Joep Wanders
Broekmans & Van Poppel : 48 pages
Subtitled ‘32 pieces and songs for guitar’, this book consists of duets , some without words , and some with, although the implication is that the top part , when applicable could be sung , but then again, it could be played on a guitar , or even perhaps a melody instrument .All the pieces are either composed by Wanders , or arranged by him, and so you do find famous melodies , such as Greensleeves, Sailing , Amazing Grace, Aura Lee, Freight Train, Brown Girl in the Ring, Whiskey in The Jar, Auld Lang Syne, St. James Infirmary, The Water is Wide, El Noy de la Mare, Green Leaves of Summer, All Around my Hat, Oh Happy Day and many others .Of course the top part is single notes throughout, but the second part is only of modest difficulty, and so any decent player will be able to cope with it, as nothing is too complex.
Along the way there is a lot of fun to be had as Wanders’ own pieces are just as enjoyable and certainly whilst the two musicians are performing together they will be learning the art of accompaniment and playing together , which is after all, the main aim of the book, and as such it succeeds really well!
Chris Dumigan