New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Jug band music is the embodiment of the human spirit. To be able to make your own instrument and play something soulful with your heart is what music is all about.
Author, educator and musician
Morgan Cochneuer takes his latest music lesson to the page with "The ABC's of Jug Band Music," a vibrant and lyrical picture book set to an alphabet song. From autoharp to zither, this colorful read describes the various instruments and objects that come together to form a jug band.
As its name suggests, jug band music incorporates jugs and other homemade instruments to create rhythmic melodies. A passionate and experienced jug band player himself, Cochneuer wanted to pay tribute to this lesser known style of music while giving a nod to its history and cultural significance.
"This is a really cool part of American music history that rose to prominence during the early 1900s in rural areas," explained Cochneuer. "It's generally a fun and uplifting style that incorporates elements of ragtime, blues, jazz and early American popular music."
"The ABC's of Jug Band Music" is also a valuable tool for parents and music educators to reach young children and get them excited about music.
"Jug band music is the embodiment of the human spirit," said Cochneuer. "To be able to make your own instrument and play something soulful with your heart is what music is all about. Kids already have the instinct to bang objects together to make sound, and I wanted to teach them that jug music is a fun, easy way to express themselves."
Written in a sing-along style with charming illustrations, "The ABC's of Jug Band Music" makes a unique piece of American music history exciting and easily digestible for kids of all ages.
"The ABC's of Jug Band Music"
By
Morgan Cochneuer
ISBN: 9781728315034 (softcover); 9781728315041 (electronic)
Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AuthorHouse Online Bookstore
About the author
Morgan Cochneuer is a multitalented musician and performer. He plays and teaches several instruments, including (but not limited to) fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, jug, piano and percussion. He has been fascinated with jug band music ever since hearing the Todalo Shakers and has since gone on to perform with jug band gurus such as Jim Kweskin, Dan Hicks,
Maria Muldaur and Devine's Jug Band. His own jug band, the Skiffle Symphony, often featured mandolin icon Kenny Hall, and
Morgan spent many years absorbing Kenny's extremely vast repertoire and unique style.
Morgan holds a B.A in
Music (Jazz Studies) from Sonoma
State University. He teaches private and group lessons on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano and more. His enthusiasm for the music is infectious, he is a hard-working and effective teacher who loves to share the joy of music. He currently lives in Petaluma, California, and is available for performances. To learn more, please visit morgancochneuer.com.
