Marsalis on Music

by Wynton Marsalis

Book Overview

With an unrivaled freshness, charm, and sense of fun, Wynton Marsalis steps forward not only as a world-renowned jazz and classical performer, but as a great teacher in the tradition of Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts.

Using wonderfully appealing examples and analogies--likening the rhythmic structures of music to playing basketball or football, teaching sonata form through a story about chasing a pet hamster through a shopping...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393038815
• ISBN13: 9780393038811
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.2" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

You Owe Your Child (and Yourself) This Book

First the book - buy the book. And as much as you'll love it, anyone under the age of 13 (the book's main target) will love it FACTOR 10. A treat for the eye with art work and photographs that make adults check the title page for a photographer (unlisted - Frank Stewart? is that you?) A treat for the mind as well. Reading Marsalis' text out loud is a fantastic elixer for verbal sophistication with vibe. An even more intense dosage (which some of us need) is found in his "Sweet Swung Blues . . ."Now, the point of this book is music theory. Can Wynton teach your child that which you - a grown man with complete power over child-proof lids - cannot understand? You know how as a little kid, you'd watch TV (say, ScoobyDoo) and the picture would be a little out of focus? Then your dad would come in and adjust the rabbit ears and - blammo! instant clarity! This is Marsalis discribing music theory. Blammo! Instant clarity!It is not as good as the videos by the same name, but it fulfills a very worthwhile endeavor of capturing both the information and presentation of these worldclass videos. The special audio CD included with the book is worth the price of the book - easily.Next - the man. Wynton Marsalis is a 20th and 21st century genius. Don't let anyone tell you differently, especially music critics(see also: non-musicians). Three minutes of hearing him play (_especially_ live - don't ever miss him live) is all the defense this paragraph needs.