Flute (Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides) [Paperback]

James Galway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003 | Series: Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides

An immensely important series of books, each one on a different instrument or group of instruments within the 'orchestral' family. Yehudi Menuhin was the general editor of the series originally launched in the 1970s. Every contribution is by an acknowledged master of his chosen instrument. The series is aimed at music students of all ages, amateur musicians, music teachers and all readers actively committed to music. It is the unique merit of the series that each book represents the individual view of its author (within an accepted framework) and, since each contributor is a musician of outstanding talent as well as an expert in his or her particular field, this approach gives the music guides their character and validity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kahn & Averill Publishers (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1871082137
• ISBN-13: 978-1871082135
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Mr. Galway, February 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Flute (Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides) (Paperback)

James Galway is an amazing musician, and this is a wonderful book. He has insitlled in me a deeper appreciation for the instrument itself. From history to techinque, every page encourages the reader to strive for nothing less than absolute beauty in creating music. While many professional musicians have a way of intimidating, Mr. Galway's approach is to build up one's ability and confidence. Although at this time I am an intermediate player at best, Mr. Galway's wit, humor, knowledge, and love of the flute will help me grow as a musician.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book for every flutist!, August 11, 2005

By 

Kleine Laura (Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flute: Yehudi Menhin Music Guides (Yehudi Menuhin music guides) (Hardcover)

This is one of the best well-rounded books about the flute I have ever read! As an amateur flutist and flute teacher, I am always looking for new ideas and fresh perspectives to enrich my own playing and that of my students. James Galway does that. His easy-reading style has enough information to satisfy the knowledge-hungry without overwhelming the novice. I love it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Galway plays the quintessential mentor here imparting and inspiring joy & excellence in flute playing., December 22, 2011

By 

Agogo (Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flute (Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides) (Paperback)

This is not just another flute book - it is A GEM THAT INSPIRES JOY & EXCELLENCE IN FLUTE PLAYING and the approach on how to get there. AND THEN, it's not just about playing the flute but MAKING IT SING. His insight into the beauty of musical interpretation is priceless. Galway is like a bubbling brook here, he chats us through this treatise on the flute with his usual charisma and gives us his insights on just about every topic around the instrument. (Including making the first tone.) Akin a very knowledgeable uncle or professor imparting & inspiring the next generation of players. A nice to have on every flutist bookshelf. First edition 1982. Last paperback edition 2003. Note however that there has been no change in the content and all editions to date is identical to the original one.

Twenty-one of 22 chapters from the original edition remain relevant and the same today, only Chapter 22 titled "The Flute Today and Tomorrow" needs a good update on the ever-evolving hardware (new flute designs, Bennett scale etc) and modern flute playing techniques that have surfaced in the last 2 decades. Hence if you don't mind that bit being a little "dated", you will do well to consider a second hand book - which is what I did for $5 plus shipping (compared to $46-%50 full price hardcover and $20 paperback)

I have so many flute books already, but having borrowed a copy (1982 edition) from the local Library, I still had to have this - which I bought eventually. However, I place this 3rd on the list of must haves to both of Trevor Wye's Flute Practice Omnibus and Proper Flute Playing books.

A newer edition akin to this book would have to be Nancy Toff's upcoming 2012 edition of The Flute Book (available on advance order from amazon.com). Toff's book take on a more instructional, informative mode whilst Galway's is akin an intimate fireside chat between friends - if you are a Galway fan, well...then this book will have to do.

[Bought mine second hand through this section but was fortunate enough to score a pristine hardcopy instead. no complaints at all as I much prefer the hardcopy version. Second hand also yields like fruit but at a fraction of the cost)