Re: klezmer workshops

[PETE RUSHEFSKY <rushefsky...>]

Actually-- I saw a bit of Andy Statman's new instructional klezmer video &
was very impressed--- he works through 5 or so tunes phrase by phrase &
deals a lot on ornamentation.  Comes with sheet music.  House of Musical
Traditions carries it, I would imagine Tara and others do as well.  Has
anyone else previewed this one? 

Pete Rushefsky
218 Lexington Ave.
Buffalo, NY  14222
716-857-4481 (w)
716-883-5938 (h)
rushefsky (at) healthcareplan(dot)org

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> From: W. Morrison <sushiqn (at) cais(dot)com>
> To: World music from a Jewish slant. <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
> Subject: Re: klezmer workshops
> Date: Tuesday, March 03, 1998 9:38 PM
> 
> [...]
> >2. Can you recommend a book/tutor that shows how to play klezmer style
> >........... (ornaments / style etc)        (my usual response is
> >listen/listen/listen etc )
> >PS I'm not asking for books with just sheet music. Sheet music and
CD/tape
> >is good. best would be written explanations as wel. Videos?
> 
> Hoo hah. If I had written such a book, I would be solvent today. I get
> asked this question all the time at the House of Musical Traditions.
> Eventually someone will write such a book, but it would probably be for a
> specific instrument, not necessarily violin, but maybe something like
"How
> to Play Klezmer Flugelhorn". I know of at least one repertoire book that
> has both the words "Klezmer" and "Violin" in the title, but I believe the
> instructional text is very brief. If you look around at what's out there
in
> other traditions, it's always "Introduction to Irish Style Kalimba" or
> "Balkan Music Tutor for Pyekost", never "How to Play Authentic Cajun
Music
> on the Instrument of your Choice". (following Rich's example, I'm getting
> geared up for Purim)
> 
> But there is hope: one of the best repertoire collections around is Sy
> Kushner's Klezmer Fakebook, available in 2 volumes, each with CD of the
> original vintage recordings transcribed in the book. You would want the C
> version, but it's also available in Bb. You can email me at
> hmtrad (at) hmtrad(dot)com or stop by http://www.hmtrad.com if you'd like to 
> order
> it.
> 
> There are also tantalizing bits and pieces of instrumental direction in
the
> text portion of books such as "The Complete Klezmer" and Stacy Phillips'
> massive "Klezmer Collection", but nothing comprehensive for a particular
> instrument, which is what I think you are asking. Neither are there any
> instructional videos, at least not yet, to my knowledge. There are
however
> some concert videos, which might be helpful in a limited way, if there
are
> enough close up shots of the instrumentalist of your choice. We carry
these
> sorts of things at HMT. You can see my list of klezmer books at
> http://www.hmtrad.com/books/klezbks.html - if you don't see what you're
> looking for, try Tara or Hatikvah Music.
> 
> As I see you are aware from your comments above, klezmer is very much an
> aural tradition, and not really possible to learn from a book, and even
if
> you could, you'd only be getting part of the package. Your first step
would
> be to try to find live musicians to learn from - a tall order in Oz, I
> guess. Failing that, recorded music. If you have trouble learning from
> recorded music, your next step would be to find some live musicians to
> learn from. (an endless loop?) I hope I am not boring the list by saying
> this again, but the best way I know of to learn how to play klezmer style
> is to attend KlezKamp. I know you're a long way away, but people do come
> from around the world, year after year, because it is simply the best way
> to soak up this tradition.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> 
> ========================================================
> Wendy Morrison - Klezmos
> "Of all the Klezmer bands in the U.S., we're one of them"
> sushiqn (at) cais(dot)com, work:hmtrad (at) hmtrad(dot)com
> http://www.dc.net/wendy/klezmos.html
> http://www.hmtrad.com/wendy/wendy.html
> ========================================================
>