Shpil: The Art of Playing Klezmer

All of these areas find a home in Shpil: The Art of Playing Klezmer, a slim yet information-rich volume edited by accomplished klezmer violinist and ethnographer Yale Strom. (Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews) . Growing interest in the centuries-old genre has spurred the printing of a variety of songbooks, fake books, instrument-specific collections, historical analyses and ethnographic studies. Shpil is Strom’s latest book on klezmer. In less than 30 pages of the book’s opening, he giv

"Great background information for newbies to Klezmer." according to R. Fryer. One of a kind resource!. D. Singer said Well written resource for teaching the art of klezmer. Purchased this klezmer book in the hopes that we would find some resources to learn klezmer. This is a very well written book with some good exercises and anecdotes on how to get the style and teach the basics of klezmer.. Five Stars R. Chevalier fine

He has been conducting field research in Central and Eastern Europe on the topic since 1981.. Yale Strom is one of the world’s leading ethnographers of klezmer culture

Individual chapters concentrate on the most common instruments found in a typical klezmer ensemble: violin, clarinet, accordion, bass, percussion, and even voice. Shpil includes a “klezmer glossary” of mostly musical terms and a discography of both classic and new klezmer and Yiddish recordings, all designed to guide readers in the appreciation of this remarkable musical genre and the art of playing and singing klezmer tunes.. Contributors include a cast of musicians who have recorded, performed, and studied klezmer for years. Shpil offers an expansive history of klezmer, from its medieval origins through the present era. Each chapter concludes with a selection of three songs that illustrate and exemplify the history and techniques already described