The Mind's Ear offers a unique approach to stimulating the musical imagination and inspiring creativity, as well as providing detailed exercises aimed at improving the ability to read and imagine music in silence, in the "mind's ear." Modeling his exercises on those used in theater games and acting classes, and drawing upon years of experience with improvisation and composition, Bruce Adolphe has written a compelling, valuable, and practical guide to musical creativity that can be...

In Dreaming and Thinking in Music, Bruce Adolphe harnesses his wide-ranging experiences as a composer and educator to tackle one of the more elusive questions in music composition: how to get from technical ability to creative creation. Unlike standard composition textbooks that focus on writing melody, harmony, counterpoint, and rhythm, Dreaming and Thinking in Music guides readers to explore the rarely discussed problems of how to get ideas, and how to follow up with th...

This Element investigates the balance and interaction of imagination (visions) and technique (decisions) in the composition of music and includes current scientific research on dreams, the hypnagogic state, emotions, and feelings. It also includes thoughts of composers past and present, and examines how works start from visions in a range of music, comparing musical ideas and techniques to models in other creative disciplines. The Element elucidates aspects of musical discourse by imaginin...

The Mind's Ear offers a unique approach to stimulating the musical imagination and inspiring creativity, as well as providing detailed exercises aimed at improving the ability to read and imagine music in silence, in the "mind's ear." Modelling his exercises on those used in theatre games and acting classes and drawing upon years of experience with improvisation and composition, Bruce Adolphe has written a compelling, valuable, and practical guide to musical creativity that can be...

Now in trade paperback: “The definitive guide to musical enjoyment” (Forum).In this fascinating analysis of how to listen to both contemporary and classical music analytically, eminent American composer Aaron Copland offers provocative suggestions that will bring readers a deeper appreciation of the most viscerally rewarding of all art forms.

You have a passion for making beautiful music, but when it comes to understanding and speaking the musical language, you need a little help. The Complete Idiot's Mini Guide to Music Theory Must-Know Terms compiles dozens of the most important and commonly used terms in the musical lexicon - from notations and chords to modes and scales - explaining them all in clear, concise language.

This is the definitive guide to blues piano for beginners, by the world-renowned author and educator Mark Harrison. You'll get started right away, learning some essential left-hand and right-hand patterns to use on your first (or next) blues piano gig! The material is organized and explained in the clearest possible way, and all of the twenty-three music examples are very authentic and fun to play. All fingerings for the music examples are also provided. Once you have purchased this book, ...

Music theory need not be dreary! This eBook is the first in a two-part e-series of this well-loved book. Its clear and friendly writing and wry humor, coupled with fun illustrations throughout, makes the topic that music students think of as dry and boring, into something approachable, attainable, and yes, even enjoyable. For players of all instruments and singers, and—something that sets it apart from most theory books—even those who don't read music; it is applicable to all genres of mu...

Make sure you hit all the right notesPlaying the piano is much more than just learning notes and reading music; having good dexterity, building independent finger strength, and learning proper technique is absolutely essential to mastering the instrument. Packed with everything a player needs to become a great pianist, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Piano Exercises is the perfect companion to the best-selling The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Pla...

Charles Rosen is one of the world's most talented pianists -- and one of music's most astute commentators. Known as a performer of Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Elliott Carter, he has also written highly acclaimed criticism for sophisticated students and professionals.In Piano Notes, he writes for a broader audience about an old friend -- the piano itself. Drawing upon a lifetime of wisdom and the accumulated lore of many great performers of the past, Rosen shows why th...

Starting where he left off with his "Serious Jazz Practice Book," guitar legend Barry Finnerty has created another woodshed classic for all jazz soloists. Recording artist with Miles Davis, the Brecker Bros., etc., Barry shows how to become a better improviser by melodically mastering the individual chords used in jazz, how they connect with each other, and how they are used in various song forms. Endorsed by Joe Lovano, Hubert Laws, Mark Levine, etc.

Counterpoint is an approach to musical composition based on the union of independent and interdependent melodies. Counterpoint and How to Use It in Your Music is a step-by-step course in counterpoint, and shows you how to apply it in your own music, whether you write contemporary pop songs or pieces for orchestral or traditional instruments.     "I love to learn from it. A mavelous master piece. I learned a lot from each lesson. I had to tran...