<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A misrepresentation
Review: As an amateur cello player, who picked up an instrument for the first time 3 years ago, I looked to this book for inspiration and enlightenment. It is represented as an amateur exploration of music, the discovery of real music later in life. Fact in point, the author is an amateur only in the sense that he does not tour or get paid to play his instrument. However we quickly learn that this author has been playing one instrument or another since childhood, and could at one point almost have made it as a clarinetist. This book quickly turns into a "dig me" diatribe which left me in disagreement with the author: despite his best efforts, I was not ultimately convinced that he was a "cool guy" -- which is really all he's trying to communicate. For my purposes, this book was unmitigated tripe.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite charming!
Review: I recomend this book everyone who loves playing the cello.
This book will make you smile.
Rating:
Summary: For Cellists Only (Not for Painters)
Review: I was prepared to warm to this book because of its promised inclusion of other amateur endeavors besides the cello. But to these he gives barely a nod. The writing blends self-centered prattle with compulsive journal entries. Another disappointment--rather, jolt--was his two brief paragraphs about painting on pages 184-185. Given his sympathy and respect for amateur musicians, I anticipated a reflection on painters who, like myself, struggle to express in our work a hard-won understanding of color, two-dimensional space, depth and authenticity. Instead, he writes, "Well, there are so many amateur painters around, and their stuff is generally so awful, that they almost tempt me to cancel this book..." Thus, I could not recommend this book to amateur cooks, painters, photographers, writers, tennis players, gardeners--or anyone other than amateur string players who don't know how they feel and need someone to tell them. For the rest of us, our time is better spent doing what we love rather than reading about it.
Rating:
Summary: For Cellists Only (Not for Painters)
Review: I was prepared to warm to this book because of its promised inclusion of other amateur endeavors besides the cello. But to these he gives barely a nod. The writing blends self-centered prattle with compulsive journal entries. Another disappointment--rather, jolt--was his two brief paragraphs about painting on pages 184-185. Given his sympathy and respect for amateur musicians, I anticipated a reflection on painters who, like myself, struggle to express in our work a hard-won understanding of color, two-dimensional space, depth and authenticity. Instead, he writes, "Well, there are so many amateur painters around, and their stuff is generally so awful, that they almost tempt me to cancel this book..." Thus, I could not recommend this book to amateur cooks, painters, photographers, writers, tennis players, gardeners--or anyone other than amateur string players who don't know how they feel and need someone to tell them. For the rest of us, our time is better spent doing what we love rather than reading about it.
Rating: 
Summary: Curious piece, but could be better (couldn't anything,otoh?)
Review: I'd say, the book (which is really an essay) approaches a rare but (and?) important topic -- which per se is somewhat unique, and for that alone it could be rated at the top of the scale. Secondly, it is honest -- no clichés -- it is clear that the author shares his own, original thinking. It is pleasing to see that it matches your own at times, and gives the rest more credence. I've run into no conflicts between his and my own views (as long as I could relate to what he says, of course.)That said, I feel the book could (and should have) been made better: the writing is sloppy and imprecise, gushy and excessive at times; structure somewhat haphazard. More than once I detected a tinge of posturing and pretense, especially in the endless specification of pieces performed where this precision and the mention itself was not called for by the context at all. A bit of phoney snobbery, that is, at least in my perception. So, I wish the author worked on this book a bit more and made it sharper and devoid of superfluities. Overall, though it's difficult to read at times and also annoys you a bit, it's a good, worthy book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not recommended
Review: The premise of this book is compelling. There need to be books written about the dignity and deep rewards earned by the true amateur. Unfortunately, this book lacks that depth. The author robs himself of dignity with complaints at great length about partners, teachers, and even the instrument. In a chapter titled "Seduced By the Cello," he speaks only of it being comparatively easier than his other options. Nowhere does he even describe the cello: its sweet-sad character, its almost human tone, the surprising sensations it gives to players and audience of its power, the fascination and variety of its repertoire, etc. In a chapter called "The Zen of Thumb Position Maintenance," he does not even define or describe thumb position or how to maintain any of cello's skills.
I am a cellist and teacher. I often look for books to encourage, inspire adn sometimes console my students of all ages. I hoped this book could help me articulate for students the true rewards and healthy attitudes of a good amateur musician, and even to redeem the connotations of amateur. It tries to do so, but is too much a personal diary and too self-referencing. As yet my best discoveries for adult students are still "Making Music for the Joy of It," by Stephanie Judy (1990), and the perennial classic "Playing the Piano for Pleasure" by Charles Cooke (1941).
Rating:
Summary: Not recommended
Review: The premise of this book is compelling. There need to be books written about the dignity and deep rewards earned by the true amateur. Unfortunately, this book lacks that depth. The author robs himself of dignity with complaints at great length about partners, teachers, and even the instrument. In a chapter titled "Seduced By the Cello," he speaks only of it being comparatively easier than his other options. Nowhere does he even describe the cello: its sweet-sad character, its almost human tone, the surprising sensations it gives to players and audience of its power, the fascination and variety of its repertoire, etc. In a chapter called "The Zen of Thumb Position Maintenance," he does not even define or describe thumb position or how to maintain any of cello's skills.
I am a cellist and teacher. I often look for books to encourage, inspire adn sometimes console my students of all ages. I hoped this book could help me articulate for students the true rewards and healthy attitudes of a good amateur musician, and even to redeem the connotations of amateur. It tries to do so, but is too much a personal diary and too self-referencing. As yet my best discoveries for adult students are still "Making Music for the Joy of It," by Stephanie Judy (1990), and the perennial classic "Playing the Piano for Pleasure" by Charles Cooke (1941).
Rating:
Summary: And That's Why!
Review: This has got to be the "feel good" book of the year for amateur musicians. Professor Booth, time and again, puts his finger on the many reasons why we spend all those hours and muscle pains to end up being second-rate at best. Yes, the latter chapters may go a little overboard, but enthusiasm is one of the things it's all about. There are some very poignant moments and some downright hilarious ones. I'm recommending this one to all my music-making friends.
<< 1 >>
|
