Books published by publisher Centerstream Publications

(Banjo). A complete guide for beginning and advanced banjo players! From Ken Perlman, here is a brilliant teaching guide that is destined to become the handbook on how to play the banjo. The style is easy to learn, and covers the instruction itself, basic right and left-hand positions, simple chords, and fundamental clawhammer techniques; the brush, the 'bumm-titty' strum, pull-offs, and slides. For the advanced player, there is instruction on more complicated picking, double thumbing, quick slides, fretted pull-offs, harmonics, improvisation, and more. The book includes more than 40 fun-to-play banjo tunes.

(Guitar). This charming children's story will delight music lovers of all ages. Little Martin the Guitar lives in Mr. Beninato's Music Store in New York City. He wants so much to be adopted and taken home by a fine musician, but the other larger instruments in the shop are always picked before him. Every night after Mr. Beninato goes home, all the instruments play for each other and compete for a place of honor in the shop. The large and loud guitar known as Big D always wins the contest. One night, Strada the Violin decides to step out of her special case and help Martin win the contest, and the two perform a duet that leaves the other instruments looking on with awe and admiration. Join Martin and all his friends for a CD of music from Mr. Beninato's Music Store! Performed on guitars, mandolins, banjos, and more, hear songs from the book entitled "Strada's Waltz," "Mr. Beninato's Music Shop," "Martin's Lullaby," and six more tunes made to bring a smile to your face and to set your toes tapping!

(Guitar). This unique publication features 45 harp tunes beautifully arranged for solo guitar. It also includes an introduction to the book's origins, info on the Celtic harp and biographical information on the author and Turlough O'Carolan. Most songs are arranged at an intermediate-level of difficulty and use standard tunings so that classical guitarists can enjoy them as well as steel-string fingerstylists.

(Book). Dylan joins the band at school to play saxophone. But all Dylan wants to do is play jazz. His teachers demand he play the easy songs first. Dylan listens to a virtuoso saxophone player performing on the street and wishes to play like him. The man warns Dylan that if he doesn't cooperate with his teachers and play the songs they ask him to play, his saxopphone will shrink until it vanishes. One day, his saxophone shrinks to such a tiny size that Dylan can't play. Dylan discovers the secret to making his saxophone grow back to its full size and is rewarded by being able to play his favorite music jazz! (Recommended for ages 4-8)

(Fiddle). Young Austin begs his parents to play violin. But Austin doesn't make time to practice until one night he is visited by the violin fairy who warns him that if he doesn't practice his violin, it will shrink. Austin's classmates are amazed at what happens next! Austin discovers that if he wants to sound good, he must practice. This heartwarming story teaches the benefits of hard work and attaining one's goals. Austin's dream of becoming a big violin star is starting to come true. The book's whimsical illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Susan Oliver add to the charm and merriment of the story. The book includes a CD of 10 easy original songs for violin or voice (with lyrics sung by a children's choir) and narrations of the story. (Recommended for ages 4-8)

(Book). Martin the Guitar has been purchased by the famous folk singer Robert, and is now on the road performing for audiences everywhere. Martin loves to make music with his new friends, Tthe Harmonica Family, and is in Florida performing with them at a Folk Festival. Just before the performance, Martin and his little friends are kidnapped! Will Martin show his friends his courage? Who will come to the rescue? Is romance in Martin the Guitar's future? Download free music by author Harry Musselwhite to accompany the book at martintheguitar.com.

(Book). Martin the Guitar and his owner, the famous folk singer Robert, have been invited to perform at the most famous concert hall in the world. Joining them on stage will be Martin's new best friend Morgan and her father, Archie the Archtop Guitar. Will Martin and Robert make great music? Will Archie finally accept Martin as a true friend? What if Martin breaks a string? Find out this and more in this guitar-themed children's story by Harry Musselwhite with colorful illustrations by Brian Barr. Includes links to online audio through a special website provided with the book!

(Guitar). Young Carla's mom discovers grandpa's beautiful old guitar tucked away in a closet while cleaning. Carla falls in love with it and wants to play, but her mom and dad tell her the guitar is way too big for her she'll need to grow before she can play. Carla struggles to play the guitar anyway. Her hand, arms and fingers hurt from stretching. Her friend tries to help her: still the guitar is too big until one night she is visited by the guitar wizard who changes everythign. Carla is amazed at what happens next. She learns the power of persistence and detmination to never give up. The book includes ten original easy singable songs with whimsical illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Susan Oliver. Recommended for ages 4-8.

(Book). Kylie is a quiet girl who signs up for trumpet in band. Her friends and band teacher tell her she is talented. But Kylie doesn't believe in herself. One night, while watching TV, her eyes catch an amazing woman trumpet player. Suddenly, the woman steps out of her TV screen and into her room. The woman tells Kylie not to be afraid of what others think, and to believe in herself. She warns Kylie that if she keeps playing softly and not believing in herself, her trumpet will shrink and vanish. Kylie discovers that if she starts playing louder and believes in herself she can keep her trumpet from shrinking. (Recommended for ages 4-8)

(Fretted). Trevor receives a nice ukulele from his mom and dad. They sign him up for lessons with Mr. Parker. Trevor thinks he is too cool to play the ukulele. He would rather be playing the electric guitar. Mr. Parker tries his best to motivate Trevor but Trevor's heart isn't into it. One night when Trevor is asleep, he is visited by a strange-looking man dressed like a rock star. He warns Trevor that if he quits his ukulele and continues showing his poor attitude that not only will his ukulele shrink but he will never have a chance at playing electric guitar. Trevor discovers the secret of how to keep his ukulele from shrinking and how to get to play the electric guitar. Recommended for ages 4-8.

(Book). Matt receives a nice drum set from his parents and starts lessons with Mr. Thompson. He discovers he is talented, and brags to his friends on how good he is on drums so much that no one wants to be around him. One day, Matt visits a music store and watches a strange-looking man, dressed like a rock star, playing the drums. The man warns Matt that if he continues to brag, his drums will shrink until he won't be able to play any more. Matt discovers that it doesn't pay to brag and learns how to keep his drums from shrinking. A songbook of 10 fun and catchy original tunes is included. Recommended for ages 4-8.