String instruments Books

Book SynopsisThis book traces the development of the viol from its late medieval Spanish origins to the sixteenth century, when it became the most widely played bowed instrument in western Europe. Ian Woodfield examines the two most important ancestors of the instrument, the Moorish rahab and the vihuela de mano. From these two instruments emerged an early form of viol, the Valencian vihuela de arco, which spread rapidly across the Mediterranean during the papacy of Rodrigo Borgia. The viol was enthusiastically accepted by the d'Este and Gonzaga families and other Italian arbiters before migrating across the Alps and into the rest of Europe. The author discusses all aspects of the viol during its Renaissance hey-day: the growing perfection of viol design at the hands of Italian craftsmen; the gradual evolution of tuning systems; the development of advanced playing techniques and the wide range of music, both solo and consort. The final chapter examines the growth of a viol playing tradition in sixtTrade Review'There is no doubt that this book is now the authoritative treatment of the subject, and will remain so for some time to come.' The Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsList of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The medieval viol; 2. The Moorish rabab in Aragon; 3. The vihuela de mano; 4. The Valencian viol: its structure, playing techniques and music; 5. The introduction of the viol into Italy; 6. The viol in early sixteenth-century Germany; 7. The structural development of the Italian viol in the sixteenth century; 8. Italian viol tunings; 9. Viol-playing techniques in sixteenth-century Italy; 10. Music for solo viol in sixteenth-century Italy; 11. The viol consort and its music in sixteenth-century Italy; 12. The viol consort in late sixteenth-century Germany; 13. The viol in France and the Low Countries; 14. The viol in sixteenth-century England; Conclusion; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis practical guide is intended for all violinists and viola players who wish to give - or to understand and appreciate - historically aware performances of early music for their instruments. It comprises discussion of the literature, history and repertory of the violin and viola, the myriad relevant primary sources and their interpretation, and the various aspects of style and technique that combine to make up well-grounded, period performances. It also considers various related family instruments, contains practical advice on the acquisition of appropriate instruments, and offers suggestions for further reading and investigation. Many of the principles outlined are put into practice in case studies of six works composed c.1700âc.1900, the core period which forms this series' principal (though not exclusive) focus. Music by Corelli, Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms is examined with a view to recreating performances as faithful as possible to the composer's original inteTrade Review'A pleasure to navigate.' Early MusicTable of Contents1. Historical performance in context; 2. The repertory and principal sources; 3. Equipment; 4. Technique; 5. The language of musical style; 6. Historical awareness in practice 1: three eighteenth-century case studies: Corelli, Bach and Haydn; 7. Historical awareness in practice 2: three nineteenth-century case studies: Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms; 8. Related family members.

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Book SynopsisThis is a compact and authoritative survey of the cello. It deals with the history and construction of the cello and bow, discusses the careers of the most distinguished cellists through history, surveys the repertory and reviews teaching methods, technical developments and issues of performance practice.Table of ContentsList of illustrations; Notes on the contributors; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations, fingering and notation; 1. The cello: origins and evolution John Dilworth; 2. The bow: its history and development John Dilworth; 3. Cello acoustics Bernard Richardson; 4. Masters of the Baroque and Classical eras Margaret Campbell; 5. Nineteenth-century virtuosi Margaret Campbell; 6. Masters of the twentieth century Margaret Campbell; 7. The concerto Robin Stowell and David Wyn Jones; 8. The sonata Robin Stowell; 9. Other solo repertory Robin Stowell; 10. Ensemble music: in the chamber and the orchestra Peter Allsop; 11. Technique, style and performing practice to c. 1900 Valerie Walden; 12. The development of cello teaching in the twentieth century R. Caroline Bosanquet; 13. The frontiers of technique Frances-Marie Uitti; Appendix: principal pedagogical literature; Glossary of technical terms; Notes; Select bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsFurry Dance (Trad.); Lord Rockingham: His Waltz; Dinah Might and Henry Would; Nempnett Thrubwell; Dance of the Mirlitons (Tchaikovsky); Russians in Hollywood; A Yowe came to our Door (Trad.); Bourree des Dindes (Trad.); F for Figaro (Mozart); Bobby Chafteau (Trad.); Bear Dance (Traditional); Schubert's Porcelain Frog (Schubert); Who pays the Ferryman? The Shearing's not for You (Trad.); Melody from the 'Pathetique' Symphony (Tchaikovsky); Largo from the 'New World' Symphony (Dvorak); Boldly Going ...;(The Hungarian Detective); Crossing the Sahara by Pedalo; Bobbing Joe (Trad.); Scary Monsters in your Wardrobe?

