Music: An Appreciation (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Sounds bombard our ears every daythe squeaks and honks of traffic, a child's laugh, the bark of a dog, the patter of rain..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book is the leading text for the nonmajors' introduction to music courses. Some of the books distinctive features include the listening outlines (created by Kamien), the clear concise writing style, the well chosen examples, and the strong elements section. The fifth edition includes new selections throughout, additional listening outlines, new unit on The American Musical Theatre, and an improved and expanded recording package. Designed to help students follow a piece of music as it is playing, the listening outlines are now internally "tracked" and "timed" to correspond to the recording package. The writing style does not assume prior background in music. Also included are well chosen examples based on extensive market surveys and complete and separate units on nonwestern music and jazz. This edition has an increased number of listening outlines. The text now includes 48 listening outlines, and each piece outlined is available in the listening package. A new unit on the American Musical Theatre, including a section from Bernstein's "West Side Story" and a completely revised music package, produced by Polygram, the classical music company is also included. Also an expanded package, including complete sets of lps, cassettes and CD's and an expanded supplementary set of lps, cassettes and cd's, writing about music supplement has been added. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Roger Kamien received his B.A. in Musicology from Columbia and his M.A. and PhD. from Princeton. Kamien taught for 2 years at Hunter College and for 20 years at Queens College, where he coordinated the music appreciation courses. In 1983, he was appointed to his current position. In addition to Music: An Appreciation, Prof. Kamien has written numerous articles and reviews, co-wrote A New Approach to Keyboard Harmony, and edited the Norton Scores. He is an accomplished pianist and, in recent years, has formed a two-piano team with his wife, Anita. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill College; 6th edition (February 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0073366021
• ISBN-13: 978-0073366029
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #308,471 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very comprehensive introduction to music., September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Music: An Appreciation (Hardcover)

I have used this text and earlier editions teaching music appreciation at community college and have found it to be the best yet so far. The most useful part of the text for the [before class] non-active listener are the listening outlines, with very detailed descriptions of what to listen for in various pieces of music. Kamien includes very early musical selections up to the very recent. Also included are some non-western music examples. This text could be very beneficial to musician and non-musician alike. There is great detail in his explanations of how various musical forms are put together. There is just enough history included in the text to avoid the boredom of the purely historical perspective of music appreciation.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well done, with shortcomings, February 1, 2000

By	Jessica "rickfaulknernyc" (Queens, NY, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music: An Appreciation (Paperback)

This is an excellent text for a survey course strictly on the history of western classical music. Kamien's experience and scholarship as a teacher and historian cannot be equalled in this area. I don't recommend the chapters on non-western music, jazz and popular music, however. If you are teaching a survey course that is more inclusive, this text is not ideal. Of all the western classical music texts I have used in my teaching, Kamien's accompanying CD compilation contains the nicest performances.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Music: An Appreciation, March 10, 2007

By	Kimberly Gritten "Grit" (West Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Music: An Appreciation (Book & CDs) (Audio CD)

I ordered this book/ cd set because it was required text for a college class. It is well organized and clearly written. I especially like the way the listening guides in the book refer to specific portions of songs which are recorded so that the entire work can be played seemlessly in its entirity, or specific portions can be accessed individually.
The only thing this work lacks is impossible for any work that attempts to offer a complete appreciation of music to achieve, complete scope.
I recommend this set.