1. If you’re passionate about music, then learning theory, composition, and performance is a must.
2. By understanding music theory, you’ll be able to better understand the music you listen to and play.
3. Theory, composition, and performance skills are essential for any musician who wants to be successful.
4. If you want to take your music career to the next level, learning theory, composition, and performance is essential.
5. These skills will help you stand out from other musicians and make a name for yourself in the music industry.
6. Learning theory, composition, and performance will help you become a well-rounded musician and open up new opportunities in your career.
7. These skills are essential for any musician who wants to progress in their career and achieve success.
8. If you’re serious about making a career in music, learning theory, composition, and performance is a must.
9. By expanding your knowledge in these areas, you’ll be able to take your music career to new heights.
Table of Contents
Music Theory: Composition and Performance by Joseph N. Straus
Music Theory: Composition and Performance by Joseph N. Straus is an excellent resource for music students of all levels. The book starts with a basic introduction to music theory, including a review of notation and scales. It then progresses to more advanced topics such as harmony, counterpoint, and form. The book is well-written and easy to follow, and the accompanying CD makes it easy to hear how the concepts being discussed sound in practice. This is an essential text for any student serious about learning music theory.
The Art of Music composition by Charles T. Griffes
Charles T. Griffes’s The Art of Music Composition is a detailed and comprehensive guide to writing music. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of notation and harmony to more advanced concepts such as counterpoint and orchestration. Griffes’s writing is clear and concise, making it an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced composers alike.
The book begins with a brief history of music composition, tracing its roots back to the ancient Greeks. Griffes then delves into the basics of notation, explaining how to read and write both treble and bass clef. He also covers key signatures, time signatures, and other essential concepts. From there, Griffes moves on to harmony, explaining how chords are built and how they function in a composition. He also introduces the reader to counterpoint, which is the art of writing two or more melodic lines that work together harmonically.
In the second half of the book, Griffes focuses on orchestration, discussing the different instruments available to the composer and how to best utilize them in a piece of music. He also covers conducting, tempo, and dynamics, giving the reader a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of music composition.
Overall, The Art of Music Composition is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about this fascinating art form. Griffes’s writing is clear and concise, making it easy to follow along even if you’re not a musician yourself. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to music composition, this is the book for you.
The Principles of Orchestration by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The Principles of Orchestration by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most important books on the subject. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about orchestration, and its influence can be seen in the works of many modern composers. The book is divided into two parts: the first covers the basics of orchestration, while the second part explores more advanced topics.
Rimsky-Korsakov starts by discussing the different types of instruments that make up an orchestra. He then goes on to explain how these instruments produce sound and how they can be used to create different effects. He also discusses the challenges of writing for different instruments and how to overcome them. In the second part of the book, Rimsky-Korsakov delves into more advanced topics such as instrumentation, counterpoint, and harmony. He also includes a section on conducting, which is essential for anyone who wants to work with an orchestra.
The Principles of Orchestration is an essential book for anyone interested in learning about orchestration. It is clear, concise, and easy to read, making it a great resource for both beginners and experienced composers alike.
The Technique of Orchestration by Kent Wheeler Kennan
The Technique of Orchestration by Kent Wheeler Kennan is an in-depth guide to the art and science of orchestration. It covers all the important topics, from instrumentation to score preparation, and provides detailed information on how to create effective orchestrations. The book also includes a CD-ROM with full-score examples for study and reference.
The Technique of Orchestration is divided into three parts: Part I covers instrumentation and scoring; Part II covers balance, blending, and color; and Part III covers form and analysis. In each part, Kennan provides clear explanations of the concepts covered, along with numerous musical examples. The book also includes a glossary of terms and an index of works cited.
Overall, The Technique of Orchestration is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about this complex topic. It is well-written and easy to understand, and the CD-ROM is a valuable addition. Highly recommended for both students and professionals.
Essentials of Music Theory by Andrew Surmani, Karen Farnum Surmani, and Morton Manus
Essentials of Music Theory by Andrew Surmani, Karen Farnum Surmani, and Morton Manus is a great book for learning the basics of music theory. It covers everything from note values and clefs to key signatures and chord progressions. The book is well-written and easy to understand, and the exercises are helpful in reinforcing the concepts learned. This is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to learn more about music theory.
The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis by Jane Piper Clendinning and Elizabeth West Marvin
The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis is a comprehensive, self-contained workbook that covers all the basics of music theory. It is divided into two parts: Part I covers tonal harmony and Part II addresses non-tonal materials and atonal analysis. The text is heavily illustrated with musical examples from the classical repertoire. Each chapter includes review exercises and a glossary of terms.
The book begins with an introduction to notation, major and minor scales, and triads. It then proceeds to a detailed study of harmonic progressions, voice leading, and cadences. Part II covers a variety of topics including modulations, chromaticism, 20th-century techniques, and form. Throughout the text, the authors provide clear explanations of music theory concepts and plenty of opportunity for readers to practice what they have learned.
