GET SMART

Sep 1, 2002 12:00 PM

           
 

SUPERIORBOOKS

Joseph Befumo's Exotic Scales: New Horizons for Jazz Improvisation ($19.95) begins with “Basic Harmonic Theory, Diatonic Scales, and Modes,” and then jumps into scales ranging from the somewhat traditional Melodic Minor and Neapolitan Major to more uncommon ones like the Aeolian ♭♭7, the Dhenuka, and the Enigmatic Minor. Scales are cataloged and presented according to the number of augmented intervals they contain. Befumo shows you the intervals that build each scale, where the notes lie on a regular six-string guitar using tablature, and the makeup and function of the chords built from the scale tones.

Supporting material, available as a free download or on a CD-ROM ($5.95), features audio examples (a melody track and background track for each scale), Standard MIDI Files, transcriptions in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, and source files that can be used with Cakewalk products, Coda Finale, SoundTrek Jammer, and Noteworthy Artware Composer. SuperiorBooks.com; tel. (518) 648-5648; e-mail info@superiorbooks.com; Web www.exotic-scales.com.

BERKLEE PRESS

Keith Hatschek's How to Get a Job in the Music and Recording Industry ($24.95) is a no-nonsense look at the kinds of jobs available in the music biz and how to snag one. The book focuses on career-building methods and finding employment in the industry rather than on how to build musical or technical skills. Chapters such as “Analyzing Job Descriptions,” “Schmooze or Lose (Secrets of a Networking Guru),” “Goal Setting Skills,” and “Preparing for Your Job Search” offer tips to help you develop a marketable skill set, create a winning resume, and survive interviews.

Hatschek covers the job potential for many aspects of the audio field. Besides how to conduct a job search, topics the book covers range from internships and trade associations to writing cover letters for cold calls and resumes. The final chapter, “Views from the Top,” offers a question-and-answer session with four industry professionals: Murray Allen of Electronic Arts, Gary Gand of Gand Music and Sound, Gregg Hildebrandt of Tascam, and Leslie Ann Jones of Skywalker Sound. Berklee Press; tel. (617) 747-2146; Web www.berkleepress.com.

WIZOO

Len Sasso's Native Instruments Reaktor 3 ($34.95) is a hands-on tutorial covering the various aspects of this deep and powerful program. After quickly introducing the reader to the structure of Reaktor, Sasso describes the factory patches from the four basic Ensemble categories: Synthesis, Sampling, Sequencing, and Effects Processing. From there, individual chapters go into greater depth with each of the categories. “Building a Sequencer,” for example, covers pulse clocks, a basic step sequencer, MIDI sync, and an event-table sequencer.

Native Instruments Reaktor 3 finishes up with “Handy Gadgets and Tricks,” a collection of useful items — radio buttons, knobs, math gadgets — that will enhance your Reaktor experience. The book includes a CD-ROM (Mac/Win) featuring numerous examples of ensembles, instruments, and macros. Wizoo GmbH; tel. 49-421-701-870; e-mail info@wizoo.com; Web www.wizoo.com.

HAL LEONARD

The second edition of The Musician's Guide to the Internet ($12.95) was authored by Todd Souvignier and Gary Hustwit, two writers who have extensive knowledge of music on the Web. Their book offers a wealth of information for musicians interested in using the Internet to promote their careers. Souvignier and Hustwit cover the basics, including equipment requirements, how to build a Web site, and how to go about preparing your music for the Web. The book also focuses on more conventional Internet topics such as e-mail, newsgroups, instant messaging, mailing lists, and chat rooms.

Intermediate Netizens will want to check out the chapters “Internet Radio and Streaming Audio,” “Building Web Traffic,” “File Sharing,” and “Selling Music Online.” If you've ever wondered about listing your music with IUMA or MP3.com or about selling your CD releases through Amazon.com or CDNow, The Musician's Guide to the Internet is a good place to begin your research. Hal Leonard Corp.; tel. (800) 637-2852; www.musicdispatch.com.