A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals (with Music Fundamental in Action Passcard, and Keyboard and Guitar Insert) (Paperback)

by William Duckworth (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This textbook approaches the subject matter by weaving into and through the fundamentals of music in an organic fashion, introducing topics the way one might do in explaining music verbally. I like the way William Duckworth talks directly to the student in a conversational tone throughout the text.

The Focus on Fundamentals CD-ROM allows students to work at their own pace, providing reinforcement of basic concepts for those students who need it and an opportunity for enrichment for those students who grasp the basic material more quickly.

The information is interestingly presented. Mr. Duckworth’s obvious knowledge of today’s popular culture would be appealing to many students. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
CREATIVE APPROACH TO MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS (WITH KEYBOARD AND GUITAR INSERT), 10E is a reader-friendly, creative text that focuses on music fundamentals through written and aural exercises. In addition, the text strives to teach students how to create music through learning rhythm, melody, scales, intervals and triads.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Schirmer; 10 edition (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495572209
• ISBN-13: 978-0495572206
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #944,642 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best basic theory text available, January 27, 2002

By	Gregory C. Ristow "Greg R." (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals (3) (Paperback)

Of all the basic theory texts out there, this is the only one that invites the student into a musical exploration of theory. Unlike other basic texts (Damschroder, Conley/Clough, Harder/Steinke), Duckworth's book connects theory with music through numerous musical games and activities. While it is designed for use in a college classroom--many of the activities require an instructor--it can be used for individual study by an advanced beginner. (Someone who has some experience playing an instrument or singing in choirs, for instance.)

I highly recommend this book--for beginners, or for teachers who, like myself, are always looking for a way to bring basic material to life. Duckworth does so marvelously.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on *all* the basics, October 14, 2000

By	Kristin "Ol'Line Rebel" (Columbia, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals (Paperback)

I thought this was a terrific book when I had it in college! That was way back and it was the 4th ed., but I doubt it's changed much (I need to buy it myself). This book covers all the "basics" of music. Now, I'm a little biased because I learned the very true basics of music through several years of band as a kid (notes, scales, basic time, etc), but there are still very many things I never learned from those kid days that are contained herein. It is concise and complete, covering many topics and makes it easy to understand everything very quickly. I was devastated when the last WEEK of the semester I left the book somewhere - and when I tried to find it in the likely places that day, it was gone. Some other engineering student (I was taking this as an extra class) probably picked it up and realized what a great source it was. I liked it so much I went back to the school store during the next-semester sale to buy one - only to see the department had given it up for another book! Bummer!

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Must have some background in music or it's gibberish, June 27, 2000

By	Scott Andrew Hutchins (Staten Island, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals (Paperback)

Duckworth is not a very good writer of educational texts. I was able to follow it fairly well, but this was a textbook for an introductory class, and much of the material is poorly explained, with an assumption that the reader, whom he seems to intend to be a beginner, knows more than they probably do. I found this textbook to be needlessly challenging for the wrong reasons. It is fairly useful, but my professor even hated using this book for an introductory course (the department selected it for her). If you are in step with a lot of music fundamentals, it should help you advance much farther; however, if you are not,, this book will seriously confuse you.