Circle In The Round

The Music Theory series is designed from the ground-up to explain the terminology and musical structures needed for modern applications. Level One is an introductory course which covers music notation, key signatures, basic scales, intervals, modes, diatonic relationships and 3-and 4-part chords. Level Two is an intermediate-level course covering larger chord forms, 'definitive' chords in major and minor keys, substitutions, analysis of key centers in tunes, 'upper structure' chords, voiceleading, and pentatonic and blues scale applications, a complete glossary of terms, and hundreds of written theory exercises with answers.

This book stands alone or integrates with any method. For all ages, in private or group study, its graphics put chord shapes of triads, seventh chords, inversions and chord progressions securely into the hands. Summary charts and keyboard maps speed up learning and review. Notation and graphics give standard arpeggio fingerings for major and minor triads and all seventh chords. A section on other keyboard patterns in repertoire, such as chords divided between the hands, may be used as 5-minute units at lessons.

For many years, musicians in Nashville have used a system of numbers, rather than standard musical notation, in playing and singing and at recording sessions. Neil Matthews, Jr., one of the original members of Elvis Presley's back-up vocal quartet The Jordanaires, invented the system and also wrote this book, which teaches the whole system and also includes quotes, stories and photos of country and pop stars.

Eartraining is a vital (and sometimes neglected) skill that enables musicians to 'hear ahead' in their playing and writing. These unique, modern courses have been used by hundreds of students (from beginners to working pros) at the acclaimed Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. These methods use SOLFEG (the syllables Do, Re, Mi, etc.) to apply the techniques within a key-center based 'relative pitch' framework. Level One works on hearing and transcribing melodies, rhythms, intervals and bass lines and moves on to identify triads and simple progressions. Level Two covers hearing and transcribing triad and four-part chord progressions, key changes, chromatic tones, modal scales, and combining melodic and harmonic dictation. Both levels include vocal drills and exercises.