This series of books will take participants through examples of styles used in the Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms Syllabus, explain technical requirements and provide an introduction to the oldest of all musical endeavors, improvisation. This system has been designed for teachers and students who are familiar with a traditional approach to music instruction, and wish to expand their method in a systematic way.
These books focus on many of those elements that differentiate Contemporary Idioms from conventional systems. However, it is important to keep in mind that a high percentage of the material that a teacher will impart to a student is exactly the same in both systems.
Successful performance of any musical work involves a thorough understanding of its style. From a technical perspective, style can be broken down into individual elements such as; rhythmic subdivision, inflection, phrasing, articulation, accents, tempo, dynamics and so on. These elements must be recombined to produce music that satisfies the traditions of the particular styles.
In addition to reading pitch and rhythm using traditional notation, students are introduced to reading chord symbols. The major triad is the fundamental structure, and all other harmonies are considered a variation or addition to the triad.
It is important to listen to a given style played correctly by an experienced performer. Studying music without listening to it is like studying art without looking at any paintings or sculptures!
The music chosen for Contemporary Idioms is drawn from forms that have developed since about 1890. As many older styles are well covered by other teaching processes and systems, Contemporary Idioms focuses on music derived from dance forms and popular song forms, with increased emphasis on creativity and improvisation throughout the higher levels.
Composer(s): Oveson, Vicki, Stoll, Derek & Usher, Brian
Instrument(s): Piano
SKU: CC592

Price $17.95 (Canadian Dollars)