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Rating: 
Summary: very useful and versatile book... and fun!
Review: I recently had to prepare a number of my band students for the annual "solo & ensemble" festival. Their abilites ranged from beginning to intermediate and I had difficulty trying to find appropriate music for them to perform since they all played wind instruments. (A common problem for beginning band directors.) I was able to utilize this book to not only arrange pieces according to their level but to accompany them on the piano; and my piano skills are not too exemplary. We had had difficulty finding an accompanist who could rehearse the students and accompany them for the festival, hence the need for me to do the job. In short, this book delivered me from much stress and anxiety over what my students would perform. By the way, all the students who participated received I's (superior) and II's (excellent), the two highest ratings! I've also used the book in my music appreciaton classes and am still exploring all the other wonderful ways I can utilize it. I believe it to be a necessary tool for all music educators.
Rating:
Summary: A Band Director's Salvation!
Review: I recently had to prepare a number of my band students for the annual "solo & ensemble" festival. Their abilites ranged from beginning to intermediate and I had difficulty trying to find appropriate music for them to perform since they all played wind instruments. (A common problem for beginning band directors.) I was able to utilize this book to not only arrange pieces according to their level but to accompany them on the piano; and my piano skills are not too exemplary. We had had difficulty finding an accompanist who could rehearse the students and accompany them for the festival, hence the need for me to do the job. In short, this book delivered me from much stress and anxiety over what my students would perform. By the way, all the students who participated received I's (superior) and II's (excellent), the two highest ratings! I've also used the book in my music appreciaton classes and am still exploring all the other wonderful ways I can utilize it. I believe it to be a necessary tool for all music educators.
Rating:
Summary: very useful and versatile book... and fun!
Review: Our staff and I accompany ballet and modern dance classes for a university dance program and area ballet schools. This book is perfect for this kind of work. You can easily adapt most pieces to fit whatever the class is doing, giving them recognizable melodies but with an accompaniment (your own realization/improvisation) that supports the movement they are doing.
Rating:
Summary: FUN!
Review: This book is a great pleasure. As a piano teacher, I've found that it provides fun for my young students. They can thumb through it and play page after page of marvelous classical melodies, incorporating their own chords. That's a great introduction to classical pieces which stimulates their interest in the original versions. Some pianists may turn up their noses at the idea of a classsical fake book, but I'd point out that many of these pieces were originally written for orchestra, or--in the case of the older ones--for harpsichord, clavichord, organ, and so on. Some are taken from operas. Indeed, many of the classical works we use with our students are arrangements rather than ur-texts. My students and I often laugh at the term "fake book"; especially for the keyboard players, these books would be more accurately named "creative books." The performer is called upon to provide his/her own harmony arrangements and rhythmic patterns. For talented musicians, "fake books" are a great opportunity for creative expression. That said, it must also be emphasized that students must have a strong foundation in piano basics, and that the teaching of ur-texts is vital for any student. We love the "Classical Fake Book"---a hoot and a half! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: FUN!
Review: This book is a great pleasure. As a piano teacher, I've found that it provides fun for my young students. They can thumb through it and play page after page of marvelous classical melodies, incorporating their own chords. That's a great introduction to classical pieces which stimulates their interest in the original versions. Some pianists may turn up their noses at the idea of a classsical fake book, but I'd point out that many of these pieces were originally written for orchestra, or--in the case of the older ones--for harpsichord, clavichord, organ, and so on. Some are taken from operas. Indeed, many of the classical works we use with our students are arrangements rather than ur-texts. My students and I often laugh at the term "fake book"; especially for the keyboard players, these books would be more accurately named "creative books." The performer is called upon to provide his/her own harmony arrangements and rhythmic patterns. For talented musicians, "fake books" are a great opportunity for creative expression. That said, it must also be emphasized that students must have a strong foundation in piano basics, and that the teaching of ur-texts is vital for any student. We love the "Classical Fake Book"---a hoot and a half! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reference and source book for music students
Review: This book is very comprehensive, and contains most of the major works of classical music. Since it is a fake book, it does not contain the complete score, but only the melody line with chords marked above the notes. The words/lyrics are included for the vocals, and double-stops where it appears in the original. Also, unlike some other fake books, the compositions appear in their original key. It is both an excellent reference to music appreciation students, concert goers and instrumental students as well as a source of material for beginning music students. Many of the themes can be used in student recitals. The book is plastic tabbed bound, but since it is over 600 pages long it is somewhat difficult to get the pages placed flatly. It also does not feel like it would be that durable because both the plastic tabs may break, or the slots on the pages would easily be torn. The size of the notes is also smaller than most music books. But for the price paid, this book gives good value as there are over 850 classical themes and melodies in one place.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reference and source book for music students
Review: This book is very comprehensive, and contains most of the major works of classical music. Since it is a fake book, it does not contain the complete score, but only the melody line with chords marked above the notes. The words/lyrics are included for the vocals, and double-stops where it appears in the original. Also, unlike some other fake books, the compositions appear in their original key. It is both an excellent reference to music appreciation students, concert goers and instrumental students as well as a source of material for beginning music students. Many of the themes can be used in student recitals. The book is plastic tabbed bound, but since it is over 600 pages long it is somewhat difficult to get the pages placed flatly. It also does not feel like it would be that durable because both the plastic tabs may break, or the slots on the pages would easily be torn. The size of the notes is also smaller than most music books. But for the price paid, this book gives good value as there are over 850 classical themes and melodies in one place.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you ever wanted to play
Review: This is a fantastic book for people interested in playing themes from a wide range of classical music. Most of the selections are not very long but some, like my favorite Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, is long enough to play for a solo. I play harp at the bedside of the sick, so having these themes available in fake-book form allows me to easily create a scrapbook of selections. The chord format shortens the space that the music takes up. It also eliminates page turns. The music provided is advanced-beginner /intermediate: depending on your level of proficiency you can make the music as complex as you desire. Using the book, I can get to the heart of the themes of each piece without having to play lengthy movements.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you ever wanted to play
Review: This is a fantastic book for people interested in playing themes from a wide range of classical music. Most of the selections are not very long but some, like my favorite Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, is long enough to play for a solo. I play harp at the bedside of the sick, so having these themes available in fake-book form allows me to easily create a scrapbook of selections. The chord format shortens the space that the music takes up. It also eliminates page turns. The music provided is advanced-beginner /intermediate: depending on your level of proficiency you can make the music as complex as you desire. Using the book, I can get to the heart of the themes of each piece without having to play lengthy movements.
Rating:
Summary: What a Book!
Review: Wow! This sheet music book is great! I have learned to play so many of my favorite classical favorites in very little time. I recommend this to everyone!
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