Building a Vocal Community-Includes Four CDsIndividuals friends choirs church camp and community groups of any background will enjoy participating in this uplifting singing tradition. Ysaye M. Barnwell a charter member of the great a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock teaches melodies harmonies rhythms and counter-melodies to 17 traditional songs from African American culture including spirituals hymns gospels and songs from the Civil Rights Movement.The CD's in this series contain songs which were originally taught in the context of a 5 day workshop. In a workshop often having between 40 and 60 people songs are taught without printed music or printedwords and without pitch pipes or musical instruments other than those which help create and maintain the rhythmic foundation and intensity of the songs. This method of passing on knowledge is very much in the oral/aural tradition. Here for the sake of clarity the words to all the songs have been provided but the music itself is presented in the form of an oral/aural score which must be listened to.

The idea here is to help coordinate the pickers so you all have solos to play and they can be played in the same key. What a concept - a 'Band in the Book'. Within these pages you will find solos for the entire band: leadguitar rhythm guitar banjo mandolin fiddle and bass. The mandolin and fiddle share the same tunings so their solos are just written once for both. If you are just starting out and you are having difficulty-finding solos foryour level - look no more. These solos are written for the beginner level student assuming you can already play a few simple solos or lead breaks. This series will help you to learn solos on multiple instruments help organizeensemble play help develop a steady sense of timing and give you hours of enjoyment as well.