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Songbook Review: Inspirations
Mark Freshwater
Cover image of the songbook Inspirations by Mark Freshwater
Inspirations
Mark Freshwater
2019 / Mark Freshwater
30 pages / 7 songs
Review by Kathy Parsons
Inspirations is the companion sheet music book to Mark Freshwater’s 2019 album release by the same name. The songbook includes seven of the fourteen pieces from the album, transcribed for solo piano. It also includes a CD of the full recording. Five of the seven pieces include chord labels to make it easier for other instruments to join the piano since most of the recording is not solo piano. All seven pieces are fairly easy, and pianists at an intermediate level and above should have little trouble mastering them with some practice. None of the key signatures are difficult, and although a few of the rhythms might take some counting, they are not complicated. That makes this book a good one for piano teachers to use with advancing students who prefer a more contemporary sound. More advanced pianists will enjoy the easy-going feel of the music for relaxing and to simply enjoy playing. 
The songbook is currently available from Freshwater Music.

The book itself is spiral bound with a full-color reproduction of the album cover artwork on the front. The scores are very well-spaced and easy to read. Expression and dynamics are clearly marked and metronome settings are also included. I really enjoyed my time with this songbook and think you will, too, if you are looking for some gentle piano music that expresses a variety of moods and experiences.

The song titles, the key(s) they are in and the number of pages are:

Winter Solstice - Key of F (1 flat) - 3 pages
Samara’s Song - Key of C (0 sharps or flats) - 3 1/2 pages
9ths Improvisation - Key of A minor/ C major (0 sharps or flats) - 5 pages
Meditations in A Minor - Key of A Minor - 3 pages
Melancholy Mood - Key of C minor (3 flats) - 4 pages
Bobby’s Berceuse (A Cradle Song) - Key of C/ Db (5 flats) - 3 pages
Christmastime - Key of A Minor / C major - 4 pages
July 16, 2019
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