
How To Play The Cornett by Jeremy West
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We ship our entire catalogue all over the world, fully tracked and insured.
The book was helpful. Lots of useful information. A few more simple songs would be nice. I play the trumpet so feel like I have a bit of a head start.
I haven’t gotten deep into the book yet, but it has already helped me decisively in telling me that the finger holes on an A466 cornett are much closer together than those on the A440 cornett. I could not imagine being able to play the A440 cornett given the finger hole spacing and my hand size.
Having purchased a Monk Cornett as a gift for person who is a proficient recorder player but is new to the cornett I bought this book and would say that it has been essential and interesting reading and I would recommend it for anyone new to this instrument.
Few people have anywhere near Jeremy West's playing or teaching experience on the cornett/cornetto. He writes clearly and practically for those making first sounds, going through warming up, playing long notes and then cooling down. The importance of playing with a tuning metre is stressed. There are many exercises of somewhat progressive difficulty for acquiring fluency of fingering and building embouchure to play progressively higher notes. What the book lacks is a genuinely progressive "learn as you play" approach, and it assumes the player is an adult learner, already experienced with notation and how to practise. Although the exercises are progressive, there are notes on the first page of "beginner" studies and warm-ups that may not be playable for several months by a beginner, which the writer understands and expects the reader to select from appropriately. To make best use of the book, you either need to be able to structure your own learning, or work with a teacher who can do this for you, as the book does not focus on giving that structure. A reader who values a no-nonsense, rather austere, "do it the shortest, steepest way" will love this book. There is little attempt to provide "tunes" to play for the enjoyment of playing the instrument, but there are lots of very systematic exercises. Overall, the book gives a wealth of components for a self-motivated and resourceful learner - and since the cornetto is a very steep mountain to climb, why would anyone be reading this book who is not self-motivated and resourceful?
This is, simply put, the best and most accessible source of information for those wishing to learn how to play this glorious instrument. This book serves as a primer, presenting advice on technique, practice strategy, exercises, advice about where to go next, and a sizable collection of musical selections for practice and future aspiration, and all in a supportive and encouraging tone that reassures the absolute beginner that, yes, they can do this, and it will be fun! Cannot recommend this book enough for those just starting out.