A Complete Guide to Brass

Download or read book A Complete Guide to Brass written by Scott Whitener and published by Schirmer. This book was released on 1997 with total page 412 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is the first to combine detailed technical, historical, acoustical, and pedagogical information and material in one volume. Presenting an accurate and up-to-date overview of the field, the author documents the historical development of major brass instruments in a unique, cross-referenced format. The book is organized in two parts: chapters 1-9 discuss individual brass instruments and their historical development; the remaining five chapters focus on technique, including guidance for teachers of brass instruments as well as a complete method of brass playing. Such topics as embouchure formation, the use of the airstream, common tone production problems, and instrument care are covered in depth and in detail. Individual chapters for each instrument include lists of recommended repertoire for study and importance reference books. It provides numerous musical examples and exercises, including 200 unison studies and easy ensembles, 15 progressive ensemble pieces for class use, and 50 studies for individual practice for each instrument. In addition to its comprehensive text, the book is generously illustrated, with numerous photographs and drawings that demonstrate good embouchure formation and playing position for each instrument. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes the following new features in particular: a complete rewritten and expanded discussion of tone production, incorporating results of the latest research; revised and expanded discussion of mouthpiece design; new material on teaching brass instruments to beginners; expanded coverage of the acoustics of brass instruments; updated discography, bibliography, and list of sources for instruments, music, and information.