Customer Reviews

Best Loved Songs of the American People

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This book manages to touch on many levels. Whether you are a beginner looking for some not-so-intimidating arrangements of all-time favorites that don't sound over-simplified, or an occassional player looking for some easy-to-sight-read standards that have a full sound, or an accomplished player wanting a comprehensive collection of American favorites, this books is it. I got my first copy, a hard-cover edition probably 20 years ago. I used it constantly and eventually the book had no front cover... then no back cover. It was shot, but much loved! Then one day I saw the new paperback version "flat-lay" bound and flipped!! Of course I snatched it up immediately, and it remains my favorite book to turn to when I want to sit down and play "songs people know" for fun. I am a piano teacher and have used this book with some students, who also love it.

OK, so your friends roll their eyes when you break out into a tap dance, feigning your best Jimmy Cagney impression to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy. But if George M. Cohen and Whistling Dixie are right up your alley, then you are in some rare luck with this hard-to-find gem. This book features the sheet music from all the famous American composers and Broadway musicals. I have been playing the music from this book since the age of 10 or so, so 17 years and two copies later, I'm eager to return to the classics. They're all here: Bicycle Built for Two, Man on the Flying Trapeze, Buffalo Gals, Bird in a Guilded Cage, Shenandoah, On the Sidewalks of New York, and my Scottish grandfather's favourite, In the Gloaming. So take it from a showtune fanatic--this book is a great collector's item!

I have used this book for several years. It has a great variery of music and makes an excellent source for teaching.

To be sure, this collection of tunes is appropriately named. We have been using a 30-year-old hardbound edition and it is nearly worn out. My wife's mom and dad love it as well so we replaced our old copy with a spiral-bound edition and also found one for her mom. Many of the old hits from the civil war through WWII are included as well as popular period hits all arranged for the less accomplished pianist. Very easy to play. This is a must have book for those who appreciate musical history and Americana.

Terrific collection of sheet music. Beautiful condition, the spiral binding makes it easy to use, and the price is terrific, too.

This is a wonderful book for those who like American music. The music is organized in groups according to when it was popular. Some music that was written much earlier is grouped in later areas when it became extremely well known. I have sung and played many of the songs in the book. The arrangements are simple enough for most people to be able to play them but the arrangements can be elaborated on for those with greater musical skills. I was thrilled to discover some of the music in the book that I didn't realize was there when I purchased it. It has brought me hours of joy already and I am sure it will bring many more. It is a wonderful book of music.