Product Description
A retelling of the traditional legend, where the god of the sky persuades the god of the wind to journey in search of music. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of my Son's Favorites
My younger son loved this book. Actually, maybe he just loved hearing his Dad say "Quetzacoatl" and "Tezcatlipoca".

He still loves music, and makes music. And he does know music is the gift of the divine.I like to think reading this book (and discussing the beautiful artwork) with him helped.

Attention grabbing!
While there are some issues between the text and the pictures, there is no better storybook to grab the attention of young students studing ancient American archaelogy, folklore and/ or effective book illustration. Each page is a jewel. Grade-A! ... Read more

Product Description
The award-winning author of How Beastly! and Before the Storm celebrates the beauty, power, and wonder of water in all its diverse forms, in a collection of meditative poetry enhanced by full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting and Thought Provoking

Reviewd by Robert Young, Lane ESD
For more reviews visit www.lane.k12.or.us/bookreview

Inspired by her son's photographs, Jane Yolen creates an interesting and thought-provoking series of poems about water in its many aspects. Her poems are rhythmic and fluently worded--grand examples for students of all ages. There is some variety in the types of poems included, but more would make this book even better. Most of the photographs are of a very high quality. This book has many examples of word usage as well as fluent writing, and it would be a good model for using pictures to inspire poetry.

Poems + Pics
This book is done in very similar format to Snow, Snow, also by Jason Stemple and Jane Yolen, although Snow, Snow holds together a little better due to the more constant nature of the pictures.However, this book is a little bit better geared for use in the classroom when discussing water, and its different forms. ... Read more

Product Description
Eye-catching illustrations, engaging text and delightful musical selections on the accompanying 70-minute CD lead children ages 8 to 12 (and parents, too!) on an exciting and educational tour through the instruments and music of the orchestra. Illustrated in exquisite and colorful detail with over 100 original drawings and photographs, this package is a fun and exciting musical journey for children. The engaging text is broken into three sections: an introduction to each instrument of the orchestra from the cello to the timpani, the stories of famous composers from Bach to Stravinsky and an explanation of different musical styles from Baroque to Modern. Each step of the way, children can listen to actual musical examples of what they are learning about. Young readers will hear the sound of an actual violin as they study the instrument and enjoy the playful tune of a Mozart minuet as they read about the composer's precocious exploits as a child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Not for the younger child
This was a disappointment. I had expected it would be appropriate for a 5-7 year old (similar to "Peter and the Wolf" in helping child to learn different instruments.) It is far, far too advanced both in content and style. And for an older child, the format would be too "childish."

Excellent Book
This book is easy to read and not overloaded with tons of information but provides sufficent info. Love the cd that comes along with it and makes learning a breeze!

Fun With Music
The young man who received this gift loves music and was so taken with the book that he took it to his class with his music teacher and she already had a copy.
He has had a lot of fun with it.
Great book.

Wonderful, except for one major flaw
This book provides a wonderful introduction to classical music and the orchestra, at a level suitable for the entire family.

Part I highlights 15 major composers from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras.Part II, which is the main part of the book, covers nearly all of the instruments in the orchestra from the string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and keyboard sections.

All of this is described with engaging narrative and effective graphics.And most importantly, the text is accompanied by an audio CD, so that you can actually hear what's being described.Considering all of this, this book is an utter bargain at this price.

So why 4 stars?Because, to the shock of my entire family, we found that there are no audio selections for a significant handful of composers and instruments.Encountering these omissions created a jarring feeling of discontinuity, like becoming absorbed in a great novel only to encounter missing chapters.I have no idea why these omissions were allowed.

The omissions aren't quite a fatal flaw, so I can still certainly recommend this book, but be prepared to fill in the gaps using other sources if you want to avoid a feeling of incompleteness.