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMary Cohen understands well what points of technique require special practice and has written music which will motivate the student. Each study concentrates on just a few technical points, and also has a musical character of its own to encourage an awareness of different styles. A useful addition to the teaching repertoire. European String Teachers Association, Spring 1994 Technique takes off is an excellent publication of 14 short studies for intermediate players. Seven studies are common to both the violin and viola books and seven are specifically for the viola. Each one has a descriptive title suggesting the style and there is helpful advice at the start as to how to play it. ‘Dormez-vous?' (‘Wake up!’) is an arrangement of Frere Jacques which keeps hopping from the C string to the A (third position) and from the viola to treble clef. The caption above the music warns of this: repeated up-bow staccato quick changes of octave and clef, chromatic runs, one and two-octave harmonics. Other useful studies are 'Sequenza' in continuous semiquavers (a good preparation for playing unaccompanied Bach). Music Teacher Magazine, April 1994 This is a wonderful collection for pupils who need inspiration to jump the Grade 4-5 hurdle. Each study's purpose is dearly explained - string crossing, emphasis of melodic line, 'passing', vibrato, etc – and many demand performance at a students' concert, particularly 'Prelude', 'Gossips in a London Street' and Dragon Dance'. European String Teachers Association, Autumn 1992

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMary Cohen understands well what points of technique require special practice and has written music which will motivate the student. Each study concentrates on just a few technical points, and also has a musical character of its own to encourage an awareness of different styles. A useful addition to the teaching repertoire. European String Teachers Association, Spring 1994Table of ContentsPrelude; Dormez-vous?; Grandioso; Swirling Arabesques; Looping The Loop; Village Bagpipes; In Old Vienna; The Bees' Knees; Sarabande With Variations; Sequenza; Romance; Ride Like The Wind!; Reflection

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe great benefit of these studies is that they are short, musically simple and have relatively undemanding left-hand parts. This allows players to develop various bowing skills, become familiar with different rhythmic patterns, move freely up and down the fingerboard and enjoy producing special violin effects. For example, a scale or an arpeggio, using a particular rhythm and two accented notes repeated three or four times can be the basis of a study as in 'Blast off'. Only two pieces in this book 'Toffee nut fudge cake' and ‘Banana bounce’ use finger pattern 2 as well as l. The titles give both an idea of the character of the study, and suggest the movement required (for example, 'Wave machine' for string crossing); there are also helpful directions above each piece on how to play it (in this case 'Let your right arm bob along with the waves’). Music Teacher Magazine, February 1994 This is a very useful collection of studies, working through many technical and rhythmical problems. All the studies are well laid out and carefully printed and each one indicates the technical points covered, useful for jogging the memory of the child. All have original, snappy titles which help to indicate the style of the piece, and the temp is given with a metronome mark and an Italian or English term. Harmonics, semi-quaver moment, pizzicato, slurred and legato bowings, string crossings, various other bowings, syncopated rhythms, etc., are all covered in the first volume…..A very pleasant, appealing, fun set of studies which children would enjoy. European String Teachers Association, Spring 1994Table of ContentsBlast Off!; Operation Space Station; Rockets to the Rescue; Space Walk; Robots Rocking at the Microchip Ball; Rocking Rowboats; Floating in the Swimming Pool; Wave Machine; Gliding Along at the Octopus Ball; Hear that Whistle!; Hurry if you want to see the Engine!; Strawberry Milk Shake; Toffee Nut Fudge Cake; Rum-Bah Ba!; Vanilla Ice Cream; Cuckoo? Where’s that Cuckoo?; Let’s all go to the Grizzly Bear’s Grump; Tawny Owl Blues; Banana Bounce

