Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice with CD (5th Edition) (Paperback)

by Robert W. Ottman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
*For introductory-level courses in Music Theory. Also suitable for similar classes, such as in secondary schools, where prerequisites are sufficiently understood. *This thorough introduction to harmony offers step-by-step development of concepts and skills through explanations, illustrations, musical examples, and drills. Each chapter considers the theory and analysis of music under study. This text focuses on the music of the "common practice period," c1600-1900 (e.g., Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert, Brahms). (The second volume, Advanced Harmony, covers twentieth century techniques.)

From the Publisher
This thorough introduction to harmony offers step-by-step development of concepts and skills through explanations, illustrations, and drills. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (December 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0137755031
• ISBN-13: 978-0137755035
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #685,067 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Students Beware, January 23, 2000

By	J. B. Barnes "jbbarnes" (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Workbook for Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This is a well-designed book, but is marred by an incredible number of mistakes. It's truly unbelievable. I realize that these exercises can be tricky, but the publishers ought to be ashamed that, after four editions, they have allowed mistakes to remain in nearly every assignment.

Why is it that the majority of first-semester music students can find so many mistakes, yet the professionals who put the material together can not see glaring errors that jump right off the page? This is the most unreliable text I have ever used. It's not unusual to find a mistake here and there in technical books, but I identified literally dozens in just the first half we covered in Theory 1 class.

If you are required to use this book for a class, then you don't have any choice--just be very careful. If you are studying on you own, without the benefit of others to help catch all the errors, then you will want another book.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Conceptually solid, but many printing mistakes, October 19, 1999

By A Customer

The fifth edition of Elementary Harmony is a still a good text that stresses fluency in theoretical fundamentals. It moves more slowly than some competing texts, which I consider a plus. It is a text that teaches mastery of theory, not merely a survey of theory. It is much more readable (less pedantic) than old editions of Ottman. This edition is riddled with printing errors. The publisher is aware of this, and I know from personal experience that they are taking more care in the new fifth edition of Advanced Harmony. Elementary Harmony is in need of a new printing, but the publisher is seeking input to improve the accuracy of any reprint. To summarize, the concepts and sequence of the text presentation are very good, especially for students needing thorough grounding in fundamentals. The excessive errors will confuse students, but a reprint of the edition can easily correct the errors.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars the most horrible theory book in the world, December 24, 2000

By A Customer

this was the text book that was used in my college intro to harmony and tonal counterpoint. it was full of mistakes and was very difficult to follow. my professor even expressed his hatred of this horrible, horrible book, but yet my university feels inclined to continue using it. if you really want to learn voice leading and harmony, find another book.