Instruction & Technique

In his second New York Times best seller, Daniel J. Levitin's genius for combining science and art reveals how music shaped humanity across cultures and throughout history....

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? Listen to find out more....

Whether you load your iPod with Bach or Bono, music has a significant role in your life - even if you never realized it. Why does music evoke such powerful moods? The answers are at last becoming clear....

"Boy, do I have a lot to learn!" Anyone who's ever picked up a musical instrument of any kind has thought that....

Every time we open our mouths, we have an effect on ourselves and the way others perceive us. The ability to speak clearly and confidently can make or break a presentation, an important meeting....

Practicing is an essential part of every musician's life, but we are rarely taught how to practice in the most effective and efficient way.

No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists is the groundbreaking guitar theory book for guitar players. Now, guitarists of all levels can understand most of the music theory they'll ever need, without the confusion....

Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro, Singing 101: Vocal Basics and Fundamental Singing Skills for All Styles and Abilities gives you the essential tools to build a strong, healthy voice.

Why would I want to learn all the notes of my fretboard? Over my 25+ year career as a musician and guitar teacher, I have come across many guitarists who cannot name all the frets on the fretboard....

What do all those lines and squiggles and dots mean? Basic Music Theory takes you through the sometimes confusing world of written music....

Multi-hit songwriter Clay Mills breaks down the mystery of melody writing to give your songs an edge with the PRA method. Learn how to write inspiring songs without waiting for inspiration....

In How to Listen to Jazz, award-winning music scholar Ted Gioia presents a lively introduction to one of America's premier art forms. He tells us what to listen for in a performance and includes a guide to today's leading jazz musicians....

The lessons build on skills one by one, plus bonus videos to really guarantee you learn everything you need to play the piano. It’s like having a teacher in the room with you! By the end of this book, you will be able to understand the core concepts of playing piano....

Green and Gallwey explain how natural skills can be nurtured and enhanced, and through a series of special exercises they demonstrate the ways in which musicians can achieve exact intonation, artistic phrasing, and improved technique....

Drawing from her successful career as a music producer (engineering hits like Prince’s “Purple Rain”), professor of cognitive neuroscience Susan Rogers reveals why your favorite songs move you....

You'll learn what research tells us about practice, but more importantly, you'll learn how great musicians in many genres of music think about practice....

Unleash the song of your soul with Zen Guitar, a contemplative handbook that draws on ancient Eastern wisdom and applies it to music and performance....

This second edition of Rock the Dancefloor! is the essential one-stop handbook for new and experienced DJs.

An enthralling investigation into the mysteries of music....

On the eve of his fortieth birthday, a professor of no discernible musical talent learns to play the guitar and investigates how anyone of any age might master a new skill.....

In a world where your voice totally matters, what do you do if you don't have the sexiest voice, the most commanding voice, the most articulate voice...or are simply not happy with the voice you have?...

If you thought music theory was dull, think again! With the right guidance, it can be woven into every practice – and you'll see astounding results straight away. Playing by ear will get you a long way – it certainly worked for Jimi Hendrix....

If you are a singer, you are an athlete. And the athletic skills that make you a great vocalist come from one source: your brain. The Singing Athlete is the first book of its kind: a view on voice training through the lens of both the physical body and the nervous system....

A literary welcome mat to the beautiful world of classical music, this memoir is accessible and engaging for all. It brings listeners into rehearsals and concert halls, revealing the choices musicians must consider, and what conductors, players, and composers really do.

The award-winning creator of the acclaimed documentary The Music Instinct: Science & Song, explores the power of music and its connection to the body, the brain, and the world of nature....

Before recordings, before microphones, before jazz had a name—there was Butler “String Beans” May. Standing Up Singing is a bold, lyrical excavation of one of America’s greatest unsung performers. At just 24 years old, May had already conquered Black vaudeville, redefined piano comedy, and ignited stages from New Orleans to Chicago. He was wild, brilliant, hilarious, and unrecorded. And then—he vanished. No grave. No obituary. Just whispers. Told through the voice of a weathered jazz sideman who saw it all, this book is a rhythm-driven, soul-deep biography that swings between ...

Twist a Knob, Stomp a Switch, & Crank It to Eleven — This Is the Guitar Effects Book You’ve Been Waiting For Ever wonder where fuzz came from? Why Hendrix used the same four effects every night (Fuzzface, Octavia, Uni-vibe, Vox Wah)? (Or why he set his strat on fire?) What the heck a Klon Centaur even is—& why some folks would trade their car for one?? Whether you're a guitarist, tone-chaser, collector, music historian, or just someone who’s stared at a pedalboard & muttered “what does THAT do?”—this book is your all-access pass to the gear, creators, & legends that ...

You don’t have to be young, famous, or even coordinated—just willing to find your rhythm. In And the Beat Goes On, Harold and Carmen Laski take you on a drumming journey like no other. It’s not about perfect technique or music theory jargon. It’s about buckets and joy, soup cans and soul, heartbeat and backbeat. The book starts right in with technique and the foundation of drumming. Throughout the first section of this book, you’ll learn how to drum—clearly, simply, and without intimidation. But as you read on, you'll discover that learning to drum is only the beginning. With ...

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your pen, Verse Things First: The 5 Secret Sauces to Songwriting is your step-by-step guide to writing songs that feel real, sound polished, and hit hard. With over 21 years of songwriting experience, Armani D. Williams breaks down five foundational principles that have helped him (and others) craft songs that resonate — from the first verse to the final hook. This isn’t music theory. It’s real-world songwriting wisdom, straight from the heart and the studio.

The Beginner's Guide to Bass Guitar serves as a vital resource for aspiring musicians eager to explore the art of bass playing. With the instrument's rising popularity across diverse music genres, this guide provides essential knowledge and skills for beginners embarking on their musical journey. The book is organized into clear sections, starting with an introduction to the bass guitar, including its history, anatomy, and various types available.