Harmony, Counterpoint, Partimento: A New Method Inspired by Old Masters

The magic of this book is in the workbook exercises. I spend most of my time there, not dwelling on the words in the chapters. Probably at least 95% to 5% workbook to chapter ratio. So far I play all of the exercises in every key. That way I learn the patterns and not memorize the literal notes. This is also helping me learn all of the keys very well.I like the author's decision to start with two voices, and then move to three. Four voices is the second half of the book. Common Practice musicians thought in intervals, not in chord inversions like it's taught today. With two voices you will learn the hierarchy of intervals in classical music. You mainly use 3rds and 6ths, then the book starts introducing dissonances. Octaves usually come at the beginning and ending of a piece, or at a cadential arrival. 5ths become more prevalent with three voices. This book will help break you of Roman Numeral Syndrome. You will begin to see the logic behind why composes did what they did, which is obscured when using Roman numeral analysis.If you're a self learner, then listen to the author's interview on the Nikhil Hogan podcast, since he talks about many helpful things not mentioned in the book. For example he said that if you want to learn the partimenti of, say, Fenaroli, then a prerequisite would be working though half of his book. This isn't a shameless plug, but rather it acknowledges that the partimenti of the old masters are not beginner methods. A student starting partimenti in the 18th century would already be intimately familiar with how the intervals work, would know bass motions, how to modulate, etc.

The book arrived in great condition, and well before the estimated time. Thanks!

This course has introduced me to a whole new world of improvisation. It's greatly enhanced my appreciation for European music from the 18th and 19th centuries.

After the brilliant scholarly works by Robert Gjerdingen, Giorgio Sanguinetti and Peter Van Tour (to name a few) on Partimento, there was a need for a practical book that detailed a modern approach to Partimento for interested students. It's like the college textbook we should have had when we went to music school.I love the companion workbook and audio that is provided. The text is easy to read and follow. I highly recommend it!

I’m still reading it, but it’s fantastic so far. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes counterpoint.

Very intelligent organization of material, student friendly!

This is a masterwork of keyboard pedagogy. It may be the most useful method since Fenaroli, but without the need for translation...and I'm not talking about the language. If you can recognise notes on treble and bass clef, and play your major scales slowly, you are ready. If you are a professional, you will not be bored. With all the latest scholarship in the background and a lifetime of teaching experience, Job presents beautiful exercises and essential concepts which let us into the view of the real "classical" musicians in the long 18th century. Here is an historicaly informed foundation that will enhance and inspire the performance of any genre today, in 2021.

This is an excellent and outstanding book! Easy to read, easy to understand (assuming you have some base knowledge), concise but precise explanations, and foremost lots of really good examples and exercises!I love this book!

Un Excellent livre pour tous les musiciens et compositeurs. La clé de la compréhension et la pratique de la musique classique.

Uno dei migliori libri sull'argomento. Completo preciso e pratico. Ha anche una parte di contenuti online, con tra l'altro gli audio di tutti gli esempi, gli esercizi con possibili soluzioni.Ma ancor piu' importante e' l'ottica con cui affronta la materia. Utile anche per dare basi solide all'improvvisazione

La teoria degli schemi sviluppata nel libro è interessante. Grande importanza è fatta all'armonizzazione della scala e si movimenti per gradi congiunto. Le analisi dei numerosi esempi sono ben fatte e chiare. È un libro di testo che ha una sua validità. Tuttavia, questi schemi si applicano soprattutto fino al periodo galante. Per spiegare la musica dei periodi successivi andrebbero elaborati altri schemi.

Beinhaltet einen praktischen Ansatz zum Komponieren im klassischen Stil. Die im hinteren Buchteil abgedruckten Aufgaben kann man sich auch direkt über die im Buch verlinkte Internetseite herunterladen (mit Lösungen). Von mir eine unbedingte Kaufempfehlung!