Rudiments of Music

RUDIMENTS OF MUSIC is intended for all beginners in music theory. It is written to be useful (1) for introductory instruction as early as the secondary school level, (2) for college-level nonmusic majors, (3) for music majors needing a comprehensive review, or (4) for individuals or groups desiring to gain music literacy and thereby enhancing their enjoyment of music. The traditional elements of music are covered: notation, pitch, time and time signatures, the keyboard, scales and key signatures, closing with an elementary presentation of chords and their progressions. The subject matter is presented in small increments, each followed immediately by an exercise. This textbook/workbook format allows for quick reference while the student completes the exercise, and, for many of the exercises, immediate feedback on completion by referring to the Answer section, found as Appendix E This procedure is effective when used either as a classroom activity or as an assignment to be used outside the classroom. Other features of the book include (1) Appendices A-E with supplementary materials effective in correlation with the text, but not readily available elsewhere; (2) abundant illustrations, including many music excerpts by well-known composers; and (3) the inclusion with each volume of a cardboard keyboard that may be slipped behind an actual keyboard, or used atop a flat surface when an actual keyboard in not available. Its reverse side displays a Glossary of the basic subject matters presented in the text.

For many aspiring musicians, their first successes in music performance are often based not on factual material but on imitation of others at least minimally accomplished in a particular performance skill or on their own random exploration of the capabilities of an instrument or the voice. Although the results of such an approach can be satisfying to themselves and to others, most will find progress in the art is limited without at least some knowledge of the devices used to represent sound on paper--particularly the basics of the notation of pitch and rhythm.Such factual material is easy to locate in music dictionaries and other such sources, but these do not offer experience in the relationship between the technical facts and the musical sound itself. The object of this presentation is to correlate, wherever possible, verbal description with musical sound, using the resources of the piano and the voice to achieve this goal. In this correlation, all performance skills are minimal, easily within the grasp of most any student at this elementary level, and as demonstrated in actual classroom experience over a period of many years.As a further aid in understanding the "why's" of music notation, it is suggested that the student read "Music Notation--A Brief, Past and Present Review," which follows immediately after this Preface.As to this new fourth edition ofRudiments of Music,there are two important changes. First, the assignments of each chapter have been relocated. Rather than found as a group at the end of the chapter, the revision places a written assignment immediately following each presentation of factual material or new procedure. These contiguous locations allow the completion of an assignment without the interruption of flipping pages.The second change continues further the concept of immediate application of newly learned materials. Answers for assignments have been placed in appendix (Appendix F), allowing the student to receive immediate confirmation of success or lack thereof.In addition, numerous smaller changes along with additional music examples throughout the text will enhance the student's comprehension of these presentations.Students will find by experience, often in subtle ways, that acquiring a thorough .knowledge of the basics presented in this volume will result in an increased level of musicianship that can only be of major assistance both in the achievement of performance skills and in increased comprehension of all musical concepts. Robert W Ottman Frank D. Mainous