Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice with CD (5th Edition) [Paperback]

Robert W. Ottman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0137755031 | ISBN-13: 978-0137755035 | Publication Date: December 18, 1997 | Edition: 5

*For introductory-level courses in Music Theory. Also suitable for similar classes, such as in secondary schools, where prerequisites are sufficiently understood. * This thorough introduction to harmony offers step-by-step development of concepts and skills through explanations, illustrations, musical examples, and drills. Each chapter considers the theory and analysis of music under study. This text focuses on the music of the "common practice period," c1600-1900 (e.g., Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert, Brahms). (The second volume, Advanced Harmony, covers twentieth century techniques.)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This thorough introduction to harmony offers step-by-step development of concepts and skills through explanations, illustrations, and drills. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (December 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0137755031
• ISBN-13: 978-0137755035
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Conceptually solid, but many printing mistakes, October 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice with CD (5th Edition) (Paperback)

The fifth edition of Elementary Harmony is a still a good text that stresses fluency in theoretical fundamentals. It moves more slowly than some competing texts, which I consider a plus. It is a text that teaches mastery of theory, not merely a survey of theory. It is much more readable (less pedantic) than old editions of Ottman. This edition is riddled with printing errors. The publisher is aware of this, and I know from personal experience that they are taking more care in the new fifth edition of Advanced Harmony. Elementary Harmony is in need of a new printing, but the publisher is seeking input to improve the accuracy of any reprint. To summarize, the concepts and sequence of the text presentation are very good, especially for students needing thorough grounding in fundamentals. The excessive errors will confuse students, but a reprint of the edition can easily correct the errors.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Students Beware, January 23, 2000

By 

J. B. Barnes "jbbarnes" (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elementary Harmony (Paperback)

This is a well-designed book, but is marred by an incredible number of mistakes. It's truly unbelievable. I realize that these exercises can be tricky, but the publishers ought to be ashamed that, after four editions, they have allowed mistakes to remain in nearly every assignment.

Why is it that the majority of first-semester music students can find so many mistakes, yet the professionals who put the material together can not see glaring errors that jump right off the page? This is the most unreliable text I have ever used. It's not unusual to find a mistake here and there in technical books, but I identified literally dozens in just the first half we covered in Theory 1 class.

If you are required to use this book for a class, then you don't have any choice--just be very careful. If you are studying on you own, without the benefit of others to help catch all the errors, then you will want another book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be VERY Careful before ordering this book, January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice with CD (5th Edition) (Paperback)

My class used this book for the first time this year. It was a Music Theory class, and everyday, in almost every assignment, we found mistakes. The book itself is great, but the publisher's should have spent more time working out the mistakes. If you know what you're doing and you can easily catch the mistakes, then this book is great. But, if you are at the point where you KNOW if it's a mistake or not, you don't need this book to begin with.