Barbara J Shaw

A Waltz for Each Month Barbara J Shaw

The Music

In bluegrass music as well as jazz and other forms, each instrument takes a song's melody and creates unique variations, different each time played. In this book, the songwriter provides twelve original, simple melodies, one for each month of the year, ready for interpretation and improvisation. Each waltz was written in or close to the month it is named for, and reflects the climate, moods and manners of the season, perhaps especially in New England.



Not everyone is waiting or willing to hear twelve waltzes in a row, believe it or not. Everyone, however, has a favorite month and most people respond viscerally to music in 3/4 time. This book may help the participating musician or listener find a sound that truly fits their favorite month.



The treble clef music notation is supplemented by personal photos and illustrations representing the content, as well as lyrics and guitar chords.

The Songwriter

Barbara Shaw is a musician who is most familiar with the bluegrass genre and has dabbled with several instruments, including guitar, fiddle and bass, as well as a bit of classical piano. She and her husband Frank Shaw are members of the bluegrass band ShoreGrass, which has released four albums and several singles on their own Shaw Family Publishing label. Barbara wrote most of the songs performed and recorded by ShoreGrass, and she considers songwriting as her particular niche in their corner of the music world. ShoreGrass music is available on all digital outlets, and includes releases of some of these waltzes. Despite her corporate background as an I. T. specialist and manager, she emerged during retirement as a musician, writer, amateur photographer, graphic designer, band manager, RV traveler and diehard late-night jammer, always ready for one more song.