The First Book of Baritone/Bass Solos [Paperback]

Hal Leonard Corp. (Creator), Joan Frey Boytim (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1991

This is among the most widely used teaching repertoire for singers in the U.S. Over 30 songs in each book, including American and British art songs, folk song arrangements, sacred songs and a sampling of beginning songs in German, Italian, Spanish and French. There is a completely different song selection for each voice type.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation has become the worlds largest print music publisher, representing some of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time. We are proud to publish titles of interest to all musicians as well as music lovers, from songbooks and instructional titles to artist biographies and instrument price guides to books about the music industry and all the performing arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc. (May 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793503671
• ISBN-13: 978-0793503674
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS REVIEW!!!!, April 4, 2004

By 

Brian Witkowski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Book of Baritone/Bass Solos (Paperback)

This is an outstanding collection of songs for the young baritone or bass singer. Joan Frey Boytim has excellently compiled many songs in many styles from many different historical eras, all of which make a great learning experience.

In response to the reviews above, the CD is not supposed to play the vocal part or have someone sing it. It is meant to play just the piano accompaniment so that you have something to practice your own vocal part with. It is an excellent tool toward vocal independence.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obviously not intended for the amateur singer, January 1, 2006

By 

A. Fondacaro "NiaTonyF" (Silverdale, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Book of Baritone/Bass Solos (Paperback)

This book and others like it (First Book of Tenor Solos, Soprano Solos, etc...) are not book intended to teach singing to people who have never had any professional training. The previous reviews of this book on Amazon have unfairly deemed this book as being too complicated for people who do not know how to read sheet music.

There are a wealth of resources for those who cannot read sheet music, or who do not intend to be professional singers. They should not buy this book, or any book in the series.

What this book is intended for is for singers who are already involved in professional vocal training or who intend to enter professional training. It requires that you be able to read music, which is like knowing how to walk for humans. It is intended to expand ones repertoire for auditions, and for possible gigs as a trained singer.

That being said, this is an excellent book to consider buying if you are a beginning bassist/baritone and need help finding songs to sing at auditions or recitals. The repertoire for bassists is limited in contrast with the wealth of arias and oratorios for tenors and sopranos (the "preferred" voice if you ask me). But Boytim does a very good job of going through the library of solos and finding ones that are basic enough to give one a chance to focus on pitch, intonation and rhythm, but challenging to an extent that you'll expand your range and be able to work on sight-reading.

Again, do not buy this book if you have never had any training in music or in singing because it is not intended for you. Also, do not malign this book because you bought it anyway and it is too complicated for you.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ..., December 8, 2005

By 

Diana Katra "Artemis" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Book of Baritone/Bass Solos (Paperback)

I agree with the rebuttals to the original review...the book is not marked "Very Basic Songs for the Beginner," it is rather assumed that the person has SOME musical experience, and the CD would provide accompaniment to aid in learning the piece. You do not have to be a 'professional singer' to plunk out the tune; everyone I know has found this book to be extremely useful, and it is worth the price.