Basic Materials in Music Theory: A Programed Course (9th Edition) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For one-semester, freshman-level courses in Basic Musicianship, Music Fundamentals, or Music Foundations. Also for a graduate course in theory review. This classic, self-paced, auto-instructional introduction to music fundamentals allows students to work independently through a programed format, allowing instructors to concentrate on the more creative aspects of their course. From the wealth of clearly laid-out lessons and exercises, students receive continual feedback and reinforcement as they work through the sequence at their own pace.

From the Publisher

This item is a book only. There is an optional CD that is available separately (ISBN 0130993360). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 377 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 9th edition (July 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205295843
• ISBN-13: 978-0205295845
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #201,337 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching yourself Music Theory, August 9, 2000

By A Customer

This is the best book I have ever come across for teaching yourself music theory. It starts out like you know nothing about music theory. Then it builds step by step, until by the end of the book, you are well-grounded in music theory. The eleven lessons are easy to follow. They cover such things as note and rest values, intervals, key signatures, scales, and triads. There are plenty of exercises, ear training exercises, and mastery frames. There are 2 other books in this series,by these same authors, using this same format - covering the next steps in musical composition - namely elementary harmony and advanced harmony. I highly recommend these books too. By completing all of the exercises in each of these three books your ability to compose music will be greatly enhanced.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Easy Step-by-Step Learning, May 13, 2003

By	"johnlski" (USA) - See all my reviews

I first heard about this book from the Ball State University School of Music. They were explaining the audition process and highly recommended this book for their theory exam. I had already been looking for a music theory book so I decided to get it. It was amazing!
It was so easy to learn by myself using this book. Each chapter consists of two columns of 'frames'. On the right is questions and information. After completing the question, you simply uncover the left column to see the answer. Each chapter consists of these frames that slowly build on what you have learned in previous frames until you complete the chapter. It is very simply yet VERY effective. Also at the end of each chapter are 'Mastery Frames' similar to a test. If you get a question wrong it tells you what frames to review in the chapter. Also included at the end of each chapter is an increasingly challenging ear training activity.
For those interested here are all the chapters to show what the book covers:
1)The Basic Materials of Music: Time and Sound
2)The Notation of Pitch
3)Time Classification
4)Note and Rest Values
5)Time Signatures
6)Intervals
7)The Basic Scales
8)The Major Scale
9)The Minor Scales
10)Key Signatures
11)Triads
Also included in the back are two appendixes on Piano Styles and an Orchestration Chart along with a complete Glossary of Musical Terms. One very useful addition is an extensive bibliography for further study.
I can play an instrument proficiently and new basic music theory pertaining to my instrument. After reading this book I have brushed up on all the stuff I thought I completely knew and learned many more things I never knew in regards to basic music theory. I am now at a level where I can begin to start basic compositions- one goal I was aiming for.
I would recommend this book without hesitation to anyone interested in Music.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Info, Lacks Aural Aspect, November 4, 2003

By	Sara Swihart (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Basic Materials in Music Theory: A Programmed Course, 10th Edition (Book Only) (Paperback)

I had to have this book for a college music theory class, "Rudiments of Music I". It has a lot of useful information in an easy to understand format, which is awesome for the college student who have about a million other books that they have to read.

One improvement that could be made it to add a companion audio CD or CD-ROM. The aural training would be extremely useful when learning about the scales, especially the minor scales or when talking about perfect, major, minor, diminished or augmented pitches. Understanding would greatly increase if you could hear them.

I thought that the book was a bit overpriced, considering that it is paperback with pictures and little text.

If you just want to see the different aspects of music and be able to identify them on a piece of sheet music, this is a good book. If you want to pick out the different aspects of music when you hear them, find a CD that you can use in conjunction with this bok.