beats. For more advanced players and professionals, GE 2.0 introduces the concepts of groove construction, interpretation and manipulation- training drummers to think like musicians in order to maximize their full potential. The DVD features more than 70 new songs covering 4/4, 2/2, 6/8 and 3/4 time signatures, with three levels of difficulty for 5/4, 7/8 and 9/8 meters. On the 3-hour, 45-minute DVD, Igoe discusses and demonstrates each groove in multiple tempos, alone and with a band, with many patterns shown on both acoustic and on Roland HD-1 and TD-9 electronic drumkits. The grooves span rock, funk, R&B/hip-hop, jazz (sticks and brushes), world/specialty, extreme tempos, all-purpose, hybrid, rideless, classic and odd-meters. The companion play-Along book and CD contain over 90 tracks, including every song from the DVD in their full-length versions, minus the drums; allowing drummers to expand their skills by playing any of the grooves with a band and recording themselves on audio or video (optional) to helpfacilitate the learning process. These tracks also supply a variety of fill-in and soloing opportunities to challenge advanced players. In addition, the book features Igoe's extended "global tours" that will test even the most seasoned professional's chops, creativity and stamina and, as a "first of its kind" bonus, there is a full-length orchestral play-along track designed to provide a taste of playing in a full orchestra, complete with multiple moving tempos, dynamics and feels.

This volume contains valuable practice material for candidates preparing for ABRSM Cello 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.

Since the mid-twentieth century, Zoltan Kodaly's child-developmental philosophy for teaching music has had significant positive impact on music education around the world, and is now at the core of music teaching in the United States and other English speaking countries. The Kodaly Today handbook series is the first comprehensive system to update and apply the Kodaly concepts to teaching music in elementary school classrooms. Kodaly in the Second Grade Classroom provides teachers with a step-by-step road map for developing children's performance, creative movement, and literacy skills in an organic and thoughtful manner. Through six years of field-testing with music kindergarten teachers in the United States, Great Britain, and Hungary (the home country of Zoltan Kodaly), authors Micheal Houlahan and Philip Tacka have developed a methodology specifically for 21st century classrooms. Houlahan and Tacka use the latest research findings in cognition and perception to create a system not only appropriate for the developmental stages of second grade students but also one which integrates vertically between elementary music classes. The methods outlined in this volume encourage greater musical ability and creativity in children by teaching them to sing, move, play instruments, and develop music literacy skills. In addition, Kodaly in the Second Grade Classroom promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills. Although the book uses the Kodaly philosophy, its methodology has also been tested by teachers certified in Orff and Dalcroze, and has proven an essential guide for teachers no matter what their personal philosophy and specific training might be. Numerous children's songs are incorporated into Kodaly in the Second Grade Classroom, as well as over 35 detailed lesson plans that demonstrate how music and literacy curriculum goals are transformed into tangible musical objectives. Scholarly yet practical and accessible, this volume is sure to be an essential guide for kindergarten and early childhood music teachers everywhere.

This survey of the string quartet by ten chamber music specialists focuses on four main areas: social and musical background to the genre's development; celebrated ensembles and their significance; and string quartet playing. It reviews aspects of contemporary and historical practice, including "mixed ensembles." Informative appendixes and a full chronology of the mainstream repertory complete this compact guide.

The beautiful and entertaining arrangements in the Dan Coates Popular Piano Library collections are a welcome addition to any pianist's pop repertoire. Medleys for Christmas is a collection of favorite irreplaceable songs from throughout the years. Why perform only one showstopper at a time when you can play a dazzling variety in an exciting medley? Titles: Christmas Day Medley * Christmas Eve Medley * Jolly Christmas Medley * Ringing Christmas Medley * Rockin' Christmas Medley * Snowy Christmas Medley.

Model Cornerstone Assessments (MCAs), that were developed for the National Core Arts Standards in Music, are curriculum-embedded measures designed for music students to apply relevant knowledge and skills while demonstrating learning in the standards that define the artistic processes. They are meant to engage students in tasks authentic to a school's curriculum and honor the intent of the Music Performance Standards. They are created as models to allow for usefulness in a variety of curricular contexts and demographics. The intent of each MCA is to provide research-based assessment tasks that is specifically focused on the expected learning for the performance standards with rubrics that has been tested for scoring consistency. Following substantial development and piloting in schools across the United States, this book provides a thorough background of the MCAs and the confidence measures administered to guide implementation by teachers, administrators, and the educational community.

