What to Listen for in Music - Aaron Copland

[Opus106]

What to Listen for in Music, by Aaron Copland

Will this book serve as a suitable introduction to "music appreciation" for someone who has had no training in music, formal or otherwise?

[DavidRoss]

Yes.

[Opus106]

That's good to know. Thanks for the reply, David Ross.

[jochanaan]

Indeed yes.  It's readable, thorough, and engaging, one of the best books of its kind that I know of.

[Opus106]

Thanks, jochanaan. I sampled the first few pages from Google Books, and I liked his style of writing in those pages. (The minimum requirement, according to Copland, seems to be the ability to recognise a tune and follow it through. ) Of course, I have not yet looked at all the pages explaining the technical aspects. I think I'll place an order for the book, today or tomorrow.

[RebLem]

Really, there just isn't anything better.

[Monsieur Croche]

Really, there just isn't anything better.

Seconded!

[ChamberNut]

What to Listen for in Music, by Aaron Copland

Will this book serve as a suitable introduction to "music appreciation" for someone who has had no training in music, formal or otherwise?

I'm also reading it, Nav. 

[haydnguy]

This book helped me a lot. I especially liked the "friendly" explanations on musical forms. 

[hornteacher]

It was required reading during my university days.  I've re-read it several times just for fun.

[Solitary Wanderer]

I've been meaning to get this for years.

I saw a copy in Borders last year and was suprised to see that it was a in fact a very small pocket book.

Must get it...

[mahler10th]

In Borders?
I'm getting it too.  I got hold of some "look inside" type things, 4 pages of it, and it reads well for layman and boffin alike.

[Diletante]

I'm reading it right now, it's really interesting! I knew most of what he explained about the basic elements of music, but it got my full attention when he started talking about musical texture. I feel that that chapter alone has made me more conscious of what I listen to. I'm looking forward to the next chapters.

[mahler10th]

Here is a taster.  PDF, 4 pages, taken from Coplands book.  Read this and I'm sure you'll want to read it all.

[Haffner]

What to Listen for in Music, by Aaron Copland

Will this book serve as a suitable introduction to "music appreciation" for someone who has had no training in music, formal or otherwise?

Terrific book, very educating yet a very good read as well. I think you'll really like it. And it's by a terrific composer!

[Benji]

Oh what the hell! Just ordered myself a copy, £5 with delivery from Amazon.

[Haffner]

Oh what the hell! Just ordered myself a copy, £5 with delivery from Amazon.

I have gone through two copies total already.

[Opus106]

I also found these as good audio guides for this book - 4 episodes of BBC Radio 3's Discovering Music hosted by Leonard Slatikin. They are based on Copland's book and he is also frequently quoted during the episodes.

The following are direct links to the Real Media streams

Rhythm

Melody

Harmony

Tone Colour

[Haffner]

I also found these as good audio guides for this book - 4 episodes of BBC Radio 3's Discovering Music hosted by Leonard Slatikin. They are based on Copland's book and he is also frequently quoted during the episodes.

The following are direct links to the Real Media streams

Rhythm

Melody

Harmony

Tone Colour

Really cool! Thank you!

[mahler10th]

I also found these as good audio guides for this book - 4 episodes of BBC Radio 3's Discovering Music hosted by Leonard Slatikin. They are based on Copland's book and he is also frequently quoted during the episodes.

The following are direct links to the Real Media streams

Rhythm

Melody

Harmony

Tone Colour

Great stuff!  These programs are superb.
In fact, I converted these last year into MP3 so I could listen to them at liesure.  (Don't tell the Beeb!!)  If anyone wants them in a slightly more permanent / less streaming way, let me know.
I'm about to do the same with an introduction to Webern from the same source.