tjcurtin1
December 21st, 2007, 12:23 PM
Keeping in mind the discussion about buying 'stuff' just for the sake of buying (or at this time of year, gift giving), here's a suggestion for a lasting value gift - (feeling that books and musical instruments fall into that category):
My wife just gave me a book for my birthday that would serve particularly well for a new player, but also potentially for any player because of the material included. She heard about it on NPR - "The Song Train - 52 great two-chord songs anyone can play" (www.songtrain.net) by Harvey Reid. On opening it, my first (internal) reaction was, "Jeese, I haven't been playing that long but I AM beyond the 2-chord stage!". But when I looked at it I found it to be full of great stuff. Great songs from the American song-book (rock, blues, gospel, folk) with great notes/tips on each song (authors, players, recording history and musical particulars) and 4 cd's covering all the songs. Also good general info on basic music theory music with encouragement to 'play and have fun and don't sweat the details' for the new player. The book was designed by Reid as an encouragement for people to take music into their own hands and have fun playing and singing, to keep music from becoming another spectator sport.
A Merry and musical Christmas to you all - sing some carols! :DR
Ted C.
My wife just gave me a book for my birthday that would serve particularly well for a new player, but also potentially for any player because of the material included. She heard about it on NPR - "The Song Train - 52 great two-chord songs anyone can play" (www.songtrain.net) by Harvey Reid. On opening it, my first (internal) reaction was, "Jeese, I haven't been playing that long but I AM beyond the 2-chord stage!". But when I looked at it I found it to be full of great stuff. Great songs from the American song-book (rock, blues, gospel, folk) with great notes/tips on each song (authors, players, recording history and musical particulars) and 4 cd's covering all the songs. Also good general info on basic music theory music with encouragement to 'play and have fun and don't sweat the details' for the new player. The book was designed by Reid as an encouragement for people to take music into their own hands and have fun playing and singing, to keep music from becoming another spectator sport.
A Merry and musical Christmas to you all - sing some carols! :DR
Ted C.