Great Composers for small chn
My class and I discussed a composer each day and played a piece. We described how the music made us feel. Kids really enjoyed this and it was interesting to see how many they already recognised. ... Read more

Product Description
In "Interactive Music Therapy - A Positive Approach", Amelia Oldfield explains how her approach to music therapy sessions establishes a constructive musical dialogue with children that emphasises positive experiences - these establish trust and allow feelings to be expressed through music. Describing the general benefits of this approach, the author also details its application for specific clinical groups, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, relationship difficulties or physical disabilities. Individual chapters focus on the use of music therapy for diagnostic assessment, child development issues and in child and family psychiatry. Brief case studies throughout the text illustrate points of particular importance. This practical book will be of use to music therapists, nurses and occupational therapists working with children from a variety of clinical groups, including children on the autism spectrum and children with learning disabilities. It is also of use to music therapy trainers, their students and academics whose interests include music therapy. ... Read more

Product Description
You don't need to have any special training or own an instrument to make music with kid-loving music makers Avery Hart and Paul Mantell. Kids everywhere will be doing the "Dinosaur Dance," singing the "Dishwashin' Blues," belting out "Jug Band" and learning to "Tap Dance." Those hands will be clapping, those feet will be tapping, and those faces will be grinning. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Learn the fun and creativity of Music!
Very fun book full of great activities.Kids learn to make music with their own bodies and even get to make homemade musical instruments. We use this book for homeschool but it would be great for anyone! Williamson Publishing has the best books.Check them all out!

Great book!
I homeschool my kids and we use this book everyday as part of our school curriculum. We have made instruments, we have learned facts, we have appreciated nature with this book and have incorporated it in our daily lessons. It is designed real well - the chapters are awesome and make it so motivating to want to plan a musically rich lesson daily. It is a great book to have for any parent or teacher that wants to create and appreciate music with thier kids.

This book is an excellent source for teachers.
I have used this book as a source for a workshop I do for early childhood educators.It has excellent ideas and ways of presenting musical concepts.The book content leans a little to the older ages (6-8), rather than theearly childhood population.However, it is still valuable for earlychildhood educators. ... Read more

Product Description
Features 55 children's favorites: The Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn) * Camptown Races * (Oh, My Darling) Clementine * Do-Re-Mi * Eensy Weensy Spider * Hey Diddle Diddle * Hickory Dickory Dock * Humpty Dumpty * John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt * Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly) * Mickey Mouse March * Pop Goes the Weasel * The Rainbow Connection * This Land Is Your Land * Yellow Submarine * more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Children's song book
I hoped this book would have more nursery rhymes and fewer "serious" songs since it was a gift to my son and 1 year old grandaughter. It would be nice to see the content of a book such as this before buying. Perhaps a different book would have been better.

Loved it!
This book was just what I was looking for.Offers tab as well as strum patterns and picking patterns.Fun children's songs and many from disney movies.I use it in my elementary music class and the kids love it!

Children's Song Book
This book has a wonderful collection of children's songs that span the ages. I recommed it for schools, church schools etc.

Complicated Chord Structure
This book had a nice selection of songs, but our problem is that the guitar tabs are far from easy.The chords themselves are fine, but the book has you doing way too many changes for a beginner.They'll have you playing a different chord every couple bars, and I'm pretty sure you could play the same songs with fewer chord changes.

children's songs
If you're looking for a collection of classic children's songs, this is the book for you... ... Read more

Product Description
100 songs arranged in the correct ranges for children. Includes easy chords and suggested strums. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

childrens song book
this book has really easy guitar chords-I can already play ,but it would be very easy to teach yourself from-and has lots of songs that I know kids like(I was a pre school teacher) and many from my own childhood.I thoroughly recommend it.
It also has instuctions for how to learn to pluck the guitar instead of strumming.

Wonderful!
This is a great songbook- my brother will be playing these songs for his new baby daughter! He loves it.

Simple, easy, even for beginners
Easy to use chord charts and a very complete selection of the preschool repertoire make this a hit with my 22 month-old twins.Every time I take this book out I am entreated with "Guitar! Guitar!"Good basic songbook to bring hands-on music into the house and into the lives of your children.

Guitar music for beginners
This book is great for guitar chord beginners.I teach many young children and this book has helped them not only memorize simple chord fingerings, but it has helped increase the speed of their chord changes.The book is full of nursery rhyme type songs that everyone has heard.This makes playing the songs fun and easy for children.I would suggest this book to beginners or any guitar player that has children.The songs are fun and entertaining.

