Mel Bay Easy Klezmer Tunes [Paperback]

Stacy Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

In response to many requests for a simplified version of his highly acclaimed "Klezmer Collection", Stacy Phillips has compiled a selection of pieces for beginning instrumentalists from that classic book. Klezmer music originally came from the Jewish ghettoes of Eastern Europe of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The style reflects its mix of heritages from Europe, Near East and Gypsy. These arrangements are based on some of the earliest classic recordings in Europe and America. As such, they are a great introduction to this music which is now a world-wide phenomenon. Each number is arranged for C, Bb, Eb and bass clef instruments. Brass, reed, piano, flute, and string players can receive instant gratification from these entry level arrangements. The accompanying CD demonstrates ensemble versions of all the music, performed at slow tempos, by world class Klezmer artists on clarinet, violin, guitar and bass.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stacy Phillips is a recognized authority on the subject of the resophonic guitar's history, players, and literature. Through his numerous workshops and Mel Bay Publications books, he has done much to educate novice players of this instrument, playing a central role in its resurgence in popularity. He has published twenty books on various aspects of Dobro® and fiddle playing that are acknowledged as the standards in their fields. He has undertook the major musicological project of researching and bringing to light the delightfully spirited Klezmer tradition. Stacy currently tours with the "Stacy Phillips Duet." He has two solo albums and has performed and/or recorded with Peter Rowan, Leon Redbone, Dave Brombert, Mark O'Connor, and Bela Fleck.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786670525
• ISBN-13: 978-0786670529
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,003,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Klezmer Music, July 20, 2010

By 

JanG - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mel Bay Easy Klezmer Tunes (Paperback)

Although this book is written primarily for violin, flute, and other "one line melody" instruments (a clarinet and tuba would be helpful), several of my family members and I have used it to play some really fun music with an odd assortment of instruments. Even though there is no keyboard in Klezmer music, I have been able to adapt a piano or electric keyboard to play either rhythm or melody without it sounding "weird". We have a violinist, cellist, and guitar player, the last three being fairly inexperienced musicians. But with the CD to play along with and the wonderful, joyful assortment of relatively easy pieces, we have actually made some fairly good music and worked out some very interesting arrangements using each of the instruments we have. It's a lot of work to learn the rather complicated rhythms and melody lines, but it's well worth it for the fun you have. I highly recommend it for groups or individuals who are seeking to play something a little more out of the ordinary.