Theory of Harmony

[Composer]

Hi

I wondered - have any of you here read the " Theory of Harmony " by Schönberg?

Its the greatest book, I've ever read


Regards

Composer

[Composer]

Originally Posted by Composer

Hi

I wondered - have any of you here read the " Theory of Harmony " by Schönberg?

Its the greatest book, I've ever read


Regards

Composer

Hi composer

Yes, I have read it.

It is a very fine book!!

I especially like the part where he descripes the connections between the Overtone series and dissonances

[Composer]

Originally Posted by Composer

Hi composer

Yes, I have read it.

It is a very fine book!!

I especially like the part where he descripes the connections between the Overtone series and dissonances

Me too!!

The guy is brilliant !!

[Composer]

Originally Posted by Composer

Me too!!

The guy is brilliant !!

yes

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Composer

Hi

I wondered - have any of you here read the " Theory of Harmony " by Schönberg?

Its the greatest book, I've ever read


Regards

Composer

Then you must not read much - ha, ha, ha.

Seriously, it's a very tedious read! Though it is quite comprehensive.

You might also have a peek at
Harmony by Walter Piston.

If you're interested in overtones, you should check out the "first" modern theory book, Rameau's Treatise on Harmony (1725!) - this is what Mozart and Beethoven would have been familiar with.

There are myriad "college textbook" Harmony/Theory books - the most common of which are
Tonal Harmony, by Kostka and Payne
Structural Functions of Tonal Harmony by RObert Gauldin
Harmony and Voice Leading by Aldwell and Schacter
and one of my new favorites,
Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis by Marvin and Clendenning

They all are here:
http://browse.barnesandnoble.com/bro...p= nonfiction

Or see go to Barnes and Noble .com and see the categories:
Music ->Music Theory & Composition -> Music Theory & Composition - Harmony

There are also many other interesting books but those above are the standard college level instructional texts (though fewer and fewer people use the Schoenberg, and the Piston is falling out of use to - though they're both excellent texts).

Best,
Steve

[ttw]

I would like to add a few books I found interesting, most are old (from used book shops.)

Goldman: "Harmony in Western Music"
Shir-CLiff, Jay, & Rauscher: "Chromatic Harmony"
Shoenberg: "Fundamentals of Music Composition"
Goetschius: "Exercised in Melody Writing"

Also, for self-study, Harder's two volumes on harmony.

[Halpm]

Originally Posted by stevel

You might also have a peek at
Harmony by Walter Piston.

I can't recomment this book highly enough - though Shoenbergs book is very useful, you can't beat Piston's book for sheer systematical setting out and comprehensivness. Everything is very easily put - It's the best basic textbook I've found yet. Try his other books too "counterpoint" and "orchestration".

[MaestroX]

I agree I have read both Shoenbergs and Piston's and Piston's is the best all round comprehensivness

[Gopher]

Yikes, you people make me feel like a slacker. The only books I've read in this field are things by Eric Taylor, and that was my grade 5 theory.

[Halpm]

I think the thing that is most useful about shoenbergs book, is that it gives an insight into how the fella's mind works - i.e. not necessarily very ordered, but very interesting - a bit like watching packed city streets from the air. Pistons book is perhaps more useful for the 'basic' student - shoenbergs for the 'advanced' student, who knows all the theory and is interested in shoenbergs "take" on composition.