1000 Songwriting Ideas (Hal Leonard Music Pro Guides) [Paperback] Review

A lot of it is fluff/filler.

I counted the music theory-related songwriting ideas, and there are a total of 82 ideas. The other 918 ideas are "contemporary" ideas such as "What's the song that would go best with a ten-gallon hat?" and "Write a song about angels."

Ok, well... no.

I'm from the alternative school of thought, when it comes to songwriting. I grew up on the Smiths, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Dinosaur Jr., Pumpkins, etc (the 90s). Music with edge, with soul, with staying power (like certain stuff from the 60s and 70s-- Beatles, Nick Drake, and Sabbath).

What I dislike most are books from Nashville/contemporary songwriters, who write top 40 "hits" for pop artists (most of which go unheard for the most part).

I have nothing against Ms. Aschmann as a songwriter (I've never heard her music) but the ideas are just... fluffy. That's the best way I can describe it. Don't get me wrong, there ARE gems to be found inside this book, but they are few and far-between.

A lot of these ideas are lyric or story-related. I think Rikky Rooksby's book "Lyrics" is a better option if you're stuck for lyric or story ideas.

Oh, here's another problem I have with this book - a lot of her ideas aren't clearly explained. In one idea, she talks about a guitar tuning called "Taro Patch." I had to look it up on google and wikipedia to find out that it's simply an open-G tuning. Also, a lot of the songs she cites, I have never heard them, ever. Cheesy titles that seem like they're in the public domain, musically. I listen to A LOT of different music, from 40's jazz to metal and everything in between, and I just couldn't even bother to look up the songs she mentioned or what they sounded like.

I've said it before in several songwriting book reviews -- check out Rikky Rooksby's songwriting series, especially How To Write Songs On Guitar.

This is a great effort from Ms. Aschmann, but it just falls a bit short. In all honesty, I think this book of ideas would have been better suited for a website, free for all to read and utilize.

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Fingerpicking Praise (Guitar Solo) [Paperback] Review

Many books marketed to guitarists - especially Christian music - claim to be "arranged for guitar" and turn out to be just lead sheets with chords, also known as a "fake book," not really arranged for any particular instrument.This book is a shining exception.The book is truly arranged for guitar.The arrangments are at once sonically tasteful and very playable.The notation is generously suplemented by realistic fingerings, and the tab is clearly written by a real guitarist and not computer-generated.The print and typography are also quite clear and easy to read.

For a student guitarist who is in limbo between the beginner and intermediate levels, these arrangements would make excellent learning pieces that could be confidently played in or out of church.For the advanced guitarist, these pieces could nearly be sight-read but sound good enough to be pleasing to an audience accustomed to advanced musicianship.

I'm a bivocational music leader and have been using this book in our worship services.I plan to purchase "Fingerpicking Hymns" in hopes that its quality will be similar to that of this book.

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These arrangements are carefully written for intermediate-level guitarists. Each solo combines melody and harmony in one superb fingerpicking arrangement. 15 modern worship classics are included: Above All * Breathe * Draw Me Close * Give Thanks * He Is Exalted * Jesus, Name Above All Names * Open the Eyes of My Heart * Shout to the Lord * You Are My King (Amazing Love) * and more.

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John Denver Authentic Guitar Style (Guitar Personality) [Paperback] Review

I thought this book would reveal how John himself played these songs. Especially I hoped to learn the authentic intros to songs like Country Roads or Poems, Prayers & Promises. What you get is an easy guitar book that anyone can play. The arrangements are mostly just picking standard chords. It's not much more than most players could figure out from words and chords without tabs. Annie's Song has the most authentic arrangement. This book is worthwhile if you are beginning to learn guitar and to read tabs. However, I can hardly call it "authentic" if you want to learn John Denver's style.

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12 never-before-published acoustic guitar transcriptions of the most popular songs by John Denver. Includes the hits: Annie's Song * Sunshine On My Shoulders * Take Me Home, Country Roads * and more.

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From Score to Screen: Sequencers, Scores & Second Thoughts-The New Film Scoring Process (Omnibus Press) [Paperback] Review

Having just started in the business of writing music for film and television, I needed a new book to walk me through the practical aspects of film scoring. This book accomplishes that, and more. It goes through the step by step process by which a contemporary film composer can get work, interact with a director, creatively write a score, edit and tweak it, and record it in a studio environment. It's well written, very communicative, and has already helped me figure out where to go to drum up business, and how to write music for film quickly and confidently. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to write music for film and T.V.

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Scoring for film has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. With the advent of MIDI, sequencers and low-cost recording gear, just about any composer anywhere can score a film. Well-known composer Sonny Kompanek teaches this new film scoring process at prestigious New York University and now he shares his secrets within the pages of From Score to Screen. Learn about the cast of professionals you'll work with as a film composer. Find out how to meet people in the business, network, and create a promotional demo. Learn how to compose themes and battle writers' block. Understand how to preview a score with the director and manage requested changes. And know how to make a director happy with your work. With this book, you'll gain practical knowledge that you can put into action immediately.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra / Christmas Attic [Spiral-bound] Review

One of those Christmas CDs I play over and over.I don't care for rock but this group is great.

