Product Description
Barry Galbraith was one of the most appropriate jazz guitarists of the 1950′s. He was additionally a excellent song reader who would write out his own arrangements of standards for his students. Both his personification and his essay have been really straightforward. This book takes thirteen of Barry’s rough, hand-written arrangements and adds chord symbols, left-hand fingering, and tablature. The messenger CD was available by John Purse and includes both a normal speed and a delayed chronicle of each tune. A… More >>
This book is the best what has happened to me during this summer. This arrangements are fantastic. I love Barry’s playing.
Rating: 5 / 5
At the suggestion of my Jazz teacher, I bought Vol. 1 and 2 to keep me busy while he plays in Japan for 6 months. After starting to learn a few tunes, I have a even deeper apprecation of the Chord-Melody style and Barry. He was a unsung Jazz guitar master who had a deep knowldge of how chords interact with melody, hence these arrangments.
Someone said in another review that the music was a bit predictable-it is that way for a reason. These arrangments were for his students to learn from, so he did not go crazy with the tunes. People like me who are learning will be able to gain knowldge of new chord voicings and how to put together a solo Jazz guitar arrangement. More advanced players should learn the tune than use it as a springboard for ideas for their own arrangments.
I have to give one warning:If you are not used to playing the chords used in Jazz, it will be a bit of a challenge. Rock type chords(power/barre chords) are not used AT ALL and you will have to get used to twisting your fingers into positions you are not used to. The fingerings are on the music notation, and let me tell you..it can be a test here and there to make the changes. After you learn this stuff, Rock chords will be a breeze!
Rating: 5 / 5
Follow these notes and get the message from the source. This is genius and fine Art. This man was dedicated to spreading the beauty of music through guitar.
Rating: 5 / 5
As an instructor and full time musician I have seen and purchased many Jazz Guitar solo books. Many arrangements are usually not usable or have poor substitution choices. Book one and book two are both excellent books
for use as Solo heads or in trio guitar format. The standards are treated respectfully and the chord substitution choices are musical and intelligent.Many songs are in original keys which make it easy to compare to original changes for study purposes.The music is very well notated,easy to read, and most are easy to learn and play for intermediate and advanced players.Remember these were written many years ago and may not be quite as “hip” as some of the newer treatments but they are certainly worth checking out.
Rating: 5 / 5
A good part of this book is biographical so you get to know the arranger. The 13 tunes are recorded to studio quality so the disc also works as relaxing music. Barry did not play on this disc although the guitar playing is supposed to be faithful to his style. To me the music is a little too predictable and elevatorly as a whole but there are two arrangements that stand above the rest. ‘As Time Goes By’ and ‘Round Midnight’ would be the ones I would learn. The rest of them are workman like which reflects Barry’s philosphy towards music. He showed up and did his job with occasional flashes of brilliance. In the studio if an arrangement was too ‘difficult’ for another guitarist Barry was often called in to get the job done. He knew how to cut through the crap and simplify difficult musical passages.
Rating: 4 / 5