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsWaltz from ‘The Merry Widow’ (Lehar); Chorale (Bach); Sharks (Huws Jones); Mr Isaac’s Maggot (Playford); Clear Water (Huws Jones); Villanelle (Berlioz); Memory (Lloyd Webber); Theme from Caprice no. 24 (Paganini); Estampie (Huws Jones); Torna a Surriento (De Curtis); Hymn to Hestia (Waterfield); Nocturne: Black Crag (Huws Jones); Rondeau from Concert Royal no. 4 (Couperin); Spellbound (Huws Jones); Waltz from ‘Serenade for Strings’ (Tchaikovsky)

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsBouree I and II (Suite No.3) (J.S. Bach); An Evening In The Village (Bartok); Hungarian Dance No.5 (Brahms); Salut d'Amour (Elgar); Larghetto from Sonatina (Dvorak); Largo from Sonata in F major, No. 2 (Handel); Allegro and Menuetto from Serenade No. 2 (Mozart) **Trinity Guildhall selected piece: Violin syllabus 2010-2012; Allegro Molto from Sonata in D (Schubert); Allegro from Sonata in D minor (Senaille); Chanson Triste (Tchaikovsky); Chanson Polonaise (Wienawski)

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPrince of Denmark's March (Clarke); Theme from Polotsvian Dances (Borodin); Robin's Retreat (Wedgwood); Big Brother Blues (Wedgwood); Gagliardo (Wedgwood); Out 'n About Rag (cohen); The Birds Gather At Dusk (Cohen); Lison Dormait (Mozart); Minuet (Mozart); Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Gluck); Sarabande (Corelli); March from L'Arlesienne (Bizet); Pavane (Faure); Gavotte (JS Bach); Thes Death of Ase (Grieg); Rondo (Pleyel); La Serenata (Braga); Fisher Laddie (Traditional); Paddy O'Rafferry (Irish Traditional); Stick Dance (India)

