TESTIMONIALS

Theory of Music

Simply amazing!!! Posted January 7, 2007, 9:30 AM EST: Being music major at Brandeis University, I was looking for a music theory guide that would help me understand the complex techniques of the compositional process. This book was simply amazing!!! It gave me a chance to deeply learn the most common and relevant terms in the subject of music theory. The author includes the most important and useful topics such as rhythm, clefs, scales, tonality, note-values, transposing, articulation terms, harmonies, and chords. At the end of each chapter, a quiz is included which helped me test myself and analyze even further the material that I learned. Overall, this book has many wonderful qualities. The reader easily understands the material with the author's clear definitions and examples. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a practical, easy-to-use guide for music theory!!

 Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

"Theory of Music" is a labor of love, an encyclopedic wealth of practical musical knowledge. Posted December 31, 2006, 10:16 AM EST: Finally, a music theory book written by a veteran musician. The author colors the usually bland subject of music theory with rich and interesting international styles along with an encyclopedic wealth of practical musical knowledge. 'Theory of Music' is a labor of love which should not be over-looked.

 Joe Roesch, Bandleader/Musical Contractor.

Comprehensive to the max!! Posted January 2, 2007. Being a formally and stage trained musician, I have accumulated many music theory books through my studies. When my 14 year old son/guitarist wanted to learn more about music and how we communicate, I needed a simple comprehensive book for those who have little or no knowledge of musical theory to start him on. Luckily I found this text represents all the fundamentals of music in a form that is very coherent, concise and easy to understand even to the novice. From topics such as rhythms, scales, clefs, chords, harmonies, etc...., the author includes a quiz after each chapter. Overall the best attribute to the author is the reader/student easily understands the material. In conclusion, I recommend this text highly and wish I had access to this recourse in my college days. This is a must have book.

 Mike B. (Wethersfield, CT USA)

An all encompassing music theory book. Posted December 14, 2006. I really loved this book's unique approach to music theory. Being a Music Minor myself, I was looking for an all encompassing book that could serve as a reference to any musical questions I had. I really appreciate how thorough and comprehensive this book is; it starts from the beginning of music theory (how to read music), and moves onto more advanced topics -- could be used by beginners and more seasoned musicians alike. I'll continue to use this book as a resource in my music studies, especially, the glossary of terms, summary of chord symbols, and exercises at the end of each chapter.

Christina T. Minor in Music, Sacred Heart University, CT

Exceptional theory book. Posted December 10, 2006. A very well thought out book that covers the necessities of music theory. As a performer musician this book will bring me to a new level. For many years I was waiting for a book in its class. Practical and yet very intelligent. It covers more than I ever imagined and more than I ever found in a music theory book, and guides you through the essentials of theory with ease. A book like this may come once in a decade. There is something here that will be learned for the average musician. I see myself to benefit from this book and truly recommend this to any musician at any level. Outstanding,

 Dimos T. Band Leader.

Principles of Music Theory

Excellent book! Posted September 26, 2008, 12:02 PM EST: As a music major having much difficulty in understanding music theory, this book is the best single volume theory text that I have used so far and recommended to others. This book serves as a wonderful and exemplary introduction to very basic concepts in music theory. Analyzing and illustrating the different variations of scales, harmonies, tonality, inversions, and pitch were of most use to me. I was very impressed by its layout and content, and was very easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed the examples illustrated, and the glossary of music terms in the back of the book!

 Kathy Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Valuable music theory book! Posted February 2, 2007, 4:40 PM EST: This book would be a wise investment for its immense amount of information. For a professional musician like me, it is a great reference aid. For the beginner it starts from the fundamentals, gradually moving in higher level. The harmony section starts from scratch and includes exercises for the beginner. I found the music theory diagrams very useful including scales, modes, chords, key signatures, tempo markings, overtones and more. It includes tablature and guitar notation examples, fake books, lead sheets, chord symbols, instrument & vocal ranges. There is a complete list for woodwinds, brass, stringed instruments and the clefs used for each instrument. There is also the written and the sounding range for transposing instruments. I found the 8 pages of the glossary of musical terms very educational.

 Mike B. Musician/Performer

Rhythm Exercises for Musicians

Very helpful!!!! Posted October 17, 2008, 11:21 AM EST: This book has helped me a great amount. Since it required no instruments to perform, it was useful to "tap" or "clap" along with the exercises. I saw a great improvement in my rhythm skills, and the instructions were always clear and concise. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all musicians, useful for both home study and in the classroom.

Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Concert Music for School Orchestra

Outstanding!!!!! Posted September 26, 2008, 12:01 PM EST: This book is fantastic! Finding orchestra scores for school students of different levels is always a challenge. This book offers fun and easy-to-read parts and full scores of various styles and difficulty. The flexibility of the instruments offered in the scores made it easy to include even the most rare instruments. Having these scores made it possible to increase the number of students in the school orchestra. I fully recommend this 100%!!

Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Chord Symbols in Jazz and Popular Music

Thank you so Much! Posted May 25, 2009, 3:48 PM EST: I wanted to express my sincere thanks for providing us music students with such a great book. I had to pass a keyboard/theory proficiency test in college, and your book really helped a great deal. Thank you for your detailed fingering, chord symbols, explanations, and diagrams. I recommend this book to all music students, especially anyone who takes music theory and jazz lovers! What a helpful book!

Kathy Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Very useful!! Posted September 26, 2008, 12:00 PM EST: This book is simply the best: it is easy to use, and results in a wonderful learning experience. It serves as such a useful guide when trying to build, create, and play chords. With every chord imaginable being illustrated in full, simple keyboard pictures that were easy to understand, this book is the one source I go to all the time when I need a memory re-fresher or when I have difficulty playing a chord.

Kathy Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Solo Piano for Children

Excellent book! Posted September 26, 2008, 11:58 AM EST: This book is excellent for young children who want to learn to play the piano or keyboard. Since it is imaginatively designed for children with a variety of fun titles to browse through, kids will have a blast choosing which piece to play first! The easy-to-read, fun pieces will help children experience the pleasure and satisfaction of playing songs it will be hard to get them away from the piano! My students love this book!

Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Vinyl Records

February 17, 2011

VINYL RECORDS is a nostalgic journey back to the 60's and 70's and it takes the reader deep into the Golden age of Greek music. The author provides an account of his dreams and struggles as well as his considerable success as a young composer and takes the reader into a world within a world. As readers we are allowed a look into the man's life and actually get to know him through the interview and the news articles of that period. He also provides us with a picture of the recording industry and some of its inner machinations. Personally, I would have liked to see some sensational anecdotes and some "dirt" but the author chose not to share any. This is actually to his credit .....the romantic/nostalgia factor remains in tact for those, who like myself, treasure the memories and music of those years. Being a Greek ....in my fifties.....I grew up listening to the music of that Golden age and many of the hits that prevailed during that period have been written by Mr. Sembos. The treasured romanticism of my teens has resurfaced because of this book. I really connected with the stories but especially with the songs. The verdict: The historical value alone makes this book a "good read" but the nostalgia factor makes it a great one.

O Salonikios (at least one of the many)