It’s not often that I find myself thinking, “What can I do that’s fun?” during the summer.  Let’s face it – summer is GREAT and there is a lot to do!  However, I do find myself wondering what I can do that’s fun AND involves music.  This may be even truer for parents.  Keeping your child (or yourself) musically active during the summer months can, at times, be challenging.

What’s the answer?

While there are many answers, I would like to highlight one: Play-alongs!

Play-alongs are a FANTASTIC way to keep the music going through the summer!  You don’t even need a band, just pop in the CD and join in.

Most method books come with CDS, but if you want something a little more fun – a little more you style – here are some ideas.

Are you a guitar player?  You pretty much have your pick of anything:  AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Glee, Nirvana, Bon Jovi, Elvis, Hard Rock, Blues, Worship, Country, Funk, R & B, …. You get the point.

Are you a piano player?  Almost anything Disney, Glee, classical, The Phantom of the Opera, Gospel, Twilight, Billy Joel, Elton John, Casting Crowns, Jazz, Frank Sinatra, …. The list goes on.

The same can be said for almost any instrument.  Here are a few examples from Hal Leonard Corporation:

	Hard Rock Drum Play-Along Volume 3 Series: Drum Play-Along Publisher: Hal Leonard Format: Softcover with CD Artist: Various
	Play your favorite songs quickly and easily with the Drum Play-Along Series. Just follow the drum notation, listen to the CD to hear how the drums should sound, then play along using the separate backing tracks. The lyrics are also included for quick reference. The audio CD is playable on any CD player. For PC and MAC computer users, the CD is enhanced so you can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing the pitch! Includes: Bark at the Moon • Detroit Rock City • Living After Midnight • Panama • Rock You Like a Hurricane • Run to the Hills • Smoke on the Water • War Pigs (Interpolating Luke's Wall).
	Rolling Stones Guitar Play-Along Volume 66 Series: Guitar Play-Along Format: Softcover with CD - TAB Artist: Rolling Stones
	The Guitar Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily! Just follow the tab, listen to the CD to hear how the guitar should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. The audio CD is playable on any CD player. For PC and Mac computer users, the CD is enhanced so you can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing pitch! Eight songs, including: Beast of Burden • Happy • It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It) • Miss You • Shattered • She's So Cold • Start Me Up • Tumbling Dice.
	Disney Blockbusters Easy Piano CD Play-Along Volume 11 Series: Easy Piano Play-Along Format: Softcover with CD Composer: Various
	Each volume in the Easy Piano CD Play-Along series comes with a CD of orchestrated arrangements, and includes matching custom arrangements in easy piano format. With these book/CD packs you can: Play the easy piano arrangements along with the orchestrations Play the easy piano arrangements as solos, without the CD Listen to complete performances of each song Sing along with the recordings This pack features 10 Disney classics, including: Can You Feel the Love Tonight • Two Worlds • Under the Sea • A Whole New World • You've Got a Friend in Me • and more.
	Country Hits Violin Play-Along Volume 9 Series: Violin Play-Along Format: Softcover with CD Composer: Various
	The Violin Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily. Just follow the music, listen to the CD to hear how the violin should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. With the melody and lyrics included in the book, you may also choose to sing along. Chord symbols are provided should you wish to elaborate on the melody. The audio CD is playable on any CD player, and also enhanced so Mac & PC users can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing pitch! This volume includes the songs: Boot Scootin' Boogie • Born to Fly • Chattahoochee • Friends in Low Places • Guitars, Cadillacs • What Hurts the Most • Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? • Wide Open Spaces.
	Glee Instrumental Play-Along for Clarinet Series: Instrumental Folio Format: Softcover with CD
	15 hits from the first season of this popular FOX TV show for solo instrumentalists! Includes a great full-accompaniment play-along CD so you can sound just like a pro. Songs include: And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going • Defying Gravity • Don't Stop Believin' • Keep Holding On • Lean on Me • No Air • Sweet Caroline • True Colors • and more.
	Jazz & Blues Trombone Play-Along Solos Series: Instrumental Folio Format: Softcover with CD Composer: Various
	14 songs for solo instruments, complete with a play-along CD. Includes: Bernie's Tune • Cry Me a River • Fever • Fly Me to the Moon • God Bless' the Child • Harlem Nocturne • Moonglow • A Night in Tunisia • One Note Samba • Opus One • Satin Doll • Slightly Out of Tune (Desafinado) • Take the “A” Train • Yardbird Suite.

If you don’t see what you like here, there are plenty more to choose from.  Contact your local West Music store and ask for the print music specialist.  They will be more than happy to help you find what you’re looking for.

I wish you all a great summer and happy music making!