Rhythm Primer [Paperback]

Arnold E. Bruce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

This book concentrates on eighth, sixteenth and thirty second note rhythms without ties or rests. All examples use one pitch allowing total concentration on rhythm and time. Free audio flies are available on the internet for each exercise.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Practicing is more productive and far more fun when you have the help of a tireless friend; in this case your computer. These books are the first of their kind, using the internet as a teaching tool. All the written exercises provided have audio counterparts which can be downloaded from the Internet. Mr Arnold has taught at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, and these books are the result of seventeen years of experience. He has observed his student's most common musical problems, elicited their input, and the results are the Bruce Arnold Series of Music Workbooks, addressing both harmonic and rhythmic issues. These books are geared to the seriously dedicated musician, whether beginning or professional, and will provide a lifetime's worth of study and inspiration.

We are very excited about Mr. Arnold's innovative instruction series. We believe that this series of books will help more students and professional musicians to perfect their technique and reading skills through the use of an interactive "practice partner." We know of no other books to compare with them; they are truly a teaching method for the New Millennium! --This text refers to the Spiral-bound edition.

From the Author

I developed Rhythm Primer to address the specific problems of beginning readers who needed very simple rhythms to start to develop their sight-reading and playing abilities. I also included rhythmic patterns that cross through more than one rhythmic level which is another problem encountered by beginning students. In addition, I use this book for more advanced students: we read the examples in "2" or "1" to develop eye movement and reading in fast situations. --This text refers to the Spiral-bound edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Muse Eek Publishing Company (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890944599
• ISBN-13: 978-1890944599
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,726 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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it, do it, get with the program, May 23, 2008

By 

Swami B "Swami B" (Harlem, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythm Primer (Paperback)

This book will challenge your musicality, but the time you spend with it is well worth it. Rhythm is so simple, yet very difficult for some kinds of musical artists to incorporate into their music-making (of course, I'm talking about vocalists). I like the approach presented here, and Bruce Arnold is a responsive author. He even sent me a replacement disc for a damaged CD that came with the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Rhythm for the Rhythmically Dense, February 25, 2010

By 

J. Lolos - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhythm Primer (Paperback)

This book has 61 rhythm exercises with all sorts of "scary" and not-so-scary rhythms to practice (can you tell I'm a vocalist?) There are triplets, lots of triplets, regular triplets, quarter note triplets and half note triplets. I never knew there was such things as quarter and half note triplets. The book explains the "theory" of all these triplets, but what is really helpful is hearing the triplets played (MIDI download from the Muse-eek website), and following along in the book. I still do not understand triplets, but I am learning how they "feel" and sound, which is actually more important to me.

Using this book and the MIDI files, I have discovered that I "hurry up" on whole notes. I have found that I get to the next measure too soon after a whole note. With this book, MIDI files, and lots of practice I am fairly confident I can fix this problem.

There is also plenty of practice with dotted eighth and sixteenth note rhythms, which I find especially challenging. There are even thirty second notes! So, those are the "scary" rhythms, but there is also plenty of practice with basic quarters, halves, wholes, dotted notes, and such. This is a good resource for learning and internalizing rhythms.