Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music: A Programed Course, Part II (9th Edition)

Rating:
Summary: As good as learning gets.
Review: Paul Harder has created the best book on music theory I have ever had the privelege to use. His systematic course will take the reader from basic chordal theory to Voice leading, and beyond. I have been searching for just such a book for almost twenty years. My composition instructor and I have used this book to teach me the proper "rules" one needs to create tonal compositions of any scale. This book allows one to find their weaknesses and their strengths through it's well thought out structure, and the answers set in to the margins. By covering the answers with a sheet of paper and doing the excercises, then removing the paper to check his/her results the student can immediately identify his/her weaknesses and strengths. Supplemental and mastery excercises help the student achieve the level of knowledge necesary for the creation of their own masterpieces. Long standing as a mainstay of instruction for Harmony, Dr Steinke, through his thoughtful revisions, has assured that "Harmonic Material in Tonal Music, A Programmed Course part 1" will continue to teach many more up and coming composers.