seanray - Posted - 12/14/2011:  20:16:51

My new book and play-along CD is now available. It includes 26 classic Scruggs style tunes recorded at moderate to slow tempos played by a real band. The arrangements are based off the classic recordings and include all of the intros, endings, breaks, tempo changes, etc.

More info and song samples can be found at: seanray.com

Thanks,

Sean

Edited by - seanray on 12/22/2011 04:07:54

bc99 - Posted - 12/14/2011:  20:25:52

I ordered it, looking forward to this. The speed and sound of the samples is perfect for me at my level, will let me learn and play before taking the songs to my jam group.

Banjov1 - Posted - 12/14/2011:  21:19:31

Very cool!! 

might have to add this to my Xmas wish list

phb - Posted - 12/15/2011:  02:51:50

Just ordered it... :)

youdog - Posted - 12/15/2011:  04:42:43

I gotta have this! Perfect!

gclaunch - Posted - 12/15/2011:  07:42:16

To Sean Ray:
I am interested in ordering this book, but had a couple of questions. I went to your website and under "CONTACT", filled out required information with my questions and submitted the e mail, but a message flashed up that my e-mail address was not valid...double checked and re-submitted a couple of times with the same result.
Do you have a phone number I could call in an order or a mailing address that I could send it to.

seanray - Posted - 12/15/2011:  07:58:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by gclaunch

To Sean Ray:

I am interested in ordering this book, but had a couple of questions. I went to your website and under "CONTACT", filled out required information with my questions and submitted the e mail, but a message flashed up that my e-mail address was not valid...double checked and re-submitted a couple of times with the same result.

Do you have a phone number I could call in an order or a mailing address that I could send it to.

---

PM sent.

hsjim - Posted - 12/15/2011:  13:30:00

Just ordered it! Thanks Sean, I think this will be a great aid!

seanray - Posted - 12/15/2011:  17:52:20

Thanks Jim,

PM sent.

spaz - Posted - 12/15/2011:  18:33:47

i just ordered mine. thanks a lot sean. im excited!

i love the cover pic and the banjo head looking cd btw. :-)

MikeR - Posted - 12/15/2011:  23:45:14

Just ordered mine too. Classy work with the real band backing and separate tracks to work with!

Thanks!

OldFox - Posted - 12/16/2011:  03:39:25

Sean, after hearing the samples I just had to treat myself to one more book.  Great job as always. 

seanray - Posted - 12/16/2011:  05:54:03

Much obliged gentlemen, your books are shipping out today.

And thanks to everyone else for your overwhelming response and support. I've been slaving over this project for the past six months and it's nice to finally have it finished.

slammer - Posted - 12/16/2011:  06:49:00

Hey, Congrats on your new book Sean. Looks great and sounds like there is lots of excitement about it.
I already gave the address to my kids who never know what to get me for xmas or b-days, hint, hint.
Again, Congrats and all the best from the U.P. Slammer!!!

seanray - Posted - 12/17/2011:  07:18:17

Thanks Slammer,

How much snow did you get up 'der in da U.P. last night? 1st of the year down here in Madison.

kino99 - Posted - 12/17/2011:  13:36:30

Just ordered mine. Soooo excited to get it. Thanks for the effort Sean.

seanray - Posted - 12/18/2011:  07:37:24

Thanks Mike.

scottiebeardsley - Posted - 12/18/2011:  09:40:12

Congrats on the book, Sean. I have already ordered mine. I've learned a lot over the years from you on youtube and website. Thanks again, Scott

seanray - Posted - 12/18/2011:  10:11:04

Thanks again Scott,

Did your book show up yet?

TG - Posted - 12/18/2011:  17:43:01

I got mine Saturday. A great book. Good job Sean!!

seanray - Posted - 12/18/2011:  18:41:18

Great to hear Terry.

Thanks again.

Sterling grass - Posted - 12/18/2011:  19:14:17

I got mine.  Been pickin' a few tunes when I should be getting the tree decorated.  Nice job, Sean.

