Product Description

This is a readable and imaginative book presenting, with infectious enthusiasm, a sensible simplification of the main processes of classical harmony in the Bach-Schubert period. George Pratt's explanations of concepts such as 'real' and 'substitute' chords. of false distinctions between 'major' and 'minor' and of the simple basis of seemingly complex chromatic harmony enables readers to grasp the principles of harmonic progression, and to see most progressions as a form of 'dominant-powered' movement. He focuses his study on Bach chorales, Mozart piano sonatas, and a Schubert song cycle, thereby providing depth, variety and a realistic sense of a context of 'real music' to his explanations and to the exercises. But he also offers the reader an immediate invitation to apply the same principles to an immense range of musical literature from Monteverdi to Scott Joplin.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #83661 in Books
• Published on: 1996-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Dynamics of Harmony
THis book was recommended highly to me by the conductor of an amateur contemporary music ensemble I play with, as the book which, as a student, got him thinking about harmonic relationships beyond successive chords, at the level of the phrase and the section.
THis is one of the best accounts of diatonic harmony I have used at A level(high school)/1st year undergraduate level harmony. The author really guides the student into hearing harmonic differences for themselves, an invaluable skill. His descriptions of the qualities of chords and progressions are imaginative, concise and spot on.
Valuably, the aural exercises are designed to do on your own at keyboard.