Music Secrets Revealed
593757
Patrick Pfeiffer is by far the best explainer I've ever encountered, in written or spoken word, of the whole world of music, not just bass guitar. This book -- and especially using the companion CD -- can literally change your life if you care about or are interested in music. With this book and Patrick's clear explanations and the gorgeous examples on the CD, my musical life has been completely changed for the better. Patrick has enabled me to understand musical concepts that baffled me for many years. Plus, he's really funny throughout, which helps you keep things in perspective and have a great time while learning. I cannot stress strongly enough that anyone who wants to finally understand music had better get this book! WARNING: Non-bass players may quickly find that they have to play bass. The bass is such a perfect instrument, being arranged symmetrically all over the neck, that it is an ideal instrument to use to open up the entire world of music for anyone (because it's manageable).  Everyone who loves music would do well to own and use this book.
4246365
As a previous comment noted, on a few of the tracks one can hear what appears to be the sound of the harpsichord's internal mechanism, perhaps because of close miking.  This is a small quibble about a brilliant performance of some joyous music.  Ms. Robert combines masterful phrasing and articulation with the full tonal colors or her instrument to reveal all the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic excitement of Boccherini's score.
1606590
You may want to know, this contains some live music. It should tell you.
511765
Very cool and informative book. Although if you cant read music like myself you may find limited value in the book. It relies heavily on the ability to read and understand music.
2668675
MP3's have become one of the hottest new things on the 'Net, to the delight of music lovers everywhere and most likely to the chagrin of the music industry. This book covers a wide variety of topics regarding MP3's, starting off with a brief description of how mp3's came to be, where to find and download mp3's, Internet radio stations, etc. The chapter on digital music and copyright law also contains useful information on just what it and is not legal with regards to having and/or downloading mp3's.
It also tells you what software and hardware is the best for playing mp3's and "ripping" your own mp3's. The descriptions of the software and hardware you can use are quite good. Next are three chapters describing in detail digital audio, along with MPEG audio. Then comes the section any mp3 "ripper" will be most interested in, ie converting music into mp3 form, by first converting it into a .wav format, then into mp3 and finally recording your own CD's.
The book's final chapters are a 'tutorial" on various mp3 software ripper programs like Audio Catalyst and Cool Edit. There's also some info about using WinAmp, which is one of the more popular mp3 players (and the one I use). There's also further information about related web sites, other books, even a glossary.
The future still looks bright for mp3. Not only is it a way for music lovers to download their favorite songs, it also is a way for new artists to "break through" by offering their music on various web sites in the form of mp3s.
This book offers quite a bit of good information about the MP3 phenemenon.
256849
This can be used as a coffee table book or for making music. Former Metronome magazine journalist Simon was a firsthand witness to the Big Band Era and heard, knew all the participants, interviewing many of them. He put that background to splendid use in this music folio, providing background information on the songs and those who made them famous. I once panned a music trivia book Simon wrote, but he knocked it out of the park with this. Bravo!!!!
570234
This book provides major behind-the-scenes information about how each theme song was made. I was surprised to read this book.
1242605
If you enjoy music you will enjoy this book.  It is a series of lectures on music and how it is made.  I have a few musicians in the family and the knowledge they have far exceeds mine, but with this book I can sort of hold my own in a musical conversation.

Great information for anyone interested in music.  It took me a long time to read being a lecture series and not a mystery, but it was worth the time.  The authors approach is multi-faceted in the fact that he talks about the history, the structure of music and some of the instruments.  Also some interesting stories are thrown in along the way.

This author knows his stuff and that enthusiasm comes out in this writing.  My musical knowledge was small, but this book has really opened my eyes to what is out there.  I had no idea what many of the pieces he mentioned were so I Googled a few and was fascinated.  I think the CD is the way to go, the book can get a bit dry at times.  But, I enjoyed this book and think I have a much better grasp on music than I ever did before.
490657
This book is a definate plus for music players.  It gives you all the music for their ever so popular songs.  I couldn't put it down once I got it.  It is a great way to enhance your music skills and learn popular songs at the same time!
2998866
I recommend this book by Justin to gain greater insights in the Music business or any business. It was a great buy along with a couple of manuals I purchased from Musicbrains.net entitled the Indie label Kit on Amazon.
2660012
9 discs of music-79,79,78,78,78,78,78,79,79 minutes each approximately plus 1 CD-ROM crammed with information.  It's much easier on the eyes to read the info off the computer screen.  When this info is printed,it's the size of (roughly) a CD jewel case (I don't know if it can be enlarged),so the print is pretty small.  But the information on the various artists is well worth having,both from an historical viewpoint,and for more enjoyment of the music.  Included is a conversation with jazz musician Mathew Shipp,Allen Lowe (self-interview),much valuable information (track-by-track) on the artists,and a number of b&w photographs of some of the artists.  Each disc is slipped into a paper envelope-like sleeve with a cut-out,covered with a clear plastic sheet in order to read the disc information.  Everything is housed in a substantial cardboard box.  The graphics on the box are basically ads for the product,but there are two nice period photographs of farming and cotton picking.  The booklet has track information and that's all,the rest of the info is contained on the CD-ROM.

