Klarinet Archive - Posting 000096.txt from 2002/03

From: "Heinemann, Stephen" <sjh@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Music Theory
Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 10:40:56 -0500

> From: Nathan Daniels <the_thinker2@-----.com>
> Subject: Music Theory
>
> Can anyone recommend and good books
> that will teach a good deal of theory and give me an opportunity to do
> some
> practice with what is being taught? I'm thinking textbook / workbook
> format or something with the answers in the back so I can try out what I
> am
> learning. Does anybody have any thoughts?
>
Two thoughts:

Easily available: _Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music_ by Greg A. Steinke,
two volumes, currently in its ninth edition (I think), based on earlier
editions by Paul O. Harder, pub. Prentice-Hall (http://www.prenhall.com).
Programmed instruction with text and questions on the right side of each
page, answers on the left. Not great theory (too many trees, not enough
forest) but something to provide a decent foundation.

Significantly better, but possibly out of print: _Functional Harmony_ by
William Toutant, two volumes, pub. Wadsworth. Combination text/programmed
instruction, with lengthier examples (i.e., more context) and hints of
grander things at work.

Two more thoughts: If you're near a university or community college, you
might consider taking a theory course; these texts won't answer questions as
an instructor will, and the oral tradition continues to be very important in
this field. Some schools also offer online courses, but I don't know how
well they work. Find links to these and theory web pages at the Society for
Music Theory website's beginners' corner:
http://boethius.music.ucsb.edu/smt-list/docs/beginners-theory.html

Good luck -- this will be well worth the effort.

Steve Heinemann
Bradley University

****************************
Dr. Stephen Heinemann
Associate Professor of Music
Theory/Composition/Clarinet
Bradley University
Peoria, IL 61625
(309)677-2603
sjh@-----.edu
****************************

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