The Educated Listener: A New Approach to Music Appreciation

The Educated Listener: A New Approach to Music Appreciation helps students develop the skills they need to creatively and intelligently discuss and listen to classical music. Readers will learn about the musical genres, forms, and techniques used by composers of classical music, which will help them become educated listeners.

Section One of the text presents readers with basic information regarding the basic elements of music, including rhythm, tempo, and dynamics; the instruments and voice types used in music; and the most common ensembles of music, such as choirs, bands, and orchestras. The remaining sections focus on specific time periods and delve into the compositional and performance techniques, musical forms and genres, and composers that were important and influential. These sections explore the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque Era, Classical Era, Romantic Era, Twentieth Century, and Contemporary Era.

The third edition features tables highlighting historical context, a much-expanded index, new images, and fresh material regarding contemporary music.

With an accessible approach, The Educated Listener is an ideal textbook for courses in music appreciation or music history.

Jaren Hinckley is the professor of clarinet at Brigham Young University, where he has taught courses in music appreciation, history, chamber music, and performance for over twenty years. He holds a D.M. from the Florida State University and a M.M. from Indiana University, both in clarinet performance. Dr. Hinckley has performed with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as a soloist at music festivals, conservatories, and conventions in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As a performer and composer, he has developed a deep love for music history and literature.