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Book SynopsisIntroduces cello technique from the start, taking the player up to grade one level. This title takes an imaginative child-orientated approach throughout, encouraging interaction and the exploration of new sound worlds through a variety of music.Trade ReviewMary Cohen's Superstart Violin concept adapted for the cello under consultant editor William Bruce's watchful eye. Aimed at the complete beginner, it successfully combines a lively and entertainingly informal approach with sensible advice presented in a carefully ordered sequence. Development of pitch, rhythm and general musical knowledge is fully integrated into a process in which mind, ear and body are stimulated and developed at an equal pace. There is a separate book well-crafted and often amusing piano accompaniments, part-written by Robert Spearing... Music Teacher 2007 This book for beginner cellists contains a lot of information on different levels. It incorporates adaptations of well known pieces alongside original compositions which can be enjoyed right from the very first lesson. Alongside the pieces are useful technical tips which avoid being over instructive and some theoretical facts. Also included are the brainteasers which will make students think about the written music and playing techniques. There are also some challenges along the way which test general musicianship and aural skills, such as working out the missing notes in well known pieces, memorisation and simple transposition. Rhythmic patterns and values are introduced using words, which may not suit teachers with more traditional teaching styles. Basic first position is introduced in a logical manner and there is a brief introduction to harmonics and fourth position which is to be applauded. The aspect I personally find most attractive is the witty and humourous lyrics which accompany some of the pieces. One of them, The Good Sound Guide, which instructs students on how to produce a good sound, is a mini-masterpiece. The nature of the brainteasers really set the age range for this publication. I would say it works best for 7-10 year olds. The layout is easy to read and there is plenty on each page to interest and engage the student. I can imagine that this publication will work particularly well in group teaching situations, but it is clearly suited to individual tuition as well. Superstart is an engaging and imaginative publication which deserves to do well. ESTA News and Views 32 No.1 I recommend this excellent new cello tutor from Faber! Mary Cohen has teamed up with British cellist William Bruce, who is a passionate and experienced music educator to produce a book full of fun and varied activities in well-sequenced lessons that will stimulate the young player. This book would provide a great start for young players before commencing on AMEB grade material. Aimed at the young beginner, it is child-orientated, with engaging illustrations and encourages exploration of a variety of techniques and musical styles. Suitable for individual lessons and group lessons, most of the pieces are compatible with Superstart Violin and/or Superstart Viola. Forty of the pieces have piano accompaniment; some have duet cello part; other are unaccompanied. The book has plenty of activities on every page. Throughout, there are four categories of information: Technical Tips dealing wit the practical aspects of playing; Fact Files building up the students theoretical knowledge, while Brain Teasers test the pupil’s understanding. The Challenges stretch the student’s musicianship in practical ways, such as playing ostinato patterns, playing the tune on a different string, filling in missing notes. The creative and experienced teacher will use these as a springboard to further enhance the learning experience, while they are useful teaching tips for the less skilled teacher. Stri

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Book SynopsisSuitable for beginner violinists, this title features music and fun activities to inspire and stimulate pupils and teachers. It introduces violin techniques, taking players up to grade one level.Trade ReviewAimed at those from beginner to Grade 1 level, this is one of the most wide-ranging, clever, imaginative and child-friendly books I’ve encountered. I like the physical approach, 'floating with your gravity-defying violin’, introducing sliding up and down the fingerboard in harmonics very early and taking your bow into space orbit. From the earliest stages, plucking simple rhythms on open strings, the child is involved, via the CD or piano accompaniment, in playing real pieces of music by composers such as Albeniz, Bizet and Grieg, cunningly arranged by the author. As with other beginners books, new techniques are brought in section by section, but there is much more besides like brain-teasers that connect rhythms with words of one or more syllables, fact files, technical tips and challenges all arranged in a visually exciting way. Music Teacher Magazine, May 2007

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Book SynopsisA collection of duets and studies that offers intermediate violinists a way to improve their technique.Trade ReviewThis is great stuff! I really like Mary Cohen’s teaching material, and what’s more, so do my students. As usual her use of exciting violin techniques, combined with thought provoking titles, gets the student thinking and using their imaginations in these intermediate violin duets and studies to develop vibrato, shifting and double stopping. She explores vibrato, glissandi and long flowing bows in Asleep in the Hammock, pizzicato bowing and left hand pizzicato in On the Spot and the clever use of a pizzicato ostinato line A Passing Passacaglia duet. Lots of dynamics and bowing indications are given to keep the student on their toes and in the latter half of Clouds of Blossom she suggests you work out your own possibilities for fingering and dynamics. I especially like her suggestions at the beginning of each piece, which remind the student (or parent) what it was all about when they get home. European String Teachers Association, Winter 2006Table of ContentsIntrada (Duet); Intrada (Solo); Asleep In The Hammock (Duet); Weaving Song (Duet); On The Spot (Duet); A Passing Passacaglia (Duet); Quite A Character (Duet); Quite A Character (Solo); Sarabande And Double (Duet); Clouds Of Blossom Are Mirrored In The Lake (Solo); Forget-Me-Not Rag (Duet); Far Distant.. (Duet); Far Distant..(Solo); Catch (Duet)

