Book dossier

Harmony for ear, eye, and keyboard (First year)

by Arthur Edward Heacox

From the Preface: "The aim of this book is to provide, in lesson form, attractive material for the first year of harmony study in high school or college. The principal features of the plan are as follows: 1. Provision is made in each lesson for a three-fold approach to the subject; that is, approach through the ear, through the eye, and through the hand. In other words, ear-training and keyboard-training lead to the written work and are co-ordinate with it. 2. Practice is provided in several styles of original composition, thereby linking up the student's harmony course with his practical music. 3. A substantial beginning is established in pure part-writing from both melody and figured bass, with the purpose of laying the foundation necessary for intelligent advanced study. The plan is not a new one. On the contrary, it is based upon standard authorities, supplemented by observation of what many of our foremost educators in this field are doing at the present day." From the book: "TO THE TEACHER: The book can be completed in 120 60-minute recitation periods or in 150 45-minute periods, with approximately an equal amount of outside preparation. This makes a one-year course for the high school class which meets five times a week and allows ample time for review lessons and examinations. If taken as a one-year course it is recommended that the second semester begin with the subject of Modulation (Lesson 38). . . For the ear-training and sight-singing course, teachers who use this book should always supplement the text material with material from other sources. . . . That the teacher may have wide supplementary resources, he should aim to own many of the text-books named in Appendix A, I to V inclusive. If creative, he can invent exercises. He should not change the key frequently -- probably it is best to use only one key in each lesson. . . "