Fundamentals of Music/Book and Disc [Hardcover]

Earl Henry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130619043 | ISBN-13: 978-0130619044 | Publication Date: April 1993 | Edition: 2 Har/Dis

For instructors who include basic musicianship skills in the fundamentals course, the (recorded) ear-training drills and keyboard studies, together with a variety of sight-singing excerpts will provide ample material. Fundamentals of Music, Fourth Edition, presents a complete introduction to music fundamentals and basic musicianship. In this popular text/CD package, the author employs a fresh, student-centered style to introduce and explain traditional topics such as notation, meter, scales, triads, and chords. The text informs, guides, and encourages students with basic theoretical information that is balanced with helpful suggestions for study, copious exercise material, introductory aural skills training, and self-tests with answers. The revised compact disc is more fully integrated as a text supplement and features seventy easily accessible tracks of professional performances designed to help students associate the sounds of music with their symbols.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A complete introduction to music fundamentals and basic musicianship. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Substantially revised, Fundamentals of Music, Fourth Edition, presents a complete introduction to music fundamentals and basic musicianship. In this popular text/CD package, the author employs a fresh, student-centered style to introduce and explain traditional topics such as notation, meter, scales, triads, and chords. The text informs, guides, and encourages students with basic theoretical information that is balanced with helpful suggestions for study, copious exercise material, introductory aural skills training, and self-tests with answers. The revised compact disc is more fully integrated as a text supplement and features 70 easily accessible tracks of professional performances designed to help students associate the sounds of music with their symbols.

FEATURES NEW TO THE FOURTH EDITION

• A new introductory section that discusses the traditions and language of Western music and also identifies its major parameters.
• New Unit Reviews that feature exercise material over the most important concepts in a group of related chapters.
• Numerous revised and newly added exercises that better focus student attention on a particular area of music fundamentals while retaining an overall perspective of the musical language.
• New recorded examples that clarify differences and similarities among scale forms.

RETAINED FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS

• Over 200 written drill exercises and creative projects.
• Numerous aural-perception, keyboard, and musicianship exercises (many of these are correlated with the accompanying CD).
• Helpful instructions for student calligraphy as well as suggestions to students for study and comprehension of fundamental materials.
• Glossary plus appendixes on modes, C-clefs, acoustics, and other topics.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 402 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 2 Har/Dis edition (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130619043
• ISBN-13: 978-0130619044
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,754,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful text, February 10, 2007

By 

John D. Castleman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Music (Paperback)

Fundamentals of Music 3rd Edition by Earl Henry 1999

This work is a high school or college refresher level text. It is in booklet format with 3 ring binder holes for easy transportation. The book starts out by giving instructions on how to notate music which includes exercises on re-writing musical examples. This is unique for beginning materials as it has the student re-write music in different beat levels. This is exceptional as it teaches the student reading skills without them even being told that they are doing just that.

The method comes with a companion cd that has recorded musical examples that go along with the written music that is in the text. All exercises in the book are written in large style text for easy reading. There is even a chapter dealing exclusively with the keyboard. Students need these skills so it is best to introduce the instrument as early as possible. In contrast to other texts of this style (workbook based) it does not just give a myriad of exercises, it makes sure that the student fully understands why he or she is completing the work which leads to a concept mastered.

The text helps the student to understand how to write notation for themselves on paper. There are examples of correct and incorrect notation. Many texts, I feel introduce the computer based programs too early. They are necessary in this day and age because that is the direction in which society is headed. Paper and pencil; however is still common ground for most educated persons at this point in society. It is for that reason that I favor pencil and paper in the education process at least initially and then allow the student to make up their own mind which direction to proceed. There are many composers today that still favor paper and pencil over computer programs and later have a copyist translate their work into digital format. John Williams (Star Wars) is one that comes to mind.

Chapters proceed as with major scales, keys, and the order of sharps and flats. These concepts are presented simply and in a basic format with little expounding of ideas. This appeals to younger students as it is the least confusing. I like how the author assumes that the student does not know concepts until they are taught. Many methods assume the student knows more than they actually do.

When intervals are taught, the keyboard picture is always present and then the explanation of how they construct scales. The concept of the circle of 5ths is brought up at the end of the interval chapter rather than the beginning like many texts do. This is helpful as it limits confusion. It is best to not introduce a concept until you are sure everyone understands and then it is best to proceed from there.

Minor scales and keys are presented with a look visually at a keyboard. A written musical example is given. The relative major is explained at this time adequately and thoroughly

Chapters proceed with information on root position triads, inversions and then diatonic relationships. I feel that diatonic harmony should be introduced before root position triads and their inversions but the instructor could reverse this if they preferred to. The final chapter culminates with cadences, seventh chords and voice leading. Unfortunately, these concepts are merely touched upon rather than explaining in more detail. The information on voice leading amounts to only one paragraph of written information. Possibly, the author intended for this information to be expounded upon in a further volume. If that is the case, one would need to extend the teaching by using another work or to expound upon the material. I like the text and would use it in a high school or possibly in a community college setting. I would not use it in a university except for remediation as it does not explain voice leading and 4 part harmony in any great detail.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, August 28, 2005

By 

Absense of Form (Hong Kong S.A.R.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Music, Fourth Edition ( book only) (Paperback)

I have the 3rd edition of this book and I have to say, it takes a while to get through this book, but it is really went written! I've learnt so much abut music theory from this book that I never could seem to understand from all the other books I have.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant book to have., December 23, 2001

By 

Supal Desai (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Music (Paperback)

Author of the book has done a great job explaining the fundamentals of notations used to read/write compositions.