Harmony for Computer Musicians

This book is probably meant for one target audience. Fortunately, I fit that target profile when I read this book. This book is not a book about using your computer to make music. This book is a crash course in music theory for the aspiring computer music producer (CMP) who has the bad fortune of coming to computer music production without a solid grounding in music theory. If prior to aspiring to be a CMP you spent years of your childhood in piano lessons grinding through your major and minor scales, while periodically performing Fur Elise at piano recitals to the nodding approval of your proud parents, then this book is not for you. If you aspire to be able to read music by sight while playing a musical instrument live, this book is not the best place to learn. On the other hand, if you have a sharp, mathematically inclined mind, a good ear for sound, and have made the decision to learn to use your computer to program and produce electronic music, but have never learned to play an instrument or read music, then this book is a good starting point. You will not learn how to use your computer to make music with this book. The assumption Hewitt makes is that you will figure out on your own the hardware and software set up needed for your chosen "instrument." But this book is a crash course in music theory. If you use the book the way I used it, it will really set you on your way. It will teach you all the fundamentals. When I read this book I spent hours calculating for myself with pencil and paper and training myself in front of a keyboard to know all of the major and minor scales, the chords, and the logical chord progressions. I did not become a piano virtuoso. But that is not what I aspired to learn from this book. Instead, I got to the point where I could tinker with a MIDI controller to create and combine into an aesthetically satisfying whole all of the parts of my compositions by "instinct" (more like internalized memorization of fundamental principles learned from this book). It also got me up to speed to the point that I could make edits to MIDI files on my computer without having to hear the changes first by trial-and-error. Just by understanding what was taught in this book, I often know what my composition options might be if I am particular dissatisfied with the way the note on the 3rd beat of a bar sits in relation to the rest of the sounds in the composition - I can just try out a few of the "logical" options and pick the one that best works for me. The book is an invitation to think, memorize and internalize everything Hewitt is trying to teach you. And if you take the time to really "get" it, you will be rewarded by much greater confidence and competence in planning, designing, programming your musical compositions. One final caveat: if by chance you find the material gets very tough very quickly, follow Hewitt's advice and go back and read the first book in his trilogy: Music Theory for Computer Musicians. This second book assumes prior knowledge of - and therefore only provides a very quick overview of - the material covered by the first book. In my case I skipped the first book and allowed myself more time to fully digest the contents of the first few chapters. In hindsight, my own education could have gone more quickly if I had just taken the time to work through the first book first.

Honestly it was way more informative than I thought it would be. This book is full of information and is potentially one of the best things I've read in terms of learning music theory. This book is NOT for anyone who is not taking learning harmony seriously. I highly recommend this book to anyone learning music theory and getting better at harmony, especially those who are interested in making EDM. Most of us music producers never quite grasp music theory and just put some notes together hoping it will sound good, but once you understand the information in this book you could write an entire song not even listening to it, and know exactly how it would flow, where the chorus is, and have a nice dramatic endings. I think Mozart read this book, or wrote it. 5 stars all the way!

As other reviews have stated, this is a good primer on harmony, and the reference to computer-based music production makes it more timely. There are a few editing flaws in the graphics, so one has to look carefully and know what to look for. I am hoping there will be a revised edition soon as this one is now over ten years old. If you don't know basic music theory pretty well, study that first.

With good, clear prose and practical explanations, Dr. Hewitt makes an unambiguous case for study, study, study. Well, I have learned, learned, learned and I am very happy with my purchase. Be warned, this is not some lightweight little book. It is nearly 300 pages long and there's not a wasted word in it. As its description states, it facilitates "an understanding of the ingredients of music and how they are put together." It is for people who enjoy learning and its author's love of music is evident throughout.

If you are looking to produce computer music and need information, look no further. This book covers the fundamentals behind all music. Once one has learned the common threads to music it becomes a breeze to compose your own professional sounding tracks. This is what this book teaches I

This an excellent book for those seeking out a modern text on harmony that illustrates chordal and harmonic relationships in a `Piano Roll" midi style input suitable for playing back in a sequencer such as SONAR, CUBASE etc. It also treats modulation and modal harmony. Many samples illustrated in the book are on a companion CD. If you're a computer musician this text is a definite 'must have'.

The kindle book is FULL of conversion errors, and it is like no one even checked its quality. Just read the *first* sentence of the *first* chapter and judge by yourself: "W h atever type or styleof music you are interestedin producing, in doing so you will no doubtcome across what are in effect theuniversalofthe musicallanguage.Now,"

Intended for someone who knows little about music. Knew more than I thot. Knew all chords already. Good material on modes, but that is pretty easy to find. Writing is good. Hints on arranging for string orchestra were good if correct.