SHOWCASE for May 2010

BÄRENREITER ANNOUNCES SASSMANNSHAUS METHOD FOR VIOLA

Viola Book 1, BA 9686
Viola Book 2, BA 9687
Viola Book 3, BA 9688
Viola Book 4, BA 9689

The publication of the Sassmannshaus Violin and Cello Methods has been a great success. On the back of this success story, Bärenreiter now publishes the four books for viola.

• Note reading is emphasized from the first lesson, encouraging ensemble playing from the very beginning.
• Songs and scales in different positions are easily mastered within the first year of playing to ensure that children are not confined to first position playing.
• Advanced string techniques such as varied bow strokes and shifting are introduced in a basic form.

These editions are available from any good music retailer. For questions, contact: pwoodfull-harris@baerenreiter.com

Carl Fischer Music Announces I Used to Play Series

Carl Fischer Musicunveils I Used to Play, a new series of books for adults looking to get back into playing their instruments of yesteryear. I Used to Play will help jumpstart their memory and comfort with music because the number one goal is to get people re-acquainted with their instrument(s) by providing them with types of music they want to play, like pop, jazz, and classic tunes, rather than just etudes. In addition, each book contains a CD with audio MP3 files of complete performances of most songs, plus accompaniment-only versions. This CD also contains printable PDFs of piano parts for practice or performance opportunities. Currently, the following instrument books are available in the series, with more to follow: I Used to Play Flute, by Larry Clark (WF89 - $19.95), I Used to Play Trumpet, by Larry Clark (WF90 - $19.95) and I Used to Play Violin, by Doris Gazda and Larry Clark (BF31 - $19.95). I Used to Play is just the push former players need to fall back in love with their instruments again!

Carl Fischer Music has been a leader in providing quality educational and performance print music for more than 135 years. For more information about new publications from Carl Fischer Music or to locate a dealer near you, visit www.carlfischer.comor email cf-info@carlfischer.com. For additional information, contact Heidi Vanderlee at 212/ 777-0900, ext. 230 or send an email to heidiv@carlfischer.com.

Carl Fischer Music Publishes
My First Progressive Duets for Strings Series
Carl Fischer Music proudly presents a brand-new series designed to introduce beginning players to the renowned Progressive Duets for Strings series: My First Progressive Duets for Strings (Violin — BF50 • $9.95, Viola — BF51 • $9.95, Cello — BF52 • $9.95, Bass — BF53 • $9.95). These collections combine two of Carl Fischer Music’s most successful and effective series, introducing beginning players to the teaching method of Progressive Duets for Strings, while remaining appropriate for their skill level. My First Progressive Duets for Strings is compatible with all stringed instruments and can be played with any combination of two. Each collection starts with beginning-level pieces and gradually progresses to the level of Progressive Duets for Strings, Volume 1, building ensemble skills at a very early level. Now teachers can introduce their beginner students to this invaluable series right away!

The original Carl Fischer Music Progressive Duets for Strings series is a comprehensive collection of graded duets that have been arranged or composed by Larry Clark and Doris Gazda. These duets are useful in a variety of performance situations and are an excellent way for the student to build ensemble skills with a colleague or teacher. These pieces are published for viola, violin, cello, and bass and are arranged so that it can be performed by any combination of these string instruments, making this collection a valuable tool in the school classroom and in ensemble sessions.

Mona Lisa Sound…
More Rock
Mona Lisa Sound continues to expand the rock genre for strings. With new arrangements of "Crazy On You" (Heart), "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana), "Happy Together" (The Turtles), "Going Up The Country" (Canned Heat) and two new Stones tunes, "Play With Fire" and "19th Nervous Breakdown," Mona Lisa Sound offers rock for everyone's taste. All the new titles are available as string quartet ($29.95), string quartet with added double bass ($34.95), medium string ensemble (8,8,5,5,4) ($74.95 and large string ensemble (10,10,8,8,6) ($86.65). Go to  www.MonaLisaSound.com  for more information.  

New John Reed Residency Program
John Reed, president of Mona Lisa Sound and principal arranger for The Hampton (Rock) String Quartet, offers a new residency program. Reed will visit schools to work with students on rock arrangements. Two day residencies are available, featuring rehearsals, coaching, master classes, and lectures on the music business and how to arrange rock for strings. The program concludes with the students in concert with Reed conducting.  "The kids gained so much in being able to participate in an event such as this," commented one teacher from a recent residency. Call 1-877/263-5691 for pricing, programs and dates."

Planet Waves Launches ProTune and ProTempo iPHONE Apps
Planet Waves is pleased to launch two new user-friendly, convenient apps for iPhone and iPod Touch users: the ProTune tuner application and the ProTempo metronome application. The ProTune app features three different viewing panes from which users can choose along with unprecedented pitch detection performance; ProTempo app features high-quality drum sounds along with tempo presets, customizable presets, and unlimited storage settings

Planet Waves’ ProTune app turns the iPhone or iPod touch into the ultimate portable instrument tuner. Dedicated modes for guitar, bass, violin, banjo and other stringed instruments offer reliable pitch measurement on any handheld platform. Whether using the iPhone's built-in microphone, an external microphone, or connecting your instrument directly to the iPhone, you can choose from three beautifully designed interfaces – strobe, needle, or digital – and watch as ProTune precisely locks onto the pitch of each note in real time.

While practicing, composing, or recording, the ProTempo metronome app delivers unmatched utility and convenience for musicians at all levels. Use the touch-screen tap feature to select a basic click-based tempo instantly or create and save your own customized rhythm patterns using ProTempo’s richly detailed controls. Users can also choose from a set of high-quality sound samples. From the simplest click track to the most complex rhythms, ProTempo provides iPhone and iPod Touch users with a versatile, user-friendly metronome.

Developed in conjunction with audiofile engineering, both applications are available now; users can simply log into their iTunes store account and search Planet Waves to download the ProTune app for only $5.99 and the ProTemo metronome app for only $4.99.  

For more Planet Waves iPhone app information as well as support and FAQs, please visit www.planetwaves.com/iPhone. Information on audiofile engineering, please visit www.audiofile-engineering.com.

New Peter Infeld Strings from Thomastik-Infeld
Thomastik-Infeld is proud to announce its new Peter Infeld – PI – strings. Designed for the discriminating player, these high performance strings mark a new and important chapter in Thomastik-Infeld’s history and are unlike any strings heard before! PI strings have the unique ability to create complex tones and hence a rich spectrum of sound colors, while possessing power and elegance as well as a high dynamic range. Additional features include superior tuning stability, instant bow response and soft left hand feeling. These strings also contain the first ever platinum plated E string on the market! For more information go to www.connollymusic.comor info@connollymusic.com