Melody and Rhythm
Melody and Rhythm is a comprehensive course in undergraduate Musicianship and Aural Skills currently in use at the University of Miami Frost School of Music and other schools around the country.
The Second Edition is Here!
Semesters 1 & 2 of the second edition are now available, with Semesters 3 through 5 in progress. Buy Semesters 1 & 2 on Amazon
The first edition is a 4-Semester sequence that remains in print.
Course Characteristics (Second Edition)
- A wide range of styles and composers are featured (from Renaissance counterpoint to funky grooves, from W.A. Mozart to Joni Mitchell).
- The blues is presented on equal footing with major and minor, making the course highly relevant for present-day music training.
- Listening examples (drawn from pop, rock, jazz, musical theater, cinema, television, and videogames) support transcription, aural analysis, and learning by ear activities.
- Hundreds of examples from the World Music Network’s Rough Guides series have been added, providing global context.
- Melodic pedagogy is expanded, providing color-coded lyrics for fixed-do, movable-do, numbers, and note names.
- Lead Sheet, Roman-Numeral Analysis, Figured Bass, and Score Study examples offer harmonic content in a variety of contexts.
- “Interpret” examples in every section help students develop expression: how would this example sound as a seductive dance, a lullaby, or a fight song? How would it sound as performed by Daffy Duck? Darth Vadar?
- Fill in the Blank and Jam Session examples are included in every section, inviting students to goof around with creativity.
- Duets and canons support ensemble skills.
- The course structure is clear and consistent for ease of use in the classroom.
- Principles of Effective Practice help students hone their learning process.