While there are some good seth rigg’s based exercises in the book, Mr. Love’s understanding of physiology is way off base. This is especially true when he discusses the “zipper” (vocal fold dampening). He attributes it to phlegm (yuck!) and shows total ignorance that the folds damp to to a lack of elasticity after they have first of all lengthened (due to increased cricothyroid involvement).
His description of vibrato is also way off. The events he desribes where he makes the analogy of the secondary vibration being similar to the rippling effect caused by blowing air across the surface of a sheet of paper is ridiculous. If that is analagous to anything in the production of voice it is the mucosal wave which is present in all phonation (unless a stiff spot, or lesion exists) regardless of a lack or presence of vibrato. He attributes this to the Bernoulli effect. This is also way off. The Bernoulli effect is an important part of the myloelastic aerodynamic principle of voice production, but it involves the constriction in the glottis when the folds are in the closing phase of the vocal cycle. This creates negative pressure as air passes through them which sucks the folds together.
Mr. Love may be an ok teacher but as a pedagogue he comes up way short.
Rating: 2 / 5
My best friend who is a worship leader at Calvary Chapel East Anaheim recommended this book. I knew my voice was not that great. I wasn’t looking to sing, but rather to develop a better speaking voice. I was convinced I would be wasting my time and this book would be a waste of money. I was wrong! The techniques Roger Love guides the reader through really work and I am seeing, or rather hearing, results. Admittedly, he uses a lot of testimonials about past success stories before he starts in with the techniques, but if you are faithful to do the exercises and practice (along with using the CD), you will hear the results and be more confident with your voice. But, like anything, it takes practice and dedication. Very helpful book.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this book because I am an adult beginner in playing music and the wonderful reviews it has. I was disappointed. The book reads much like a textbook, it is very informative and gives a lot of great facts. But don’t expect to be inspired by it. It is a great resource book for me, but I was looking for a little more joy and enthusiasm on the subject of music.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is very well written. It covers all the questions you have when starting to play an instrument as an adult. It also has motivational quotes and words of wisdom that you will want to read again and again. My piano teacher lent it to me, and I was so impressed I ordered my own copy.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is a fantastic resource for amateur musicians of all levels. The quotes and anecdotes are absolutely charming. I bought it about 10 yars ago when it was new: I loved it then and I love it now! Every time I pick it up I find something new. I was thrilled to see it is still available as I hadn’t seen it in the stores for years.
Rating: 5 / 5
Want to be inspired and motivated to go for it–taking up an instrument or starting again in adult life? This book will provide just that, as well as source to turn back to once embarked.
So vital is the section on finding and evaluating a teacher. They can make or break it. The suggestions here are right on and will provide the filter needed to protect against angst of teacher abuse.
Permeating it all is this theme of personal joy. What a treasure this is and to be realized at one’s own pace and approach, however, this will provide some other ideas for pursuit such as ensemble and other group possibilities.
Rating: 5 / 5
“Banjo for Dummies” is by far the best banjo-tudoring instruction manual that I have viewed for teaching banjo playing. It is very clear and easy to follow. It is my opinion that this is an excellent product and a great teaching tool! Thank you.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book returns us to the basic reason why we make music: joy. The author reassures us that, no matter what level you’re at, there is much to enjoy in making music. Importantly, she assures us all that it’s okay to be an ameteur, semi-pro, or pro because the world needs them all. She also states that music-making is for everyone, not just the musically gifted and talented. This is a wonderfully encouraging book for anyone who is on the path to learning music.
Rating: 5 / 5
EXCELLANT CHOICE FOR A NEW “PICKER”. SHOWS HOW TO PICK SCRUGGS STYLE AND CLAWHAMMER. STARTS SLOW AND EASY FOR THE BEGINNER AND MOVES INTO ADVANCED PICKING. REALLY WORTH THE MONEY TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a decent book for beginners or intermediates. I found I learned more though from the Murphy Henry Dvd’s and Ross Nickerson’s Banjo Encyclopedia. I didn’t like the “for Dummies” format. It was a little to bland for me. If I was a beginner, I’d get the other two ones I recommened.
Rating: 2 / 5
A mine of information about how reggae music rose and developed from ska through roots, up to its decline in the early 80’s. Does not cover subsequent evolution to dancehall. Somehow hard to follow for not-English-born readers.
Rating: 3 / 5
Lots about the banjo but not a lot of tunes to learn. Really basic stuff for players but probably good stuff for someone about to buy a first banjo or consider taking up the banjo. I would have liked to see more tabs, particularly old time styles.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is packed with all kinds of useful information and I recommend it for anyone new to the banjo. It is also useful to those of us with a longer history with this great instrument.