Fun to play and super easy!
This is a great book for learning chords and practicing how to play them smoothly in a song. It's definitely a guitar book for beginners! EVERY nursery rhyme you ever heard as a kid is in here, along with quite a few I've never heard of. It's easy to learn the songs since you already know the melody. Each song has about 3 chords, and the songbook gives you examples of making the chords easier by playing only 4 strings with 1 or 2 notes on them. ... Read more

Product Description
Carl Orff devoted much of his life to music for children. His pioneering work continues under the guidance of teachers and educators in many countries. The five basic German volumes of "Music for Children" by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman were published between 1950 and 1954. The considerable growth of Orff-Schulwerk in the United States led to the publication of the American Edition (1977) to satisfy the requirements of a different educational system and national heritage. Music for Children is a stimulating source of material for music teaching. Contents of this first volume: speech and rhythmic exercises, nursery rhymes, songs, instrumental pieces and melodic exercises using only the five note scale, with instructions and notes. Illustrated. Includes: Cuckoo * Pat-a-cake * Little Tommy Tucker * Wee Willie Winkie * Bye, baby bunting * Ring-a-ring o'roses * Grey goose and gander Walk down the path * Two little dicky birds * Tommy's fallen in the pond * Unk, unk, unk * Tom, Tom the piper's son * My little pony * Cross-patch * Warm hands warm * Shoe the little horse * Polly put the kettle on * Cuckoo, where are you? * Early to bed * The baker * The day is now over * Little Boy Blue * There was an old woman * One to make ready * The north wind doth blow * O Lady Mary Ann * I love sixpence * Ding, dong, the bells do ring * The Campbells are coming * The grand old Duke of York * Oliver Crombwell * Allelujy * Where are you going to, my pretty maid? * Farewell to the Old Year * Pippa's song * The cuckoo is a clever bird * Old Angus McTavish * Boomfallera ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the universally respected concepts of Shinichi Suzuki, this teacher’s text was developed to aid young students in learning music theory while learning to read music. 168 games are presented with illustrated step-by-step suggestions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

No H in Snake
This book has theory games presented in a carefully ordered learning sequence.The goal is to make theory fun to learn.Ages 4-8 would benefit from these games.One does need the materials which I ordered from the author's website.Am just beginning to use them.They are well thought out, but it does take time to practice them yourself and to determine which would be appropriate for your students.Best used in a group setting, but will work for the private studio setting.
... Read more

Product Description
This introduction to the essential elements of music is ideal for students preparing for examinations, as well as an excellent resource for everyone learning to read music. In this book you will find: a step-by-step presentation of the basic facts of music theory; a grade-by-grade format; numerous music examples, clear, easily-understood explanations; vital information suitable for music students of all ages and abilities; and invaluable support material for Grades 1 to 5 of the Associated Board Theory of Music syllabus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A classic
I was given a used copy of this book over fifty years ago. I enjoyed playing from it then and now (from a new copy I bought in the 1960s for $1.75). It has a wide breadth of pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, some of which are original piano pieces and others which are arrangements of traditional songs and orchestral works. The selections are attactive and a pleasure to play. There is an abundance of fingering and performance markings (but no mm suggestions), the staves are large enough to read easily yet the pieces are each given enough space so that the notes are not squeezed together. This book is not only for children and should provide any student pianist a lot of material containing most of the basic technical challenges. It is also a time capsule as it represents a view of what advanced beginners were playing eighty years ago.

Why not five stars? A problem with this book (and many other of its type) is that the user cannot tell how much each piece was edited. This is not an issue for well-known orchestral pieces or traditional songs arranged for the piano, but there are lots of original works for keyboard in this volume. Which are simplified, which are heavily edited, and which are pretty much in their original form? For example, the two Chopin preludes on p95 are subtly simplified, whereas "Fur Elise" appears to be in its original form, with fingering, pedaling and phrasing markings added. Brahms's "Hungarian Dance No. 5" has been both simplified and transposed. Which are arranged for piano from a non-keyboard original? Unfortunately, we just don't know.

In addition, there are errors sprinkled through the book. These are mostly obvious and should not present any issues for someone with musical experience but may cause problems for children.

Finally, some of the editing is just plain wrong. The expansion of the trill at the bottom of the Gavotte from Bach's French Suite #5 is incorrect (also: the piece is titled "Gavotte in G" and its source is not identified).

That said, I recommend this collection. Just be careful! Although it may not deserve all of them, I give it four stars for nostalgia.

Oldiebut goodie
I grew up on this book and its pieces. Now that my children are learning to play, I bought it for them. Good book for Grades 1 to 4 (beginner to intermediate players).