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Book SynopsisCreated in 1990, in the days before aggressive marketing, before pop as a tabloid staple, before infinite music channels and pop's new 24-hour nerve centre, the Internet, Take That seduced the nation.Table of ContentsNever Forget; Back For Good; How Deep Is Your Love; Pray; Relight My Fire; Everything Changes; Babe; Sure; It Only Takes A Minute; A Million Love Songs; Could It Be Magic; Why Can’t I Wake Up With You; Love Ain’t Here Anymore; I Found Heaven; Promises; Once You’ve Tasted Love; Today I’ve Lost You

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Book SynopsisContains 70 songs from classic tunes like "Hotel California" and "Waterloo Sunset" through to modern anthems like "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and Radiohead's "Street Spirit (Fade Out)". This book features simple 'lyrics and chords' format; chord shapes given for every song; includes capo and tuning information where appropriate and 'lay-flat' binding.Table of ContentsAll The Small Things (Blink 182); All You Good Good People (Embrace); Angie (The Rolling Stones); Any Day Now (Elbow); Bitter Sweet Symphony (The Verve); Burning Down The House (Talking Heads); Central Reservation (Beth Orton); Come Together (Primal Scream); Cryin' (Aerosmith); Don't Dream It's Over (Crowded House); Empty At The End (Electric Soft Parade); Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.); Everyday Is Like Sunday (Morrissey); Fast Car (Tracey Chapman); Fat Lip (Sum 41); Fell In Love With A Girl (The White Stripes); Fireworks (Embrace); Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz); Future Boy (Turin Brakes); Going Places (Teenage Fanclub); Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (Green Day); Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (The Smiths); Hotel California (The Eagles); Hotel Yorba (The White Stripes); Hunter (Dido); It's A Shame About Ray (Lemonheads); Karma Police (Radiohead); Kiss Me (Sixpence None The Richer); Losing My Religion (R.E.M.); Love Burns (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club); Mansize Rooster (Supergrass); Mellow Doubt (Teenage Fanclub); Movin' On Up (Primal Scream); Moving (Supergrass); Mr. Jones (Counting Crows); My Drug Buddy (Lemonheads); Next Door (Foo Fighters); Novocaine For The Soul (Eels); Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy); Panic (The Smiths); Porcelain (Moby); Pounding (Doves); Powder Blue (Elbow); Rhythm & Blues Alibi (Gomez); Save Tonight (Eagle-Eye Cherry); Secret Smile (Semisonic); Shot Shot (Gomez); Silent Sigh (Badly Drawn Boy); Silent To The Dark (Electric Soft Parade); Slight Return (The Bluetones); Soak Up The Sun (Sheryl Crow); Something In My Eye (Ed Harcourt); Something To Talk About (Badly Drawn Boy); Song 2 (Blur); Song For The Lovers (Richard Ashcroft); Standing Still (Jewel); Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Radiohead); Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus); Tender (Blur); The Drugs Don't Work (The Verve); The Man Who Told Everything (Doves); There Goes The Fear (Doves); Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce); Underdog (Save Me) (Turin Brakes); Walking After You (Foo Fighters); Warning (Green Day); Waterloo Sunset (The Kinks); Weather With You (Crowded House); Wicked Game (Chris Isaak); Wild Wood (Paul Weller)

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Book SynopsisA band who combine the famed histrionics and pomp of 70s prog rock with the angst of Seattle grunge and a love of epic piano scores. Muse's meteoric rise to rock's high table was underlined by the release of the acclaimed album "Absolution", in 2003.Table of ContentsTake A Bow; Starlight; Supermassive Black Hole; Map Of The Problematique; Soldier's Poem; Invincible; Assassin; Exo-Politics; City of Delusion; Hoodoo; Knights Of Cydonia

