The primary focus of this book is accent which Lester argues is one of the major aspects of rhythm. The central question is not whether a note or event (rest point in time) is accented but how it is accented. This change of focus allows for the first time a thorough investigation into the factors that give rise to accent the relative importance of these factors in creating accentuation the way accents are perceived the way meter arises and the limits of metric organization on higher levels of structure.

A theoretical study of classical and romantic music from Haydn to Wagner. Explores the process by which a relatively small and regular rhythmic unit is transformed into a larger and less regular one. Expands on the work of contemporary Austrian theorist, Heinrich Schenker. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

An exploration of rhythm and the richness of musical time from the perspective of performers, composers, analysts, and listeners.

This book is about the aesthetics of the tonal music. It therefore deals with sound forms such as consonance, dissonance, tonality, bar, counterpoint or motif. Thereby, it shows that all harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic sound figures are essentially relations in which similar sound components go well together. The whole secret of the musical aesthetics lies in this abstract determination. In this sense, the musical sound forms are systematically built on each other and form an ensemble of eight aesthetic principles, to each of which a chapter of this book is dedicated. The logical progression of these chapters reveals the inner connection between harmony, rhythm, and melody. Musical phenomena that have so far been interpreted differently and controversially are explained and derived in a comprehensible way in this context. The theoretical results of this book are, at the same time, a critique of previously common dogmas in musicology. For example, the prejudice that the difference between consonance and dissonance cannot be objectively grasped clearly contradicts the results of a rational music theory. Nor will the reader find the usual talk about the supposed anachronism or the transience of the tonal music in this book - for good reasons.

In this book, the authors develop a theoretical framework based on a Gestalt approach, viewing rhythmic experience in terms of pattern perception or groupings. Musical examples of increasing complexity are used to provide training in the analysis, performance, and writing of rhythm.

Like many texts on musical analysis, FORMS IN TONAL MUSIC equips students to critically examine a wide range of compositions and forms. However, Green's text takes students a step further by enabling them to approach musical works unencumbered by preconceived notions of what characteristics the text should or should not have. Providing specific help on every aspect of musical analysis, this text uses many of the compositions found in Charles Burkhart's ANTHOLOGY FOR MUSICAL ANALYSIS, but it allows students the freedom to explore works that they already own.

Music instruction can now be adapted more effectively to students' individual differences and curriculums can be developed to meet particular class needs, as a result of the original research by Professor Gordon which concentrates on the basic areas of tonal and rhythm concepts. More than 10,000 grade-school students across the United States participated in three years of testing which produced the data interpreted in this new book. Presented in terms of current learning theories applied to music, an attempt is made to provide for musical instruction grounded on research.