Review (PDF) Music First! With Keyboard Foldout
Based on tested methods used by the author during many years of teaching, Music First! takes a step-by-step approach to the fundamentals of music theory and basic composition, engaging students through a combination of explanation and interaction. Students learn cumulatively as they progress through the book. This popular "learn-by-doing" approach reinforces theoretical principles through practice and enlivens any Fundamentals course.
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 6 edition (January 25, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0077407148
ISBN-13: 978-0077407148
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.6 x 10.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #88,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #28 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Keyboard #203 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Performing Arts > Music #820 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Instruction & Study
This is a textbook AND workbook. There are perforated assignment pages which are intended to be torn out. Used copies might have these pages missing, so be warned! If you buy a used copy, make sure all the pages are intact and the assignment pages are not filled in. Also, this book should include a foldout keyboard and chord finder.
I'm a college music professor and have used this as the primary text in my music fundamentals course since the 4th Edition. It is well-written with many useful examples. Editions 4 and 5 were SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper.Pros:Covers all the important fundamental bases.Explains things clearly, easy to understand even for beginners.ConsWhile 50% of the practice exercises are useful, the other are rather annoying and more confusing than helpful (IMHO).About as overpriced as a 12 square-foot apartment in upper Manhattan.Look, I know publishers are out to make a profit, as well they should be. No one here is begrudging good, old-fashioned business success. But let's keep it real. Everyone knows college textbooks are ludicrously priced to begin with but the publisher of THIS little book brings it to a level that is obscene. This is a THIN PAPERBACK WITH PERFORATED TEAR-OUT PAGES. They would make a handsome profit selling this book for $40. Anything over $60 is indefensible, but $100??? That's just absurd. As such I have determined I will never use this book for my classes again, unless the price is slashed by a minimum of 50%.Bottom line; there are many quality music fundamental resources out there, a great deal of which are much less expensive.
Not pleased with this book as an introduction to music. It does not explain concepts very well and the examples are few. Most of the concepts had to be viewed on Youtube before I could understand what the author was trying to say. Besides the book is very expensive and not worth the price. I just don't understand why any professor would require such an expensive workbook with such brief explanations.
We're using this book in an entry level music theory type of course. It's a good book, it covers the topics well, has lots of examples, is laid out well to be a good reference later, and has lots of very helpful exercises. In short, it's a very good book for learning how to read and write music, and some basics about theory.The only downside is, omg, this may be the most overpriced book I've ever seen. It's a pretty thin book with a cheap soft cover binding. When you look at the book it is something I would expect to sell for $20 or so. Certainly not 5x that.
I was renting the book and ended up receiving a brand new unopened package of the book. I thought it was going to be used, but everything was awesome! My only gripe is that the full-price of the book isn't really worth it. So it's better to rent it.
I received the purchase in a timely manner, the cover was in good condition, all the pages were intact. Unfortunately it had several pages contained writing, and many pages had visible erasers. I have purchased many books over the past four years. This is the first book that was received in this condition.
This book is very confusing and not straight forward. I do not understand why authors insist on making theory so complicated with unnecessary jargon. If you are looking for straight forward approach to music theory I would go elsewhere.
Product was in great conditions, and came on time. There were no rips or tears on the pages, and barely had any writing. The book was in very good conditions. The keyboard was also still good, and was not opened yet.
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