This is the first release (of four similar sets) by Allen Lowe devoted specifically to the blues genre.  Contained on these discs are tracks that virtually no one has ever heard-certainly not in the best possible sound.  Saying that,don't expect miracles.  There are tracks recorded beginning (in chronological order) in the nineteenth century (3),and then proceeding chronologically through the years,up into 1929.  If you're an audiophile-forget it.  But if the music is the most important thing to you,then there are many treasures to hear in this collection.  The surface noise,while clearly discernible,is not as bad as the Paramount  recordings,or other period recordings of many blues artists from roughly the same time period,and later.  Almost without exception the vocals and instrumentation can clearly be heard on the vast number of these recordings.

The breadth and depth of music contained in this set is truly staggering.  From the UNIQUE QUARTET FALL (1893),to Bert Williams (1906),to Arthur Collins (1918),to Sam Moore (1921),to the FLORIDA NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE QUARTET (1922),the different forms of blues music is brought to life,and that's only disc 1.  The music is represented in a number of forms-gospel,folk style,declarative,and a more or less straight blues  vocal style,by Mamie Smith.

As you progress through the years,a few more well known blues artists will come to light.  Artists like  Jelly Roll Morton,Alberta Hunter,Sylvester Weaver,Blind Lemon Jefferson,King Oliver,Meade Lux Lewis,Duke Ellington,Louis Armstrong,Buddy Boy Hawkins,Paul Robeson,CANNON'S JUG STOMPERS,Mississippi John Hurt,Pink Anderson,Furry Lewis,and a number of others,are all here.  But it's the many others (the majority) unknown to most blues listeners that will be a revelation.  The mix of artists is second to none.  Together,these artists perform the blues in all its many guises.  This set isn't for the casual listener.  This is aimed at the listener who wants to hear (and know) the history of the blues,from some of the very first recordings,through the years stated above.  The price is very reasonable for whats contained in this compilation.  The range of musical styles,coupled with a disc full of information,is hard to beat.

After hearing this set,I can't wait to hear the remaining three.  Allen Lowe has produced a number of these collections,all with close attention to detail and a good selection of music,in other genres.  If the other three sets are as good technically as this set,and they continue to encompass the many styles of blues music chronologically,he will have produced one of the best collections of historical blues ever.  Track after track produces many delights,and the juxtaposition of musical styles has a good flow throughout these nine discs.  So if your taste runs through the many styles of blues,and you want to hear some great music from both known and unknown artists-pick up this set as soon as you can.  You won't be disappointed.
3245940
Clever reductions from orchestra to duet. Intermediate level.
4964496
I recently discovered Dhafer Youssef and it was one of the best musical discoveries I've made in a long time. The wonderful music coming out of Northern Europe is a well kept secret that really needs to be shared with the world. Every song on this cd is perfection. I can't stop listening to it.
2348198
Whether you are new to song writing, or have been doing it for years, this book lays bare the mysteries of what makes a chord progression "sound good."  For the new songwriter, I think the title speaks for itself.  For the seasoned veteran, the examples on each page are sure to remove that writer's block as you go through the structured patterns and start hearing that song that has been eluding you for so long...
3436069
After knowing almost nothing about music production, I decided to read this book on behalf of a friend's recommendation. As soon as I read the first chapter, I was amazed on how the book explained every detail, and was written in such way anybody can understand. I have been producing and reading the book in parallel to go step by step, and it's been wonderful.
3767586
If you love the music penned by Jimmy Webb, this book is a must read. The stories behind the music and meeting one of the music geniuses of our lifetime are discovered in this easy read.
1846202
Amazing. They don't just show how to play the songs, but also how they were composed.