'Keys to Music Theory 1B’ provides a new, vibrant and fresh approach to Music Theory. It is an ideal resource for either the 21st century instrumentalist or singer, or the simply curious listener, of any age.
This book, the second in this series, has been born out of the more extensive primer / textbook Keys to Music Theory 1, and is a smaller volume covering the second topic of the four in that book. It is a step by step guide to ‘key structure’ within music, and it does assume a working knowledge of notation - covered in Keys to Music Theory 1A.
The pages are full of clear explanations, underpinned by bold and imaginative illustrations and diagrams, audio files, interactives and animations. There are popovers containing extra information, a full and extensive glossary, regular quiz questions throughout, and study cards to help with self-testing.
What is covers
. Pitch gaps - semitone / half step and tone / whole step
. Scale - construction and degrees
. Modes - names, positions and scale patterns
. Major - the Major keys, key signatures, their scales, technical names
. Minor - the Minor keys, key signatures, their relationship to the Major keys, the circle of 5ths
. Chromatic scales - the rules of construction
The author, Jane Emmanuel, has been teaching classical singing and music theory to both children and adults for over 30 years. This series of books has arisen from her long experience of communicating these concepts to countless students reluctant to even begin this amazing journey.
Mark Proctor’s design has been key in helping to transform this subject from the perceived ‘dull and boring’, and maybe even a little ’scary’, into a vivid, stimulating and much more enjoyable experience.
