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Summary
Summary
For something so familiar, music remains mysterious to many of us, to the point where our favorite musicians are more like magicians than everyday people. But the truth is, the world of music-making is closer to all of us than ever before. Sometimes all that separates us from realizing the potential of our own musical creativity is a little extra know-how. Learn to Speak Music helps kids learn the simplicity of this universal language by exposing every nook and cranny of how music is made -- whether by the pros or by you! And it's about more than just picking up an instrument. From songwriting and artwork to shooting a video and setting up a practice space, every aspect of the world of popular music is explored. A long-time musician himself, writer John Crossingham uses his experience as a member of Juno award-winning collective Broken Social Scene to open doors normally closed. A vet of several world tours and many albums recorded both at home and in pro studios, he's also brought along the expert opinions of a cavalcade of other musicians including Feist, Buck 65, Metric's Emily Haines, and many more. Features include tips on buying your first instrument, getting the most out of your playing, setting up your own gig, hints for better songwriting, secrets of home recording, a guide to making your own video with MTVA-nominated director Christopher Mills, and much more! Whether for a seasoned young musician or merely the curious pop culture vulture, Learn to Speak Music is a chance for kids to see the world of music as never before.
Author Notes
John Crossingham has spent most of his life playing music and writing words. A veteran of numerous bands, including Broken Social Scene and Raising the Fawn, he has toured much of the world; played on Conan, Letterman, and the Junos; and has released several albums and EPs. He has also written dozens of children's books, and written about music for FASHION and Chart magazines. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Lesa, and his daughter, Isla.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-9-"All of this stuff is art, and just like music itself, it feels great to create." This statement is the backbone of this incredibly readable book. Crossingham uses a comfortable, conversational tone with a sensibility that will appeal to teens and preteens alike. He covers everything from music being our universal language and humans' instinctual ability to understand, and, hence, "speak" it to learning to play instruments to forming and promoting a band. He looks at the people who can help musicians along the way, today's technology, and, of course, getting along with bandmates. Inspiration is addressed and not solely in words, but also through the exceptional graphic design and illustrations, which enhance and broaden the musical themes addressed with humor, wit, and style. This book will wow anyone who is ready to recognize that creative spark within themselves.-Tracy Weiskind, Chicago Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Crossingham, a member of the band Broken Social Scene, suggests that music just might be the universal language, and in this volume he urges kids to create, record and perform songs. He starts with the fundamentals (explaining pitch, rhythm, melody and other components), offers gentle encouragement ("Learning to play an instrument is like making a new friend-it's a little awkward at first") and covers forming a band, songwriting and performing. Kulak's images fuse seamlessly with Crossingham's soft-spoken style and, though they have a '60s graphic-design flair, the effect suggests modern hipster rather than true retro. Kids won't actually learn how to read or play music from this book, but it might provide impetus to learn. Ages 9-13. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Rightly observing that "there's always room for one more song, one more voice," Crossingham offers encouragement and advice for young rock-star wannabes based on his years of touring and recording with several indie bands. As it's largely general advice of the commonsense varietykeep a notebook, respect bandmates, experiment with sounds, get word out over "whatever the hot free web-network is"rather than personal experiences or specific directions, this reads less like a serious manual and more like an expanded magazine article for casual readers. For art that's more decorative than informative, Kulak festoons the pages with equally generic figures wielding various instruments. The occasional mini-playlists and rare specific tips won't give budding musicians, producers and agents much to work with, and there are no addresses or other resource lists. (Nonfiction. 11-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
For kids who make music and want to enter the professional realm, this attractive title offers a glimpse of how to make that happen. It begins with the basics. What's pitch? Beat? How do they combine to make music? From there the book goes on to discuss forming a band, picking music, writing your own, and performing and recording. Each of these topics is covered in depth, and author Crossingham, a member of the band Broken Social Scene, assumes (and lets the reader assume) that some level of professionalism can be attained. On the other hand, he doesn't denigrate playing for fun. This boatload of information is made palatable by Crossingham's easy tone that doesn't talk down to the reader and the book's clever design. With a graphic style reminiscent of 1950s advertising art, the book is extremely visual, with a number of elements on each page: illustrations, highlighted boxes, and playlists that relate songs to the subject at hand. Even non-musicians will become more informed listeners.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2009 Booklist