Complete Vocal Fitness: A Singer's Guide to Physical Training, Anatomy, and Biomechanics is a primer on sport-specific training for vocal athletes. Elite athletes apply cutting-edge research in movement and physiology to customize fitness regimens that ensure peak performance. The principles of sports science that enable them to fine-tune strength, flexibility and dynamic stabilization to meet the requirements of a given sport are invaluable for preparing the body to meet the physical demands of singing. This book will teach you to: *Optimize alignment by identifying and resolving postural distortions *Balance strength and flexibility throughout your torso to facilitate full breathing and promote coordinated breath management *Improve oxygen consumption to enhance your stamina and ability to sustain long phrases *Stabilize your spine and major joints in order to continue performing with solid technique while meeting the demands of stage movement Musicians of all kinds benefit from understanding the basics of how their instruments work. This book is also a guide to how the vocal instrument functions. You will find accessible descriptions of the fundamental components of vocal anatomy - laryngeal function, articulation and resonance - explaining their movements, their interaction with one another, their integration with the anatomy of breathing and alignment, and relating them to common non-anatomical terminology often used in the voice studio.

Model Cornerstone Assessments (MCAs), that were developed for the National Core Arts Standards in Music, are curriculum-embedded measures designed for music students to apply relevant knowledge and skills while demonstrating learning in the standards that define the artistic processes. They are meant to engage students in tasks authentic to a school's curriculum and honor the intent of the Music Performance Standards. They are created as models to allow for usefulness in a variety of curricular contexts and demographics. The intent of each MCA is to provide research-based assessment tasks that is specifically focused on the expected learning for the performance standards with rubrics that has been tested for scoring consistency. Following substantial development and piloting in schools across the United States, this book provides a thorough background of the MCAs and the confidence measures administered to guide implementation by teachers, administrators, and the educational community.

With Contemporary Piano: A Performer and Composer's Guide to Techniques and Resources, Alan Shockley provides a comprehensive resource for composers writing music that uses extended techniques for the piano, and for pianists interested in playing repertoire that makes use of techniques and/or implements unfamiliar to them. Shockley explains dozens of ways to prepare a piano without damaging the instrument, how to notate every standard technique and many, many obscure ones, and the specific geographies of every common concert hall piano. This will be the standard reference for pianists touring and playing inside-the-piano repertoire, and for composers at all levels of familiarity with the piano hoping to understand the mechanical miracle that is the modern piano.

Piano Star is an exciting series for young pianists, offering a rich selection of new repertoire to help players build confidence and musical skills. Piano Star 2 is at ABRSM Prep Test level and provides alternative repertoire for that assessment and includes compositions by David Blackwell, Edmund Jolliffe, Mike Cornick, Aisling Greally, Christopher Norton, Mark Tanner, Sarah Watts, Alasdair Spratt, Andrew Eales, Heather Hammond, Karen Marshall, Nicholas Scott-Burt, Nancy Litten, Paul Harris, Alan Bullard, and Peter Gritton. Key features of the series: - Solo pieces, plus a number of duets - A rich mix of musical styles, with techniques introduced progressively - Fun extension activities - Beautifully illustrated

Piano Star is an exciting series for young pianists, offering a rich selection of new repertoire to help players build confidence and musical skills. Piano Star 1 is suitable for learners who have worked through a first tutor and includes compositions by David Blackwell, Jane Sebba, Nancy Litten, Mike Cornick, Sarah Watts, Edmund Jolliffe, Andrew Eales, Kathy Blackwell, Aisling Greally, Alan Bullard, Alasdair Spratt, and Karen Marshall. Key features of the series: - Solo pieces, plus a number of duets - A rich mix of musical styles, with techniques introduced progressively - Fun extension activities - Beautifully illustrated

The perfect companion to "Chords for Kids" and "My First Recorder Music", this is the ideal guide for those who may enjoy playing instruments, but have not yet mastered how to read music from the page. It is ideal for any age, but especially for children between 8 and 10 years old. This guide provides the essentials you need to know, explaining pitch, the treble clef, the bass clef, rhythm, accidentals, key signatures and time signatures. You can then practise what you have learnt with the 'Play Along' sections containing simple, well-known examples of music. It comes with helpful diagrams, clear accessible text and a practical spiral-bound format.