This book is an excellent resource for music students at the college level. It would also be useful for amateur musicians who want to improve their understanding of music theory.
A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals by William Russo
William Russo’s A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals is an excellent resource for music educators. The book is divided into four sections: Foundations of Music, Elements of Music, Principles of Music, and Applications of Music. Each section contains a wealth of information on the topic at hand. For example, the Foundations of Music section covers such topics as pitch, rhythm, and harmony. The Elements of Music section covers such topics as melody, form, and counterpoint. The Principles of Music section covers such topics as texture, dynamics, and tempo. And the Applications of Music section covers such topics as improvisation, arranging, and conducting.
In addition to the comprehensive coverage of music fundamentals, Russo’s book also contains a wealth of practical information for music educators. For example, the section on applications of music includes a chapter on teaching music in the public schools. This chapter provides valuable information on such topics as setting up a music classroom, planning lessons, and assessing student progress. Russo also includes a number of helpful appendices, which contain musical examples and charts.
Overall, A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals is an excellent resource for music educators. It is well-organized and easy to read, and it provides a wealth of information on all aspects of music education.
Arranging Music for the Real World by Vince Corozine
Arranging Music for the Real World is a great book for those who want to learn how to arrange music. The author, Vince Corozine, does a great job of explaining the concepts and providing examples. The book is divided into four sections: Arranging Principles, Arranging Techniques, Arranging Styles, and Arranging Tools. Each section contains several chapters that cover a specific topic.
The first section, Arranging Principles, covers the basics of arranging music. This includes chapters on melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. The second section, Arranging Techniques, covers more advanced topics such as counterpoint, orchestration, and transposition. The third section, Arranging Styles, covers a variety of genres such as pop, rock, jazz, and classical. The fourth and final section, Arranging Tools, covers software and other resources that can help youarrange music.
Overall, I found this to be a well-written and informative book. It is suitable for both beginners and more experienced arrangers. If you are looking for a book that will teach you how to arrange music, I would recommend this one.
How to Write Songs That Get Played: And Get Your Music Heard by Jai Josefs
When it comes to songwriting, there are no hard and fast rules. However, there are certain things that can make your songs more likely to get played on the radio, or at least get noticed by music industry professionals. Here are some tips on how to write songs that get played:
1. Write catchy hooks. Your song should have a hook that is catchy and memorable. This is the part of the song that will stick in the listener’s head and make them want to hear it again.
2. Make your lyrics relatable. listeners should be able to relate to your lyrics in some way. Whether it’s about love, heartbreak, friendship, or anything else, if your lyrics resonate with people, they’re more likely to keep listening.
3. Tell a story. A good song tells a story that the listener can follow. This doesn’t mean your song has to be a novel, but it should have a beginning, middle, and end that makes sense.
4. Use strong verbs. Weak verbs make for weak songs. Use strong verbs in your lyrics to give them more impact and make your song more interesting to listen to.
5. Keep it simple. The best songs are often the simplest ones. You don’t need complicated metaphors or long-winded sentences to get your point across. Keep your lyrics concise and to the point.
6. Evoke emotion.Your lyrics should evoke some sort of emotion in the listener. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, or anything else, if you can make the listener feel something, they’re more likely to remember your song.
7. Use proper grammar. This may seem like a no-brainer, but using proper grammar in your lyrics is important if you want to be taken seriously as a songwriter. No one wants to listen to a song with poor grammar!
8. Proofread your lyrics. Once you’ve written your song, read it over a few times to make sure there are no typos or other errors. Nothing will make your song sound amateurish faster than sloppy mistakes.
9. Find the right performer. If you want your song to be played on the radio or by other professional musicians, you need to find someone who can do it justice. Choose a performer who has a good voice and who can convey the emotion of your lyrics convincingly.
10. Get feedback from others. Before you submit your song to anyone, get feedback from friends, family, and other songwriters. They can help you catch any mistakes you may have missed and give you honest feedback about your songwriting ability
The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis
Sheila Davis is the author of The Craft of Lyric Writing and has been teaching the craft of songwriting for over thirty years. In The Craft of Lyric Writing, she provides readers with an in-depth look at the process and art of writing lyrics for songs.
The book is divided into four sections: Foundations, The Creative Process, The Working Lyricist, and The Business of Lyric Writing. In the first section, Davis covers the basics of lyric writing, including rhyme, meter, and form. She also discusses how to find inspiration for your lyrics and how to craft memorable melodies.
In the second section, Davis delves into the creative process of lyric writing, covering topics such as brainstorming, free writing, and editing. She also includes a helpful chapter on songwriting collaboration.
The third section focuses on the working lyricist, providing advice on how to get your lyrics published and how to market your songs. The final section covers the business side of lyric writing, including copyright law and royalties.
The Craft of Lyric Writing is an essential guide for anyone interested in writing lyrics for songs. Sheila Davis provides readers with a comprehensive look at the process and art of lyric writing.