Jeanie

slammer - Posted - 12/19/2011:  04:34:13

Can't believe it, we only have a dusting up here and it looks like we won't have a white xmas for the first time I can remember. Have a great Holiday and hoping Santa ordered the Session Book !!! Slammer!!!

seanray - Posted - 12/19/2011:  06:24:33

Thanks Jeanie.

Yup, no white Xmas this year Slammer.

Deaf David - Posted - 12/19/2011:  08:51:16

The site says the book/cd is out of stock. Can we still order? And any idea how long before you are back in stock?

seanray - Posted - 12/19/2011:  09:06:00

David, you can still place your order and I will ship out as soon as I take delivery from the printer. It looks like that will be this Wednesday (Dec. 21st).

Email me if you have any questions.

Thanks, 

Sean

pickerjim - Posted - 12/19/2011:  09:35:15

Howdy Sean.....This is great to hear!!! I think I will give myself a gift and order this.
i have done business with you before and will continue to do so. The speed and quality with which you fill orders is second to none, and you helped me greatly with a few questions I had for you.
It's like dealing with a friend and not all dollars and cents!!
Wishing you a safe and happy Holiday season, and all the best in the New Year!!
Jim

mebacon - Posted - 12/19/2011:  11:34:30

Thanks for making this book Sean.  Ordered mine and I know it will help my picking.  I have always been frustrated with Band in a Box so I will be glad to have "someone to play with".

blugraz - Posted - 12/19/2011:  14:41:30

Hi Sean,

Congrats!!!.......Hope you got my order ok.....glad to show it around to my fellow Lepracauns,.....

in hope, they order too....  :-)).   Happy xmas to you,  from d ..'Forty Shades of Green'.

Thanks,

Sean.

Edited by - blugraz on 12/19/2011 14:48:52

seanray - Posted - 12/19/2011:  15:45:01

Jim I appreciate the kind words and hope you enjoy the holidays as well.

Martin and Sean, your orders will be shipping out as soon as I take delivery from the printer. I'll keep you posted through email as soon as I have a definitive time frame but it's currently looking like Wednesday.

fixdent - Posted - 12/19/2011:  19:57:23

Just put my order in.....Thanks,

--

Gordon

Gun slinger - Posted - 12/20/2011:  03:53:49

I have been looking for something like this for a while. I have enjoyed your youtube videos so I am excited about recieving the book and cd. I just put my order in.

seanray - Posted - 12/20/2011:  11:13:08

Thank you Gordon and Dale.

I will keep you up to date through PM.

DoubleHammer - Posted - 12/20/2011:  15:54:47

WOOHOO!!   My book and CD arrived today! Just finished listening to the whole CD. This is EXACTLY what I (and I'm sure a lot of other people) have been looking for. Tab very easy to read on the music stand, spiral binding is great,book should last a long time. Songs are easy to find in the book and on the CD, everything in alphabetical order. Sean, Hats off to you, great job !!

OldFox - Posted - 12/20/2011:  16:35:05

Here in Canada we will probably get it sometime in January!  With the Xmas mail and holidays, I'll be very surprised if it comes before the end of Dec.  Oh well, it will be worth the wait.  Hopefully I have enough time left to learn a few tunes from it. 

seanray - Posted - 12/20/2011:  18:13:38

That's great to hear Robert. I did everything I could to make the layout logical and the book durable. That's the heaviest weight paper the printer offers and I even tried to get it in a hard cover but that just wasn't financially feasible.

David, your book shipped 1st class this past Friday and the post office said it should be about a week to most places in Canada. They also said a week to a week and a half for most of Europe this time of year for those of you across the pond.

Thanks,

Sean

scottiebeardsley - Posted - 12/22/2011:  15:32:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by seanray

Thanks again Scott,

Did your book show up yet?

---

 My book did show up.  I love it.  It has some absolutely great material.  However, the best part is that cd.  Thanks again Sean. 