The perfect companion to the 'Guitar Chords' book, 'Advanced Guitar Chords' is a handy resource for guitarists who feel they are able to take the next step. The simple and clean layout provides 360 chords shown as chord boxes, covering chords that are played further up the neck and in 3rd position, along with more extensive provision of augmented and diminished chords. Ideal for playing genres such as jazz, this no-nonsense, easy-to-carry, spiral-bound book will fit into a gig bag, flight case or handbag with the minimum of fuss and will help musicians become more complete guitarists.

This book is based on the scale types that are necessary to master and understand the chord/scale relationships found in many styles of music. By keeping things simple and uncluttered, each page consists of only one scale type, drawn on a bass guitar neck with the correct fingering - a vital part of organising the hands. The more organised the hands, the easier it is to play. The arpeggio shape is also super-imposed over the corresponding scale in order to create an understanding of the chord/scale relationship. This is better explained with diagrams and not notation; however, because it is a good idea to associate finger positions with their notational equivalents, notation is also included. The simple but comprehensive jazz theory section will help the student gain a deeper understanding of harmony and further insight into how to apply the scales found in this book.

Since the publication of the first edition of A Spectrum of Voices there have been significant advances in voice studies. Prominent members of the new generation of voice teachers join their voices with now-canonized teachings. Asking questions about technology, pedagogy, and stylistic changes within the field, Elizabeth L. Blades brings the wisdom from the past and present to voice students at all levels. A Spectrum of Voices draws from the brilliance and combined experience of an elite group of exemplary voice teachers, presenting interviews from more than twenty-five notable teachers, six of them new to this second edition. Voice teachers offer valuable insight into their teaching philosophies, the types of auxiliary training they recommend to their students, and how they structure their lessons. This second edition also addresses significant technological advances of the past twenty years, especially the impact on vocal performance and pedagogy. A quick-and-handy reference for the studio teacher, this book also serves as a text for vocal pedagogy courses and as an essential supplement for physiology and vocal mechanics, teachers and students of singing, music educators, and musical theater performers.

Since the publication of the first edition of A Spectrum of Voices there have been significant advances in voice studies. Prominent members of the new generation of voice teachers join their voices with now-canonized teachings. Asking questions about technology, pedagogy, and stylistic changes within the field, Elizabeth L. Blades brings the wisdom from the past and present to voice students at all levels. A Spectrum of Voices draws from the brilliance and combined experience of an elite group of exemplary voice teachers, presenting interviews from more than twenty-five notable teachers, six of them new to this second edition. Voice teachers offer valuable insight into their teaching philosophies, the types of auxiliary training they recommend to their students, and how they structure their lessons. This second edition also addresses significant technological advances of the past twenty years, especially the impact on vocal performance and pedagogy. A quick-and-handy reference for the studio teacher, this book also serves as a text for vocal pedagogy courses and as an essential supplement for physiology and vocal mechanics, teachers and students of singing, music educators, and musical theater performers.

(Berklee Press). Become a better musician through yoga. By integrating yoga into your practice routines, you will develop a more focused and concentrated mind for performance. You will be able to increase awareness of how you use your body to allow for proper posture and ease of movement while performing, helping you to avoid overuse injuries and play with greater expression. These concepts, exercises, and practice routines present yoga from the musicians' perspective, focusing on the direct relationships between using yoga and creating music. You will learn to: * Practice meditation approaches, breathing techniques, and yoga postures that will help improve musicianship * Play using healthy posture and technique * Get more out of your practice through improved focus * Use your breath to improve your phrasing and also to ease performance anxiety * Play with deeper expression through inspiration.