Rating: 4 / 5
Great read about the history of reggae music. I learned a lot and ended up with a lot more reggae albums after reading some really cool stuff. However…his viewpoint on Marleys later Island work is sort of like reading a Yankees book written by a Red Sox fan….the guy seems to have some issues….however he does it justice by allowing Danny Simms to have the final say on Bob’s behalf.
If you like Reggae and want to learn more about the culture and history other than Bob Marley then buy it.
Rating: 4 / 5
If you are a reggae fan, this is a must read. I was unaware of the re-titling of the book, but that said, it is still a great book. As a white guitar player who joined a roots type reggae band a few years ago, (sadly the band is no more) I thought I would educate myself about the music and history. I did myself right with this book. I found I knew more about the music and culture than many of my “Rasta” friends after reading this. I loved the 50’s and 60’s chapters regarding Buster, Tubby, and the Skatalites with the great Ernest Ranglin. The DJ culture. Thoroughly enjoyed all the 70’s stuff too; hearing about Scratch Perry and the stories of the Black Ark was gold. And the British side with Steel Pulse, and all the influence of Jamaica on the Brit rock scene, etc, etc. The Marley info was good as well, as mostly 1 chapter. No disrespect to Bob, but it is certainly true that Jamaica’s music and culture was very rich before him. Nice stories of the early days of the Wailers too. My reggae world is definitely more complete after reading this. Buy the book!
Rating: 5 / 5
Terrível a mudança de capa e de título. Como “Bass Culure” tem o mesmo texto comprei essa versão americana mesmo. O livro é escrito em inglês britânico informal, o que torna bem difícil de ler.
Não se trata de um livro sobre reggae apenas, mas sobre a “história social da música jamaicana”. Não é um livro didático que te ensina o que ouvir, quem fez, etc… Vc vai aproveitar bem mais se conhece Reggae bem e está querendo se aprofundar na “cultura”. Acho que a parte sobre a música em si não é tão boa quanto o lado do povo jamaicano, etc…
Valeu a pena ler, mas não era o que estava procurando.
Rating: 3 / 5
A wonderful book which not only traces the history of reggae but delves into the fascinating and unique Jamaican culture as well, a big thumbs up!
Rating: 5 / 5
While there are some good seth rigg’s based exercises in the book, Mr. Love’s understanding of physiology is way off base. This is especially true when he discusses the “zipper” (vocal fold dampening). He attributes it to phlegm (yuck!) and shows total ignorance that the folds damp to to a lack of elasticity after they have first of all lengthened (due to increased cricothyroid involvement).
His description of vibrato is also way off. The events he desribes where he makes the analogy of the secondary vibration being similar to the rippling effect caused by blowing air across the surface of a sheet of paper is ridiculous. If that is analagous to anything in the production of voice it is the mucosal wave which is present in all phonation (unless a stiff spot, or lesion exists) regardless of a lack or presence of vibrato. He attributes this to the Bernoulli effect. This is also way off. The Bernoulli effect is an important part of the myloelastic aerodynamic principle of voice production, but it involves the constriction in the glottis when the folds are in the closing phase of the vocal cycle. This creates negative pressure as air passes through them which sucks the folds together.
Mr. Love may be an ok teacher but as a pedagogue he comes up way short.
Rating: 2 / 5
My best friend who is a worship leader at Calvary Chapel East Anaheim recommended this book. I knew my voice was not that great. I wasn’t looking to sing, but rather to develop a better speaking voice. I was convinced I would be wasting my time and this book would be a waste of money. I was wrong! The techniques Roger Love guides the reader through really work and I am seeing, or rather hearing, results. Admittedly, he uses a lot of testimonials about past success stories before he starts in with the techniques, but if you are faithful to do the exercises and practice (along with using the CD), you will hear the results and be more confident with your voice. But, like anything, it takes practice and dedication. Very helpful book.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this book because I am an adult beginner in playing music and the wonderful reviews it has. I was disappointed. The book reads much like a textbook, it is very informative and gives a lot of great facts. But don’t expect to be inspired by it. It is a great resource book for me, but I was looking for a little more joy and enthusiasm on the subject of music.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is very well written. It covers all the questions you have when starting to play an instrument as an adult. It also has motivational quotes and words of wisdom that you will want to read again and again. My piano teacher lent it to me, and I was so impressed I ordered my own copy.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is a fantastic resource for amateur musicians of all levels. The quotes and anecdotes are absolutely charming. I bought it about 10 yars ago when it was new: I loved it then and I love it now! Every time I pick it up I find something new. I was thrilled to see it is still available as I hadn’t seen it in the stores for years.
