Music Composition

Music Composition: A New Method of Harmony is a great title authored by Carl E. Gardner and intended to be a textbook for use by teachers and students of music.

Gardner opens Music Composition with an appeal to music teachers to deviate from the common pedagogical strategies of the day. The author believes that too often young music students are taught on a very strict, almost mathematical, basis, and that this method hinders the development of those not inclined to learn in this way. The purpose of the text is thus to present a new method for teaching students that allows the student to compose music without thought of technical and grammatical rules. Gardner's work is divided into two parts, with part one presenting the fundamentals of music composition and part two offering a more challenging curriculum. The book itself is a mix of text and sheet music, ensuring that the student will be doing as much playing as reading.

Music Composition is a thorough but accessible treatise on the subject matter. While the work is clearly intended primarily for the teacher, as Gardner's words are directed at an instructor, the book still holds value for the independent learner. The theory and teaching methods presented are explained in detail, but the language used is not overly technical. This is a title within reach of all levels of musicians.

Music Composition: A New Method of Harmony remains a high quality educational work. Gardner's method emphasizes creativity over mathematics, and thus leads the reader down a path of gaining pleasure from playing music. Individuals interested in an accessible textbook about music theory are encouraged to add the work of Carl Gardner to their collection.