Music: A Very Short Introduction 1st Edition

Nicholas Cook has the unique ability to encapsulate and articulate methods by which we can process and understand music. Given that academia (in the USA) is still hung up on the canon (or anti-canon), and cannot make the tough choices that would lead to relevance and inclusion in today's academy and cultural spheres, this book would seem to be an unintelligible read. Anyone who is interested as to 'why' or 'how' music could function on dual platforms in secondary and higher education, as well as popular culture, should read this book. Music educators should ditch all their clever, but largely irrelevant theories, and read this book in order to have an impact upon the field that is at present, so lacking. Performers should read this in order to have a better understanding as to why their audience base continues to shrink with each succeeding generation. There are many excellent books on the nuts and bolts of western music...."here's a notehead...here's a rest.....this is the staff.....this is a piano....this is an orchestra....how to solfege.....and so on", but you should read Cook immediately after the 'nuts and bolts' books in order to know what in hell to do with all the rules.

Interesting approach

The book was in fantastic condition when I received it. It will be extremely helpful for my Husband's studies I was so excited to find this thank you!

These books are incredible! My husband and I love all of the Very Short Introduction books. They are so informative with great diagrams and pictures. If you are interested in a subject, THIS is the place to start. Plus Amazon sells them the cheapest.

A must have if you are applying to study music at Uni, and some perspectives that spark novelty.

I am using it for an on-line music theory class and it has been as helpful as the instructor had suggested.

Poorly written, rambling book that I had to buy because of a professor. I would rather crawl through broken glass than read another page of this pointless work which neither serves as an introduction to music nor a good read. Turning music into a quasi pseudo-intellectual discussion without much substance, waste of both my money and my time

Written in simple English and easy to understand yet not talking down to those who know about music.

Author provides a good overview of what music represents today, especially in terms of how we perceive classical music today in terms of longevity and critique. Although clearl authorities, it is difficult to read - the level of expression is complicated and ideas difficult to decipher as a result.

This is a very good ‘short introduction’ - a must recommendation.

Item used for PhD research

As described and an interesting intro book to music study

Reading it as a music degree undergraduate, I found it both useful and interesting and has definitely changed the way I think about music as well as informed me about musical history. Is concise and a very good read for any 'musician' or anyone who's interested in music