Rating: 5 / 5
Want to be inspired and motivated to go for it–taking up an instrument or starting again in adult life? This book will provide just that, as well as source to turn back to once embarked.
So vital is the section on finding and evaluating a teacher. They can make or break it. The suggestions here are right on and will provide the filter needed to protect against angst of teacher abuse.
Permeating it all is this theme of personal joy. What a treasure this is and to be realized at one’s own pace and approach, however, this will provide some other ideas for pursuit such as ensemble and other group possibilities.
Rating: 5 / 5
“Banjo for Dummies” is by far the best banjo-tudoring instruction manual that I have viewed for teaching banjo playing. It is very clear and easy to follow. It is my opinion that this is an excellent product and a great teaching tool! Thank you.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book returns us to the basic reason why we make music: joy. The author reassures us that, no matter what level you’re at, there is much to enjoy in making music. Importantly, she assures us all that it’s okay to be an ameteur, semi-pro, or pro because the world needs them all. She also states that music-making is for everyone, not just the musically gifted and talented. This is a wonderfully encouraging book for anyone who is on the path to learning music.
Rating: 5 / 5
EXCELLANT CHOICE FOR A NEW “PICKER”. SHOWS HOW TO PICK SCRUGGS STYLE AND CLAWHAMMER. STARTS SLOW AND EASY FOR THE BEGINNER AND MOVES INTO ADVANCED PICKING. REALLY WORTH THE MONEY TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a decent book for beginners or intermediates. I found I learned more though from the Murphy Henry Dvd’s and Ross Nickerson’s Banjo Encyclopedia. I didn’t like the “for Dummies” format. It was a little to bland for me. If I was a beginner, I’d get the other two ones I recommened.
Rating: 2 / 5
A mine of information about how reggae music rose and developed from ska through roots, up to its decline in the early 80’s. Does not cover subsequent evolution to dancehall. Somehow hard to follow for not-English-born readers.
Rating: 3 / 5
Lots about the banjo but not a lot of tunes to learn. Really basic stuff for players but probably good stuff for someone about to buy a first banjo or consider taking up the banjo. I would have liked to see more tabs, particularly old time styles.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is packed with all kinds of useful information and I recommend it for anyone new to the banjo. It is also useful to those of us with a longer history with this great instrument.
Rating: 4 / 5
Great read about the history of reggae music. I learned a lot and ended up with a lot more reggae albums after reading some really cool stuff. However…his viewpoint on Marleys later Island work is sort of like reading a Yankees book written by a Red Sox fan….the guy seems to have some issues….however he does it justice by allowing Danny Simms to have the final say on Bob’s behalf.
If you like Reggae and want to learn more about the culture and history other than Bob Marley then buy it.
Rating: 4 / 5
If you are a reggae fan, this is a must read. I was unaware of the re-titling of the book, but that said, it is still a great book. As a white guitar player who joined a roots type reggae band a few years ago, (sadly the band is no more) I thought I would educate myself about the music and history. I did myself right with this book. I found I knew more about the music and culture than many of my “Rasta” friends after reading this. I loved the 50’s and 60’s chapters regarding Buster, Tubby, and the Skatalites with the great Ernest Ranglin. The DJ culture. Thoroughly enjoyed all the 70’s stuff too; hearing about Scratch Perry and the stories of the Black Ark was gold. And the British side with Steel Pulse, and all the influence of Jamaica on the Brit rock scene, etc, etc. The Marley info was good as well, as mostly 1 chapter. No disrespect to Bob, but it is certainly true that Jamaica’s music and culture was very rich before him. Nice stories of the early days of the Wailers too. My reggae world is definitely more complete after reading this. Buy the book!
Rating: 5 / 5
Terrível a mudança de capa e de título. Como “Bass Culure” tem o mesmo texto comprei essa versão americana mesmo. O livro é escrito em inglês britânico informal, o que torna bem difícil de ler.
Não se trata de um livro sobre reggae apenas, mas sobre a “história social da música jamaicana”. Não é um livro didático que te ensina o que ouvir, quem fez, etc… Vc vai aproveitar bem mais se conhece Reggae bem e está querendo se aprofundar na “cultura”. Acho que a parte sobre a música em si não é tão boa quanto o lado do povo jamaicano, etc…
Valeu a pena ler, mas não era o que estava procurando.
Rating: 3 / 5
A wonderful book which not only traces the history of reggae but delves into the fascinating and unique Jamaican culture as well, a big thumbs up!
Rating: 5 / 5