Customer Reviews

Avenue Q - The Musical (Piano/Vocal arrangement)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This score, from "Avenue Q", a show described as a combination of "South Park" and Sesame Street", is truly excellent. Be warned--the performers on the CD and in the show may make it seem simple, but some of the songs are hard to play. Believe it or not.

This reduction for voice/piano/guitar is pretty good---it would have been better if they had used an arrangement for vocal line with piano accompaniment. Incorparating the vocal line into the accompaniment works for some of the songs, but the quality of most of the songs is hurt by it. Nonetheless, this score is very playable (although sometimes hard to play) and contains many great songs for recreational use or performances and auditions.

This book contains every song from the show and not one note has been cut (although not all dialouge said in the songs is included). The certain gem of the score is "There's a fine, fine line" the "folk rock" ballad that ends the first act. Simple and melodic, it certainly steals the show. "If you were gay," "Purpose," the "Manilowesque---"Fantasies Come True," and "The More you Ruv someone" are all uniquely composed with a different style in mind. Also very melodic and enjoyable. The upbeat and very similar "It Sucks to Be Me," "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," and "For Now" are also delightful highlights.

Hilarious, witty songs are contained in this collection. You would be wise to purchase the CD for inspiration on how to perform these songs, if you haven't already. You definately should also see the musical anytime you're in New York for a fun-filled evening or afternoon.

If you haven't seen the show, go and do it. If you have, well done.

What many piano arrangements for recent Broadway musicals nowadays such as Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Spamalot have in their respective arrangements is a lack of a challenging score to play, though it may sound easy, and how oftentimes, they composer tries to alter the original score into something more adaptive for the public. Although this may sound like a good idea, it really isn't, because as soon as you play it based on the arrangement or sing it, you quickly realize it's not as good as the original, which is what everyone wants, right?

The Avenue Q Piano arrangement, however, keeps all the songs in their original context, letting everyone emulate the classic songs the way they're supposed to be sang. No one wants to sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked without the chorus back-up or Glinda singing in every now and then, right? Avenue Q gives you the score straight from the source, without awkwardly messing up the original greatness of the music. A must-buy.

If you loved the show and you play the piano, this is a must-buy.
These 'reductions' or arrangements, for the most part, faithfully recreate the very colorful songs of the musical.
Songs like "It Sucks To Be Me" and "For Now", along with the theme song, are very similar, and bookend the show playfully.
"If You Were Gay" is great fun to play; the arrangement lies nicely under your fingers...
Many, many of the other songs are also a joy to play, sound good, and are of intermediate level, I'd say.
Bottom line: if you're thinking about getting this, do so. It's a no-brainer.

I bought this book because the other Avenue Q book I have was only the "Vocal Selections" and it was missing several songs. This songbook has every song from the Broadway Cast Album, with the exception of "School For Monsters/Money Song (Reprise)" and "There's A Fine Fine Line (Reprise)/What Do You Do With A B.A. In English? (Reprise)". Other than that, every song is here.

This book, unlike my other Vocal Selections book incorporates the melody into the right hand, but it can be easily removed to make room for vocalists if needbe.

The best songs to play/sing in this book are "Schadenfreude", "There's A Fine Fine Line", "It Sucks To Be Me", and "Fantasies Come True". At least, that's what I think. To each his own.

I am musical theater singer who loves to buy sheet music and sing through all the songs I love. This past year I have purchased Avenue Q, Wicked,The boy from Oz, and Assasins on sheet music. Unfortunately I am an intermediate pianist, so I often find myself player the right hand melody line and adding in as much of the left as I can. All these new musicals have such difficult keys, and they change constantly throughout the songs.
I can also recommend "Voice Lessons To Go" by Vaccarino. They are voice lessons on CD. They have saved me a ton of money in voice lessons. I may need the money for some more piano lessons to play these scores!

Based on the product description and the many comments, I was led to believe that this was the musical score of the musical. Upon receiving it, I made the discovery it was only the script and lyrics. A definite let-down. I'm not sure where the other reviews are basing their "very good reduction" etc etc comments, as it is most definitely NOT this product.

A perfectly fine product, I just mistakenly ordered it accidentally thinking it was the sheet music and thus had to return it - entirely my fault.

I can't believe that this book has all the songs from the show!!!! This is the first vocal selections book I've seen that has all the songs. You will definitely enjoy singing/playing through this one!

This is quite a comprehensive book of "selections"...I feel that you could almost perform a revue of the show just using this book! (Just kidding, don't try it or they'll throw you in the Pit of Copyright Infringement!) In addition, delivery was prompt and the book was in very fine condition (looked new).

I am most pleased with this book because of the very detailed arrangement. Although the melody is written in the Treble Clef, the music survives arrangement very well. The chords are accurate, and in my case, difficult to play, but all the songs are included. But the most surprising thing about this book is that it includes all the vocal harmonies as well. Currently I am learning how to better play the music (it is NOT for beginners) and I'm sure I will appreciate the score when I can play it more effectively. This was a very good buy.