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Sequel to the highly successful Christmas Eve and Other Stories.The Lord sends his youngest Angel on a mission to earth to leave something special behind. The story unfolds through songs such as: An Angel's ShareBoughs of HollyChristmas CanonDream ChildGhosts of Christmas EveAngels We Have Heard on HighMusix Box BluesThe Snow Came Downand many others. Handsome songbook with story line, separate lyrics and color photos.

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Basic Live Sound (The Basic Series) [Paperback] Review

I have purchased and review several of these "Basic Series" books and I have been pleased with all of them. Paul White authored the majority of them and did a fine job. You can buy them individually or they come in a set of four. This book is great for its intended purpose, a handbook to carry around with you to live gigs. This book is small (6 inches x 4 inches) and relatively inexpensive. Therfore you can throw this book in your gig back and not be worried about it to much. Now this book is not going to be the most comprehensive on the subject, but it is good for answering the quick question before a live gig. What I like most about this book is that it has an appendix at the end that show you every possible type of cable connection and the proper name for it. It also has a fairly in-depth glossary.

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Product Description:
Further titles in this exciting new pocket sized series, designed to make music technology simple.

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Bluesy Jazz: Jazz Play Along Series Volume 35 [Paperback] Review

I'm having so much fun with this series. Trouble is I've gone overboard here and bought several of the books: It's hard to stay with just one. My time is spent going from "Angel Eyes" and "Bags' Groove" in one book to "Spain" in another, and "Windows" in still another. It's a nice problem to have though.

What I like about these books (Bluesy Jazz vol. 35, Jazz-Rock Fusion vol. 62 and Great Jazz Classics vol. 50) are the following:
* You get a straight forward, no frills melody on a CD (you can embellish all you want).
* You get a decent section to solo over.
* You get a good backing track to play the entire song over, without the recorded lead instrument.
* You get each song written separately for "C" treble instruments, "Bb" instruments, "Eb" instruments and "C" bass instruments. This is great if you know reed or brass players.
* You get real songs, not just someone's jamming and soloing.
* You get a simple and readable layout, fake book style.

You'll need to have reasonable reading skills (guitarists, like me get spoiled with tablature). You'll also need to be able to read the changing key centers and understand how to apply scales and arpeggios. To me that's not work; it's fun.Some folks might wish for commentary about about harmony or soloing strategies. That would be nice. Some folks might wish for a solo section to learn and analyze. That would be nice,too. Some folks might wish for songs recorded at slow and fast tempos. Again, that would be nice. There are already countless books like that out there. It's the no nonsense simplicity that I like here. DIY!

What I enjoy isplaying songs I know and love with a great rhythm section and figuring out my own solos (jazz is hard, but FUN). I'm extremely interested in approaching the melodies chord melody style, and having the lead instrument there helps me get it up to speed until I'm ready for the backing track.

If you're learning theory or taking lessons, apply what you know here. This jazz play-along series is extensive. All my students want to rock. If I get any who want jazz, they'll love what they can do with this. Who says you can't rock out on the backing tracks?

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Product Description:
For use with all Bb, Eb and C instruments, the Jazz Play-Along Series is the ultimate learning tool for all jazz musicians. With musician-friendly lead sheets, melody cues and other split-track choices on the included CD, this first-of-its-kind package makes learning to play jazz easier than ever before. FOR STUDY, each tune includes a split track with: * Melody cue with proper style and inflection * Professional rhythm tracks * Choruses for soloing * Removable bass part * Removable piano part. FOR PERFORMANCE, each tune also has: * An additional full stereo accompaniment track (no melody) * Additional choruses for soloing. Includes 10 songs: Angel Eyes * Bag's Groove * Bessie's Blues * Chitlins Con Carne * Good Morning, Heartache * High Fly * Mercy, Mercy, Mercy * Night Train * Sugar * Sweet Georgia Bright.

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Mandolin of Bill Monroe 2: Detailed Analysis Review

I've been playing mandolin for about 2 years as a third instrument.I went thru the Mandolin Fretboard Roadmaps book (very good) but still felt I was missing something from my playing.

This DVD is just what I was looking for.

My playing has drastically improved after only going thru two songs.My left hand position is more efficient, I've learned more authentic use of double stops, thanks to Sam, I have a better approach to improvisation and fills.

I don't have the 1st DVD of the set but I think it is worthwhile to get it.The clips of Bill Monroe are short.Sam Bush's analysis is detailed but in some cases it takes a little work to get an idea of the whole song in context.

The video of both Bill and Sam is great and gives a lot of close-ups of both hands.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!Even seasoned mandolin veterans will enjoy this DVD.

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This hands-on teaching tool was produced especially for the player who wants to master Bill Monroe's powerful mandolin technique. Veteran bluegrass musician Sam Bush dissects sixteen pieces as played by Bill Monroe on his ground-breaking video, taking them apart in note-for-note detail. Split screens and close-ups, as well as replays of Monroe's demonstrations, aid the learning process and make this lesson THE learning method for bluegrass mandolin.
Songs include: "Sweet Blue-Eyed Darling," Frog on a Lily Pad," Dusty Miller," Sally Goodin," "Katy Hill," "Blue Grass Stomp," "Tennessee Blues," "Memories of Mother and Dad," "Back to the Old Home," "Get Up John," "Rawhide," Blue Grass Breakdown," "Last Days on Earth."
Produced by Smithsonian/Folkways and Homespun Video

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