101 Keyboard Tips, 101 Bass Tips, 101 Drum Tips, and 101 Guitar Tips are the first four in a new series of tip books written by professional musicians. Published by Hal Leonard, each are priced at $14.95 MSRP and include an audio CD, an invaluable resource to novices who just need to hear what the authors are talking about. I like the way these books are written: getting right to the point with concise "chunks" of no nonsense information.

101 Guitar Tips by Adam St. James takes your through a refresher course in music theory and then goes on to exercises and practical real-world guitar-player tips followed by playing techniques like heel damping and alternative tunings. Like all four books, there are loads of inside information, dos and don'ts and concepts that these pros mostly learned the hard way.

101 Drum Tips by Scott Schroedl explains things like warming up, inside gig tips, drum tuning, drum choices, stick techniques and grip, drum hardware tips, writing your own shorthand drum charts, and many drumming exercises that are played correctly on the CD.

101 Keyboard Tips by Craig Weldon starts you off with an extensive look at posture and seating, using and choosing a synth or keyboard, techniques using a synth's effects, sequencers and samplers, scales and practicing for success, knowing and developing your own style, and even keyboard maintenance and repair.

Finally 101 Bass Tips by Gary Willis answers many questions new players of this instrument are bound to have. Find out: which side of the stage to setup; intonation issues; fret and fretless practicing; string gauge discussion; left hand practice; those sus chords; pickup balance and so much more.

For the price of a set of strings or sticks, the new 101 Tips series is a must have for any musician from beginner to the old and wise yo cat! Hal Leonard books are available at music and bookstores nationwide, or through Music Dispatch www.musicdispatch.com or call 800-637-2852.


101 Bass Tips

101 Keyboard Tips

101 Guitar Tips

101 Drum Tips