Understanding Basic Music Theory - Catherine Schmidt-Jones [35]
Suggestions for Listening and Further Study
It can be difficult to follow a discussion of music without hearing some examples. If you would like to hear some music in the categories above, or you are planning to present this lesson to a class, here are some easy-to-find suggestions. Some categories also include suggestions for where to start if you want more information.
Tonal, Atonal, and Modal Music
To hear tonal music, turn on the radio and listen to just about any station, unless your Classical station is playing twentieth century music.
In the modal music category, medieval chant and the classical music of India are easiest to find.
Even in the category of twentieth century music, the shelves tend to be stocked with the work of composers who stayed with some sort of tonality (Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Gershwin, and Aaron Copland, for example). For atonality look for John Cage, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, or Edgard Varese.
Western Classical
From the actual classical period: listen to anything by Mozart or Haydn, or Beethoven's early works.
From other periods: listen to Bach or Vivaldi (Baroque), Brahms, Schubert, Chopin, or Tchaikovsky, or Beethoven's later works (Romantic), Ravel or Debussy (Impressionist), Stravinsky, Hindemith, or Schoenberg (Modern).
A History of Western Music by Donald Jay Grout is a scholarly source of information.
The Music Makers, edited by Clive Unger-Hamilton, is an easy-to-read combination of history and reference book.
Most standard music dictionaries and encyclopedias also focus almost exclusively on Western Classical music.
For children, there are many appropriate picture books and even videos on the lives and music of the most famous composers. Also, look for picture books that summarize the plot of a famous opera or ballet.
Any standard music theory book or course will introduce the basics of Western music.
Non-Western Classical
The only easy-to-find items in this category are Indian Classical music, for example the performances of Ravi Shankar.
A web search for classical music from a particular country may turn up some sound clips. At the time of this writing, for example, sound clips could be found of Chinese Opera and Tunisian classical music.
Western Folk
For the sound of traditional Western folk music, look for collections of folk music from England or Australia, sea shanties, or American cowboy songs. For young students, Wee Sing's "Fun 'n' Folk" and "Sing-Alongs" book-and-tape sets are good sources.
To hear modern folk-style music, listen to Joan Baez, John Denver, Bob Dylan's protest music, Simon and Garfunkel, or Peter, Paul and Mary.
The Rough Guide series of books and recordings includes some that examine modern folk artists. This would be a good place to start learning more on the subject of modern folk music.
Non-Western Folk
If you live in a Western culture, it can be difficult to find recordings of non-Western folk music, since most Western listeners do not have a taste for it. For children, Wee Sing publishes an "Around the World" book and tape with children's songs from all over.
The Music for Little People catalogue also has some recordings that introduce children to music from other cultures.
For adults, Ellipsis Arts publishes traditional music from non-Western cultures. Check your local library's recording section for music from Africa or Asia, or for the music of native Americans or Australians.
Some of the Rough Guide series focus on specific folk or traditional musics.
Music that Combines Western and Non-Western Traditions
For music that has been combining elements of both for long enough to have developed its own traditions, listen to any jazz, blues, gospel, Latin dance, or reggae. There are many books on these musics, particularly on jazz and reggae. For a comprehensive audiovisual overview of jazz,