Piano Pieces for Children Series No.3
I got this book for my wife who learned to play these pieces as a child. Her original was tattered and missing the front cover. She was thrilled and surprised to get an exact replacement in excellent condition.

People helping people
Thank you, Amazon.com, you helped people recyle products that could be very sentimental to persons like me.This is why. The Piano Pieces for Children that I owned was about 50 years old from my childhood days.It was falling apart and I searched for a replacement.I found and bought a used copy on Amazon.com.I was very moved the moment I opened the package because the used copy that I received was as good as the seller claimed it to be: like new and very clean, now into the hands of a very appreciative old lady nearing retirement age.Those memories of my parents letting me take piano lessons and those young innocent piano student days came rushing back to me.I am really glad that this experience on Amazon.com is such a happy one.

The best way to learn classical classics
I have my original version from 1964 all tattered and torn. I will buy this book for my nephew who has taught himself to play piano. I could not give up my own version as it is too dear to me.It is a timeless reference in learning to play piano at any age. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was first published in 1978 and was the first of its kind to analyze the effect of music therapy on the development of the autistic child.It contained detailed accounts of the music therapy techniques found to be effective with different types of autistic children, and illustrated these with case studies drawn from the author's original research.This new edition retains all the text of the first and adds three new chapters, reflecting the depth of research music therapy has received over the last ten years and its important position within the whole therapy of autistic children.Written by Auriel Warwick, a former student of Juliette Alvin, these chapters describe how parents can be involved with their autistic children in the therapeutic process, and illustrates the problems and rewards found in the musical and personal relationships which evolve. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not so helpful
This book was recommended to me all over the place when I wanted to know more about music therapy.As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum who was very interested in music therapy, I did not find it so helpful or hopeful, for that matter.Dorita Berger's book, Music Therapy, Sensory Integration and the Autistic Child was very good. ... Read more

Product Description
Meloncholy is a mole without music.How Gustav and his family left their noise-shattered home, traveled the world in search of the lost music and triumphantly brought it home again.Kathryn Meyrick spent two years on research and artwork for this sequal to The Musical Life of Gustav Mole.11" x 10" For children ages 3-10 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful introduction to music of the world
This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the music of the world.Gustav Mole's decree at the end of the book should be a goal for all of us in this modern world.Children will surely want to pick up an instrument themselves, sing and make merry music after reading The Lost Music: Gustav Mole's war on noise.

More Difficult Than It Appears
Gustav Mole's world has been infested with noise and now his children refuse to play music. In order to inspire them to play Gustav takes his family on a trip around the world, visiting many different cultures andlistening to their music. In this way the reader is carried on a journeythat introduces them to many different forms of music and types of musicalinstruments. While this is an amusing story and a great overview of somenot-very-well-known musical instruments, this is definitely not a book forpreschoolers. With vocabulary including words such as; foundry, urbansprawl, transmitter, lament, to name a few, this book would beinappropriate for the youngest children. I would recommend it for olderchildren, but be prepared to do a lot of explaining about instrumentscarrying names like Saron Panerus and animals like macaques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful compilation
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (08/10)

Who doesn't love music for children by children!There is nothing more delightful than to hear the voices of children as they sing-along their favorites.

Beautiful compilations, one CD with carols, the other with songs, will bring joy to any heart, especially when your children sing along.The carols are classics, for example:

O Little Town of Bethlehem
He is Born
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

The Christmas songs include such favorites as:

I Can Hear Santa Claus
Hokey Cokey
Jingle Bells.

The third CD includes stories from "The Nutcracker" that children and adults will enjoy.

"Kids Sing Christmas" will give you hours of enjoyment during the Christmas season. This is a keeper!It is a set of CDs that will be cherished for many Christmas seasons. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether new to the profession or an experienced clinician, this text provides a wealth of state-of-the-art information for undergraduates, graduates and professionals. This volume covers the wide range of mental disorder diagnoses including psychotic disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and personality disorders and addresses specific populations such as forensic and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. How music therapy is used within each model is explored, including music psychotherapy, rehabilitation, behavioral approach, and transpersonal therapy. Detailed information is provided on assessment tools and music therapy interventions including drum circles, vocal psychotherapy, music and imagery, and music psychotherapy techniques. Music therapy has been used for people with mental disorders since the inception of the profession, dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century. Early music therapy was developed and shaped in psychiatric treatment centers. Work in hospitals, day treatment centers, group homes, and mental health rehabilitations centers still constitutes a significant percentage of employment opportunities currently. This cutting-edge resource is a necessity for anyone working in mental health today. ... Read more

