I know the book I need - does it exist? Options

[lingle]

Another one about beginners' ensembles.

I've spent a lot of time this year figuring out what the first notes - and movements between notes - and possible speeds on same notes or note changes - are on non-stringed instruments. Equivalent of "on a violin they have to stick to open strings for quite a while, with no bow if necessary, then when they start doing fingers down it has to be in the same position as twinkle twinkle little star for a long time and don't cross strings too fast".

Is there a book aimed at people in my position? I now know what notes are in positions 1-4 on a trombone, how a sax resembles a recorder, why you have to miss bits out for woodwind players even if they can play every bar individually, how a guitar is really strung like a violin but upside down, what a "power-chord" is, etc, but it has taken up an inordinate amount of time.......

[BerkshireMum]

Sounds like an opportunity for you to approach a music publisher! There must be other people trying to set up beginners' ensembles who would be glad of such a book.

[owainsutton]

I wonder if there's something along these lines on the American market? The whole 'band' thing in schools involves a teacher trying to teach every woodwind and brass instrument, and I've seen books that have 'beginner checklists' for things like 'before you play' or 'care of your instrument' for all the instruments in parallel, for instance.

[lingle]

thanks both of you - at least I know I'm not missing a well-known publication!

I will keep asking around, and if it doesn't exist then maybe I need to write it.