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

Rating:
Summary: ERROR
Review: Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music by Harder & Steinke, 7th Edition, is described in the Amazon Product Details as having 2 pages. It actually has 383 pages plus a CD.

Rating:
Summary: Best Music Theory Books available
Review: I have passed music theory exams prior to using these books, but have never been fully happy with my understanding; especially in the more complex usage of chromatism. Having used these books for a while, I believe them to provide and impart the best understanding of Classical Western music theory for harmony, part writing and voice leading available, I have many other music theory books, most are very good, but this series is far superior to any other.

However, it is limited in terms of practical music writing required for diploma and degree exams, so though they cover the theory elements very well, for practical work I would recommend getting a good workbook, here I would recommend getting the ABRMS or Trinity College publications, available via their web sites or their distributors.

I would recommend all the books, Basics, Programmed Course 1 & 2, and excellent bridge to 20th Music and Contrapuntal Techniques.

Sadly like most college level text books they are expensive!


Rating:
Summary: Pretty good.
Review: It's a good book for people who are learning for their first time, but I learned it in the context of an AP (advanced placement) Music Theory class. The first 7 or so chapters I already knew, as well as almost all of the first book (Basic Materials in Music Theory, also by Harder).

The picture at the top of the Amazon page is outdated, there is a new design for the cover.

However, there are several mistakes both in this book and the prerequisite book. The teacher's edition (actually just the same book but a few editions earlier) did not match up well with the current edition, and the changes were very, very random.

The order of things they introduce is OK but I think they skip alot of material and jump straight to four part harmonies (basically what the entire book is compounding on). For example, you learn rules of voice leading, then rules of voice leading for inverted chords, and then augmented, diminsihed, and 7 chords. Which means you basically have to go back and relearn some of the rules that don't apply anymore since you have more complicated chords. For example, if you have a triad B diminished chord, they will introduce that as a candence and then you have to later relearn it as a V7/5 first inversion (G7/5 in C) because of the perfect authentic cadence or something like that. And you have to relearn figured bass after you learn about 7 chords.

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.