Free eBooks - Music - General

What is the difference between a barn dance and a ceilidh? Which ones work best, what will you need to put one on and what are the problems to look out for? The author has been playing folk music since the late 1970's - here are a few hints, tips and some general advice on how to run one of your own. more...

Do you want to book a band, but don't know how to get the best group or what questions to ask? 'Poachers make the best gamekeepers'! Use this chance to draw on the experience of a performer active since the late 1970's. Going public with this information has not exactly made him 'Mr. Popular' with some other musicians, but it can help you to weed out the 'cowboys' and bands to avoid at all costs. more...

Thirteen songs for people who like canoeing. more...

This is a small set of new songs to be used at wedding receptions when the newly married couple is dancing. more...

A music review of Ronnie Mayor’s debut CD “A Singersong A Rotator,” unforgettable and haunting, an offering of soulful love songs expressing the richest depth of feeling, interspersed with high-energy rock tunes. The album is, in essence, a collection of finely wrought love songs and a positive expression of the “human condition” across many relationships throughout one’s life. more...

It is a remark of St. Philip Neri's latest biographer that, "Our Saint was profoundly convinced that there is in music and in song a mysterious and a mighty power to stir the heart with high and noble emotion, and an especial fitness to raise it above sense to the love of heavenly things." In like manner the Saint's illustrious son, Cardinal Newman, has spoken of "the emotion which some gentle, peaceful strain ... more...

PREFACE The study of music notation and terminology by classes in conservatories and in music departments of colleges and normal schools is a comparative innovation, one reason for the non-existence of such courses in the past being the lack of a suitable text-book, in which might be found in related groups clear and accurate definitions of the really essential terms. But with the constantly increasing ... more...

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. THE NECESSITY OF FORM IN MUSIC.—So much uncertainty and diversity of opinion exists among music lovers of every grade concerning the presence of Form in musical composition, and the necessity of its presence there, that a few general principles are submitted at the outset of our studies, as a guide to individual reflection and judgment on the subject. Certain apparently ... more...

Introduction The book's appeal. This book has a purpose, which is as simple as it is plain; and an unpretentious scope. It does not aim to edify either the musical professor or the musical scholar. It comes into the presence of the musical student with all becoming modesty. Its business is with those who love music and present themselves for its gracious ministrations in Concert-Room and Opera House, but ... more...

INTRODUCTION My friend the publisher has asked me to tell you what I know about Old Fogy, whose letters aroused much curiosity and comment when they appeared from time to time in the columns of The Etude. I confess I do this rather unwillingly. When I attempted to assemble my memories of the eccentric and irascible musician I found that, despite his enormous volubility and surface-frankness, the old gentleman ... more...