Product Description

For one-semester, freshman-level courses in Basic Musicianship, Music Fundamentals, or Music Foundations; and for graduate courses in theory review. This classic, self-paced, auto-instructional introduction to music fundamentals allows students to work independently through a programmed 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. The result is a more productive and enjoyable teaching and learning experience for all, both in and out of the classroom.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #540567 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

From the Publisher
This item is a book only. There is an optional CD that is available separately (ISBN 0130993360).

From the Back Cover
This classic, self-paced, auto-instructional introduction to music fundamentals allows users to work independently through a programmed format. From the wealth of clearly laid-out lessons and exercises, learners receive continual feedback and reinforcement as they work through the sequence at their own pace. Chapter topics cover the basic materials of music: time and sound, the notation of pitch, time classification, note and rest values, time signatures, intervals, the basic scales, the major scale, minor scales, key signatures, and triads. For private music studio teachers, and anyone involved in the teaching—and learning— of the basic fundamentals of music.

About the Author

Dr. Paul O. Harder (1923-1986) received a Master of Music degree in Music Theory from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, where he performed as oboist with the Rochester' Philharmonic Orchestra. Later, as a fellowship student at the University of Iowa, he received his Ph.D.' in Music Composition. He studied composition with Mlle. Nadia Boulanger at the École des Beaux Arts de Fountainbleau, France, and at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dr. Harder held the post of Chairman of Music Theory at Michigan State University before becoming Assistant Vice President and Professor of Music at California State University, Stanislaus. He was a Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University.

In addition to approximately fifty compositions for a variety of media including orchestra, band, chorus, and chamber groups, Dr. Harder was the author of Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music, Parts I and II, through the fifth edition; Basic Materials in Music Theory, through the sixth edition; Music Manuscript Techniques, Parts I and II; and Bridge to Twentieth Century Music, through the first edition.

Dr. Greg A Steinke (b. 1942) holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory, a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University, a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Michigan State University.

Dr. Steinke retired in June 2001 as Chair of the Art and Music Departments, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, and holder of the Joseph Naumes Endowed Chair in Muise at Marylhurst University in Oregon. Formerly, he was Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Professor of Music at Millikin University, Director of the School of Music and Professor of Music at Ball State University, Assistant Director of the School of Music at the University of Arizona, Chairman of the Music Department at San Diego State University, Director of the School of Music at the University of Idaho, Chairman of the Music Department at Linfield College, and a faculty member at Northern Arizona University, The Evergreen State College, California State University, Northridge, and the University of Maryland. Currently, he is a freelance composer, writer, oboist, and conductor.

Dr. Steinke is the author of numerous articles, has done the revisions to Paul Harder's Basic Materials in Music Theory (seventh through ninth editions), Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music, (sixth through ninth editions) and Bridge to Twentieth Century Music (revised edition). He holds membership in a number of professional organizations and served for nine years (three terms, 1988-97) as the President and National Chairman of the Society of Composers, Inc. Professor Steinke is active as a composer of chamber and symphonic music with a number of published works, as a speaker on interdisciplinary arts, and as an oboe soloist specializing in contemporary music.

Customer Reviews

Teaching yourself Music Theory
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.

Amazingly Easy Step-by-Step Learning
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.

Lots of Info, Lacks Aural Aspect
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.