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More Words Than Notes: Another Resource from Last Row Music

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Over the last 10 years, Last Row Music has provided a stable of resources for the brass community ranging from the brass albums database to auditions to small yet vital resources such as the brass repair directory. With always wanting to move the needle for accessibility and helping the community, I’ve created the newest resource called… Books on Brass.

I try to be an avid reader and frequently listen to audiobooks (probably more than paper books, to be honest). Therefore, looking for the next good book, I imagine there are others also in search of a stellar biography on an underrated brass musician. This need to help others gave way to the birth of ‘Books on Brass’ resource. To help with a better understanding of this resource, here are some Q&A to guide you.

What is ‘Books on Brass’?

A list of books written about or by brass musicians. Biographies, memoirs, history of the instruments, novels with a plot involving a brass musician, children’s books written by brass artists, and pedagogical concepts by brass professors involving a range of health and wellness to the art of teaching in a collegiate studio. Yes, there will be plenty of books about Miles Davis, but are you familiar with this biography on Joe Wilder, this children’s book about Melba Liston, or this book about the transition from natural to valved horns at the Paris Conservatory?

Can you add my new warm-up studies?

This resource does not plan to be a listing of warm-up studies, etude/exercise books, dissertations, or academic journal articles. If there is a book that is sold by a publisher that has more words than notes, it can be added to this resource.

How to add a listing to ‘Books on Brass’?

Fill out this form. Last Row does have a right to decline adding a book to this resource. I also want to include a couple of options for purchasing. Amazon, Bookshop.org, Audible (if available), and/or a direct link to the publisher. It is important to support the artist/author as best as possible and some links will be affiliate links where Last Row Music receives a portion of the sales at no additional cost to you.

Why don’t you list the digital and physical versions?

Last Row Music has always been about bringing awareness to the subject matter. Once you know about the book, the hope is for you to do the digging to find a copy. eBay and many other platforms will be the place to find some out-of-print books. The goal is to initiate your own exploration!

Can you review my book?

At this time, I’m not able to review books.

Jeremy Smith

Jeremy E. Smith is the Founder and Editor of Last Row Music. He received music degrees from Grace College, Carnegie Mellon University, and The Ohio State University. Currently, Jeremy is the bass trombonist of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and performs throughout Ohio, where he lives with his wife and two sons. Smith is a member of the International Trombone Association and the Jazz Journalists Association.