ISE Music in Theory and Practice Volume 1

Synopsis

This best-selling text gives music majors and minors a solid foundation in the theory of music. It strengthens their musical intuition, builds technical skills, and helps them gain interpretive insights. The goal of the text is to instruct readers on the practical application of knowledge. The analytical techniques presented are carefully designed to be clear, uncomplicated, and readily applicable to any repertoire.

The two-volume format ensures exhaustive coverage and maximum support for students and faculty alike. Volume I serves as a general introduction to music theory while Volume II offers a survey of the theoretical underpinnings of musical styles and forms from Gregorian Chant through the present day. The supplemental instructor's materials provide clear-cut solutions to assignment materials. Music in Theory and Practice is a well-rounded textbook that integrates the various components of musical structure and makes them accessible to students at the undergraduate level.

Summary

Chapter 1: Music Fundamentals

This chapter introduces the basic elements of music, including pitch, duration, rhythm, and dynamics.

Real Example: A simple melody like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" demonstrates these concepts:
* Pitch: The melody moves between different notes (e.g., C, D, E)
* Duration: The notes are held for different lengths (e.g., quarter notes, half notes)
* Rhythm: The notes are organized into a specific pattern (e.g., four beats per measure)
* Dynamics: The melody varies in volume (e.g., soft at the beginning, louder at the chorus)

Chapter 2: Rhythm and Meter

This chapter covers rhythm in more depth and introduces the concept of meter, which organizes notes into groups of beats.

Real Example: A drumbeat in 4/4 time:
* 4/4 meter indicates four beats per measure
* The snare drum plays on beat 2, the bass drum on beat 1 and 3, and the hi-hat on all four beats

Chapter 3: Scales and Intervals

This chapter introduces scales, which are ordered sets of pitches, and intervals, which describe the distance between two pitches.

Real Example: The C major scale:
* Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B
* Intervals: Major second (C to D), minor second (D to E), and so on

Chapter 4: Triads and Seventh Chords

This chapter introduces chords, which are combinations of three or more notes played together. Triads are basic chords with three notes, while seventh chords add an additional note.

Real Example: A C major triad:
* Notes: C, E, G
* Chord symbol: Cmaj

Chapter 5: Melody and Voice Leading

This chapter explores the principles of melody, including range, contour, and voice leading, which determines how well chords progress in a smooth and logical way.

Real Example: The melody of "Amazing Grace":
* Range: G4 to C6 (an octave and a half)
* Contour: A gentle ascent to a climax followed by a gradual descent
* Voice leading: The chords progress smoothly from Cmaj to Fmaj to Gmaj

Chapter 6: Cadences and Harmonic Structure

This chapter introduces cadences, which are musical endings that create a sense of closure. It also covers harmonic structure, which describes how chords are organized within a piece of music.

Real Example: A perfect authentic cadence in C major:
* Chords: Cmaj - Gmaj - Cmaj
* Cadence type: Resolves unstable Gmaj (dominant chord) to stable Cmaj (tonic chord)

Chapter 7: Musical Form

This chapter discusses musical form, which refers to the overall structure of a piece of music. Common forms include binary, ternary, and rondo.

Real Example: A binary form song:
* Section A (Verse): Cmaj - Gmaj - Cmaj
* Section B (Chorus): Fmaj - Cmaj - Gmaj - Cmaj

Chapter 8: Textural Contrast and Orchestration

This chapter introduces texture, which refers to the number of melodic lines in a piece of music. It also covers orchestration, the art of arranging music for different instruments.

Real Example: A string quartet in four-part texture:
* Violin 1: Melody
* Violin 2: Accompaniment
* Viola: Harmony
* Cello: Bassline