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Book SynopsisOffers a comprehensive introduction to playing the guitar. Suitable for acoustic or electric guitar, this title features an introduction to TAB and standard notation; guitar techniques including tuning, power chords, barre chords, hammer-ons, string bending, sliding and left-hand damping; and classic songs from legendary artists.Trade ReviewSuitable for both acoustic and electric guitar, this step-by-step approach needs no prior knowledge of music. Indeed, the book covers all the areas expected from a good tutor, clearly illustrated, and with plenty of extra help and "top tips"! …… School Music Association, Spring 2008 Judged on its avowed intention of getting you started - nothing more, nothing less - we'd say this is as good a guide as any to begin tackling the fundamentals of guitar, and to have some fun into the bargain. As with any good beginner's guide, author Tom Fleming wants to get you into good habits from the off (hence the info on posture, correct hand position, the importance of tuning, guitar notation and so on). Guitarist, January 2008 Starting off on the road to playing guitar well is daunting, not least regarding what tutorial sources are worth your time and pennies. Try this then - Tom Fleming's The Ultimate Guitar Tutor. It's a bold title, but it does do a good job at priming you from posture to strumming rhythm exercises, and chord shapes to string bends. Throughout there are short examples to hone your skills and a generous amount of songs to learn by Elvis Presley, Nirvana and REM. As a tenner would rarely get you an hour's tuition with a guitar teacher these days, we reckon even if you have a few beginner books already this one should be added to the pile! Guitar Techniques, November 2007 Table of ContentsAll Shook Up (Elvis Presley); Stand By Me (Ben E. King); Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison); You Really Got Me (The Kinks); Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana); Wade in the Water (Eva Cassidy); Days (Ray Davis); Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day); Lyin' Eyes (Eagles); Evetbody Hurts (R.E.M.); Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus); Faith (George Michael)

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Book SynopsisOffers a flexible and adaptable course that is suitable for beginner violin players. This title intends to support various combinations of string instruments the teacher may encounter. It features a CD of backing tracks designed to add a third dimension to practice sessions or performance when an accompanist is not available.Table of ContentsTuning note – E, A, D, G 1 -; A handsome lad; A little march; All night, all day; Allegro; Amazing grace; At dusk; Au clair de la lune; Autumn; Bavaria; Blow the wind southerly; Bonjour!; By the Rhine; Chanson; Chiming bells; Chitty chitty bang bang (Sherman & Sherman) ; Congratulations (Martin & Coulter); Coronation march; Dance; Daydreams; Donkey riding; Edelweiss (Rodgers & Hammerstein); Eliza; Falling leaves; Flamingo; Folk song; G and D together; G, D and A; Gallop; German tune; Gospel song; Go tell Aunt Rhody; Going home; Good King Wenceslas; Happy birthday to you (Hill & Hill); I gave my love a cherry; Irish jig; Jamaican dance; Jingle bells; Kingston; Kol dodi; Kum ba yah; London bridge; Love me tender (Matson & Presley); Lucy; Magic spells; Merrily we roll along; Michael row the boat ashore; Minuet; Mongoose; Now the day is over; O come, all ye faithful; O little town of Bethlehem; Ode to joy; Oh Susannah; Okushiri; Old Macdonald; Old Texas; On the lake; Oranges and lemons; Past three o’clock; Poor Tom ; Pop goes the weasel; Popular song; Procession; Promenade; Quick march; Rigaudon; Round go the mill wheels; Ruthin gardens; Scarboro’ fair; Schottisch; Shady grove; Silent night; Song and dance; Sorrow; Starlight; Summer song; The astronomer; The carousel; The clowns; The first Nowell; The grand old Duke of York; The magic carpet; The muffin man; The night sky; The piper; The prospector; The rolling heather; The shepherd; The Skye boat song; The traveller; The white cliffs of Dover (Kent & Burton); The willow tree; The wizard; This old man; Tramping; Twelve bar blues; Twinkle, twinkle little star; Tyrolean song; Valse; Village song; When the saints go marching in; Who’s that yonder?; Workin’ on the railroad; Yankee doodle; Ye banks and braes

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Book SynopsisTeam 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.

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