Applied Harmony for the Adult Beginner
by
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Three things are presumed to be required of a musician:
a. Mechanical Dexterity - Dexterity can vary from extraordinary to ordinary. Neither condition limits the individual from deriving great pleasure for himself and others.
b.Talent - Presumed talent is usually the result of dedication and sweat.
c. Musical Knowledge - Only musical knowledge is mandatory and is totally independent of either dexterity or talent.
We believe the mind can be taught faster than the hands. The training of the hands should not set a boring pace for the acquisition of musical knowledge.
The student should be told what needs to be learned - why and how.
Jargon peculiar to any discipline slows the learning process. We have incorporated music jargon only where necessary. Some things appear to have been skimmed. Does the student really need to know more than we have presented at that point? We think not.
Our purpose has been to cut to the heart of the task of learning and understanding music. We believe that Harmony and its application is at the heart of that task.
Will students be a 'Van Cliburn' or 'Oscar Petersen' when they finish this book? GET REAL! That involves much dedication and sweat. Can the student expect to be able to play after finishing this book? That is our objective and what it is all about.
PART I is what you need to know. PART II is how to use it
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About the Book
This book is directed to teaching music the easiest and quickest way possible. It was conceived by the authors with the adult in mind. Many adults as children were subjected to music lessons. As adults, many wish that they had profited form those lessons. Now, the question is - is it possible for them to pick-up where they left off? Can they learn to play the music of their choice for their own amusement and amazement? Can this be done without embarking on a ten-year study course? Absolutely! The authors believe that the ability to take a melody and add the designated harmony is integral to accelerated learning and enjoyment of music. The basic requirement is a love of music.
The authors could not presume a common starting point or level of musical knowledge or experience, so they had to start at the beginning. Indeed, the book as written could be the basis for teaching a child. It is expected, however, that adults with flickering childhood memories of music will quickly find their individual starting points.
Our objective is to have the student playing as quickly as possible. We are talking days not months with a thorough understanding of what he or she is doing.
About the Author
Dave Armstong - Dave considers himself a New Englander although he has spent the last twenty-five years in California. He had a big band in the late thirties and also was the Armstrong of the Armstrong-Lawrence piano team. Dave has continued to write and do some arranging over the last fifty years as an avocation. As he says - those that can play - play. Some that can't play - teach. Those that don't like to teach - write. Dave decided to take a shot at writing in an attempt to pass on some of the pleasure he has derived from music over the years. Music should not and in fact does not require ten years of drudgery before you can start enjoying it. That's really why he wrote the book. Mary Whitton - Mary is a dynamic and very successful keyboard teacher with enough years of experience. She chooses not to be more precise. Mary has been very active as a church organist and has done a great deal of choral arranging. Mary edited our book from a teacher's and student's point of view. Needless to say she quite an input in shaping the lessons at the back of the book. The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the unsolicited comments, council, and encouragement offered by their generally picky Board of Critics. Comments or questions may reach D. Armstrong at