Customer Reviews

The Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook

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2 star:		(1)
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This is probably the finest highest quality collection of Christmas songs for Americans on the market. It is said to be "hardcover", but is spiral bound with a "hard" outerlayer and is printed on quality paper. There is also included a separate lyric book for sing-a-long with accompaniment. It contains 110 songs arranged for intermediate piano and also has plenty of notations for organ pedal and guitar chords. The songs range from traditional to modern (Adeste Fideles to Winter Wonderland and Silver Bells, for example) and there are a number of suprise favorites (Chestnuts Roasting, Friendly Beasts). Almost every tune is on adjacent pages so there is no page turning problem. Color coding makes lyrics stand out. Lyricists, composers and origin are clearly identified. You might find as I have that it is already a cherished family heirloom.

I've had my Christmas Songbook for over a decade and I play it more every single year! This has to be the most comprehensive music book I've ever seen. The arrangements are so incredible ... you'll be sounding like a professional the first time you play them! The book has the most astounding arrangement of "The Christmas Song" (aka Chestnusts Roasting on an Open Fire) that I've ever heard. I look forward to Christmas every year just so I can play this music. I just purchased the Children's Songbook by Reader's Digest and I can't wait to get it home and try it out!

I am so happy I bought the Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook this year! The arrangements are not that difficult, yet they sound very satisfying and are fun to play. I think any second or third year piano student will have the skills needed to play anything in this book. It's great to have such a big collection in one book (110 songs!) so I don't have to switch around and search through other books and sheet music to find what everyone wants to sing. All of the standards are included as are a lot of hard-to-find favorites like "Blue Christmas" and "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth." I love the hardback/spiral bound edition which lays nicely flat on the piano. Also, most songs are on two facing pages so there's not a lot of page turning. One of the best features is the songbook you get with the lyrics -- this means I can pass out copies so everyone can sing without crowding over my shoulder to use the book I'm trying to play from. I just got this book two days ago and I've already spent tons of time at the piano just enjoying playing through the arrangements. Great book and a good value.

I am a piano teacher, and this is my favorite Christmas Songbook for intermediate players. I see on Amazon that there are sellers who are attempting to jack the price up of the older edition of this book. But the contents of the older edition are identical to the "new" Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook , with CD, which Amazon sells for around $19. Do not pay $63.90 for a $19 book.

I was first introduced to this songbook last Christmas, and over the holidays I immensely enjoyed playing from it. For a less experienced pianist, the songs might be more challenging, but as an advanced pianist, I enjoyed being able to play numerous songs without a lot of practice. The book has all the familiar carols, and almost any other carols and other Christmas pieces can be found in it. The arrangments were familiar and delightful to play, free from some of the rather wierd versions available. With the variety offered in this book, it is also suitable for recitals, church, parties, or anything at Christmas, and can be prepared with minimal work and much enjoyment. This book is a valuable addition to any collection.

This caroling book was exactly what I was looking for when I found it in the American Library in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1996. I love singing carols, but my husband, who is German, does not know the words nor the melodies to many of my favorite carols, and I hated to sing alone, and it seemed that an important part of Christmas was missing. Each section also has a few interesting stories on how some songs were first composed and the public's reaction when they first came out. And the lyric booklet in the back is good for someone who knows the tune, and just forgot some of the words. A great caroling book!

The Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook is by far the most comprehensive compilation of Christmas music I have found (and believe me, I've searched high and low for good Christmas collections!) The book contains almost every piece of Christmas music ever written... from classic carols to popular favorites to obscure and hard-to-find selections. Each piece contains piano and vocal parts as well as chords for guitar; arrangements are easy to play yet sound great. As an added bonus, each song includes a summary of its history, information about its composer, and other such information. Overall, the book is a must have for any musician who gets called upon to play or sing Christmas music or for anyone who just enjoys sitting around the piano with family and friends during the holiday season.

I have watched my children drag this book out each christmas for us to sing all the favorites for many, many years. I play guitar and it is great to have to chord helpers. This book will be in my family a long time and is a cherished momento. Even if you can't play but can hum a little you will love this book.

I am a public school band director and it is WONDERFUL to have this book as a resource for background information on the songs we play and sing for our Winter Concerts. It is a joy to share the history of each song before it is played on the concert. I have been searching for this book for a few years now and finally found it on Amazon.com! Thanks, Amazon!

This book is great for intermediate to advanced. Beginners will have a hard time. The huge list of Christmas songs is wonderful! I couldn't be happier with purchasing this book. The arrangement is classic, just as you recall the carols sounding, both traditional and contemporary, every Christmastime. But if you are a very advanced pianist, this may not be much of a challenge; I've been playing for almost 10 years, although not consistantly, and I found it just the right amount of challenge to fit my busy schedule to learn the music. It's delightful.