Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') (Paperback)

~ Frank Zappa (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Exact note-for-note guitar transcriptions of ZappaÕs 1974 album that showcases his comic lunacy and guitar virtuosity with such favorites as "DonÕt Eat the Yellow Snow," "St. AlfonzoÕs Pancake Breakfast," and "Stinkfoot."

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634033212
• ISBN-13: 978-0634033216
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #654,585 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album and great transcriptions, May 20, 2004

By A Customer

This tab book is definately a must have for almost any gutarist (especially a Zappa fan). The songs here are actually great lessons, since by working through the songs you get lessons in vibrato,bends,tremolo picking, wah-wah, pretty much everything that a rock guitarist needs to pracitce and know. And even better this is like a chance to get a lesson with one of the best guitarists ever . True most people dont acknowledge it (including Frank himself) but "Zappa the guitarist" was a real virtuoso guitarist and there is so much to be learned from learning some of his songs. But some of the songs here are a little hard to play, let alone "master". Which is why this is meant for "intermidate" to "advanced" guitarists. (I've been playing about six years and still stumbled on a few songs!!)

Now tab wise the book is %100 accurate. (At least as far as I can tell). Plus the tabs are super easy to read. If you have ever read a tab from " guitar world" or any other tab books you wont have any trouble here. Theres even a section that explains the symbols used. Also like mentioned every song is transcribed note for note solo for solo. It even includes horn lines, piano parts, and marimba lines arranged for guitar.

My only problems with the book are that they probably could have thrown in a few more pictures and done more detailed descriptions about how Frank got some of his guitar tones for Apostrophe. Instead of the usual "w/distortion", "w/wah-wah", or "w/delay". That and the guy that transcribed Apostrophe, Andy Aledort really should keeping going. Think of all the great Zappa albums he could tab... Zoot Allures (especially "Black Napkins") Bongo Fury ( espcially "Muffin Man") Overnite Sensation, Joe's Garage......

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have if you're a guitarist and Zappa fan, November 23, 2003

By	"beeohbeecrow" (USA) - See all my reviews

This is a very thorough book of transcriptions from the Apostrophe album. Every guitar and vocal part from the album is included, and from what I can tell, the transcriptions are right on the money.
If you enjoy learning Zappa music on guitar, you probably like to try the non-guitar parts too. This book includes tons of marimba lines, and lots of the more prominent keyboard and horn parts too, all in both standard notation and guitar tablature. Last but not least, Jack Bruce's bass part on the title track is in here as well, solo and all. While there are Zappa albums I enjoy more than Apostrophe, there is a ton to learn from studying any of Zappa's guitar music. And this collection provides lots of of challenging, fun music to learn - I'm knee-deep in the interlude from "St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast" as we speak. Man, Zappa's music really is amazing! Now if we could just get a similar book for One Size Fits All or Joe's Garage...