Product Description

A basic primer for anyone without musical training who wishes to learn to read musical scores when singing or taking up an instrument, this accessible and complete book covers classical, popular, jazz, and folk music. Well-known pieces are accompanied by a muscial dictionary, a note directory, and a guide to musical signs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #132601 in Books
• Published on: 1995-04-25
• Released on: 1995-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

From the Inside Flap
A basic primer for anyone without musical training who wishes to learn to read musical scores when singing or taking up an instrument. The book explains how notes are named and written; how to read melody, interpret time signatures, keys, sharps, flats, and naturals; how to read tempo; and how to play chords.

Customer Reviews

smarmy
I hate to think of the trees felled for these "popular" exploitations. If you aren't learning to read music as you learn to play your instrument, you've got the wrong primer and the wrong teacher. In any case, a good non-instrumental treatment of this subject for beginners can be found in "The ABC of Music: A Short Practical Guide to the Basics" by Imogen Holst (daughter of the famous composer Gustav Holst). To learn how to write down music--a different thing than learning how to read music--see "The Norton Manual of Music Notation" by George Heussenstamm.

does what the title says
In the first part, the book covers the basic notation in detail, step by step. Author asks you to do a review and make sure you know all the previous material before attempting musical sight reading exercises. The second part of the book covers the more complex notation found in the classical pieces. It is more fast paced because the author assumes that a reader has accumulated the knowledge from the first part. At the end, there are: a directory of musical signs, a directory of all notes on the piano and guitar, and a short musical dictionary. Very handy reference.

Are there better books on the topic? I do not know. I'm not an expert. In my opinion the book does what it advertises. You'll certainly learn how to read the music. Price is really acceptable. Check out the reviews for other books of Roger Evans. Rather impressive. Then judge for yourself.
I'll give it five stars.

Quite helpful
I was able to see this book in person before purchasing it online. It is easy to read and understand, especially when you wonder if you're too old to learn to read music. I haven't applied the techniques yet, but I understand what I'm reading. I looked through several other books and they were more confusing - keeping in mind that I have never read music.