Music Theory and Composition: A Practical Approach
Stephen C. Stone
Jan 2018 · Rowman & Littlefield
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About this ebook
Music Theory and Composition: A Practical Approachpresents a pragmatic, accessible approach to music theory through an emphasis on melody and counterpoint. This focus explains the “why” of musical construction more clearly than the traditional approach of beginning with chords. By starting with a single melodic line and gradually adding voices in counterpoint, the book drills part-writing while simultaneously explaining functionality, first with scale degrees and then with harmony. The text has students learn musical techniques and progressively build on their functions and importance to create their own compositions.
With short, digestible chapters, Music Theory and Composition clearly presents otherwise complicated ideas not as strict rules, but as artistic ideals, encouraging the interactive creation of new compositions as a tool for learning.
The textbook is versatile and easily customizable, suiting
Instructor Resources:
Student Resources:
Additional Features:
Designed for first-year college music theory courses, but accessible enough for the interested lay reader or high school student, the text offers a true balance of counterpoint and harmony.
With short, digestible chapters, Music Theory and Composition clearly presents otherwise complicated ideas not as strict rules, but as artistic ideals, encouraging the interactive creation of new compositions as a tool for learning.
The textbook is versatile and easily customizable, suiting
- Different skill levels with species counterpoint providing a framework for the beginner while providing an interesting challenge for more experienced students
- Different curricular schedules with complete exercises in two, three, and four voices, allowing for an optional skip from two voices to four
- Different pedagogical approaches with species exercises encouraging students to consider harmonic choices and figured bass ensuring functional progressions
Instructor Resources:
- Instructor’s Manual: The Instructor’s Manual includes sample syllabi and student handouts
- Test Bank: The test bank includes sample tests and answer keys in MS Word format.
Student Resources:
- Companion Website with Downloadable Workbook Sections: http://textbooks.rowman.com/stone
Additional Features:
- complete curriculum for first-year theory courses
- over 500 musical examples drawn from Common Practice Era compositions as well as more contemporary and popular pieces
- focus on active composition throughout the text and workbook sections
- large pop music section to expand student’s application of theory
- conversational tone to encourage student engagement
Designed for first-year college music theory courses, but accessible enough for the interested lay reader or high school student, the text offers a true balance of counterpoint and harmony.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Doug
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May 6, 2019
An important virtue of this textbook is that it not only describes 'what' composers do when they compose. It also explains 'why' they compose in the way that they do (unlike many other texts). Another virtue is that it does not confine itself to the 'Common Practice Era'. There are substantial sections on 'Counterpoint' and 'Popular Music' (though this is not reflected in the title of the book). The book is clearly designed for classroom use. There are no answers provided for any of the 'workbook' activities (though for many of the activities there is no one correct answer). There is also no audio for the music excerpts. It is suggested that these be sung in class. Overall it is a good book for understanding music theory, and it is relatively easy to follow. It is expensive, given that there is no audio (though students will not need to buy a separate workbook).
Liong Cheng Chung
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October 14, 2020
this book teach important topic that most of other music composition book left out. it is expensive for an ebook but it do worth it. it is not a complete music composition book but definitely one of the important to own.
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
STEPHEN C. STONE has been on the music theory faculty at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University for fourteen years and is the former director of the music program at the Johns Hopkins School of Arts and Sciences.
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