Mel Bay Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist [Paperback]

Gail Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

The Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist is a valuable aid for those wishing to create continuity between pieces in different keys. Its one-measure progressions lead smoothly from one key to another. A brief introductory section presents modulations to and from the key of C major. The four main sections that follow cover: Every Major Key to Each Major Key, Every Key to Each Minor Key, Every Minor Key to Each Minor Key, and Every Minor Key to Each Major Key. Each section is arranged in accordance with the circle of fifths. The modulations presented in this book vary in style and may be adapted for use in many situations. This is a unique book which is a must for any keyboard accompanist's library.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gail Smith was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on January 26, 1943. Gail's father, Carl Erick Johnson, sang tenor in the church choir. Her mother, Ethel, played the piano and had Gail start piano lessons. Smith received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Florida Atlantic University. She has taught piano students from the age of 3 to 96! Her blind student, Ivan, was seen on national TV. Giving musical lecture recitals by portraying the composer's wife has been an effective way to reach audiences with the history of music. Gail has portrayed Marian MacDowell and Anna Magdalena Bach. She gives many workshops and concerts throughout the United States as well as in Germany and Japan. Smith's life has revolved around her family, church and music. She was the pianist of the famed Coral Ridge Presbyterian church for many years. She has been active in many organizations including being national Music Chairman of the National League of American Pen Women and is a former president of the Broward County branch. Ms. Smith is also a member of The Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, National Music Teachers Association, and Federation of Music Clubs. Ms. Smith's works include many piano solos, choral works, a piano trio, a composition for four pianos and numerous vocal solos. She has arranged hundreds of hymns, Indian melodies, and folk tunes from many countries. Her trademark is her piano palindromes, which can be played backwards as well as forwards and sound the same.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786602856
• ISBN-13: 978-0786602858
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just Examples. No text., September 10, 2007

By 

Enrique MV (Bolivia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist (Paperback)

I will actually give a 3.5. I'm an intermediate to late advanced player. This book covers all examples for modulations (going from one given Key to a different one).

The book is divided in four sections: a) from every major key to every major key b) every major key to every minor key c) every minor Key to every minor Key d) Every minor Key to every Major Key. Each section has 12 examples for each of the 12 keys.

However, the book lacks any kind of explanation for the student to understand how to approach a modulation or how they work. Just examples. No text at all.

Although a good previous knowledge of harmony and function of chords can provide the reader with the tools for figuring it out, this should be notice when buying it from the net. Another thing that rested points to this book is the fact that many examples are repetitions of other ones just in a different Key. Maybe it could have given different examples of modulating in consideration of the lack of text in the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Complete waste of paper and ink., October 7, 2010

By 

Drew Worthen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist (Paperback)

Undoubtedly these modulations "work" but they are COMPLETELY juvenile. What's more, is that if you understand a TINY bit of theory, you can create modulations exponentially better than these. Aside from this, all of the modulations are exactly the same in each section, just transposed. And while this is obviously the easy way out, it begs questioning why a book like this must even exist if the modulations lack any sort of creativity.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tool, November 9, 2011

By 

Margaret A. Jessop "ezemom" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist (Paperback)

This is a must for church musicians who do not have the skill to modulate to different keys between hymns and praise songs. This book makes life much easier.