The Structure Of Musical Sound

The Structure of Musical Sound is about science from the point of view of musical sound. It is also a book about musical sound from science's point of view. First and foremost, however, it is a science text for nonscientists. You, the reader, will be introduced to the methods of science; and you will be shown how these methods are used to discover more about musical sound. You will be an active participant in both of these quests, and as a result you will become a more "scientific" person than you might have realized possible. Parts of musical sound have scientific explanations. Examples of these parts include the rules for the formation and propagation of sound waves, the operation of musical instruments as they produce their sounds, and the acoustic conditions for good listening to musical sound in rooms and halls. The Structure of Musical Sound explains all of these scientific aspects of music. Questions are included throughout the book. They will challenge you to demonstrate your understanding of the ideas just presented. The solutions, not just the answers, to these questions are provided at the end of this book.

From Grammy-winning musical icon and legendary bassist Victor L. Wooten comes an inspiring parable of music, life, and the difference between playing all the right notes…and feeling them. The Music Lesson is the story of a struggling young musician who wanted music to be his life, and who wanted his life to be great. Then, from nowhere it seemed, a teacher arrived. Part musical genius, part philosopher, part eccentric wise man, the teacher would guide the young musician on a spiritual journey, and teach him that the gifts we get from music mirror those from life, and every movement, phrase, and chord has its own meaning...All you have to do is find the song inside. “The best book on music (and its connection to the mystic laws of life) that I've ever read. I learned so much on every level.”—Multiple Grammy Award–winning saxophonist Michael Brecker

In the pioneering Sound and Silence (1970, CUP), Paynter and Peter Aston set out to demonstrate the importance of drawing on children's creative talent as the basis for music education. Their book reflected work that its authors had been doing in schools and colleges during the preceding decade. Much that has happened since in music education has in no small measure been influenced by Sound and Silence and by subsequent publications of John Paynter's. Now, twenty years later, John Paynter, himself a composer, views some thirty years of teaching music. His basic philosophy is the same: music is a creative art in all its modes--composing (inventing), performing (interpreting) and listening (remaking the music within ourselves). Today, John Paynter believes as firmly as ever that creativity is the starting point for all music education. To meet the new demands and fresh opportunities of a progressive educational program there have been developments in this philosophy. The projects and assignments in Sound and Structure are the fruits of this development. A cassette accompanies John Paynter's book, and contains those musical examples that may be difficult for the reader to obtain from usual sources. The cassette will complete the reader's enjoyment of the book.

Music Theory: Exploring Musical Structure is a robust, comprehensive introduction to music theory and the structure of music. Beginning with the simplest elements of music, the author walks the reader through all of the important topics in a comprehensive course in music theory. The book contains hundreds of examples from famous musical pieces, chapter quizzes, and other tools that are designed to help the reader learn and understand the major concepts in music theory.

Structure and Style, first published in 1962 and expanded in 1979, fills the need for new ways of analysis that put 20th-century music in perspective. It spans forms in use before 1600 through forms and techniques in use today. Anthology of Musical Forms provides musical examples of forms treated in Structure and Style. Some examples are analyzed throughout. Most are left for the student to analyze. These books reflect Leon Stein's impressive background as student, musician, and composer. Stein studied composition with Leo Sowerby, Frederick Stock (conductor of the Chicago Symphony) and orchestration with Eric DeLamarter, his assistant. He earned M. Mus and Ph.D degrees at DePaul University and was associated with its School of Music as director of the Graduate Division and chairman of the Department of Theory and Composition until his retirement in 1976. He has composed a wide variety of works, including compositions for orchestra, chamber combinations, two operas, and a violin concerto.