American & Country Music Tune Book: Songbook

I love this book! I got into bluegrass and old-time string band music a while ago (I'm a guitarist and fool around on the banjo and mandolin), and I've been looking for something like this for ages. Some of the guys I play with recommended this book to me, and it is really cool. In general, I try to learn tunes from records and by ear; but that can be tough, and I often wonder if I'm getting things right. This book basically spells everything out for you - melodies, chords and all (even lyrics). It's already helped me learn a bunch of tunes that I've always wanted to play, and it really helps to be able to come into a jam session with my friends with some music that we can all work from. Anyhow, it's a really great book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to play this kind of music (and there are *all* kinds of tunes in it). I am *so* glad that someone else did all this work for me!

As a professor of music at a small college, I have to review dozens of books for our library, and I can honestly say that this is the finest book of its kind that I have ever seen. By providing immaculate transcriptions of so many classic tunes, Rainey has provided a sourcebook for expert practicioners that will be just as valuable to novice musicians who are itching to learn new material. His introductory comments are fascinating, and the overall organization and quality of the book put most other 'fakebooks' to shame. The range of tunes guarantees that there will be something here for everyone - blues, rags, ballads and country fiddle tunes are all represented, with clearly notated melodies, accurate harmonies and full song texts. At the risk of repeating myself, this is best book of its kind on the market; and whether you like to play for your own amusement, occasionally perform for your friends or play professionally, you *must* own this book.

Many tune books are either too full of piano/guitar arrangements or too thin on the songs, but this book is just right - it gives you exactly what you need to bulk up on some classic and some rare tunes. I've been playing hammered dulcimer in a Danzig tribute band for seven years know, and I just don't know how I survived without this book - it's the best String Band Tune Book what can be found!

What a great find! This is an excellent collection of material, and makes a great gift for music lovers. This book contains many hard-to-find tunes. I especially enjoyed the author's introductory comments. Hope we'll see many more books from Kenneth Rainey. I wish there was a CD to go with the book.