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Modern harmonic technique
A rigorous, methodical exploration of the structural mechanics behind modern harmony and musical composition.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a quiet, well-lit practice room where the architecture of sound is carefully dismantled and explained. The pace is steady and deliberate, guiding the reader through a highly structured curriculum that builds from simple scales and intervals to the complex mechanics of chord progressions and voice leading. The mood is deeply studious and focused, offering a satisfying sense of clarity as abstract musical concepts are codified into practical techniques. Written with an authoritative yet accessible instructional tone, the prose prioritizes precision over flourish. It is an experience designed to delight musicians, composers, and arrangers who crave a rigorous, foundational understanding of the theory that drives modern North American arranging and jazz.
- Mood
- studious
- focused
- structured
- Tone
- instructional
- methodical
- authoritative
- analytical
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- musical foundation · structural understanding · creative mechanics · the architecture of sound
- The writing
- Clear, codified, and highly organized, prioritizing instructional precision and practical application.
- The arc
- Moving from foundational curiosity to a confident, structured mastery of musical mechanics.
- Who it's for
- Musicians, composers, and arrangers of all levels who want to deeply understand the theory underlying modern jazz and North American arranging.
About the book
A comprehensive survey of basic and harmonic and melodic materials for the present - day composer and arranger.
This book has been written with the intention of serving: 1. The beginner who needs a text which will provide a thorough understanding of the theory which underlies the harmony of modern (North) American arranging, jazz, and all areas of composition which use scales and chords as a starting point. The text assumes only that the beginner has a basic ability to read music, a knowledge of the treble and bass staffs, a little playing and listening experience, and an interest.
2. The novice arranger, who is often hampered by the lack of a proper foundation in harmonic technique and part movement.
3. The professional arranger or composer, who may find that this codification of harmonic principles will provide him with a deeper understanding, and perhaps some fresh avenues of musical thought.
Chapter l..............SCALES
Chapter 2-.............INTERVALS
Chapter 3..............CHORDS
Chapter 4..............Prepartory Considerations to the STUDY OF HARMONY I. A Catalogue of the Harmonically Dissonant Intervals II. Writing Techniques III. The General Principles of Voice Leading IV. Harmonic Pulse
Chapter 5...............THECADENCES
Chapter 6..............A Basic Theory of CHORD PROGRESSION
Chapter 7...............Chord Progression In DIATONIC IONIAN
I. The Primary Chords II. The ii and vi Chords III. The 7th Chords IV. The iii Chord in Major V.The lst lnversion Vl The Use of an Initial Chord Other Than "I" VIII. Change of Position ("Arpeggiation") IX The VII Chord inMajor
Chapter 8- Chord Progression In MINOR
Chapter 9 I THE SECOND INVERSION (of Major and Minor Chords) II. THE THIRD INVERSION (All 7th Chords) EPILOGUE SAMPLE SOLUTIONS TO THE ASSIGNMENT TEXT EXERCISES INDEX
Description from Open Library.
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