<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: authoritative
Review: Ahem. In case you're wondering, the author of this wonderful introduction to music is Imogen Holst, daughter of Gustav Holst and a brilliant musician in her own right--as well as a supurb writer of lucid prose. The introduction is by Benjamen Britten. Who are Gustav Holst and Benjamen Britten? Along with Ralph Vaughn Williams, the most famous and highly regarded British composers of the twentieth century, that's who. (If you're one of the few people on this one who haven't heard Holst's THE PLANETS, you're in for a treat.) So forget Elmo what's-his-name, and learn music from someone who really, really knows what she's talking about.(Also check out Gustav Holst's favorite piece, EGDON HEATH.)
Rating:
Summary: A time-honored classic, the best of its kind ever.
Review: I came across Holst's ABC's 35 years ago as a teen and it gave me endless delight, fascination, inspiration and motivation. The explanations are clear and direct, classic in their simplicity. I rate this book as one of the keys to my becoming a professional musician.
Rating:
Summary: authoritative
Review: If your intent is to study a comprehensive introduction to the theory of music - this is not the book you're looking for. Although it is adequately thorough, the book's explanations are poorly organized and consistently cluttered with unnecessary & outdated commentary. For example, the book goes so far as to chide electronic instruments as "gloomy" and "hollow," insisting they have nothing to offer a serious musician. ABC of Music was published in 1963 and repeatedly shows its age. I've yet to see an adequate music theory companion, however, if you are strictly intent on being snooty about your compositions, Music Fundamentals: Through Pitch Structures and Rhythmic Design by Elvo S. D'Amante is worth the extra expense.
Rating: 
Summary: Dinosaur Act
Review: If your intent is to study a comprehensive introduction to the theory of music - this is not the book you're looking for. Although it is adequately thorough, the book's explanations are poorly organized and consistently cluttered with unnecessary & outdated commentary. For example, the book goes so far as to chide electronic instruments as "gloomy" and "hollow," insisting they have nothing to offer a serious musician. ABC of Music was published in 1963 and repeatedly shows its age. I've yet to see an adequate music theory companion, however, if you are strictly intent on being snooty about your compositions, Music Fundamentals: Through Pitch Structures and Rhythmic Design by Elvo S. D'Amante is worth the extra expense.
Rating:
Summary: THE place to start
Review: It's very sad to find so many people systematically brainwashed into believing everything a few decades old is "outdated"--this belief is pure superstition. It's very sad to feel constrained to point out the bleedingly obvious (as comedian John Cleese would put it): 1) the fundamentals of music HAVE NOT CHANGED since this book was first published. 2) What is good is what ENDURES.
Rating:
Summary: THE place to start
Review: It's very sad to find so many people systematically brainwashed into believing everything a few decades old is "outdated"--this belief is pure superstition. It's very sad to feel constrained to point out the bleedingly obvious (as comedian John Cleese would put it): 1) the fundamentals of music HAVE NOT CHANGED since this book was first published. 2) What is good is what ENDURES.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a very good book!
Review: Of course, like many other books, this book really brings out the joy in learning music, all beginners, young and old, will defintely enjoy this book
Rating:
Summary: recommended
Review: This is a gloss that moves very quickly from elementary notation to dodecaphony. It is moderately pleasant to read and fairly clear for the novice. But beware: It is British, so it speaks of crotchets and quavers, rather than of quarter notes and eighth notes. It discusses dissonance in terms of Helmholtz's discredited beat theory. Also recommended (very much): PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction and reference.
Review: With this guide, the rudiments of music become accessible to the busiest lover of music.
<< 1 >>
| 
