An interactive book, " Art of the Accompanist" is a guide to the mysteries of playing for singers for the jazz/cabaret pianist.
I thought I'd make this section easy by using the kickstarter questions as a guideline...so here goes.
WHAT DO YOU WANT
I would like to write a "how-to" book for the jazz and cabaret piano player. I've spent most of my piano playing career as an accompanist, and it's time to share some of the knowledge I've gleaned from toiling all those years in the nightclub/concert milieu. The musical techniques that this career demands have rarely been written about, and so this is an attempt to fill that gap. It's a practical guide to the secrets, both musical and psychological, of the accompanist's art. You can read, and listen to, the first chapter at - www.mikegreensill.com
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DO IT
I plan to lock myself in my garret and slave away night and day with quill pen until it's done.....well something like that! This book is going to be published in two editions, both digital and hard copy. So while I'm writing the text and thinking up appropriate musical examples, my web designer, Barry Sinclair will be doing his magic and making it all into an on-line, interactive e-book. You'll be able to access the video and audio that we plan on recording for the book, and these spots will feature my own piano playing as well as the singing of my wife, the acclaimed vocalist, Wesla Whitfield. www.weslawhitfield.com
WHAT IS THE MONEY FOR
It's for two things...
1. To buy time for me to actually do the writing. 2. For the development of the on-line edition.
1. I'll explain a little further...I need a good stretch of time. I figure I need at least 2 or 3 months that I can dedicate to writing and not having to worry about doing all those little gigs that help keep the wolf from the door every month - the very things that have prevented me finishing this book before now.
2. I feel that we definitely need an on-line edition. It's where future academic reading and study will take place, and that takes time and money to develop. My designer, Barry Sinclair is working on an elegant and intuitive interface so that all you ipad users will feel right at home. We're still deciding whether the digital edition will be in the clouds (see how hip I am), or downloadable, or both!
Now the market for a book of this sort, important though it is :) isn't enormous. That's why I'm coming to you folks. You can be an important supporter of the arts...a real philanthropist! And you can do this for not much money - and if you do give a lot, you get great rewards. Imagine dinner with the Greensills' after a show...witty repartee, worldy wisdom...well we promise to be polite anyway.
Again, you can get an idea of what we're up to, by reading, and listening to, a preliminary draft of the first chapter of the book on my web site - which can be found at - www.mikegreensill.com
Thanks for your ears.....
Mike Greensill
FAQ
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Jan 19, 2011 -
Mar 1, 2011
- First created · 0 backed
- Mike Greensill 982 friends
- Website: mikegreensill.com
Pledge $10 or more
2 backers
Your name will be listed in the book as a "bronze contributer". And I'll be eternally grateful for your help in this project.
Pledge $25 or more
12 backers
Your name will be listed in the book as a "silver contributer". And you'll receive a downloadable digital copy of the book!
Pledge $50 or more
2 backers
Your name will be listed in the book as a "silver contributer" in LARGER TYPE! You'll receive a downloadable digital copy of the book!
Pledge $100 or more
19 backers
Your name will be listed in the book as a "gold contributer". Plus you'll receive a hard copy of the book and a digital version of the book.
Pledge $150 or more
7 backers
This is a 'singers' category - although of course it is a category that the non-singer could give as a gift to the singer in their life. This reward is two (2) Mike Greensill arrangements for vocalist and piano trio, and a digital version of the book. This and the next two categories will be listed as "gold contributors" but in larger type!
Pledge $300 or more
1 backer
Another 'singers' category - as before, this is a category that the non-singer could give as a gift to the singer in their life. This reward is one (1) Mike Greensill arrangement for vocalist and piano trio plus a one hour vocal lesson from acclaimed Wesla Whitfield with Mike Greensill at the piano - and of course a digital version of the book.
Pledge $500 or more
3 backers
This is the last 'singers' category. This reward is two (2) Mike Greensill arrangement for vocalist and piano trio plus two (2) one hour vocal lessons from Wesla Whitfield with Mike Greensill at the piano - and a digital version of the book and a hard copy.
Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
For this generous amount you'll get a private concert featuring Mike Greensill playing solo piano in your home or a venue of your choice (you'll need to find a venue with a piano) - plus both versions of the book. This and all the following categories will be listed as "platinum contributors".
Pledge $1,500 or more
1 backer
You get 2 VIP tickets to Wesla's next run at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco ( May 10th thru May 29th) or at the Metropolitan Room in New York (May 31st thru June 11th) and dinner afterwards with Mike and Wesla - plus both versions of the book.
Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers
This exquisite reward includes a private concert by the Mike Greensill and his Trio! In your own home or a venue of your choice (as before we'll need a real piano) - plus both versions of the book.
Pledge $3,000 or more
1 backer
This even more exquisite reward includes a private concert by the Mike Greensill Trio for you and your friends. In your own home or a venue of your choice (as before we'll need a real piano). AND... you get 2 VIP tickets to Wesla's next run at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco ( May 10th thru May 29th) or at the Metropolitan Room in New York (May 31st thru June 11th) and dinner afterwards with Mike and Wesla - plus both versions of the book.
Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers
This most exquisite reward includes a private concert by acclaimed vocalist Wesla Whitfield accompanied by Mike Greensill for you and your friends in your own home or a venue of your choice (as before we'll need a real piano) - plus both versions of the book. But wait, there's more - 4 ginzu knifes, no really it's 4 VIP tickets to Wesla's next run at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco ( May 10th thru May 29th) or at the Metropolitan Room in New York (May 31st thru June 11th) and that elegant dinner afterwards with Mike and Wesla.
