Of the three elements of music -- rhythm; melody; and harmony -- rhythm has received the least attention from the theorists; yet it is indisputably the basic element without which there is no musical art. Such is the first sentence of this book on use of the body to express musical rhythm. Elsa Findlay is eminently qualified to write on this subject; having been a student of Emile-Jaques Dalcroze; the master himself; and also from her own experience in a variety of teaching situations. These included schools of dance and theater; colleges and universities; and The Cleveland Institute of Music; one of the first to offer a BMus degree with a major in eurhythmics. Each chapter concentrates on a different phase of rhythm: tempo; dynamics; duration; metrical patterns; speech and rhythm patterns; phrase and form; pitch and melody; and creative expression. Activities for each phase are outlined in detail and illustrated by charming drawings and photos. Appendices furnish further suggestions for exercises; games; action songs; and suitable music.
#956197 in eBooks 1994-12-01 1994-11-30File Name: B004HFR61U
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Simple and to the pointBy David A.This book contains pretty much exactly what it says it does other than some nice bonus material on the inside of the covers (circle of fifths. chromatic scales. etc.).Each key gets its own page listing 2-octave parallel and contrary motion scales. cadences in three inversions. and 2-octave arpeggios in three inversions. Fingerings are presented for each of these. The scales are in a pretty logical order. moving around the circle of fifths order in the sharp direction followed by the flat direction. I like the simple. straightforward layout and ordering. Its a nice change compared to scale books that try to shove in all sorts of variations and every single exotic scale but then miss important details like fingerings. I like quality over quantity. You can move on to the more advanced stuff once you have the basics mastered.One subtle point that I like is that each key is notated with its key signature. There are scale books out there that notate everything in the C Major key signature (i.e. no accidentals in the key signature) and then place the accidentals on the individual notes as needed. I guess they do this because they think it is easier on the beginner to have the accidental right there on the note but I find it just delays the important step of learning how to lock your brain on to a key signature.If you are a complete beginner. this book will be a little too bare for you without supplemental learning materials. Youll have to find out elsewhere what key signatures are. why youd want to practice scales. etc.. Dont buy this book expecting that it alone will teach you how to play. However. this is a great reference to have for anyone working on the basics.30 of 31 people found the following review helpful. Great for adult piano studentsBy NanetteI took piano lessons as a child. but C major was the only scale I learned. After I saw the advantages of practicing scales as my daughter took lessons. I really wanted to practice scales. But. I had no idea how to learn the right notes or fingering. First. I boughtThe Complete Book of Scales. Chords. Arpeggios and Cadencesin the same series. The amount of information was too overwhelming. Next. I tried theThe First Book of Scales. Chords. Arpeggios Cadences (Alfreds Basic Piano Library). Its perfect. The book description says its for children. but its good for adults as well. Theres nothing Id change about this book. Thank God I found it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I would recommend it and would buy it againBy Customervery handy as I am teaching myself to play the piano. This is a book that I refer to during my practice time and use over and over. I would recommend it and would buy it again.
