Music Theory For Dummies^?, with Audio CD-ROM

by Michael Pilhofer; Holly Day

• ISBN13: 9780764578380
• ISBN10: 0764578383
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

An indispensable guide for music students, musicians, and music loversFor people who want a deeper understanding and appreciation of music, or who want to do their own composing and arranging, a basic grounding in music theory is essential. Written for the nearly 30,000 college and graduate music students as well as working musicians and serious music buffs, this hands-on guide explains music theory concepts in plain English-from scales, intervals, tempos, and dynamics to chord progressions, phrasing, harmonizing, and arranging-and demonstrates how to apply them in compositions ranging from pop and rock to jazz and classical. The book includes a CD that demonstrates music theory concepts and provides examples of the way sounds and tempos can be mixed and matched for a variety of musical experiences.Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Author Biography

Michael Pilhofer teaches music theory and percussion at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he serves as department head of the Ensembles Department. He has worked as a professional musician for more than 18 years and has toured and recorded with Joe Lovano, Marian McPartland, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, Bill Holman, Wycliffe Gordon, Peter Erskine, and Gene Bertoncini.

Holly Day has written about music for numerous publications internationally, including Computer Music Journal, ROCKRGRL, Music Alive!, Guitar One, Brutarian Magazine, Interface Technology, and Mixdown magazine. Over the past couple of decades, her writing has received an Isaac Asimov Award, a National Magazine Award, and two Midwest Writer’s Grants.  Her previous books include The Insider’s Guide to the Twin Cities (3rd^, 4th, and 5th Editions), Shakira, and Behind the Orange Curtain: A History of Orange County Punk Rock.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Rhythm: Keeping the Beat

What Is Music Theory Anyway?

Counting Out Notes

Giving It a Rest

Time Signatures

Naturalizing the Best

Tempo and Dynamics

Melody: The Part You Hum

The Musical Staff

Instrument Tone and Color

Half Steps, Whole Steps, Sharps, and Flats

Harmony: Fleshing It Out

Intervals

Key Signatures and the Circle of Fifths

The Major and Minor Scales

Building Chords

Chord Progressions

Cadence

Form: How Ita??s Shaped

The Elements of Form

Classical Forms

Popular Forms

The Part of Tens

Six Most-Frequently Asked Questions About Music Theory

Ten Cool and Useful Resources

Nine Music Theorists You Should Know About

How to Use the CD

Chord Chart

Glossary

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.