A Musician's Primer

by Michael G. Cunningham


Formats

Softcover
£9.59
Softcover
£9.59

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 18/09/2003

Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 8.25x11
Page Count : 108
ISBN : 9781403383914

About the Book

A Musician's Primer is a college-level first semester course in the rudiments of, as well as being a lead-in to continued study in Common-Practice Theory. It is intended for use in classes, in conservatory private lessons, and for those merely wishing to create their own kind of music. Most available books either 1.) fail to challenge students because they give insufficient information and present Rudiments as if they were an end in themselves, or 2.) provide insufficient time and space to the basics of Theory. This book attempts to solve both problems. It works well with both extreme types of students, those who have had high school level theory, and those who, while being able to read and play an instrument, know little about Theory. And ironically, it also serves well for students who will only have one Theory course in their lives. Simultaneous ear training instruction and class piano, while helpful, are not necessary for certain types of advanced students.

Spelling scales in various keys is introduced gradually from lesson to lesson, so as to simultaneously and gradually introduce meters and labeled rhythms, intervals, famous literature in featured keys, supplementary information and easy melodic assignments. Seemingly extraneous information turns out to be necessary for continued use in more advanced study and in music careers. Ideally, the book should be used under the guidance of an experienced teacher, and that teacher is encouraged to continue the kinds of tests and quizzes they have always administered.


About the Author

Michael G. Cunningham was born in Warren, Michigan in 1937 and holds music degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit, the University of Michigan, and Indiana University. Composition has been one of his primary lifetime activities, and since 1958 he has concentrated on creating a large music catalog of various types of music for all manner of performance combinations. Since 1973, he has been a professor of Theory/Composition at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Clare, and during that time has created a number of Theory and Composition workbooks.