Anne Leighton: PLUGGING IN: A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist by Joe Deninzon

3/1/12

PLUGGING IN: A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist by Joe Deninzon

LINK FOR PLUGGING IN, by Joe Deninzon: http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=22035SET

Renowned violinist/performer/composer and pedagogue Joe Deninzon has just released his first educational book, “PLUGGING IN: A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century violinist” for Mel Bay Publications. The goal of this book is to remove the “unknown factor” that so many trained string players fear when entering the world of improvisation and amplification. Joe uses his many years of experience as a freelancing electric and acoustic violinist in New York to relay the unique combination of skills a young string player has to have beyond traditional conservatory training in order to survive in today’s music world. The first section has chapters addressing how to shop for an electric violin, amplifiers, and working with effects. The second part focuses on improvisation techniques in blues, funk, and rock, string arranging, working with DJs, and modern techniques like chopping. The book is accompanied by a CD and a DVD, which features Joe demonstrating all of the techniques while accompanied by his band, Stratospheerius. With over 70 musical examples, “PLUGGING IN" is a comprehensive look at both the technical and musical aspect of modern, alternative string playing.

"PLUGGING IN: Extended Techniques For the 21st Century Violinist" is available in music gear and sheet music shops, and on the Mel Bay web site, at http://www.melbay.com. "PLUGGING IN" is 168 pages, and costs $32.99 / : £23.99 / €31.99

Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on the electric seven-string violin and his compositions combining jazz and rock with Gypsy influences. A musician who transcends many genres, he has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, and Les Paul among many others. He has also performed as a solo electric violinist in the piece “Red Angels” with the New York City Ballet and has played for President Clinton. Joe is the lead singer and electric violinist for the band Stratospheerius (www.stratospheerius.com), who will be releasing a new album, THE NEXT LIFE this May with Steve Vai's Digital Nations/D-Zone Entertainment. Stratospheerius have released five CD’s to international acclaim, and were named “Best Jam Band” in the Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards. Joe can be heard on over a hundred CDs and jingles as a violinist and string arranger. A 12-time BMI Jazz Composer’s grant recipient and a winner of the John Lennon and Billboard Songwriting Contests, his original music has been used on CMT, MTV VH1, Comedy Central, National Geographic, the Travel Channel, the History Channel, the independent film “What’s Up Scarlet,” and the Will Ferrell/Adam McKay-produced film “Virginity Hit”. He also is a member of the Sweet Plantain String Quartet (www.sweetplantain.com), which combines classical, jazz, hip-hop, and Latin styles.

An active clinician, Joe has taught at Mark O'Connor’s String Camp and Mark Wood’s Rock Orchestra Camp, International Association of Jazz Educators, the American String Teachers Association Conference, Berklee College of Music, and The New School University. He is also the co-founder of the Grand Canyon School of Rock and has performed numerous times at the Grand Canyon Music Festival with harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio. Joe holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz and Classical Violin from Indiana University and a Master’s from Manhattan School of Music. His teachers have included Josef Gingold, Henryk Kowalski, Nelli Shkolnikova, and David Baker. Joe currently lives in Dumont, New Jersey with his wife Yulia, a violinist the New York Philharmonic, and their son Max.

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"As at home in the world of Grappelli and O’Conner as he is in the world of Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix, Joe Deninzon may very well be our next national violin treasure!!" -Jedd Beaudoin (www.seaoftranquility.org)

PLUGGING IN: A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist

Are you a violinist who is curious about “going electric,” but have no idea where to begin? This book will walk you through the process of choosing an electric violin, shopping for an amplifier, and using effects pedals. The book also covers improvisation in the genres of blues, rock, and funk. Chopping and other rhythmic techniques for bowed string instruments are explored, as well as playing in a band, rock string arranging and working with DJs. "PLUGGING IN: A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist" will open new worlds of creativity for you as a string player and help you find your own voice in the brave new world!