Fundamentals, Function, and Form: Theory and Analysis of Tonal Western Art Music

Reviewed by Mark Zanter, Professor, Marshall University on 10/3/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The text would be an appropriate resource for the first three semesters of most undergraduate music theory sequences. It is structured in four parts: music fundamentals, functional harmony, chromatic harmony, and form. Chapters are well written, concise, and focus on stylistic characteristics of Western Tonal Music. Musical examples are drawn from the familiar canon and less familiar sources, including many from women composers, and the online version of the text includes MIDI audio for each example. Students will also find hyperlinks in the text a useful study aid. Exercises are interspersed throughout each chapter and though these are appropriate; an instructor may wish to supplement them to help students gain mastery of concepts.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Revisions to the text and errata corrections are listed at the end of the text. As for the content, there is not much to be discussed regarding accuracy. I think many instructors will appreciate the discussion of diatonic interval successions and their use in two-voice counterpoint/motion (e.g., parallel, oblique, contrary). This common-sense approach teaches the student intervals and the resolution of pitches, paving the way for the study of functional harmony instead of focusing on intervals as an abstract concept or in the context of learning strict counterpoint.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The author has created a concise well-structured text that focuses on Western Tonal Music. In most music schools, this body of knowledge is still the mainstay of music theory instruction. There is an increasing need to incorporate instruction addressing structures in popular music, a text such as this can still be relevant if it is as concise and well structured as this one is.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is written at the appropriate level for an undergraduate music theory text.

Consistency rating: 5

The tone and structure of the text are consistent throughout.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is structured in four larger parts each of which contains multiple chapters. Chapter organization follows widely accepted models, but chapters could be reorganized if an instructor sees fit.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text's organization follows the structure of most music theory curricula.

Interface rating: 5

The online version of the text features a drop-down ToC, hyperlinks to reference other chapters/units, and MIDI audio for musical examples. The downloadable PDF includes many bookmarks, which ease text navigation. Hyperlinks in the PDF do not seem to work (attempted using them in Adobe Acrobat and Mac OS Preview), but bookmarks are extensive.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical errors, the writing could be a bit more concise, but this is a minor issue.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

None noted.