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Irish Art Songs

6 January 2012, 5:27 am
European Duo Chitarra Canta, featuring soprano and flutist, Meg Fitzgerald, and classical
guitarist, Guido Böger.
Having noted the dearth of good concert literature for this type of duo, the performers,
both well-versed in the Celtic and Classical music traditions, and adept at creating their
own arrangements, decided to include such songs in their programs. With this volume,
they want to share them with other performers and enthusiasts. These songs can be used
equally well for the stage, recitals, pub singing, and private events, or for simple pleasure.
The collection consists of a wide variety of songs, the music being completely written
out for voice and classical guitar, but also with chords and annotations for a variety use.
Featured here are such well-known songs as The Last Rose of Summer, Siúil a Rúin, or
She moved through the Fair, along with many other lyrical gems, in unique, wonderfully
inspired arrangements.
Audio downloads of the songs, as performed by the authors, are available with the
purchase of this book, sampled from their CD, Aisling – Irish Art Songs and Music. The
complete CD can also be purchased by writing to: ChitarraCanta@musician.org
“These arrangements for voice and guitar… well approach, … the genuine form of Irish
folk music. The choice and interpretation of of the pieces… give ample evidence as to the
familiarity of soprano Meg Fitzgerald, and guitarist Guido Böger with this music.”
(Concertino magazine, vol. 1/2007).

European Duo Chitarra Canta, featuring soprano and flutist, Meg Fitzgerald, and classical guitarist, Guido Böger. Having noted the dearth of good concert literature for this type of duo, the performers, both well-versed in the Celtic and Classical music traditions, and adept at creating their own arrangements, decided to include such songs in their programs. With this volume,they want to share them with other performers and enthusiasts. These songs can be used equally well for the stage, recitals, pub singing, and private events, or for simple pleasure. The collection consists of a wide variety of songs, the music being completely written out for voice and classical guitar, but also with chords and annotations for a variety use. Featured here are such well-known songs as The Last Rose of Summer, Siúil a Rúin, or She moved through the Fair, along with many other lyrical gems, in unique, wonderfully inspired arrangements. Audio downloads of the songs, as performed by the authors, are available with the purchase of this book, sampled from their CD, Aisling – Irish Art Songs and Music. “These arrangements for voice and guitar… well approach, … the genuine form of Irish folk music. The choice and interpretation of of the pieces… give ample evidence as to the familiarity of soprano Meg Fitzgerald, and guitarist Guido Böger with this music.”

(Concertino magazine, vol. 1/2007).

Filed under Songbooks/Tunebooks, Vocal.
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Acoustic Guitar Portraits Recording

18 November 2011, 5:04 am

Acoustic Guitar Portraits is a collection of 15 original compositions for two acoustic guitars written and recorded by William Bay. The recording features an eclectic array of musical genres and was recorded on 4 different hand made acoustic steel string guitars. Three of the guitars are 7 string acoustic models and one is a 6 string. The recording features a complex interplay between the two guitars and frequent lush harmonic chordal structures.

Filed under A. Contemporary Guitar Composer's Forum, Guitar, Guitar Duos, Trios and Ensembles (new), Recordings.
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Traditional Music from Quebec for English Speakers

28 September 2011, 8:04 am

Traditional Songs from Québec for English-Speakers is a collection of 25 hand-picked, powerful, and gorgeous songs. They range from rousing and rollicking to exquisite and heartbreaking and from widely-known to rare gems of the repertoire. Each song is presented in French as well as in singable English with well-crafted lyrics, and each is accompanied by an introduction that adds to an appreciation and understanding of its background. Additionally, each song includes transcriptions of the melody, as well as two interlocking, optional harmonies that can be used singly or together. Both singers and a wide variety of instrumentalists can use these beautiful arrangements (and may find helpful the 100 free recordings of them with the melody and harmonies, together and separately, on the web.) The book’s introduction gives a brief, historical overview of Québécois traditional songs, as well as a guide to the use of the book and playing of the songs. In the back of the book, you’ll find lists of all the recordings and books referenced within, plus lists of festivals, camps, and gatherings where you can enjoy, hear, learn, and share in some of Québec’s rich store of traditional music. Free audio of all songs and harmony parts at: www.qtradsongs.com

Filed under Songbooks/Tunebooks.
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Classical Riqq Technique

28 September 2011, 8:00 am

Built around the life and teachings of master percussionist, Michel Merhej Baklouk, this book has been designed as a biographical tribute, a teaching manual, and a resource guide for anyone wishing to develop a deeper understanding of the role that percussion plays in Near Eastern Arabic music. This book differs from most technique manuals in that it includes historical information on about Arabic music as it pertains to the life and work of a single artist, Michel Merhej Baklouk. The book is composed of three parts: Introduction, Lessons, and Reference Information. Each part is written to stand on its own as well as fit with the whole so that readers can approach the book either as individual articles and lessons, or in its entirety, to be read from cover to cover. By presenting Michel’s work in this way, we hope to appeal to a wider audience—percussion students at varying skill levels and from varying music disciplines and backgrounds, students of music and Middle Eastern studies, or anyone else interested in twentieth century Arab music and culture. The first part, Introduction, contains several essays about Michel’s life, his teaching philosophy, pedagogical practices, musical aesthetics and performance practices. Although these sections may be read independently, they are also designed to help percussion students apply the book’s lessons to their own playing and musical interpretations. The technical focus of this book is on the riqq; however, students of Arabic music (beginning through advanced) can adapt the practical exercises to gain mastery of the percussion instrument(s) of their choice. The second part, Lessons, begins with information about how to hold the percussion instrument (case in point: the riqq) and how to practice effectively. It then presents the body of exercises that Michel developed for his students. These exercises have been taken directly from Michel’s notated lessons, which he developed into units corresponding to levels of proficiency, or academic years as he taught them at the Conservatory in Beirut; however, for the purposes of this book, the exercises are reorganized to correspond to subject matter and only roughly mirror Michel’s conservatory sequence. Unit 1, Technique Building Exercises, is aimed at novice players or anyone who is new to reading music. Units 2 through 5 focus on specific rhythmic structures with increasing complexity. Students should master each unit of exercises before proceeding to the next unit. The third part, Reference Information, includes a notation reference, a list of rhythms, a list of further reading recommendations, and a glossary of Arabic music terms, many of which are used in the text. All Arabic words in this book appear in italics, except proper names, and with the exception of some proper Arab names, the text is essentially written in the standard system of transliteration used by the Library of Congress and most academic literature Throughout the book you will see quotations from Michel offset in the text. These prosaic tidbits may be words of wisdom, interesting anecdotes about Michel’s life, or insights into his work and world of music. Each provides a glimpse into the personality of this exceptional musician. As a technical manual for students of Arabic percussion, Classical Riqq Technique provides specific exercises and explores important concepts—some of which are rarely taught, even in private lessons. At the same time, this book strives for a broader goal—to present and preserve classical percussion from the perspective of a master who not only lived in but also influenced the golden age of Arabic music.  Free audio download.

Filed under Hand Percussion, Percussion.
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Earth Rhythms Catalog Volume 2

26 July 2011, 5:46 am

The most complete and comprehensive book ever published on Dumbek (Darbuka) rhythms. Transcribed for Drumset, Bongo and Bass, Earth Rhythms Catalog Volume 2 covers traditional folk, ceremonial, festival and belly dance rhythms of the Balkans, Near East and Middle East. (Includes Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Greece, Turkey and more.) Accurately transcribed and recorded these authentic and ancient rhythms are presented in a format that is applicable to all levels (from beginners to advanced) of drummers and bass players. The 63 great rhythms on the companion audio are a fabulous source of information for all musicians and composers. Earth Rhythms Catalog Volume 1 is available from Mel Bay Publications (MB20071BCD) and presents rhythms from Africa, Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean

Filed under Hand Percussion, Percussion.
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Old Time Stringband Workshop for Mandolin

26 July 2011, 5:40 am

Old Time Stringband Workshop for Mandolin is one in a set of four books, each with a matching collection of 40 traditional type fiddle tunes arranged to develop ensemble and jam session playing skills with other acoustic instruments, as well as to expand your repertoire of tunes. The music is presented in Notation and Tablature with annotations for playing techniques and variations. A bonus arrangement of Star of the County Down is available as a free download. See www.melbay.com/21765.

Filed under Mandolin.
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Old Time Stringband Workshop for Fiddle

26 July 2011, 5:38 am

Old Time Stringband Workshop for Fiddle is one in a set of four books, each with a matching collection of 40 traditional type fiddle tunes arranged to develop ensemble and jam session playing skills with other acoustic instruments, as well as to expand your repertoire of tunes. The music is presented in Notation with annotations for playing techniques and variations. A bonus arrangement of Star of the County Down is available as a free download. See www.melbay.com/21763.

Filed under Fiddle (new).
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Old Time Stringband Workshop for Clawhammer Banjo

26 July 2011, 5:36 am

Old Time Stringband Workshop for Banjo is one in a set of four books, each with a matching collection of 40 traditional type fiddle tunes arranged to develop ensemble and jam session playing skills with other acoustic instruments, as well as to expand your repertoire of tunes. The music is presented in Tablature with annotations for playing techniques and variations. A bonus arrangement of Star of the County Down is available as a free download. See www.melbay.com/21762.

Filed under Banjo, Clawhammer.
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Old Time Stringband Workshop for Guitar

26 July 2011, 5:34 am

Old Time Stringband Workshop for Flatpick Guitar is one in a set of four books, each with a matching collection of 40 traditional type fiddle tunes arranged to develop ensemble and jam session playing skills with other acoustic instruments, as well as to expand your repertoire of tunes. The music is presented in Notation and Tablature with annotations for playing techniques and variations. A bonus arrangement of Star of the County Down is available as a free download. See www.melbay.com/21764.

Filed under Flatpicking Guitar, Guitar.
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Scottish Melodies for Two Cellos

20 April 2011, 6:08 am

This collection contains twenty-four pieces from 18th and 19th century Scotland. Included are airs and dance tunes originally for voice or fiddle. These duet arrangements are perfect for student and teacher as well as cello colleagues. The music is presented in sets of two or three tunes ready for performance. The traditional music of Scotland has unique and beautiful qualities and is fun to play.

Filed under Cello.
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