Customer Reviews

Marsalis on Music

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I can't recommend these DVDs enough. Wynton Marsalis communicates the fundamentals of jazz using illustrations from everyday life (playing basketball, etc.) in a compelling, visually interesting way. His use of famous contemporary musicians (including gifted children) makes the lessons more inspiring, as do the artistic backdrops and illustrations. Simple enough for beginners, but complex enough to keep intermediate students interested, these lessons appeal to both children and adults. Each of the four DVD's ("Why Toes Tap" [rhythm], "Listening for Clues" [form], "Sousa to Satchmo" [the jazz band], and "Tackling the Monster" [on practice]) may be purchased separately, though, so consider that when purchasing. The price is high for the set, which is why I rated this with 4 stars, but I know of nothing else that communicates these ideas as concisely and as down-to-earth in such a fun way. This would be a good addition to a school media library, or a homeschool co-op.

I really like this series. It is great for use in the music classroom as a launching point for discussion into a wide variety of topics. It is well designed for use in the middle school. I think most would try to use it as material for a day when they were going to be absent, but it easy to create worksheets or discussion questions with the videos with a pre-viewing of the videos.

As a freshman in college, I remember setting my alarm for Saturday mornings so I could be sure to watch this as it was airing on PBS! I'm not a musician, but I loved the intelligent and intelligible way that he taught the basics of music. Our VHS set is in tatters, so I'm glad to see that it is finally available on DVD!

I can not express how important the Wynton Marsalis series "Marsalis On Music" is for the serious music student and and extreme pleasure for all music lovers. I wish I had these tools when I was a
Trumpet student as a kid. It is inspiring and opens young musicians eyes, ears and minds to all kinds of music, every kind of music has roots well demonstrated in the "Marsalis On Music" series.
This is a four part DVD: Part 1 titled "RHYTHM. Part 2 titled "FORM". Part 3 titled "From Sousa To Satchmo". Part 4 tiled " Tackling The Monster - Practice".
You will see and hear young musicians playing like professionals that is inspiring to music students whether their instrument is Brass, Guitar, Drums, Voice and all others. You will also
be given insights from Wynton Marsalis' jazz orchestra and some fine music from New Orleans.
This four DVD set is an excellent gift. You will hear new things every time you watch it.
Wynton Marsalis is one of the greatest musicians in the world and he shares his talent, experience, and knowledge like I have never seen or heard before on DVD.

I have been using the Marsalis on Music videos in my classrooms since they were released.
I still learn something new each time I show/watch them!
These are a great supplement to any teacher's curriculum.
They are also enjoyable, for those who want to learn more about music or just listen to good music.

If you like music, or want to give a great gift to someone who does... or as a learning tool for young music appreciation - GET THIS VIDEO SET!

Marsalis and his cast do a fantastic job going through MANY styles of music and helping explain how it works, how they are put together (especially the 12 bar blues), and how to listen to and appreciate it.

I saw this when it aired on PBS, and had to track it down and own it for watching over, and showing to my children as they learn about music - to broaden their horizons and appreciation of other music forms.

It's the best primer I know of to introduce a love of music, as well as a good understanding of the forms music takes to any interested viewer/listener.

This will be understood by ages 6-96.

For non-musicians, music sometimes seems to be a "mysterious" and sometimes "magical" world. Wynton Marsalis presents music in a way that even children can understand (which is obviously his intent). Wynton has a knack of speaking plainly, yet he presents the material with integrity and with innovative creativity.

This DVD set is worth every penny I paid for it and should be considered a "Must Watch" for all school children, all people wanting to learn about music and for all musicians.

Well done Wynton Marsalis. You have taken your place amongst all of the greatest Music Educators of all time.

The one-star rating does not apply to the content -- it is being given for this particular production (the Devine Entertainment 4-DVD set). I've just put on the first DVD and was forced to watch a 1:30 commercial for Devine Entertainment before the first episode of he content. Unlike most DVDs that open with previews and such this set disabled "menu", "skip" and "fast forward" during this opening commercial, making it impossible to skip. This is unacceptable and if I'd know about it ahead of time I would have bought the other set.

Avoid the Devine Entertainment version of this DVD set.

I watched this on a cable channel a while ago, and I was so glad to finally see this on DVD (it was only available on VHS), I read the review of the other same title DVD and I decided to get this because this one seemed not to have the 1:30 Devine comercial, to my bad luck the person who shipped my product from amazon apparently didn't have a clue of this and sent me the Devine (cheaper) one and I paid the price for this one :-( I don't even know if I could something about it.

Wynton Marsalis is the best by the way. Thank you Wynton for this great series. One recommendation for the future in DVD, the one on Duke Ellington, I think it was called "In Duke we trust" or something like that.