Reference

Dark Magus is a warts-and-all look at the real Miles Davis. As told by his son, this book strips away the public perception of Davis and gets down to the realities of his personality, his relationships, and his many quirks. Dark Magus details this enigmatic superstar's Jekyll and Hyde behavior: his swings between sobriety and prodigious drug use; his tender family moments and his destructive selfishness; his search for marital stability and his obsession with young women; his exalted musical talent and his ever-present personal demons. The author also delves into Davis' relationships with artists such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, as well as his role as a mentor to young musicians, his obsession with sports, the ups and downs of his career, and the family's turmoil over his final will. This book is a brilliant and engaging revelation of Miles' character through the recollections of his oldest son. It's a book about a legendary musician who was one of my closest friends, and a book that's second to none. - Clark Terry

This how-to guide is ideal for musicians who are new to the complexities of digital recording, as well as for those who want to keep up with the fast-changing technology. Providing detailed guidance on using hard disk and DAT technologies, stand-alone workstations, computer-based DAWs, surround sound 5.1 and more, plus related hardware and software-based tools such as Softsynths, plug-ins and software samplers, this book also surveys two-track audio recorders/editors, host-based audio/MIDI programs and CD mastering. Its analysis of emerging technology helps readers make informed decisions for creating and operating a cost-effective, professional-level digital studio at home.

The music of Django Reinhardt is as important today as it has ever been. Blending jazz and gypsy influences, his exuberant solos and incisive rhythm playing have fascinated - and tantalized - guitarists for half a century. In this book, leading jazz writer Dave Gelly considers Django's life and recordings and explains exactly why he sounded the way he did. Meanwhile, guitarist and teacher Rod Fogg shows you how you can achieve that sound yourself, with the help of detailed transcriptions of six of Django's most celebrated and exciting numbers. Includes CD wth all six numbers accurately recorded from the transcriptions for you to follow along.

34 Useful, Inexpensive Electronic Projects That Help You Unlock Your Instrument's Potential This unique book features step-by-step projects for guitarists who want to maximize and personalize electric sound quality, and minimize electronic problems. It includes how-to instructions for 34 different projects, and guidelines for reading schematics, plus construction tips. Projects include installing a de-hisser to create vintage effects, a great-sounding tube preamp, a cord tester that catches intermittent problems, adapters to interface with studio gear, and more. These and other hands-on projects give electric guitarists the necessary edge in today's competitive music scene - a distinct personalized sound, plus the satisfaction of knowing they achieved it themselves.

Part of the Fretmaster series, this book is geared to teach players both the history and technique of one of rock's greatest guitarists. It explores the musical life and legacy of Eddie Van Halen, from his high school days in Pasadena, California, to the present day, provides detailed accounts of his most significant recorded work, and offers commentary from Van Halen himself and the well-known guitarists he has influenced. Lessons on technique provide the skills and encouragement players need to emulate this musical master.

Eight Miles High documents the evolution of the folk-rock movement from mid-1966 through the end of the decade. This much-anticipated sequel to Turn! Turn! Turn!(00330946) - the acclaimed history of folk-rock's early years - portrays the mutation of the genre into psychedelia via California bands like the Byrds and Jefferson Airplane; the maturation of folk-rock composers in the singer-songwriter movement; the re-emergence of Bob Dylan and the creation of country-rock; the rise of folk-rock's first supergroup, CSN&Y; the origination of British folk-rock; and the growing importance of major festivals from Newport to Woodstock. Based on firsthand interviews with such folk-rock visionaries as: Jorma Kaukonen, Roger McGuinn, Donovan, Judy Collins, Jim Messina, Dan Hicks and dozens of others.

Elwood's Blues is an entertaining and informative collection of conversations with the legends and rising stars of blues and rock music, drawn from the popular syndicated radio series, The House of Blues Radio Hour. Host Dan Aykroyd, in character as Elwood Blues of the legendary Blues Brothers, has interviewed over 900 blues and rock greats since 1993. This book compiles the best of those, including discussions with living legends B.B. King and Buddy Guy, past masters John Lee Hooker and Stevie Ray Vaughan, rising stars Keb' Mo' and Susan Tedeschi, and blues-rooted rock stars such as Robert Plant and Bill Wyman.

To mark the 60th anniversary of Fender, Backbeat's introduced a new, completely revised third edition of this bestseller. Fender guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This book tells the complete story of Fender guitars, detailing classics such as the Telecaster, Stratocaster & Jazzmaster as well as lesser-known models. Dozens of photos reveal Fender's storied craftsmanship, while the text includes collector details for all models. The reference section lists all models and their statistics. This new edition has been refreshed and updated, with 56 extra pages and over 60 new photographs. The main text has added material and has been brought up to date to cover Fender's ever-changing history amid the fascinating developments for the company and its instruments during the eight years since the previous edition.

The Fiddle Handbook is a treasure trove of information spanning the whole range of fiddle playing. It looks in detail at the most commonly played styles among today's fiddlers. From America, there's old time, bluegrass, Cajun, Western swing, country, blues, rock, klezmer, and jazz, while from the British Isles there's Irish, Scottish, and English. There is also a quick romp through Eastern Europe and beyond, from the spike fiddles of Africa and Asia to the Chinese Erhu, the fabulous Indian Sarangi, and the mysterious Norwegian Hardingfele. A wealth of musical examples - ornaments, bowing patterns, scales, modes, exercises and complete tunes - are faithfully reproduced on the accompanying CD, to give you a taste of each style. And finally, the book answers once and for all the hoary old question, What's the difference between a fiddle and a violin? The answer, of course, is that fiddle players have more fun....

Being the frontman of a popular band is a high-risk profession. Richard Barone, former lead singer of indie rock pioneers the Bongos, survived two decades in the spotlight to tell the tale. From dallying with the glitterati in the trendiest night spots, to learning recording tricks from some of the top names in the music industry, to innovating the intimate chamber-pop genre and emerging as an A-list solo artist and producer, he continues to push the boundaries of modern rock and inventive self-expression. In Frontman, Barone tells his story in a frank and charmingly funny style. We are along for this ride as he recounts the supernova express of New York City stardom and endless parties; sexual politics, divas, disappointments, and drugs; his journey of self-discovery through music; and a lifetime's worth of hard-gained advice for anyone interested in getting into the music business or just surviving in it.