Quantity:

More Buying Choices

17 used & new from �5.59

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Lies My Music Teacher Told Me: Music Theory for Grownups

See larger image

Share your own customer images

Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Lies My Music Teacher Told Me: Music Theory for Grownups (Paperback)

by Gerald Eskelin (Author)

3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

RRP:	�14.50
Price:	�13.05 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save:	�1.45 (10%)
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want guaranteed delivery by Friday, November 13? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details

12 new from �5.59 5 used from �5.59

Other Editions:	RRP:	Our Price:	Other Offers:
Paperback (Illustrated)			9 used & new from �9.95

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century

by Alex Ross

4.3 out of 5 stars (38) �8.13

This is Your Brain on Music: Understanding a Human Obsession

by Daniel J. Levitin

3.6 out of 5 stars (12) �5.37

› Explore similar items

Product details

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Stage 3 Publishing,U.S.; 2nd Revised edition edition (22 Jun 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1886209251
ISBN-13: 978-1886209251
Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.5 x 1.5 cm

Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 880,420 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Review

"We should always be grateful for books--on any subject--that force us to take a new angle of vision, to interpret familiar things in a fresh way. Dr. Eskelin's amusing and instructive dissertation does that, and much more." --Steve Allen, entertainer and TV personality

Product Description

A number of musical misconceptions are explored and exploded in this humourous and lucid discussion of the relation between the human perception of music and traditional systems of music education. Drawing on his extensive background in the music world, the author marshals an informal yet rigorous logic to guide the reader through the practical experiences and careful thinking that led him to his conclusions. Updated and refined in the light of reader feedback and more recent thinking, nagging questions such as Why does formal musical training seem not to pertain to musical success? and, Why is there such a dramatic disparity between what one is told about music and how one actually experiences it? are re-addressed. Seekers of musical truth stand to profit from this light-hearted assault on the more nebulous assumptions of the musical community.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent alternate to the standard perspective on theory, 5 Sep 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lies My Music Teacher Told ME: Music Theory for Grownups (Paperback)

Dr. Eskelin's book is a fairly comprehensive explanation of the theory of music. It's different from the other books on this topic I have read in that it starts by throwing out most of what most schools teach of music theory. Instead, it begins "at the beginning," with very basic facts about human perception and the physics of producing sound, and follows an unusual but cogent route to a deeper understanding of music. As a lifelong student of music (and recently-turned-professional performer), I was delighted to find this new perspective filling in a number of little holes in my understanding... and challenging me to reconsider some of the ideas I had about music and which I never thought about very deeply. I recommend it highly for those who find value in multiple perspectives on the subject of music theory!

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is not what it purports to be., 19 Feb 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lies My Music Teacher Told ME: Music Theory for Grownups (Paperback)

There is no doubt that there are problems in the passing of musical knowledge to students by music teachers. But this book does not do anything to really solve this problem, offering instead a different recipe for what music is which isn't any different from the arbitrary perspectives passing as music theory in formal institutions. All such perspectives ultimately rely on aesthetic tastes, and in the author's reliance upon Just Intonation for his theories, he is no different than Rameau (whom he borrows from but has not read) or any other theorist. The author also overestimates the ability of the reader to understand the musical concepts presented; I would dare say professional musicians themselves would be challenged, provided they can persist with the book beyond the first few chapters. The author thinks very highly of himself and his accomplishments, but he is no closer to The Truth than the lies he condemns.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

4.0 out of 5 stars Challenging Teacher's Pitch, 18 Oct 2009

By	Alan Goldsmith (Lincoln, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Starting with a simple review of the Western approach to pitch, scales and intervals, Gerald Eskelin progresses to a more detailed look at seventeen "lies" regularly expounded by music educators. For example, he looks at harmonics and why equal temperament tuning on pianos prevents us from hearing true harmony. As he says, singing to a piano's tuning will not allow chords to ring and he recommends that youngsters learn vocal music without a keyboard. Unaccompanied voices can achieve the subtle variation needed to ensure accurate tuning of chords - listen to a barbershop quartet "bust a chord" and the sound is thrilling. The book progresses to a more detailed level but is recommended for anyone who wants to improve choral performance.
Eskelin's work with the LA Jazz Choir is proof evident of how a good pair of ears is just as critical as a good voice if you want to make truly outstanding vocal music.
Alan Goldsmith

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 5 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent exposition of what music theory should be about
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has studied, performed, or listened to music. You may not agree with the author's viewpoints, but they are well worth paying... Read more

Published on 25 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to be read.
Gerald Eskelin's book is one the most fascinating books on theory I've read. The title may seduce the neophyte reader (from New York) into reading this book. Read more

Published on 22 Nov 1998

› See all 5 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }