Sonatina Masterworks, Book 1 (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

Just what I was looking for.I need nice tunes to arrange for autoharp to be published in the "Autoharp Quarterly."

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Product Description:
A combination of rewarding sonatina favorites and less frequently heard sonatinas for the "sonatina enthusiast."The fresh balance of works will be welcomed by teachers and students alike.

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A Tribute to George and Ira Gershwin (Piano Solo Arrangements) [Paperback] Review

I am a professional accompanist and piano teacher.This collection of Gershwin is not for those who are below Advanced level, and still the selections will require a good deal of practice for those who are accomplished pianists.This is not just a "hobby" book which one can pick up and sightread, but the "real deal" of Gershwin's own arrangements.

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Product Description:
Contains: 'S Wonderful * Strike Up the Band * The Man I Love * My One and Only * Embraceable You and more classics, including 18 original Gershwin arrangements.

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Piano Repertoire / Level 1 (David Carr Glover Piano Library) [Paperback] Review

I got what I wanted in a very timely manner.I could not ask for more.

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Product Description:
The REPERTOIRE books are written to supplement and reinforce the music fundamentals that the student is learning at this level of advancement. They may be used with any Piano Course or Library. The books of the Primer Level and Levels 1 and 2 present familiar folk songs and original solos. Level 1 of 6.

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Toccatas, Fantasias, Passacaglia and Other Works for Organ [Paperback] Review

With this volume we get some of the most striking, popular and yet profound of J.S. Bach's organ music:the 4 Toccata and Fugue pairs, the g-minor Fantasia and Fugue, the great c-minor Passacaglia and Fugue, and a number of other thoroughly-beautiful works (e.g., the Fantasias in G-major {"Pièce d'Orgue"} and c-minor).This way, the other 2 volumes of 1) Preludes & Fugues where the Preludes are strictly preludes, plus 2) the initial volume of trio-sonate, the 3rd-part of the Klavierubung and various Chorale-Preludes and workings around, are properly balanced and complemented to give the overwhelming bulk of Bach's entire organ oeuvre.

All of these are beautifully reproduced from the authoritative Bach-Gesellschaft edition at a fraction of the price those volumes would cost otherwise![Those who're unhappy about the page-turns had better blame the Bach-Gesellschaft instead!]

Most highly recommended, yet again!Bravo Dover!!!

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Product Description:
Over 20 of the composer's best-loved, most often performed compositions, including the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565; Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582; the Fugue in B minor on a theme of Corelli, BWV 579, and many more. Reproduced directly from the authoritative Bach-Gesellschaft edition.


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Yamaha PSR-E413 61-Key Digital Keyboard Review

The PSR-E413 is Yamaha's next addition to their portable keyboard line. It was designed with the new musician in mind, and includes numerous learning tools (the Yamaha Education Suite being the most prominently featured) and "cheater" features (Yamaha Performance Assistance Technology let's you hit the wrong key and still sound correct). Unlike many other beginner level keyboards, however, the PSR-E413 has numerous features that will allow new musicians to grow into semi-professionals without having to buy a new instrument - 504 voices (instruments the keyboard can sound like), 100 arpeggio types, 165 preset styles, 30 preset songs, a pitch-bending wheel, and 5 song/6 track recording. Other common features such as "touch sense" (the keys can sound louder or softer depending on how hard they are pressed), a USB port, sustaining pedal port, and a headphone/output port are also present.

What all of that boils down to is simply this: the E413 is fun to play and sounds great. The price is generally within the acceptable realm for beginners, and the features make it something even those at a semi-professional level would like to play (though, in all honesty, most professionals are going to want a less portable 76+ key unit). After going to numerous music stores and online sources, this model ended up being the best fit for my budget and needs - I highly recommend it.

