The Practice of Harmony (5th Edition) - Softcover

Spencer D.M.A., Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0131826603 ISBN 13: 9780131826601

Publisher: Pearson, 2003

Synopsis

With an emphasis on learning and understanding by doing, this workbook takes learners from music fundamentals through harmony in common practice to some of the more important harmonic procedures of the 20th century. The approach is “additive” throughout, allowing readers to use what was learned in one chapter to help comprehension of the materials in the next. A four-part organization covers foundations, the diatonic vocabulary, the chromatic vocabulary, and post-common practice harmony. For anyone looking for an easy-to-use book—and an understanding of—music theory.

About this title

From the Publisher:

With an emphasis on learning and understanding by doing, the text takes the student from music fundamentals through harmony in common practice to some of the more important harmonic procedures of the 20th century. The approach is "additive" throughout; to the extent that it is pedagogically feasible, the student uses what was learned in one chapter to help to comprehend the materials in the next.

From the Back Cover:

Balancing theory and practice, this volume presents a four--part analysis of the basic components of harmony.

• Part One covers the rudiments of music theory, ensuring that students have a solid grasp of the fundamentals before going on to more advanced material.
• Parts Two and Three explore the principles of tertian harmony as they pertain to common practice, stressing learning by doing. After each new concept is introduced, several pages of carefully graduated exercises are presented.
• Part Four surveys the important harmonic procedures of the twentieth century. The author also emphasizes the exposition of theoretical procedures rather than focusing on individual composer's interpretations of them.

For additional reinforcement, teaching and learning aids include numerous musical examples, a note format that highlights important features in the examples, in-text drills and writing exercises, and Suggestions and Strategies to help students prepare for the exercises.

Parts Two, Three, and Four include analytical exercises cross-referenced with three major anthologies.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0131826603
• ISBN 13: 9780131826601
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 432