Ear Training: One Note Beginning Level [Spiral-bound]

Bruce Arnold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 2004

This book and accompanying audio CD presents a new and exciting method of developing relative pitch ear training. It has been used with great success and is now finally available on CD. There are three levels available depending on the student's ability. This advanced level is recommended for students who have worked with the intermediate level and now wish to perfect their skills. The muse-eek.com website now features a FAQ section where students can ask question that may arise as they work through this book. This book provides a solid basis for the development of good relative pitch and is the required text at both New York University and Princeton University.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bruce Arnold (born 1955 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA) is an author, composer, educator and guitarist residing in New York City. His explorations into the applications of 20th century classical theory in contemporary forms such as Rock and Jazz has created a unique compositional and improvisational sound. As a guest artist Arnold has toured Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, Mexico, Russia and the United States. His performance and recording activities include work with a wide array of styles. He has played with such diverse musicians as Stuart Hamm, Peter Erskine, Joe Pass, Joe Lovano, Lennie Pickett, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Absolute Ensemble under the baton of Kristjan Järvi. Bruce Arnold's recording credits include over twenty five CDs and DVDs (on Muse-eek Records, MelBay Recordings, Truefire and other labels), ranging from the standard jazz repertoire to free improvisation to the reinterpretations of classical music with the ensemble Spooky Actions. His compositions are published by Muse Eek Publishing, and MelBay Productions. Mr. Arnold's theoretical works have explored the use of Pitch Class Set Theory within a improvisational setting. He is also written more than 60 music instruction books covering Guitar Pedagogy, Ear Training and Time Studies. He is the director of guitar studies at New York University and Princeton University as well as the creator of the New York University Summer Guitar Intensive He has taught at New England Conservatory of Music, Dartmouth College, Berklee College of Music, New School University, and City College of New York.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 6 pages
• Publisher: Muse Eek Publishing Company (February 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890944122
• ISBN-13: 978-1890944124
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,201,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Guitarist Bruce Arnold has developed an extensive reputation as a composer educator and guitar virtuoso. He has created a unique signature sound that stems from his combination of jazz techniques and 20th Century compositional methods. He has played with such diverse musicians as Stuart Hamm, Peter Erskine, Joe Pass, Joe Lovano, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Arnold is also deeply devoted to music education and had written more than 60 music instruction. He heads the guitar departments at NYU and Princeton University and is the director of the New York University Summer Guitar Intensive He has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools in America, including the New England Conservatory of Music, Dartmouth College, Berklee College of Music, New School University, and City College of New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Effective, March 30, 2001

By 

KLAUS SINFELT (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ear Training: One Note Beginning Level (Spiral-bound)

Mr. Arnold offers practical advice and information to the contemporary music student. His several books present methods for learning music in an efficient and enjoyable manner. The methods were developed and refined during his many years of teaching, and are well informed by his professional associations with many of the world's finest musicians.

I have taught music theory and aural comprehension to well over 1000 music students at New York University. These future performers and composers hail from a wide variety of musical backgrounds - classical, jazz, rock, music technology, and music theater - and I have instructed them in ear-training techniques that are similar in methodology to Mr. Arnold's. These techniques have caused dramatic improvement in almost all students that have applied themselves and allotted sufficient time for practice.

In the 10 years of our acquaintance, Bruce Arnold has consistently impressed me with his abilities as a performer, composer, and educator. I share his philosophy of ear-training instruction and feel that he has realized it in a highly functional and useful manner with his books and CDs. For these reasons, I especially recommend his materials to my students, as I recommend them to anyone with the desire to expend effective hard work in the pursuit of their musical aspirations.

Klaus Sinfelt, Assistant Director of Music Theory, Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, New York University

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Working!, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ear Training: One Note Beginning Level (Spiral-bound)

I was surprised when I got this book and CD. The book was only 6 pages long. But after reading it I realized that all the information I needed was there. Mr. Arnold obviously has taught this style of ear training a long time. He really anticipated a lot of my questions. This ear training method is quite different from learning intervals. This method has been a big switch for me but it's starting to work which is very exciting. I have to say I like the fact that I have this CD which I just stick in my CD player anytime and do ear training. Mr. Arnold says this is one of the secrets of quick development is to listen a lot for short periods of time. Well it's working folks. Anyway, thought I'd share my experience with this method.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars poor, even for the price, March 2, 2006

By 

James P. Palazzolo "James" (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ear Training: One Note Beginning Level (Spiral-bound)

I am an amateur guitarist that was looking to sharpen the ears, in order to take my playing to the next level. Since playing by ear has always been a difficult to impossible task, getting an ear training book and CD seemed like a good idea. Bruce Arnold's ear training system seemed like a perfect buy. The price, especially compared to competitors, made it attractive. Additionally, since my voice is so poor, doing ear training without singing was a plus. Opening the book, I was quite disappointed. There was really only one paragraph explaining how the system works. What am I supposed to be listening for? Should I be memorizing the pure tones? Should I be comparing the distance to C? If the latter is the case, why does he not say that, or at least hold C longer in the cadence? The FAQ was little guidance, and I don't want to waste time on the internet for help. There are two fundamental flaws I've found with the CD. One, some of the notes are out of tune. I view this as a huge problem. The high C is especially flat, it is actually B close to B flat, and this is detrimental to learning "against a key". The other problem with this book is that it is not a beginner's level, despite the title. Throwing in accidentals and the entire range of a piano is much too challenging for someone new to this sort of ear training. Once the notes within a key have been mastered, then it is time for accidentals. Otherwise, it is too overwhelming, as I have found. In the three weeks that I have diligently worked on this program, I have made very little to no progress on recognizing the pitches on the CD. I went from less than 5% recognition rate to a little more than 5%. At this rate I'll move to book two in about three years. Additionally I have made no progress in playing by ear. Eventually, I may make more progress, so I don't think this program is a total loss. Also, the method might be fundamentally sound, but the execution is quite poor. I could make a better CD than this. In fact, my next step is to record my own ear training CD to correct the glaring flaws of Mr. Arnold's. Despite its low cost, I would say the cons are strong enough to warrant a "don't buy". 2 stars.