Product Description
It starts in the housing projects and school playgrounds of Liverpool, where four boys would discover themselves--and a new form of music called rock 'n roll. It takes us from the famous first meeting between John and Paul, to the clubs of Liverpool and Germany when George and Ringo join the band, down Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, to America and the height of the Beatles' success--when they were still teenagers.

In Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!, Spitz recreates the thrills, tears and magic of his New York Times bestselling adult biography, but in a style and format that's accesible for young readers. This book includes photos, sidebars and graphic elements. It's a book about teens who changed the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great Book , Wonderful information
I just finished a book report for school on this book. It was great. The author included so much information in this book it made writing my report so easy. I would recommended this book to anyone.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!: The Beatles, Beatlemania, and the Music that Changed the World
By James Wallace-Lee



Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! is a simple but complete narrative of the life and music of one of the biggest bands of all time, The Beatles. Bob Spitz, a long time writer of many rock books, shares an almost entire biography of each of the four men in the legendary group. Though this book is targeted for younger people (Spitz has written an adult biography of the same band), it is very enjoyable for fans of all ages.
The book's many focuses range from the life of the boys before the band, the start of the band, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet for the first time after a performance from John's skiffle band, the Quarry Men, to the start of the band, all through the Beatles' performances, and finally the end of the extraordinary band. The book clearly illustrates the many stages of the group, from rock as a form of music mainly about girls and cars, to their later use of drugs as a form of art, and later on, a deep interest in religious and spiritual meaning through peace and meditation, and how their many interests shaped the music of that time.
I loved the book. It was written in so that people with less knowledge about the band and the time could understand and enjoy it, while people more familiar with the group could still learn from and love. It was unlike most biographies--it seemed to have little of the author's opinion, but the well researched book offered countless quotes and inside information. My favorite part of the book, however, would have to be the many side panels and boxes with little fun facts, ranging from definitions to stories to quotes and explanations.
The book was a lot of fun. I learned a lot, and, being an avid Beatles fan, was able to relate to a lot of things. I would recommend this book not only to all Beatles fans, but also to anyone else, as Bob Spitz has done a wonderful job of showing not only how great they were as musicians, but also as great, creative, but otherwise normal people with an innovative new way of looking at life.

excellent
Extremely informative and especially entertaining. Bob Spitz is an excellent author.

Good insight into pioneering band
Reviewed by Kirby Jo Franze (age 16) for Reader Views (12/07)

"Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better"...These are words that almost every American teenager and adult know by heart."Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" is the story of the Beatles; John, Paul, Ringo and George, quite possibly the best-selling, best song-writing, and downright most amazing group of all time.Bob Spitz's fascinating chronicle takes us through the lives of the Beatles and the people that traveled the road with the band on their journey to world-wide stardom.

We begin at the humble beginning: their early lives and childhoods,jam sessions in their hometown of Liverpool, England, where young John and other early band members put together a band called the Quarry Men, playing "skiffle"(a pre-cursor to rock `n roll).We are there when sixteen-year-old John meets fifteen-year-old Paul and while recognizing his unique talent and charisma, John still hesitates to include Paul in the band as that would mean relinquishing some control of it.Not until they formed the Beatles was their goal of perfection reached.

What followed after that was nothing short of remarkable.America and the entire world nearly swallowed them up in one large gulp as they burst into overwhelming stardom.We follow as John goes from teenaged boy to controlling adult and eventually marries his ever-loving, headstrong wife, Yoko Ono, whom he'd spend the rest of his days with.We discover that talented, ambitious Paul was the one always in it for the band, constantly working and proceeding on for the good of the group.We get to know soulful George, who made it into the band with his witty guitar playing and lovable personality.We loved him for his full heart. And of course we come to love endearing Ringo Starr, the one always for everything and up for anything, he seemed to be the peacemaking, easy-going one; friend to all.

We get to see the bad as well as the good.The group became fascinated by and embraced Eastern music and religion.They became infatuated with drugs, and it became a psychedelic experience to listen to some of their later songs considering the influence of marijuana on them.

