The Art of Writing Music (Hardcover Book) [Paperback]

John Cacavas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1993

John Cacavas has written an extensive book on the techniques of composing, orchestrating and arranging. Includes chapters on each section of the band and orchestra, voicing techniques as well as special chapters on concert band writing, choral writing, electronic applications and writing for film and television.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882846183
• ISBN-13: 978-0882846187
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Careful: Requires an Extensive Knowledge of Theory, March 13, 2008

By 

Robert L. Conley "isotope" (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Writing Music (Hardcover Book) (Paperback)

This book is an enjoyable read and its chock full of valuable hints and rules that a competent arranger or composer needs to know. Cacavas covers topics that a typical theory text would not venture into.

The author also drops in humorous anecdotes every few pages which, although largely irrelevant to the subject, do give one's mind a break to digest the information just presented. Some less kind readers might call this practice 'name dropping'as the stories invariably involve the author and some famous person.

Finally, Cacavas writes under the clear assumption that the reader has a very solid theoretic knowledge. Without this knowledge, I am sure a reader would get hopelessly confused. The author has pitched the book for the right audience but inexperienced theorists should be aware.

Overall, this is a rare 'textbook' which has me actually wanting more and wanting to learn more. However a potential reader is warned that the anecdotes might get a little annoying (though one can simply ignore them) and those with limited theoretical knowledge should look elsewhere. In the end though, this is money well spent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Content actually matches the title, May 7, 2011

By 

J. Staker - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Writing Music: Softcover Book (Paperback)

Very few books out there like this, that actually take you on a tour of the authors own method of writing, or composing music. Minus all the stuffiness of most such books, you get right into sketching out a song on paper.
Yes, the author is from the "old school" where you compose on paper, then later arrange and orchestrate your song.
These days we use computers, but still there is a great gap in modern teaching on "counterpoint" or secondary melodies - you know, all the "other stuff" to put in your song besides your main melody. This is a "get 'er done" style of showing you song and theme construction. Practical application and real world advice replace the typical "music theory" which leaves you debating on what to do in the end. And here's my favorite part. This author does not assume that jazz is the only style of music in existence, like almost every other book I have on the subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource!, February 24, 2012

By 

C. Clay "fur babies" (Duluth, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Writing Music: Softcover Book (Paperback)

Cacavas has written a practical, straightforward and well-organized resource book. Having been a middle school band director/lesson teacher for over 25 years, I appreciated his sound advice on tricks of the trade as well as the do's and don'ts of composing and arranging. I found the theory applications to be pretty basic and very understandable. However, if you haven't had formal instruction in music theory you may find this confusing and difficult to understand. Altogether this is a great read and a great addition to your music library.