Instruments of Praise

Solos or Duets for C and/or B-flat Instruments with Keyboard Accompaniment

By Ruth Elaine Schram

I bought this book for my younger recorder and string players at my church, where I direct music. And although the arrangements are simply written, for some odd reason, they were all published in ridiculous keys. The average piece is in 4 flats, with some modulations going way past that...

. What C-instruments work well in FOUR FLATS??? Certainly not recorder or c trumpet. Four flats is a disaster for both those instruments instruments. Any music educator would know that C is much preferred over Db for them, and string players as well. I could not find one piece that was playable by intermediate players.

I ordered this so that I could play in church. I think it will be really helpful and make playing easier than some of the other books I have looked at/ordered or already posses. My complaints are: The accompaniment CD has multiple tracks for each 'song'. I like that...

as far as practicing, but think that the tracks could be better marked at the top of the music. It also means that you need to tell the sound guy where to stop the CD since it contains multiple tracks. Did I mention that I am a trombone player? I don't read treble clef. All four parts (I & II for C and Bd instruments) are written on treble clef. Guess I'll be writing the notes in one the appropriate pages. I wish I would have known about the lack of bass clef before I ordered it.

A great arrangement of common tunes with fantastic acompaniment on the CD. Also the inclusion of sheet music for accompaniment is something that other works should include as it allows for greater flexibility. Thus is an excellent buy.

I am just beginning to see the many uses for this study. The accompaniment helps it to stand alone. Using it with my students and plan to use it in church. Hope more sources on this and a little more advanced level are forthcoming.