Techniques and Materials of Music: From the Common Practice Period through the Twentieth Century

Rating:
Summary: Bad theory textbook
Review: After years of buying and perusing basic music theory texts, I was discouraged with the main ones for their denseness and tedious nature, such as Piston and Hindemith. For the amatuer wanting a well-designed guide to develop an understanding of how classical music works, this is by far the best. The steps are clear and logical, the exercises just what the learner needs, and the accompanying book of music examples a highly advisable purchase. You could do this on your own without a guide, given the fact that the materials have been tested in the classroom. The bibliography is also useful, if for nothing else than to show you why this vademecum is the most user-friendly and helpful.

Rating:
Summary: Best Basic Music theory Text
Review: After years of buying and perusing basic music theory texts, I was discouraged with the main ones for their denseness and tedious nature, such as Piston and Hindemith. For the amatuer wanting a well-designed guide to develop an understanding of how classical music works, this is by far the best. The steps are clear and logical, the exercises just what the learner needs, and the accompanying book of music examples a highly advisable purchase. You could do this on your own without a guide, given the fact that the materials have been tested in the classroom. The bibliography is also useful, if for nothing else than to show you why this vademecum is the most user-friendly and helpful.

Rating:
Summary: Bad theory textbook
Review: This book was used for my Harmony I and II class at Fullerton Community College which was the second and third course in music theory for music majors. I find this book to be very poorly written. IT does not go into to much detail in explaining concepts. The chapter in the book are very short although the reference back section is handy. It is written in a skeletal outline format and does a terrible job at defining new terms. The book is also worthless for self study. Students need the guidance of a professor or music pro to help them learn from the book unless the student is very bright. Most of the examples are written for keyboard which could be burdensome for non keyboard playing people even though I play the keyboard. Also the examples in the book are not good enough and not all of the examples are in four part choral style which is learnt in most college thoery classes.