The Sounds of Music: Perception and Notation [Paperback]

Gerald Eskelin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

The premise of this book is that, like spoken language, music should be experienced as sound before it is learned in its symbolic form, and that when presented this way, a learner is better prepared to navigate the tangles and perplexities of music notation. Drawing on his extensive background as performer, teacher, composer and lecturer, the author cuts through the traditional, sometimes irrational, language of music teaching and reduces terminology to simple and basic ideas. He begins with a discussion of sound itself, and from there proceeds to demonstrate how we hear and organize the specific perceptual structures we call music. Discussions of perception and conception are not clinical in content or style; they are simply based on common experiences and logical conclusions. Plentiful aural and graphic illustrations are provided, enabling the reader to actually hear and see how combinations of pitches and rhythms become meaningful musical expressions. The focus then turns to music notation, showing how music can be captured on paper and later re-created in performance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Shows in very understandable terms how to fine tune one's musical sensibility."

About the Author

Gerald Eskelin

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Stage Three Enterprises (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886209138
• ISBN-13: 978-1886209138
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for every musician, December 31, 1999

By 

M.SapientiS (Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sounds of Music: Perception and Notation (Paperback)

This book explain the theory behind many aspects of music ,focusing on the perceptual ,"sound" aspect, rather than presetning theory in a completely abstract way. It lacks only deeper explanations and references when it presents harmony and it's relation to frequencies.A little more mathematical treatment or just some references to those interested in going deeper in the subject would be good,even thoguh it's not the main goal of the book. The best part is that the "sound" section of the book wich is just marvellous, inciting insights in the very essence of music.The tritone subject had excellent coverag,and provided me a needed knowledge. It helped me a lot in understanding music and widening my perception. Almost every musician can make a good deed to himself reading this book.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive achievement!, November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sounds of Music: Perception and Notation (Paperback)

The title of this book is a little daunting and, before I opened it, I was expecting an arid, technical work of interest only to serious students of music. This is not the case. The book addresses itself to anyone who wants to develop their understanding of this medium and assumes no prior knowledge. It begins with a laudably succinct chapter on world music which discusses musical traditions and variation. It then goes on to deal with musical concepts such as timbre, tone and pitch. Discussion of the various modes and structure of music follow, including introductions to melody, rhythm and meter. The narrative - which is fluent and engaging throughout - is linked to a CD full of examples to illustrate points made in the text. The book is remarkably user-friendly and, with its A4 format and margin notes, reminded me of the way the Open University present their course material. It took me just under a month to work my way through it but I'm glad I took the time. I can now pontificate with some authority about the technicalities of a medium I've always wanted to know more about (but was afraid to ask!). There's bound to be a market for this impressive achievement.

Reviewer: Paul MacDonald, New Hope International Review

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book is to complicated for beginners, December 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sounds of Music: Perception and Notation (Paperback)

In relation to theory, this is a good book; however,it needs a better diagrams that describe the theory ,plus is a good idea to put some practice diagrams so the person can practice at the same time with the book.