Modern Harmonic Technique: The Advanced Materials of Harmony (20900) [Paperback]

Gordon Delamont (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Kendor Music (June 1990)
• ISBN-10: 9990597391
• ISBN-13: 978-9990597394
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,956,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This Volume Is Fun, Fun, Fun!, December 15, 2011

By 

M. Sweetz "Pop-a-holic" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Harmonic Technique: The Advanced Materials of Harmony (20900) (Paperback)

My feelings about this book: 'Modern Harmonic Technique, Vol. II', can be found in my review of its companion: Modern Harmonic Technique: The Elements of Harmony (20890).

This volume goes beyond the basics introduced in Vol. I (which included diatonic chords in major and minor, voice leading principles, resolution of the 7th), and introduces the yummy stuff such as modal interchange chords, tonicization, melodic decoration, chromaticism, extended chords, and modulation. The concepts introduced in this volume allow for greater freedom and creativity when working out exercises. In addition, the increased harmonic and melodic resources can be immediately put to use by songwriters and arrangers. Aw gee, I really like this book.

Here is the table of contents for Vol. II, to offer potential buyers a sneak peek of what they're getting. Again, thoroughly going through this book - examples, exercises, and all - will be most beneficial.

Chapter 1: Extended Tonality, Part I (basically, modal mixture/interchange chords)
Chapter 2: The Augmented 6th Group (the best explanation I've encountered yet on these chords)
Chapter 3: Melodic Inharmonics (passing tones, suspensions, etc. but also extended chords!)
Chapter 4: Extended Tonality, Part II (tonicization, secondary dominants, cycle modulation)
Chapter 5: Sequences
Chapter 6: Extended Tonality, Part III (chromatic harmony)
Chapter 7: Parallel Harmony
Chapter 8: Opposed Scales
Chapter 9: Organ Point (various forms of pedal harmony)
Chapter 10: Equal Division of the Octave
Chapter 11: Modulation (saved for the end in order to utilize any previously taught concepts)

Delamont himself suggests that this book functions as a prequel to 'Modern Arranging Technique'. I'll get around to reviewing 'Modern Melodic Technique' soon, and eventually I'll dive into his Counterpoint book.