I have two complaints with the PSR-E413 as packaged. The first is that the music stand (which easily slides into two slots on the top-back of the unit) is made of cheap plastic, and looks like it will break easily. The second is that a number of additional items are needed to fully enjoy this instrument. The first thing you'll need is a plug-in power adapter (I was shocked that the keyboard didn't come with one) unless you want to spend hundreds of dollars on batteries. Next, you'll probably want a keyboard stand (a decent folding one costs anywhere from $20 - $60). An AB-type USB cable is necessary to connect the instrument to your computer and fully realize its potential. After that, a dust cover and case might also interest you. Finally, headphones and a foot switch/pedal should be considered, especially if you like being creative and don't live alone. Yamaha offers a few of these items in a special set called the Survival Kit B (it includes the power adapter, foot switch, headphones, and an extended warranty), but I don't recommend it, as the headphones and pedal it contains are of inferior quality.

Note: This model replaced the PSR-E403 as of May 2008. The two are extremely similar, with the E413 containing a few upgrades (165 vs. 155 styles; 100 arpeggio functions vs 50; etc..). The feel and most of the features of the two, however, are almost the same.

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Product Description:
The Yamaha PSRE413 61 Key Digital Keyboard expands the capabilities of one of Yamaha's most popular PSR lines. The PSRE413 includes features for every playing level such as the Yamaha portable grand and Yamaha education suite. An on-board arpeggiator includes 100 different patterns along with 20 different arpeggio voices. A full set of real-time controls gives you easy access to all of the capabilities of the PSRE413. A USB port is also included so you can download songs for learning from the internet. If you want to write your own songs, the PSRE413 also features a 6-track sequencer so you can layer your own tracks.

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Alesis P3 Power Supply Barrel Review

The Alesis SR-16 drum machine has to be one of the most prolific electronic devices on earth! The thing first came out in 1990, yet they're still selling. With so many in existence, it's inevitable that used ones are around to be had.

A friend gave his to me, and it's perfect for my home recording studio, as a midi pad (I'm surprised at how much NEW ones cost these days, with not that many additional features!)

No power supply, though, so I had to purchase this replacement. Great price, and it works perfectly. This is really a "step-down transformer," not an AC/DC converter, since the output is 9VAC, so it's hard to find a "generic" device.

Be sure to check to see what type of adapter your unit takes; there are different plugs available. This one is the "barrel type."

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Product Description:
Compatible with AI-2 Sync Interface, Microverb 2, Microverb 3, Microverb 4, 3630 Compressor, SR-16 Drum Machine, D4 Drum Module, DM5 Drum Module, Midiverb III, Midiverb 4, MMT-8 Sequencer, Nanobass, Nanocompressor and M-EQ 230 Equalizer.

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A Practical Guide to Solo Piano Music (Meredith Music Resource) [Paperback] Review

At first sight this little book, almost a booklet!, looks less interesting or worth buying because there are so many other good listings of graded piano literature (Klaus Wolters; Albert Faurot; Moritz Hinson; Rudolph Ganz; Stanley Butler; Jane Magrath) and good non-antiquated readings (Burge; Kirby; Gordon; Dubal), and this booklet limits itself in listing piece titles with grades only. Still, you will wonder how useful this can be. Problem with Hinson is that he lists too many unworthy composers and sometimes, even worse, also unworthy piano works...of minor quality, minor significance. So Hinson is good for looking up a specific work but not that useful for exploring and discovering. Barnard has done a selection of the more significant piano music composers (from today's point of view) incl. many modern classics and classics of the avant-garde and has focused on their more significant works (similar to the funny Faurot). Unfortunately I am missing a bunch of modern composers who are recorded and performed frequently, becoming populars, and have written tremendously(!!!) for the piano, such as SORABJI, BENTZON, KAPUSTIN, FINNISSY, FLYNN. In the listmania's by amazon top reviewer "scarecrow ginz1" you will find excellent listings which fully represent the most important body of piano composers&works from the early 20th century up to the beginning of our 21st century. Barnard should have looked on Ginzo's listings first before finalizing the edition of this new 2006 book!

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Product Description:
An invaluable, quick reference tool for any teacher, performer or student of the piano who desires an extensive listing of the most significant works composed for solo piano. Accurate, concise and thoroughly researched entries provide an at-a-glance overview of a composer's output, with information on difficulty levels, opus numbers, movement titles, publisher sources and so forth. Whether searching for new material or refreshing one's perspective, this portable database of information will prove itself indispensable for repertoire study and planning. A must-have resource for any pianist's bookshelf or piano.

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