   -Scott

seanray - Posted - 12/23/2011:  11:57:23

That's great to hear Scott,

We had fun recording those tracks and the response has been so good that we're talking about recording additional songs in the spring. We'll probably start with an entire CD of Bill Monroe classics.

Thanks again everybody,

Sean

phb - Posted - 12/24/2011:  02:56:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by seanray

We had fun recording those tracks and the response has been so good that we're talking about recording additional songs in the spring. We'll probably start with an entire CD of Bill Monroe classics.

---

It's great to hear that your book has been a success! The first book will be plenty of work for me but I guess I could always use a second book... :)

Gun slinger - Posted - 12/24/2011:  09:06:34

Just got my book and cd in the mail, I wasn't expecting it until after Christmas so this was a nice surprise.
Sean, the book looks great and I love the spiral binding. Thanks for the quick shipping. Now its time to dive in.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas everyone!

gclaunch - Posted - 12/24/2011:  15:02:03

My book arrived in the mail today - thanks, Sean, for such quick and attentive service. This certainly bespeaks the high quality of the CD and book. Played the CD in the truck today while doing "run-a-rounds", it's a great CD to just listen to. I really like the weight of the paper used in the book and the clarity of the printing...I am looking forward to many hours of working from it.
For those out there who are undecided...go for it, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.
Thanks again.

BobbyE - Posted - 12/25/2011:  03:43:54

Got mine today as well and it all is exactly as the previous posters have said.  Anyone looking for a way to learn the classics need look no more.  Also you are buying from someone who generously contributes to the HO frequently.

Bobby

BanjerKen - Posted - 12/25/2011:  09:22:41

My book has been in the house for a week but my wife would't give it to me until Christmas Eve (last night). I think that is the definitation of cruel and unusual punishment. Ha!

Anyway for those of you that are considering the book I would highly recommend it. If you want to learn the classic Scruggs tunes this is a resource that can make that happen. The recordings are played fast enough that the songs are recognizeable and sound good but are slow enough to play along with and get the timining and accents right. These are complete songs with the kickoffs, more than one break, and the endings.

Thanks Sean for making this avialable.

 Ken

seanray - Posted - 12/26/2011:  06:39:03

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I'm glad you're all enjoying the book/cd.

Sean

hweinberg - Posted - 12/26/2011:  07:04:22

My family took my Chrismas List suggestion (no ties, no sweaters) and I now have the book in my hands. Great job! Very clear layout and excellent choice of tunes and versions. Hope your holidays are as rewarding. Howard

fixdent - Posted - 12/26/2011:  17:16:03

Patiently waiting for our pony express mail.....

--

Gordon

seanray - Posted - 12/27/2011:  07:22:48

Gordon,

Your book left Madison, WI on Dec. 22nd via 1st class mail so you should be seeing it very soon.

phb - Posted - 12/28/2011:  06:22:16

I got my book today. Looks very nice. For some reason the CD wouldn't play in my mp3-capable DVD-player. I believe the DVD-player may have some problem with the relatively high bitrate. That isn't any problem at all, though, my mp3 player plays the files without any problem and I can always re-encode the files to a lower bitrate if I feel the need to play them back via my stereo.

One thing I have noticed listening to the tracks for the first time is that they are also a good ear training. My ear isn't trained enough yet to cope with the massive amount of notes in a normal bluegrass recording but at the slower speed I can often distinguish different roles a.s.o. I hope that this will help me with normal recordings.

seanray - Posted - 12/28/2011:  07:44:16

Hi Philipp,

That's interesting about the MP3/CD not playing in your DVD/MP3-capable player. Do you think the DVD player's region code may be to blame? (region 1 = US / region 2 = Europe). I would think that would only pertain to the DVD part of the equation but I'm not sure.

I tested the CD on several different stand-alone players, three of which were DVD players, and didn't run into any problems. The good news, as you stated, is that you can always transcode the the files on the CD to whatever format you wish including standard audio files.

Thanks again and feel free to contact me directly with any questions about the book or CD.