A composer friend of mine recommended this book to me as a good introduction to composition. After reading it, I agree. Have you ever wondered why you can write something that obeys all the rules of classical music theory but has no life to it? Toch takes a good look at the practice of composition through the ages and abstracts a set of principles - the shaping forces in music - that give a composition structure and vitality. The things that I found really interesting about these principles were how universally they apply across all periods and styles of music, and how willing the 'classical' composers like Mozart and Beethoven were to break the rules of classical theory in pursuit of a larger goal.

If you have any interest in the principles of music composition, this is a great book. My only comment is that points illustrated by quotations (which is most of them) are not always clear unless you can play or 'hear' the music - easy for Mozart, not so easy for Brahms, Debussy etc. Having a piano handy would help with this. Another solution would be to read this book in a music library and listen to the relevant works as they come up - in fact I hope to do this sometime myself.

Overall highly recommended for students of music - it's a breath of fresh air after all the traditional dogma.

I've taught Sunday School to adults for years. This new Harmony is super. Great layout, beautiful cover, clear and concise writing. Simplified, but not pablum. Serious scholarship, but crystal clear. The format makes for a very easy and short read. I especially like the way the words in the text to be amplified are set out in bold and matched with the notes at thhe bottom of each page without footnote numbers or fine print. Easy to use. Considering using it as a text for my class to teach the life of Christ. Am looking for companion study guide with review questions or workbook for students. Would welcome suggestions.

Hello Mary Clement Ph.D. How are you Do you remember me I am Ali Qasem Abu Dayyak you were my teacher in Birzeit University, you give me your book to read it, but unfortunatly i can't return it because you leave Palestine befor, i miss you i am looling for you every where, i reach this site during looking for you by name , by the book Address, by Virginia Commonwelth Un....elect. i aske for ur e-mail, your address, any thing to connect u. I am sorry to use this way to connect u but i have no choices, as every body look for his mother, sister.
Your Faithful Ali

Southern Harmony is probably the most popular hymnbook in history, having gone through editions in 1835, 1847, and 1854 as well as reprints in 1939, 1966, 1987, and 1993. After 1835, William Walker, its compiler, signed his name "William Walker, ASH"-- that is, Author of Southern Harmony. He was rightly proud of his achievement. The book includes the best of early-nineteenth-century American hymns, including many written by Walker himself. It was an influential source for many subsequent hymnals.

Southern Harmony is a shape-note hymnal, in which different notes have different shapes, enabling easy transposition between keys. The sopranos sing descants; the melodies are in the tenor voice.

And what melodies! The tunes (and lyrics) of this book will stun you with their plain-spoken power and beauty. Some (Amazing Grace, Rock of Ages) are familiar; some (Resignation --"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"-- and Wondrous Love) are becoming better known; others have been arranged by contemporary musicians such as Alice Parker and Mack Wilberg. Many dozens of others are gems waiting to be mined.

The melodies in this book tend to display their Gaelic origins. Most are based on a pentatonic scale. Many are in minor keys, and many more are modal (especially Dorian, Phrygian, and Mixolydian). Harmonies are primitive but forceful.

This is an important part of our musical heritage. Anyone interested in church music will find Southern Harmony an inspiring collection that amply rewards hours of study.

This is a must have text for all those interested in obtaining clear definitions of Space Harmony terms... excellent diagrams. highly recommend this short and clear text. Lists all scales (A, B, Primary... and three rings, and other movement sequences.

I haven't read the second edition, actually, but I did read the first (1988) and I'm using it at the moment. In addition to fabulous translations (literal and artistic) of Hildegard's poetry, Barbara Newman provides a great depth of description, background material, explanations, and information regarding Hildegard and her work. It's a sound scholarly reference and the poetry is breathtaking.

The Brawners do a wonderful job of helping us understand the different personalities in a family, in a style that is both very insightful and fun. You might call it Myers-Briggs distilled to a family setting, using animal types for personality descriptions that even an elementary school child can understand.

How would members of your family each react to falling off the Empire State Building? Who would say "We're dead!" Who would say "We'll be dead in 30 SECONDS!" Who would say nothing, but reach out for a paw to hold? And, who would say "So far, so good!" (me).

We've learned a lot about family relationships in a 1-beaver, 2-otter household. The Brawners draw on experiences as teacher, school principal, christian sports camp director, mother and father to deliver a wonderfully enjoyable, lifelong tool for fostering love and understanding at home. We've also given copies to several friends, and enjoy watching our kids' relationships grow as their 'zoo' personalities evolve. You'll want to share this one.

I first saw Kira demonstrate majority of the Thai Massage moves in Asokananda's advanced Thai Massage Book years ago (I use Asokananda's book extensively as reference!), and I am so happy to see her publish her own book. It is well laid out, excellently photographed, and described. She goes through a basic routine, describing the moves and she also has the actual charts for the sen lines and chakras as illustrated by Kam Thye Chow, who worked alongside Asokananda, and who has his own excellent Thai-Yoga book, which I also highly recommend!

I think this book gives a full explanation of racial harmony. I recommend this for project use. I think the comments about racial harmony are very useful; I find it is very informative.

Sharanya