Reading "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" gave me insight into this pioneering band that I would have never had without coming face-to-face with its members.The book shared interesting and inspiring stories of the lives of these music icons.Biographies are not often my favorite, but Mr. Spitz has really made this an exciting and intriguing read.We got to follow along as the Beatles reinvented the sound of rock n' roll for the rest of time.I enjoyed the trip!

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!: The Beatles, Beatlemania, and the Music that Changed the World
Great book. My son, who is 10 years old, loved it. He's become a big Beatles fan so it was nice to find a book about them geared towards kids. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
22 holiday favorites, including: Frosty the Snow Man * Jingle Bells * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer * Up on the Housetop * and more! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Very good, but classically biased and nothing special
As a full time guitar teacher with classical training, my review is this:

This is a great sort of book, that I wish far more parents would read.However, I found it far less specifically useful and less organized than Jessica Baron Turner's book:
Your Musical Child: Inspiring Kids to Play and Sing for Keeps

Furthermore, lots of this sort of advice can be found online and in other books and magazines."Music Lessons" has a very biased view toward the European orchestra tradition, basically assuming that is the way to go through music education.There is virtually no mention of singing as a dedicated field, very little mention of other world musics or popular music, and the long prose will give you some good advice, but it is not easy to reference and look up specific things later.

There are moments when I really liked the advice, such as emphasizing the variance between students, and emphasizing the need for direct parental involvement.However, there were also moments when I was really turned off by some bold claims or biases, or by the utter ommission of certain ideas or instruments.

I would strongly recommend this over nothing, but if you read only one book, I'd recommend Jessica Baron Turner's first, and then maybe Amy Nathan's second The Young Musician's Survival Guide: Tips from Teens & Pros, and there may be others I haven't reviewed that are also better.

If you are already very classically biased, and like friendly conversational tone, then this book is good for you.Most of the advice is definitely good.

Hands-on Guide for Your Child's Musical Experience
This book provides parents with valuable information on how to start and follow-through with a child's musical education.The author gives descriptions of the different methods of teaching music (i.e.traditional, Suzuki) as well as explanations of various instruments (age-appropriateness and costs).Advice is also given on how to find the right teacher for your child and how to encourage practice.Resources include music websites, information on various US organizations promoting music education, and recommendations for books and music for children. ... Read more

Product Description
Get ready to step into the mysterious world of the video game sound designer and composer. Creating Music and Sound for Games examines the responsibilities associated with each of these roles and offers tips and insight for breaking into the business. With focused sections for each of these important roles, this book offers an insider's look into how the sound designer and compositor fit into the game production team and how these roles interact with one another. You'll cover the essential tools of the trade and will examine sound design and compositional tips that can save you time and make you more efficient. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Awesome book
I great book where you learn all the important step to make the music and sound for video games. If you want learn the job get this book!

Not so great
The really, really, basic 123's of creating music and sound. It might be helpful for someone who knows very little about the process of creating sound or music for anything.

The 'for games' part of the title is very limited. The most useful sections were the early and later parts, which were the only things in the book that didn't come off as product/equipment overview. The biggest problem, even if you do find the information useful, is that the book will likely be outdated rather quickly.

I recommend the other video game books instead. The Fatman book and the one by Alexander Brandon are particularly good, as is the one by Aaron Marks. Short of the equipment overview, most of the information in this book can be found in those.

For more education, I'd recommend the Gamasutra website.

Good starting point
I'm a music major at the University of North Texas, who is just starting to get into the world of music and sound for games.I found this book to be very informative on laying out the basics of doing sound work for games.Lots of good suggestions for equipment and software.My only complaint was that the book did not get into much detail on how sound is implemented into games which is what I need to learn more about at this point (i.e. scream, fmod, etc.).But, if you've never done much in the way of field and studio recording or work with digital sound synthesis, or you don't really understand how it applies to games, this book is a must!

Written by someone who's been there
After reading through this book, I realized that it can be just as much a reference as a source of motivation or inspiration.For those who are passionate enough about learning to write game music, or begin to dabble with sound design, this is a great book.It is a bit elementary with some of the effects descriptions, but for someone who doesn't have a music background (or a very limited one), they will open the eyes for the unknowning. ... Read more